Our Week in Paris

Bonjour Friends!

I finally made it to the Robert Doisneau exhibition at the Musée Maillol, and it took me two visits to get it right. The first time was on a Sunday, and the crowds were so thick I couldn't properly enjoy the work. On the one hand, it made me happy to see that art is alive and well in Paris. But when you're looking at a curated show, especially one featuring one of my all-time favorite Paris photographers, you want the time and space to take it all in.

So I went back on a Friday around 3:00, and what a difference. Plenty of space to move around, to really see the work, to stop and study the photographs that caught my eye. Doisneau captured something essential about Parisian life that still resonates today. The exhibition was a treat when I could actually experience it properly.

We also ventured into the countryside for two days, enjoying the last of summer before our little Lion starts school again in September. We visited La Charité-sur-Loire, which we found quite charming and beautiful.

There's a river running through the city, several good restaurants, and that peaceful pace you can only find in the countryside. The train from Paris takes about two hours, making it a reasonable day trip, though we were visiting family in the area for a couple of days.

We also spent time at Paris Plage, soaking up the August sun. There's something special about these temporary beaches along the Seine that captures the city's ability to transform itself. Locals and visitors sprawled on the sand, kids running around, the sound of the river mixing with conversations in a dozen languages. It's summer in Paris at its most relaxed.

Linking You to Paris

➡️ 25 of the best things to do in Paris: The Times presents a curated list of the best things to do in Paris, featuring top attractions, local favorites, and insider tips to help visitors experience the very best of the city.

➡️ Where to Eat Around the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre: HiP Paris rounds up the best places to eat near Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, sharing local favorites, hidden gems, and insider tips for savoring authentic Parisian cuisine in this iconic neighborhood.

➡️ How to navigate your way around Paris: Lonely Planet provides a practical guide to getting around Paris, with tips on using public transport, navigating the city’s neighborhoods, and making the most of your time in the French capital.

➡️ Solo Female Travel in Paris: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Alone: Nomad Sister provides the ultimate guide to solo female travel in Paris, sharing practical safety tips, empowering advice, and insider recommendations for exploring the city confidently and independently.

VISITING PARIS
Step Into 2,000 Years of History with VR Along the Seine

This week, I tried something I wasn't sure about - The Origins of Paris: A Virtual Reality Guided Tour Along the Banks of the Seine. I'm glad I took the chance because it turned out to be much better than I expected.

The experience lasts about an hour and takes you through 2,000 years of Paris history while you walk along the actual riverbank. The visuals in the VR headset weren't exactly like real life, but they were impressive enough to create genuine emotional reactions. Watching the Viking siege of the city or seeing a medieval bridge burn raised my pulse.

Getting a sense of what Paris might have looked and felt like during different periods was fascinating in a way that no museum exhibit quite captures.

On this tour, you're standing where historic events happened while seeing it unfold around you through the headset. The contrast between the modern Seine and the ancient city appearing before your eyes creates something powerful.

A practical tip: although it's nice to walk along the Seine on a beautiful day, this tour might actually be more comfortable on a cloudy one. The bright sunlight leaking through the one-size-fits-all headset created a red streak across my vision. I solved it by pressing the headset firmly to my forehead, but if I had a choice, I'd pick an overcast day for the adventure.

The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, speaking both French and English. They made the whole experience smooth and engaging. If you're looking for a different way to connect with Paris's layers of history, this is worth trying. It's not often you get to walk through 2,000 years in an hour.

Here is the Origins of Paris teaser video:

PARIS COFFEE RECOMMENDATION
Caféothèque of Paris: Serious Coffee in the Marais

I discovered Caféothèque of Paris this week when I met a private tour group there to start our walk. What a pleasant surprise! The coffee is fantastic. They roast their own beans, and the location in the Marais along the river is ideal for starting a tour or enjoying a delicious noisette (espresso shot with a bit of cream). The interior space is comfortable and welcoming. It’s the kind of place where you can sit with your laptop or with friends for a few hours. This isn’t where I intended to meet my group, but through a series of coincidences, it worked out this way. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you're not looking for them.

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
Marguerite - les filles, les meufs

What caught my attention beyond the music is the video itself. It's almost entirely a close-up of Marguerite's face, with semi-harsh lighting that reveals the pores of her skin. It's quite unusual to see that kind of raw detail, but it makes for a beautiful artistic choice.

There's something bold about refusing to hide behind perfect lighting or flattering angles. The intimacy of that close-up paired with her voice creates something that feels both vulnerable and strong.

PARIS LOVE AFFAIR TOURS
Discover Paris With Me

Want to experience Paris beyond the guidebooks? Join me for private walking and/or biking tours for fascinating stories, hidden corners, and local insights that make this city extraordinary. From the bohemian streets of Montmartre to the medieval layers of the Marais, each tour combines history, recommendations, and the kind of authentic discoveries that turn a visit into a love affair with Paris.