Walk with me as I look for Petit Dejeuner (breakfast) on a Sunday morning in September
I’ve just created a video of one of my Sunday mornings in gai Paree last September – here we go – walk with me?
The heart of Paris beats strong and is filled with love
Paris is alive and well, beautiful, exciting, filled with history, wondrous places, faces, things to do and see … and still holds my heart firmly in her hands :-)
After my visit in September, I was filled to overflowing with my Parisian-ness and basked in the glow of the love and friendships cemented for another year — in person rather than across the miles.
When the bombings happened not long after I returned to Australia, I was stunned and shocked like the rest of the world.
I immediately reached out to all the folks I knew in Paris and other parts of France to make sure everyone and their loved ones were safe and sound. It was a dreadfully stressful time for those I knew in Paris, and the weeks and months since have been hard for them still in so many ways.
To the brave and courageous Parisians, I say BRAVO! You showed strength in the face of adversity, through dreadful events that no-one should witness or be part of, and you are all in my thoughts every day.
I must admit I found it hard to write about Paris for quite a long time as everything I wanted to say or share somehow sounded frivolous, and that was the last thing I wanted it to be.
Today I feel like my heart has healed a little bit, and I wanted to reach out and say the Parisians are strong, but their hearts are still hurting too — we must continue to visit this beautiful city, not be afraid to travel, to experience life.
Meeting people in Paris is one of the all-time favourite things I love to do — shopkeepers, cafe staff, waiters, chefs, department store staff, people waiting for buses and taxis — I love to talk to everyone — it makes me feel more like I live there, and to feel part of a community when I’m there for a month or so, and it is all of these brave folks who are waiting for us to come back and embrace Paris again.
I’ll be there to see you in September 2016, Paris!
I promise!
I hope to see you there too if you can make it!
This video is fantastic! I just found it online and it’s captured the heart and soul of Paris — do you like it too??
Looking for a list of easy things to do in Paris?
Pop over to this page for some of my ideas to help you enjoy your stay in my favourite city:
Oh I wish I was going to be there for this event!!!
When: 8th, 9th and 10th of April 2016
Where: at the Cinema 7 Parnassiens, 75014 Paris
BE WARNED! When you go to the website, there is a huge video on “autoplay” and it took me forever to find out how to turn it OFF. Here’s the button I finally found:
This wonderful event is often referred to as the European equivalent of the Sundance Film Festival in the USA.
There’ll be films / features, shorts, documentaries, animated and student films and much more. There are 14 categories for 25 awards, including the prestigious title of ‘Best European Independent Film 2016’.
Attendees can watch film screenings as well as participate in various workshops including scriptwriting, editing and directing, and the ‘Meet-the-Directors’ discussions. A full program of live music is also being hosted by ÉCU’s partner Access Film-Music.
It’s a beautiful day in Paris today! I’ll be heading out shortly for the wonderful Barge Cruise which I love to experience each time I’m in Paris — it takes 2.5 hours, and there is a choice of morning or afternoon, so I’ve decided on the 2:30pm Cruise to show my client another side of Paris in a leisurely, relaxed way – woohoo!
I’ve been having an amazing time with my client these past few days, she has flown half way round the world to be part of one of my Adventures, and we’ve been having the best time!
Coming to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language can feel like a very large, nervous step to take, but once you’re in Paris, you’ll find so many French people who will speak English withyou. that you’ll feel at home in no time :-)
If you use Facebook, you might like to pop over and see what I’ve been posting — photos and videos!
Great question! I usually visit in summer so I wasn’t sure how quickly it would turn to autumn, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised:
I have not worn a coat
I have worn scarves every day, and if I get too warm in a store or cafe, I simply remove the scarf
I have mostly worn one long-sleeve item each day, and I haven’t needed multiple layers of long sleeves … yet!
I have worn either short-sleeved or sleeveless tops under my long-sleeved top
temperatures have been around 18-20degC during the day
I have used my umbrella a few times, and it’s a very small fold-up one so it stays in a plastic bag inside my handbag; so if it’s wet, and I go into a cafe etc, I can put it in the plastic bag and NOT leave it behind when I leave :-)
“Teena, what’s different since the last time you were there?”
There’s a tram! It’s been here about two years and works around the outskirts (the “peripherique”/periphery) of Paris.
