In this Issue:
* Buy Heather a Cup of (crappy) Coffee
* Good Coffee in Paris
* How to Know You're Becoming French
* Tallest Street Art in Europe
* Madeleines in a Little Paris Kitchen
* Normandy Food Tour
* The Best Way to Learn the French Revolution
* New Ratatouille Ride at Disneyland Paris
* Affordable Business Class Flights Paris – NYC
* How to Behave in French Restaurants
* Read France Magazine Online
* Exclusive Private Tour Specials
* Secrets of Paris News & Calendar
* Buy Heather a Cup of (crappy) Coffee *
I recorded a little video this morning in my local café here in Paris to ask all of you an important question: is the Secrets of Paris Newsletter worth a crappy cup of coffee to you?
If you enjoy the useful tips and insider info found in each edition of my free Secrets of Paris Newsletter since 1999, then please take a moment to show your support by making a token pledge – even just $2, or the equivalent of a crappy cup of coffee – on my Kickstarter campaign before July 8th: http://bit.ly/NaughtyParisGuide
If you can’t make a pledge yourself, you can still help by spreading the word: forward this to your Paris-loving friends or share the link on Facebook and Twitter. Merci!
* Good Coffee in Paris *
I don’t actually make it a point to drink crappy coffee. In fact, I was at the last Sinfonietta Paris concert of the season last week at the Institut Finlandais (60 rue des Ecoles, 5th) and was happy to see their café actually serves coffee from Coutume, the gourmet coffee house in the 7th arrondissement. So next time you’re in the Latin Quarter, normally a district devoid of decent eateries and drinkable coffee, don’t hesitate to pop into this very contemporary, spacious café for lunch or just an espresso. They also have an adorable boutique selling typical Finnish design objects and crafts (open every day but Monday).
A newly transplanted New Yorker in Paris, Unleash Your Sexy author Diana Antholis, told me about the website she’s been using to track down decent coffee, called (of course), Good Coffee in Paris. They don’t have every place on there yet (like, Dose a new coffee shop up the road from me on 73 Rue Mouffetard, 5th), but it’s a start for caffeine addicts who need refuse to drink the crappy stuff usually found in Parisian cafés.
* How to Know You're Becoming French *
Ah, the Franglais phrases that keep into your vocabulary, never being shocked by the size (or lack of) closets, and thinking 7:30pm is a bit early for dinner…you’re definitely becoming French. Author Shari Leslie Segall has created a cute little pocket-sized book “90+ Ways You Know You’re Becoming French” based on a FUSAC article on the same topic, with watercolor illustrations. See how you measure up, or give it as a gift to your expat friends who have finally crossed over to the other side. Visit www.Becoming-French.com for a list shops in Paris or order online via http://store.fusac.fr.
* Tallest Street Art in Europe *
The tallest graffiti mural in Europe was just completed this week in the 13th arrondissement, a beautiful tangle of swimming sardines 66 meters high and 15 meters wide on the Tour Sienne by the Portuguese street artist Panonio. He was commissioned by the Town Hall of the 13th (which has brought in many international artists to decorate some of the neighborhood’s less attractive residential towers, including Shepard Fairey (aka Obey), and the Gallery Itinerrance, who had created the temporary La Tour 13 graffiti tower that was demolished in April. You can see some of the fabulous street art in the 13th online here. There’s another website completely dedicated to street art (in French only), Streetart-Paris.fr, where you can see what the latest projects are around the city and immediate suburbs.
* Madeleines in a Little Paris Kitchen *
If you don’t live in the UK you probably missed Rachel Khoo’s fabulous cooking show (based on her book), My Little Paris Kitchen, where she actually cooks up a storm in an authentic, microscopic Parisian kitchen (and a dorm-sized fridge). You can see some of the episodes now on the BBC’s YouTube Food channel, including this twist on a classic, Madeleine pastries with raspberry and lemon.
* Normandy Food Tour *
Most tourists visit Normandy to see the D-Day beaches, memorial cemeteries, or Mont St-Michel. But there’s also some fabulous food in the region known for its cheese, caramels and Calvados apple brandy. If you want to learn more, check out Chez Loulou’s three-hour Delicious Normandy Tours. Your local guide Jennifer, a cheese addict…Er, expert, who takes you on a walking and tasting exploration of the open-air food market in the town of Bayeux (also home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry illustrating William the Conqueror’s Norman invasion in 1066).
