One of my favourite things about French history is the tradition of French salons. In the 18th and 19th centuries, artists, scholars, and philosophers would gather in private homes for an evening of spirited discussion and debate. Often with a healthy dose of drinking thrown in for good measure. These salons became the cultural hubs …

Paris does not have a great track record when it comes to welcoming new architecture and/or monuments to its skyline. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre pyramid, and Opera Bastille are all examples of highly controversial additions over the years. Most were loathed at first sight. Some, like the Tour Montparnasse, are still loathed by both …

Let’s face it. France is famous for its cuisine. There are thousands of restaurants to choose from in Paris alone, and people travel from far and wide to experience the best of them. Or at least, they used to. As part of the ongoing COVID-19 safety measures, all restaurants are currently closed for dining. Some …

Most people are surprised when I tell them that the Eiffel Tower is not the most visited monument in Paris. It may be one of the most famous tourist sites in the world, but when it comes to the number of visitors, Notre Dame Cathedral has it beat. Prior to the fire of 2019, approximately …

Back in the fall, I wrote about how I tried (and failed) to visit several exhibitions in the museums of Paris. One of those museums was the Musée Cernuschi, the museum of Asian art. Their latest exhibit, Journey Along the Kisakaido, had just opened, and I wanted to see it before we all went back …