So many people want to speak English! Waiters, staff in stores, EVERYwhere! No more excuses about French people not speaking English, dust off your passport and suitcase and come on over :-)
In the past two weeks I have met so many kind, helpful, wonderful French people that it’s almost overwhelming! From taxi drivers (Bonjour Bernard!), to waiters and waitresses, sales people in stores of all kinds (Bonjour Ariella, Silvina, Marion, Warda!) , people on the street who answer my questions, a gorgeous woman I met at a bus stop when the buses were running hours late (because of a “manifestation” / public strike) who had a drink with me and my client while we all waited in a local cafe (BONJOUR CHRISTINE!)
There will be lots more things to add to this list, but that’ll do for a Sunday morning when I haven’t had coffee yet!
Here is one of my favourite travel videos to keep you smiling :-)
A fantastic in-flight one from Virgin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtyfiPIHsIg
I’m heading to the Barge Cruise very soon, so I’ll say AU REVOIR and CHEERIO for now :-)
Today I have been printing off my e-ticket to fly from Brisbane to Paris via Dubai, airport bus pick-up vouchers at both ends of the journey, access info for my rented apartment, sticky labels for the postcards and cards I’ll send to friends from gay Paree —
Only got time for a coffee or a cocktail? Get in touch and see what we can work out :-)
Q & A • Question about Paris September 2015
A question from Sylvia:
“Hi Teena, how long will it take for you to get to Paris this year?”
Excellent question, Sylvia! This year I decided to pay a bit more for my airline tickets in order to reduce the waiting time inbetween flights, and I’m so pleased!
In the past I’ve had layovers in Guangzhou (pronounced “Gwang-joe”, China), Abu Dhabi, Singapore and this time the layover will be in Dubai.
Some of those layovers have been horrendous, time-wise, facilities, and many other factors. In Abu Dhabi one year there were hundreds of us transit passengers who had to sit on the floor of the airport, in corridors, because the management refused to open the Translit Lounge until the flight was ready for boarding. Was it five hours, six or even seven? More? Thank heavens I’ve blocked the details from my brain, but take it from me — sitting on a floor for all those hours with so many rules and regulations about what we weren’t allowed to do, did NOT make for a fun time. Nerves were frayed, everyone was exhausted, we felt like cattle. Not a happy time.
Jumping forward to NOW, I am thrilled to say I will only have a 2 hour layover in Dubai, making the whole journey so much easier!
Here’s how it’ll work for me tonight:
catch a ferry to the mainland
airport bus pickup about 10pm, drive for about an hour to the airport
three and a half hours waiting for the flight to depart at 2:30am
fly to Dubai — 16.25 hours in the air
then a two hour layover
fly Dubai to Paris for 7.15 hours
45 minute wait for scheduled airport bus pick-up
about an hour to drive in Paris
total travelling time approximately 32 hours all up.
And THAT’S why I stay for 4 weeks — if it was only 10-15 hours away, I’d be flying to Paris ALL the time :-)
One of the very first things I love to do after arriving in Paris — generally AFTER I’ve had my first croissant :-) — is to take a barge cruise on the outskirts of the River Seine, to reacquaint myself with the outer suburbs and the fascinating history (as told by the Barge storyteller). For two and a half hours I soak up the Parisian atmosphere without having to plan anything — I wave to the folks on the banks and on the little bridges which go across the river in its narrower parts. When the barge navigates down the locks of different heights, it’s a great way to be reminded about nature. We then slowly venture UNDER Paris, and when we get to the bit under the Bastille monument (in the 4th arrondissement), I heave a sigh of ‘history’, remembering what happened here (storming of the Bastille).
I’m also remembering the wonderful years I spent living just a few steps from this majestic Paris icon. OK – that’s enough waxing lyrical :-)
Here’s a bit more about it, with some of my photos:
Bonjour mes amis! Hello my friends of Postcards From Paris!
In just under six weeks I will be winging my way across the planet to fly from Brisbane, Australia to Paris, France — magnifique!
I can’t wait to taste my first delicious croissant (or Pain au Chocolat!), see my friends, catch up with some of my Postcards from Paris followers, and make Paris my home for the next month :-)
The taste of the first baguette, first coffee, first time seeing the Eiffel Tower again — these and many others are what I crave when I’m not on Parisian soil, and I will savour each and every one of them.
