Our Week in Paris

Bonjour Friends!

This week was all about walking/biking tours, discovering new restaurants, and stumbling across PDA (Public Displays of Art), which is something I absolutely love about Paris.

While walking through Parc des Buttes-Chaumont with our pup, I stumbled across a William Klein photography exhibition mounted on the park's exterior walls. His sports photography captured everything from pro athletes to kids playing in gritty city settings.

I added a new photo stop to one of my routes at Le Recrutement, where you can capture that classic shot with the Eiffel Tower framed in the background. It's become an instant hit with guests looking for great photos.

We also made our way to Kheak & Véro, an unassuming Thai restaurant hidden along the canal in the 10th. The food was delicious and the environment lively on the terrace. Our Lion discovered he has quite the appetite for nems, which made for a very happy family dinner with wonderful friends.

It was a busy week of tours, which I love. I think I visited Place des Vosges seven times, and honestly, it never gets old. There's something about that perfect symmetry and the way the light hits those red brick facades that makes me appreciate it fresh each time. It's probably my favorite square in all of Paris, and I love watching tour guests experience it for the first time.

Linking You to Paris

➡️ David Hockney 25: Fondation Louis Vuitton presents an exhibition spotlighting David Hockney’s recent works, offering visitors a journey through the celebrated British artist’s evolving creative vision.

➡️ The Village International de la Gastronomie 2025 returns to Paris: Sortir à Paris announces the return of the Village International de la Gastronomie 2025, where visitors can taste global flavors and culinary traditions right in the center of Paris.

➡️ Explore Paris' 9e arrondissement with Lonely Planet's neighborhood guide: Lonely Planet offers an insider’s guide to Paris’s 9th arrondissement, highlighting its vibrant neighborhoods, cultural hotspots, and must-visit local favorites.

➡️ Paris Events for August 2025: Paris Discovery Guide rounds up the top events happening in Paris this August, from lively festivals and outdoor concerts to unique cultural happenings across the city.

PARIS WALKS
Montmartre: Where Bohemian Paris Lives On

Because of high demand from guests, I've now made my Montmartre tour available as a semi-private option, though you can still book it privately if you prefer.

Montmartre isn't only about Sacré-Cœur and the tourist crowds around Place du Tertre. The real appeal is in the quieter corners where you can still feel the neighborhood's bohemian spirit and discover some of Paris's best hidden gems.

We start our journey away from the main crowds, working our way through winding streets that offer some of the most spectacular city views in Paris. You'll see spots where artists like Picasso once worked, but also stumble across local wine shops, quiet squares, and those perfect photo opportunities that most visitors miss entirely.

The tour takes you past a famous windmill, through streets where locals still live and work, and up to viewpoints where the entire city spreads out below you. We'll walk by Sacré-Cœur, of course, but also show you the neighborhood from angles that reveal why this hilltop has always attracted people looking for something different.

What I enjoy about guiding in Montmartre is how the neighborhood layers history with everyday Parisian life. You'll find contemporary street art next to 19th-century architecture, and cafés where locals grab their morning coffee steps away from world-famous landmarks.

We end with those amazing Eiffel Tower views, but by then, you'll understand why this area feels separate from the rest of Paris. It's a village on a hill that happens to sit in one of the world's great cities.

📍 The tour runs for two hours with small groups of eight people maximum in the semi-private groups, twelve max for private groups. Perfect for getting oriented to both Montmartre and Paris itself.

PARIS HIDDEN GEMS
The Secret Back Route to Sacré-Cœur

While thousands of tourists huff up the main steps to Sacré-Cœur every day, there's a quieter path that leads to one of Montmartre's best-kept secrets. Start at Rue Becquerel and climb these beautiful stone stairs, then continue up Rue de la Bonne to reach Parc Marcel Bleustein Blanchet, also known as Parc de la Turlure.

This tiny park sits directly behind Sacré-Cœur, completely hidden from the crowds gathering at the basilica's front steps. Most visitors have no idea it exists, which means you'll often have these spectacular views of Paris almost entirely to yourself. It's where neighborhood residents come to escape the tourist chaos while still enjoying those famous Montmartre panoramas.

What makes this spot special isn't just the views, though they're incredible. It's a complete change in atmosphere. One minute you're navigating selfie sticks and tour groups, the next you're sitting peacefully on a bench watching the city spread out below you.

The climb up Rue Becquerel and Rue de la Bonne gives you a workout, but these staircases are beautifully designed and much more pleasant than fighting through the crowds on the main approach. Plus, you'll feel like you've discovered something that most people miss entirely.

💡 Sometimes the best experiences are just a few steps away from where everyone else is looking. ~ JCK

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
Charles Aznavour - La bohème

This week's French tune is "La Bohème" by Charles Aznavour, a nostalgic chanson that captures the spirit of artistic Montmartre we just explored.

Aznavour's warm, slightly raspy voice tells the story of young artists living in poverty but rich in dreams and friendship. Released in 1965, it became one of his most beloved songs, painting a picture of bohemian life that feels both romantic and honest about the struggles that came with it.

The melody has that classic French chanson quality that makes you want to sit in a café with a glass of wine… Which is what I’m doing while writing this. 🍷