I’ve traveled to France enough times that the transit process feels less like an adventure and more like established procedure. Last August, however, frazzled, sleepless, and hauling more than a hundred pounds of baggage, I was forced to break from my normal routine as I headed into Paris.
Ever since watching the French Netflix movie Lords of Scam (reviewed here), I’ve been curious about the Parisian neighborhood of Belleville. This documentary traces the rise and crash of scammers who conned the EU carbon quota system and pocketed millions before turning on one another. Much of the action unfolds in Belleville,…
One of my favorite places to stay when visiting Paris is the bustling town of Vincennes. Vincennes lies just beyond the eastern edge of Paris, north of the Bois de Vincennes, Paris’ largest public park. Lodging in this prosperous suburb generally costs less than in the city of light. And…
It’s been more than ten years since terrorists forced their way into the offices of the satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 of its staff members. Two of Charlie’s female contributors, Corinne Rey and Catherine Meurisse, survived the horrific onslaught. Yet, both women continue to ply their craft as…
First-time travelers to Paris often dedicate a day to seeing the Palace of Versailles. I avoided the place for many years in favor of dozens of museums and monuments within the city limits. However, in 2018, I finally visited with my husband Andy and our daughters. The line to get…
Journaling… like every other human endeavor, there exists a narrow sliver of people who raise this seemingly simple practice to the level of a refined and illuminating art. Such is the case with graphic novelist Craig Thompson’s Carnet de Voyage. In the spring of 2004, Thompson traveled to Europe to…
Or, Just Because You Have Impostor Syndrome Doesn’t Mean You’re Not a Fake An often overlooked site when visiting Paris is La Grande Arche de La Défense, located in a stylish business district just beyond the city limits. Starting from the city center, the most efficient route to La Défense…
Tucked away in a corner of the 18th arrondissement, just steps from Sacré-Cœur and la Place du Tertre, lies one of Paris’ lesser-known gems, the Musée de Montmartre. This picturesque museum, built in the 17th century, is surrounded by gardens that begin charming visitors before they ever step indoors. Such…
