Saturday séjour

Up and out early to the village market. But first, coffee.

Easy day/weekend trips from Paris

May newsletter 

Street scene

Strolling through the beating heart of Paris' energetic Latin Quarter. 

 

Mocha Monday

Early coffee from a sleepy fishing village somewhere on the French Atlantic coast.

 

Furry Friday

 

Fake fur throws to entice outdoor seating in cold weather. 

 

 

Waffle Wednesday

French gaufres, crêpes, crème brûlées, coffee, hot chocolate and old friends warm up a winter evening.

 

Throwback Thursday

 

Charm of Provence:

A door set into an ochre wall on a village street.

 

Café culture

 

It seems the entire city is under construction as Paris updates its metro system and prepares to host the 2024 Olympics, but that hasn't stopped café regulars.

Update October 28, 2025

The Olympics have come and gone and the city is still undergoing tons of construction.

Getting ready

 Starting tomorrow some of the restrictions that have been put in place will be lifted.

Above: a café prepares to open its terrace, but to half of its usual capacity

*** 

 See: French gov't website

 

Empty tables

With even more restrictions in place for restaurants, tables remain empty.

 

Last suppers

Despite a threat of rain dinner terraces were packed yesterday in anticipation of today's mandatory Facemasks Everywhere rule - and not far behind, early closure of restaurants. 

Update: joggers / cyclists won't be required to wear masks

Below: graph Covid-19 France [source: LeMonde.fr / Santé Publique France]

yellow curve = confirmed cases

red curve = hospitalizations

black curve = deaths

green curve = recoveries

(click to enlarge)

A safe distance

Three plates away from each other.

***

Merci Caroline

Outside in

Today Paris cafés and restaurants are (finally) able to welcome clients inside.

Above: tables and chairs were allotted more sidewalk space than usual

Street food

All over the Butte Montmartre small restaurants* have set out tables for not only takeaway meals but often coffee, a glass of wine and a friendly chat.

- Addresses in order of appearance below -

1) Marcel - 1 Villa Léandre 75018

2) Etsi - 23 rue Eugène Carrière 75018

3) Imagine - 105 rue Caulaincourt 75018

4) Au Virage Lepic - 61 rue Lepic 75018

* These are just 4 of many. Wander to find your favorite.

 

Café du coin

Another frequented corner café in Montmartre, closed until further notice.

Café high

A café stop near the top of Montmartre's longest and most photographed stairway.

Waffles and chai

A small coffeehouse on the edge of the Marais district serves up wonderful things.

Le Peloton Café

17 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe 75004

October newsletter
Nouveautés 

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Prague #2

Casual cafés and restaurants line the banks of the Vltava.

Below: perusing the menu with views of Charles Bridge; chef-helmed restaurants with open kitchens rival Paris' best; dry ice used to dramatic effect; chocolate as art

Waiting for fall

Enjoying last days of summer on a café terrace in the Marais district.

Place Saint Médard

Café tables and chairs just after a downpour.

Street couture

Springtime in Paris means going through closets and putting together outfits.
 

You might be surprised at what you'll find....