If you haven’t had a look at my Paris Adventures yet, you might be interested to see the new ones I’ve added this year — I’m sharing my love of some unusual things and I do hope those that sign up for them will enjoy them as much as I do :-)
Want to meet me in Paris? Check out these dates and let’s catch up!
1 – 00:05 – Jardin alpin
Nestled in the heart of the Jardin des Plantes, the Alpine garden includes more than 2,000 mountain plant species .
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/ngNvu
2 – 00:15 – square des peupliers
This small private street ( no cars ) created in 1926 is an exquisite romantic and green place to take photos for a fashion shooting for example
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/qC1kU
3 – 00:25 – Terasse de l I.M.A
The Arab World Institute (IMA) is a Parisian cultural institute dedicated to the Arab world.
You can go for free on the rooftop and have an incredible view
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/zP50L
4 – 00:35 – les Passages Couverts
Real covered galleries in the middle of buildings and generally housing shops , Secret Parisian walkways are an architectural curiosity full of charm.
5 – 00:44 – Panthéon Boudique
The giant bamboos and stone slabs make of the Garden of the Buddhist Pantheon one of the most zen secret place of the capital .
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/LCp09
6 – 00:55 – Collèges des Bernardins
The collège was used until the French Revolution as a residence for Cistercian monks students at the University of Paris.
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/5VAg9
7 – 01:03 – Hôtel Dieu
Hotel-Dieu de Paris is the oldest hospital in the capital.
You can enter for free and climb at the last level to have a view over notre dame … but please be respectful of the people resting inside, it’s still an hospital.
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/yxK9T
8 – 01:13 La Petite Ceinture
The little belt railway was a Parisian railway that, from 1852, was a circular connection between Paris’s main railway stations. In a partial state of abandonment since 1934. Many French railway enthusiasts and associations would like to see the abandoned railway and its remaining stations preserved and protected as a part of France’s national heritage.
Map : this place is all around Paris, and it’s forbiden to enter so i will not give the information but if you really want to go just look on internet for « accès petite centure »
9 – 01:24 Jardin d’Agronomie Tropical
The Garden of Tropical Agriculture is in northeastern edge of the Bois de Vincennes. there you can find a half-wild nature and remnants buildings of the French colonial era sometimes half covered by vegetation.
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/eVXEb
10 – 01:34 Design & Nature
The Design and Nature gallery specialises in the creation of stuffed animals, in entomology (the science of butterflies and insects) and in osteology, as well as in the presentation of organic and vegetal species.
Map : https://goo.gl/maps/Py8v8
My first print book to be published on Amazon will be ‘live’ in August, maybe even as little as a week away!
I’ve talked about it over the past year, published a short Kindle book on Paris last year, but now I’ve finally finished my 42 page “Memories of Paris” book based on a selection of my photos which I’ve turned into watercolour paintings.
I’m just waiting for the first ‘proof’ copy to arrive in the post for me to approve, then it’ll be available to the public — I can’t express how happy this makes me, I’ll be a published author sharing pix of my most favourite city in the world.
Because of my love of Paris, I created this website 8 years ago, and I’ve met the most amazing warm and funny folks through this site, people who send emails, tweets, Facebook messages, audio messages, Youtube and video messages — it is so lovely to share my love of Paris with others — thank you to each and every one of you! I’ll keep you posted and send a quick update when it’s on Amazon – woohoo!
What’s on when in Paris in August?
visit the BEACH in Paris! Yes, that’s right! “Paris Plage“!
July and August are traditionally the hottest months, and many Parisians take off for the whole of August to be closer to the seaside and cooler weather. By deciding to be there for September, I’ll be visiting at a lovely time of year, still summer but not too hot …
What will the weather be like in September in Paris? The weather has been VERY hot in Paris this month, into the 90-100+ degrees F (30-35 deg C), so I’m expecting temps in the 70-80’s for September this year.
“Dear Teena, I am very concerned about the things I’ve read about the crime and pickpockets in Paris. Do you have any recommendations to try and avoid being victimized? Also we are taking the train in from Brussels. We get in at 10:30am but can’t check in our hotel until 2pm. Would it be safe to store our luggage in a locker or would we be better off going to our hotel with our luggage? I’m really nervous about having my stuff stolen. K”
Your questions are all good and relevant — I suggest contacting your hotel and ask if you can bring your bags there first, most hotels have a secure storage area for arriving and departing guests. That way you know they’ll be safe and then you only have one place to go back to after your first adventure.
