This year the French government released the official list of French palaces. The “Palace” label, one step higher than the five-star rating, denotes excellence among the most prestigious French hotels. Out of the 7 historical Parisian palaces, only 2 made the new list : the Plaza Athénée (right) and the Meurice. Since the results were [...]

I have already taken you to the eccentric home of François Hennebique, France’s first king of concrete, but the Paris offices of his company on the Rue Danton are equally deserving of investigation. Built by the architect Emile Arnaud in 1901, it was one of the first buildings in Paris to use only concrete in [...]

We have a tendancy to believe that time moves more slowly in Paris, and that the streets are covered with some kind of protective dust sprinkled by the museum-minded city fathers. However, when you attempt to count how many Starbucks are now installed in the city, and remember that McDonalds is more popular in France [...]

During the city’s last gasp of Indian Summer earlier this month, I was strolling down the Rue Montorgeuil enjoying a scoop of gelato when I came upon a lovely site. The enormous green and yellow construction barricades can’t hide the gradual destruction of one of the city’s ugliest monuments, the Forum des Halles For many [...]

Whenever possible I enjoy participating in Weekend Reflections, because it is an enjoyable gathering of bloggers all focused on reflections the world over, and one never knows what one may find there. It is also enjoyable as I had the pleasure of meeting James nearly a year ago in Paris, and we were able to stroll [...]

Sometimes when I sit at my desk to write, I put my glass of water on the ledge next to the open window. When I pick up the glass to take a sip, maybe fifteen or twenty minutes later, there are oftentimes tiny pieces of grayish soot floating around in it. Then I remember Paris [...]

Although you may first think of the Seine, the banks of Canal Saint Martin provide a quiet spot to watch the boats and people.  You can watch the locks as boats pass through in this section of the canal, listen to the sounds of a guitar, enjoy a picnic in the shade of the trees, or [...]

I have written previously of the works of architect Auguste Perret (particularly his Mobilier National building), but not as yet of his two creations that also became his offices and homes. As these buildings are separated by 30 years (and around 500 metres!), it is also interesting to note how tastes and techniques changed in [...]

I don’t spend a lot of time in the 5th arr. but when I do I find it has a quirky charm to it. I sometimes do tours of the 5th and don’t go to the more crowded student area but more towards the quieter part near the Jardin des Plantes, the Mosque, and the [...]

I don’t know if this website will improve the behavior of people traveling on public transportation in Paris. But it’s fun to read the messages from commuters to their fellow straphangers (to misuse a New York Post term) regarding rudeness, littering, and other infractions of common manners. “I know your life isn’t all that exciting, [...]