* The Best Way to Learn about the French Revolution *
You know how a song sticks in your head? Artist Jeffrey Lewis created a fun cartoon version of the French Revolution, told in song format that (for those of you over 30 years old) will remind you of School House Rock. Hey, it’s a start, right? And if you’re not overly concerned with actual historic facts, there’s always the 1970 classic comedy Start the Revolution without Me starring Gene Wilder and Donald Sutherland (for those of you born after 1980, the former is the original Willy Wonka and the latter is the father of the star of “24”). Do any of you recognize the chateau in the trailer? Hint: it’s not Versailles.
* New Ratatouille Ride at Disneyland Paris *
Do you have ANY idea how hard it was not to put this at the very top of the newsletter in all caps?! I can’t WAIT! I’ve been peeking over the wall at Disney Studios for the past five years while the Parisian-style “mini-land” called Place de Rémy has been built to house “Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy”, which takes you “Up and over the rooftops of Paris, down into the fiery kitchens of Gusteau's restaurant…a wild, whirlwind adventure through the world of Ratatouille in an all-new, world-exclusive 3D ride-through experience like nothing Disney has ever done before.” It will also have a table service restaurant called Bistrot Chez Rémy. It opens July 10th, and I will certainly be going before the end of the summer! (Just one more: ! )
* Affordable Business Class Flights Paris – NYC *
Open Skies was one of the first all-business class airlines, operating between Paris and NYC, but now they also have luxury economy class seating, which I tried on my last flight to the US in March. It wasn’t sold as an Open Skies on the discount reseller website where I booked it (the flight is operated by British Air), but I saw that it was flying out of Orly Airport, which is rare for flights to the US (and much preferable for me because it’s a super-convenient small airport that’s only 15-20 minutes from my neighborhood in the 13th). The planes are small, with only six seats across in economy, and each person gets a tablet loaded with movies and music. And there’s no annoying duty-free announcements. I highly recommend it if you’re flying from JFK or Newark and can only afford economy.
If you want a truly Business Class experience with the sleeper seats and business lounge, try the newly licensed airline La Compagnie (the website is only in French for the moment), flying between Paris CDG and Newark, with rates as low as €1180 round trip for flights this fall.
* How to Behave in French Restaurants *
It’s easy to lose touch with the local expat community when I’m finishing up writing projects, so it was great meeting Tom Reeves from the Paris Insights blog at the Citizen M launch party earlier this month (he took some fun photos of the event here). Tom just launched an eBook, Dining Out in Paris: What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light that takes visitors through the ins and out of dining in Paris, answering all of the questions that regular restaurant guides leave out. If you feel intimidated or confused about the whole French dining experience, then get this guide before your next trip!
* Read France Magazine Online *
France Magazine, the beautiful print magazine of French culture, travel and “art de vivre” has completely revamped their website, putting many of their articles and photos online for your enjoyment. Check out The Longest Day Lives On (an update on how the memory of the war is lovingly preserved in Normandy and the latest developments in World War II tourism) or Farm to (very cool) Tables (about the new concept foodie street in Paris, La Jeune Rue), or even travel tips for couples in Love Notes (an archived article written by yours truly for Valentine’s Day).
* Exclusive Private Tour Specials *
Looking for a unique and exclusive private tour of Paris between July 25th, 2014 and July 25th, 2015? I've created a selection of specially-priced Secrets of Paris tours and travel-planning packages to promote my Kickstarter campaign (don’t worry, they’re not all “naughty” tours!), available in limited quantities through July 8th. Perhaps you’d like to try the Sweet Indulgence for Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons with moi, or a custom Cocktail Bar Tour with Forest Collins of the website 52Martinis.com? Once the campaign is over I won’t be offering most of these tours (and none at these discount prices), so book now if you want to get in on the fun!
The Secrets of Paris Newsletter has been a monthly newsletter since 1999, but since this year is our 15th anniversary, sometimes I even do two newsletters each month. The newsletter usually includes tips for newcomers and visitors, as well as some that are more useful for Paris residents. If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter and would like to receive it directly in your email, just sign up here.