In regard to pickpockets, don’t wear anything on your back as that makes it easy in a crowd for someone to access your backpack while you’re being jostled. Generally Paris is extremely safe and if you stick with other people as you walk you should be very safe. When you’re eating or drinking, don’t leave your wallet, handbag or smartphone on the table or bar, as that makes them easy targets. If you have a handbag or shoulder bag, wear it or carry it in front of you so you can always see it.
Using your smart phone or camera, take photos of your passport’s relevant pages, and all cards in your wallet (backs and fronts) — upload them to secure storage like Dropbox.com for free, so you can access them easily from anywhere.
I love to see Paris from the water each time I arrive after my trip from Australia (where I live), so I take a 2.5 hr barge cruise for about $US30 (either morning or afternoon), and also I love the Champagne cruise at sunset to see the skyline, Eiffel Tower etc at night – beautiful! Here are links on my website for both of these:
A bit more expensive at about $80, but such a fabulous thing to do!
Apart from that, I just love to stroll the streets, sit in sidewalk cafes and restaurants, go to wine bars at night and meet the locals. With only two days, there’s a chance you’ll try to see TOO MANY tourist attractions so my advice is — don’t. Only see one or two max, and spend the rest of the time being part of the Parisian culture.
I hope you have a simply marvellous time, do let me know how you get on!
Q & A • Question from Facebook
“BonSoir! Love your fabulous blog and spicy ideas! I’m about to move to Paris again soon and i would like to find a job, if you know something feel free to let me know. Love and Happiness all over Merci :)))”
I live in Australia, and visit Paris each year or two, so I’m sorry I don’t personally know of any jobs for you right now — it will of course depend on many things — your age and your nationality (under 30s from some countries can work for a year), as well as whether or not you can work legally in France. But don’t despair!
“Most of the Americans, Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders living and working in France fall into one of three categories:
They are married to a French (or another national of the European Union) citizen.
They inherited dual citizenship from their parents.
They are highly-skilled professionals sent to their company’s French office to achieve a specific task. France currently has working holiday agreements whereby Canadian, Australian and New Zealander citizens aged between 18 and 30 years can undertake paid employment for up to one year.”
Doesn’t sound promising, does it?
I have written a blog post or two about jobs, so here are a couple of pages I’ve written which might help:
research and book my flights a couple of months in advance if possible
research accommodation (I like to rent an entire apartment, so a studio apartment is perfect)
check out Google maps for the address where I’ll be staying, search for things “close by” like cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, Metro stops, bus stops (I may even print off a page or two from the map so I have it with me for me first day in the new location)
organise a mobile phone — I bought one just to use in Paris about 5 years ago, so I take it with me, plug it in as soon as I arrive at my accommodation so it’ll be charging straight away; find a place to buy a “recharge” for the phone so I can start using it (generally Tabacs are a good place to start, or you can also find a store for the brand of phone card you’re looking for)
book a pick-up from the airport to your hotel, which can be done online, print the receipt and have it in your wallet for when you land in Paris; call the toll-free number once you’ve collected your bag, and tell the operator which Terminal you’re at (there should be signs everywhere); now it’s a waiting game until you mini van arrives. If this all sounds too slow, grab a taxi instead.
before I get on the plane to leave Australia, I turn off “roaming” on my iPhone (mobile phone) so I won’t be socked with a huge bill on my return to Australia, (a) I will still be able to use my smart phone to access the internet whenever I am in a wifi (pronounced “wee-fee” in French) zone (see how easy it is to do this in Paris) just by walking into any park or government building, (b) I’ll be able to make calls and send texts all over the planet for free by using the VIBER APP in a wifi zone when I’m out and about (I love love love this app!), (c) I also downloaded Viber onto my laptop, so I can type messages and make/receive phone calls via my computer when I’m back at the apartment
once I’ve arrived, I take a photo of my building from the street (if it’s the first time I’ve been there), then I take a photo at the corner of the street so it’ll be easy to recognise on my way back; if I then take a bus or the Metro (train) I take photos of the bus stop or Metro sign so I can remember HOW to get back home later that day
after my first Parisian breakfast in a cafe, I head to the nearest Metro (train station) and buy a “carnet” of tickets (pronounced KAH-NAY) — ten tickets is a good place to start unless I want to get a monthly ticket. More info will be available at the Metro so read and work out which is best for your needs.
next I like to visit the nearest Post Office to buy some stamps, so that when I’m whiling away the hours people-watching in a cafe I’ll have some stamps to put on those postcards I’ve just purchased.
