Author: Tory Hoen
Here are some restaurant dining rules to help you fit in with the locals. …read more
While I lived in Paris, my French improved and stretched in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. But when I’m asked if I’m fluent in French, my answer is always the same: yes and no. …read more
French people are born with an innate sense of how to thrive in their natural habitat. Eating well, French fashion, and comporting themselves with general discretion are key elements in this survival strategy. Here are 7 cultural rules to live by. …read more
In the US, bigger is often equated with better, and mediocrity is sort of the norm. When something exceeds mediocrity, we’re often pleasantly surprised. Conversely, the French have higher expectations. Quality trumps quantity and excess. …read more
Flâner has always been one of my favorite French verbs. The dictionary definition reads “se promener sans but précis” (to walk without a precise goal). Since aimless wandering is basically my raison d’etre in Paris, I appreciate that the French have a word dedicated to the act. Spend some time in Paris and you will quickly understand how many different… …read more
Picnic season is in full swing in Paris. Here are a few spots where picnickers of all kinds can find their bliss. …read more
I’ve come up with a list of the best parks and places that I return to again and again, for a morning or afternoon, under the Parisian sky. …read more
In Paris, even the most basic French phrases can be slightly confounding at first. Here are some of my favorite French-isms to share. …read more
It’s time to address a theme that has become a highly controversial component of my Parisian life: the smile. When I first moved to Paris, I couldn’t figure out why people seemed to pick up on my non-French status before I had uttered a word. Finally, a friend informed me: “You smile too much.” …read more
This is the best moment of the year, and it’s not just about the weather. Find out about the effect of sunlight on Parisians when spring arrives in the City of Light. …read more
Living in Paris is no guarantee that you’ll automatically become a local. If you’re not a Parisienne and you want to be, these are the rules. …read more
Years into my love affair with Paris, I’m still making ridiculous rookie mistakes. I suppose it’s time to accept that France will always have the upper hand, but it still stings. …read more
I live in Paris now. I know this because every morning when I wake up, I experience a brief moment of panicky, delighted confusion… I have no idea where I am! …read more
