It’s fair to say that cycling has become a national sport for many countries including Britain and France. With millions of people cycling in the UK and France each week, both of the countries are one of the best countries to hit the road with two wheels. Events like the Olympics and Tour de France […]

Rue des Gravilliers is a small street in the Marais, but it has one of the richest histories in Paris. It dates back to the thirteenth century, when this whole area was still a working-class neighborhood filled with craftspeople, workshops, and tiny family-run shops. For centuries, it wasn’t fancy at all – it was simply […]

This year I finally made it to Strasbourg for a glimpse at this city that really knows how to dress up for the holidays. A stroll through Strasbourg’s Christmas markets (open from November 26th to December 26th) invites into the holiday spirit of the city. The oldest in France and one of the first in […]

I always loved Asian art and Thailand, Vietnam and Japan are my favorite countries to travel to. Yet, the Guimet Museum stayed strangely “for later” on my Paris list. I rode past it on Metro Line 9 almost every day, right there by Place d’Iéna, but I never stepped inside. It was one of those […]

Visiting Napoléon’s Tomb in Paris – Les Invalides The final burial site of Napoléon is nothing short of spectacular. Louis Visconti created an open, two-level crypt below the Dome of Les Invalides, which is surrounded by murals, sculptures, gold, and other impressive artworks. To get a close-up view of the crypt, you need to take […]

Planning the holidays in Paris can be magical — but only if you have reliable information. Opening hours shift, events appear and disappear, and most online lists are incomplete or outdated. Each year I compile a comprehensive, independently researched Paris Holiday Guide for Secrets of Paris Community Members, updated weekly through January 1st. To give […]

by Allexa Dunn Published: August 22nd, 2025 One of the greatest joys of spending time in Paris is immersing yourself in the rhythm of everyday life. Morning walks to the boulangerie, afternoons exploring museums, evenings lingering at neighborhood cafés and, of course, the chance to truly savor the music of the French language. Whether you’re […]

Paris je t’aime I fell in love with Paris in March 2007. It was as the French say, le coup de foudre : love at first sight. As a result of that trip, my photography took another direction. Since that time I have pursued a career of sorts in photography and dreamed of returning to […]

Whether you are planning a trip to Paris, you’re learning the French language, or you want a cheap vacation without having to do as much as get up from your chair – what else but a couple of French songs to transport you to the faraway city of Paris? This list of French songs has […]

When it comes to planning a memorable city break in France, Paris often takes center stage. However, if you’re looking for an alternative that combines rich history, Mediterranean charm, and a vibrant cultural scene, look no further than Marseille. Introduction to Marseille This enchanting port city on the southern coast of France offers a unique […]