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Category / Don’t Be A Tourist

Louis Vuitton Treasure Trunks of the Paris Puces

They say the name ‘flea market’ first originated from the legendary Paris antiques market of St. Ouen, when an unknown bargain hunter in the 1880s looked down from nearby fortifications, observed junk dealers selling their scrap and allegedly exclaimed, “My word, but it’s a market of fleas!” In reality, it is anything but. On my…

The Beverly Hills of Paris

I remember when I first saw it, Avenue Junot, the cobblestone road that winds up to Montmartre lined with some of the most delicious architecture in Paris. It’s art deco ironwork, those tall glass windows bathed in light for artists in residence, colorful cul de sacs peeking out from behind corners; here is the Paris…

The Last Mushroom Farms of the Paris Catacombs

Ever tried a ‘champignon de Paris‘? The real one– cultivated in abundance and almost exclusively once upon a time in the catacombs of Paris? Having lost its roots, more commonly known to the rest of the world today as a ‘button mushroom’, which we all enjoy on occasion with our meals, perhaps stirred into a risotto; the real champignon…

The Last American Artist in Paris: Inside the Studio

When I step behind the facades of Paris in search of its hidden treasures, I’m usually not invited. At the promise of a medieval courtyard or an old atelier, I’m guilty of waiting for Parisians to come out of their buildings so I can slip through the doors before they close after them. But this…

5 Areas to Shop like a Parisian: A Local Guide to Paris Boutique Shopping

If you’re coming to Paris looking for the glitzy Parisian equivalent of the Rodeo Drives, Fifth Avenues and Sloane Streets of the world, turn back now, this is not the guide for you. But if you’re looking for unique, chic and affordable Parisian fashion boutiques set in charming local neighbourhoods where actual Parisians really shop, then…

The Tiniest Antique Shop in Paris is stuck to the side of a Church (and sells fresh Eggs)

“So I heard about the tiniest antique shop in Paris that’s stuck to the side of a church,” said Mum over dinner one evening. Of course, the very next morning, I went to hunt it down… The Église Saint Roch is one of the most beautiful churches in Paris and it’s where all the fancy…

Le P’tit Bar: A Time Capsule in Paris

At 9 meters squared, “Le P’tit Bar” is literally the most petit bar in Paris. On any evening upon first glance, it looks as if it’s closing up for the night, but do not be deterred– push open the stiff door, because if you’ve ever wanted to experience a real-life time capsule, this is the place……

The Time Machine Sweet Shop in Paris

You could stand in the endless line at Ladurée, queuing up with the other macaron zombies, or you could go on a little hunt, off the beaten path for somewhere slightly more worth your precious time in Paris … After working from home for far too long, I recently found a studio space in the old latin quarter…

My Paris Valentine Bistrot

A true Parisian would probably never admit they’re celebrating Valentine’s Day (pfff, it’s for zee capitalists). But if they are, they’ll most likely do it somewhere very discreet and as authentic as it gets… Nestled in a quiet backstreet of the 4th arrondissement, Le Temps de Cerises is one of the few enduring little gems of “la vie quotidienne” from…

A Portal to Bygone Bohemian Paris in the Oldest House of Montmartre

I‘m always looking for a taste of la vie bohème and ways to immerse myself in old world Paris; dare I say it’s become a bit of a habit of mine. So when I want to block out the noise of the modern city and really feel time travelling backwards, there’s one place that always does the trick. Follow me inside…

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