France – 39vaugirard

Culture, Food, Shopping, Un peu différent

K Market/Kafeteria in Paris?!#^&#@?!

August 30, 2010

Image via Wikipedia Maybe I can live here, now. Perhaps after almost two decades of coming here and traveling elsewhere, I've become, as John Berger once said, 'a patriot of elsewhere.' I don't need to live in San Francisco anymore, though I want to have a home there. I can now have a home here, rather than just a piéd-a-terre. …read more

Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental, Apartment neighborhood, Architecture and Design, Tours and visites, Travel, Travel with Kids

Jardin du Luxumbourg named one of the 60 greatest places in the world

August 23, 2010

Image via Wikipedia I'm consistently awestruck every time we visit our 'Jardin.' We're so lucky to have le Jardin du Luxumbourg as our backyard. Even after more than a decade and a half of coming to this lovely city each year, I have always found this park and its gardens magical. Lately, I've found myself reading more about the planning…read more

Culture, Understand France and the French

Even the French elite speak English

May 9, 2010

An interesting rumination on defending the language, in defense of values.. Pardon My French by Michael Kimmelman of NY Times.read more

Books, Books on France, Culture, Food, Restaurants, Understand France and the French

Paris, via a 19th Century Guide

March 31, 2010

From the New York Times...read more

Culture, General, Museums and Monuments, Travel with Kids

Marie Antoinette et Hameau de Reine

September 4, 2009

Finally visited the Hameau de Reine. Expected a small garden and of course, it's fit for a Queen. It even has a little farm and a zoo. Lovely for kids to visit and the houses on the property are actually for normal people.read more

Culture, Food, Understand France and the French

Advantage France

August 31, 2009

My husband and I were just talking about 'terroir,' and why is it that we feel healthier, and more connected to the earth, when we're in France, even though it seems we eat more cream, cheese, and desserts when we are here. Roger Cohen encapsulated my thoughts more perfectly, 'TIme bows at the altar of gastronomy in France. In the…read more

Apartment neighborhood, Culture, Food, Restaurants

Tarte du Soleil and other perfect plats

August 29, 2009

We always see our friend/proprietor Sophie Clavié and her gracious husband Philippe when we're in Paris. Her neighborhood bistro is Closerie des Lilas, the world famous magnet for the avant-garde for generations. Their book shows all those who have passed through the place, from Bernard Kouchner, Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, Ingres, Henry James, and even Sarah Jessica Parker!…read more

amit on 2 Bedroom/2 Bath ApartmentOctober 14, 2010
This well lit and spacious apartment came as a welcome relief from the earlier hotel closets rooms we spent our…
Carli and Amit on 2 Bedroom/2 Bath ApartmentSeptember 19, 2010
After staying in hotels in six different countries over three weeks, it was wonderful to settle in Paris at 39…
Catherine on Current postage rates from France to the US?August 27, 2010
correct as of June, when I last mailed a letter...
essjayeats on Touring “The macarons of Europe”July 5, 2010
Hi Paul, I've only just noticed this - glad you liked the post. I sure liked the macarons! essjayeats
Paul on Hôtel Drouot is pure theatreMay 12, 2010
Hotel Druot is one of the best free things you can do in Paris, especially on a rainy day. Imagine…