Author: Tory Hoen

Tory Henwood Hoen has been published by New York Magazine, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, Fortune, and others. She was Creative Director of Brand at M.M.LaFleur, where she founded the brand’s digital magazine, The M Dash. Her debut novel, The Arc, is available in bookshops near you and online.

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

Vacation Rentals for Those Who Don’t just Travel, they Experience. they Experience.

Boutique rentals from our trusted partner Haven In

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