Bonjour, Friends!

This was a good week for touring Paris. I had a few tour groups exploring the islands, another sticking to the Marais, a student bike ride, and a really enjoyable photo tour from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower. All of my guests this week were readers of this newsletter.

Many thanks to all of you who toured with me! You know who you are, and I appreciate you taking some of your time in Paris with me.

Whenever I'm out with guests, I'm reminded just how photogenic this city is. Every corner, every facade, every shift in light. There's always something worth stopping for.

I enjoy meeting people who share my passion for Paris and photography. It's one of the best parts of what I do, connecting with others who see the city the same way I do.

Last weekend, I stopped by the Montmartre Harvest Festival and found a fun brass band playing on the street for a sizable crowd.

The music was great, the energy was high, and I made one silly mistake: I took my bike, completely forgetting about the stairs in Montmartre. So I ended up with my bike on my shoulders, hiking up and down staircases like an idiot. Worth it, though.

➡️ Where to Go Shopping in Paris for Vintage Fashion, Luxury Goods, and Artisan Crafts: Condé Nast Traveler highlights Paris's diverse shopping scene, from luxury flagships in the Golden Triangle to vintage treasures at Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen.

➡️ In Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Classic Bistros Meet a New Generation: Michelin Guide explores Saint-Germain-des-Prés' bistro scene, from legendary cafés like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots to modern bistronomic spots like Le Comptoir du Relais.

➡️ Dining Out in Paris with Kids: HiP Paris shares an expat mom's candid experience dining out in Paris with kids, offering practical tips like reserving high chairs in advance, choosing compact strollers like the Stokke Yoyo for tight spaces, and requesting out-of-the-way tables.

I'm starting something new this Friday, and I hope you'll walk with me!

Every week, I'm sharing a self-guided route through Paris. Short, medium, or long. Each one comes with a video tour and an interactive map you can follow on your phone.

I walk this city all the time, and when I'm not rushing to a destination, it becomes something else. A meditation. A history lesson. Inspiration. Some of my favorite moments have happened when I least expected them, just wandering a street with no plan.

So each Friday, I'll drop a new walk. You'll get the video, the map, a few photos, and the stories that make each stop worth your time.

Do you like the idea of this series? Feel free to email me with your thoughts.

Distance: 2.1 km (1.30 miles)
Time: 30–45 minutes (or up to 2 hours if you linger)
Theme: Medieval Paris meets literary Paris, with a Seine crossing and Gothic grandeur

This route takes you from a 12th-century church to a Renaissance tower, with bookshops, jazz cellars, and the narrowest street in Paris along the way. It's a short walk, but it's dense with history and charm.

Square René Viviani
A small park tucked beside Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre with some of the best side views of Notre-Dame. It's quiet, green, and a perfect place to start.

Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
One of the oldest churches in Paris, dating back to the 12th century, around the same time construction began on Notre-Dame. The Romanesque and early Gothic stonework tells centuries of history. Today, it serves the Greek Catholic community.

Odette
A cream puff bakery known for classic choux à la crème. Grab one and enjoy it on the steps facing Île de la Cité. Simple, delicious, and very Parisian.

Shakespeare and Company
The legendary English-language bookstore that's been a haven for writers since 1951. Upstairs, there's a reading room and a typewriter. The shop has hosted "tumbleweed" writers, aspiring authors who sleep among the shelves in exchange for a few hours of work each day.

Caveau de la Huchette
A historic jazz club in a mediev©2025 James Christopher Knight

Rue des Chantres
A quiet medieval lane on Île de la Cité, tucked along the Seine. Narrow, peaceful, and easy to miss. Look for the wall marker showing the water level from the Great Flood of 1910, when the Seine rose over 8 meters and swallowed half the city.

Hôtel de Ville
Paris's grand City Hall was rebuilt in Neo-Renaissance style after it burned down during the Paris Commune in 1871. The building has been the stage for revolutions, celebrations, and civic life for centuries. The square in front often hosts seasonal events and markets.

Tour Saint-Jacques
A stunning Gothic tower built between 1509 and 1523. It's all that remains of the former Church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie, and once served as a gathering point for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela on the Camino.

Véronique Sanson deserves way more recognition outside of France. This song is pure joy wrapped in a piano riff and a groove that refuses to quit.

I dare you to sit still when the chorus kicks in. Seriously, try it!

Sanson wrote this in the 1970s during a wild chapter of her life, and you can hear it. I love the way she leans into the melody. She makes you want to dance in your kitchen or tap your fingers on a café table until someone gives you a look.

Put it on. Move a little. You're welcome.

Custom routes. Real local stories. Zero tourist traps.