Here’s a little video I made about PLANNING A TRIP TO PARS :
All of this gets me into my “Frenchified Teena” mode :-)
Do you have anything you do when you first arrive in Paris (if you’ve already been), or something you’d LOVE to do if you visit in the future? I’d love to hear from you — if you received my Postcards from Paris newsletter via email, just click REPLY. If you’re reading this on my website, just post a Comment below :-)
Would you like to recommend any cafes or restaurants, or things for me to do? Feel free to share! One of my long time readers – Michael (from USA) – has sent me some wonderful suggestions and restaurants to check out, as have a couple of other folks, so do please send them along!
Bonjour mes amis! Hello my friends of Postcards From Paris!
I thought I’d start off today’s edition with a HUGE welcome to my last few subscribers this month! Maybe you’re one of these folks? If you are, please do write back to me and say BONJOUR! I’d love to hear from you :-)
Teri from San Diego, USA
Stephen from Vancouver, Canada
Rod from Cleveland, USA
Victoria from Mcdonough, USA
Jim from Mesa, USA
MaKenzie from Bloomington, USA
Paula from Benton, USA
Linda from Pasadena, USA
Robin from Perth, Australia
Liz from Georgia, USA
Lida from Houston, USA
Jenifer from Sanford, US
Craig from Paris
Bettie from South Africa
I do hope you enjoy my little tips and stories about the city I love — I live in Australia and I try to get to Paris every year or two to fill my soul with the joie de vivre (joy of life) I feel whenever I’m in this extraordinary city!
Ways to Meet Me in Paris in September!
I’ve been totally revamping all the things I love to share when I’m in Paris:
Painting Workshops
Plus Size Fashion Adventures
Over 40’s Lazy Paris Adventure
and I’d love to share some new options — but I want to know if any of you think these might be of interest … just because I’d love to do these doesn’t mean anyone else would :-)
Stationery Lovers’ Adventure (there are some beautiful traditional pen and paper stores!)
Coffee Conversations in French — meet me for an hour and a half in a cafe with 3 other people and learn the right amount of French to survive in a cafe on your own :-)
Textile Tidbits Adventure — would you love to find some fabulous stores in Paris specialising in hand-made haberdashery (ribbon, beads, leather, twine, knitting needles, silk, felt)? The two stores we’ll visit have goodies from the 1890s to 1930s, a real feast for the eyes.
I will be finalising the dates and details within the next few days, so I will send a quick email to let you know all the “deets” (details). Can’t wait to be there – woohoo!
Learn French from a wonderful little French girl telling a story based on a mix of other fairy tales :-)
I just came across this video and I have to share — listening to French children is a great way to learn the language! Let me know what you think of this — I think it’s adorable!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RQMVKcNgFw
I’ll be in Paris in September 2015 – will you be there?
Last edition I wrote:
I have been dreaming in French, and in my dreams I’m in Paris, and when I wake I am speaking or singing in French — what do you think that means?!!
You’re right!
It means I’m way overdue to visit the city where I’ve left my heart, and to where I return whenever possible, from the other side of the planet in Australia -)
and the great news is I have booked my Paris apartment and am finalising my flights this week to spend an entire month speaking French and dipping my croissant into my hot coffee!
What about you? What would you love to do in Paris? Send me a message, I’d love to hear!
I am finalising the pages for the Adventures I will be hosting, so do pop back and check this page (I’ll add a link HERE) and you can also follow the Facebook Postcards from Paris page too where I post updates >>
Here are some of the ways to do that:
click the “Say bonjour to Teena” button which should appear down the right side of the web page — you can record your voice straight away — and some of you have already been using this, I love it!
take a “selfie” video or photo with your phone or camera, then email it
record a voice message on your phone, then email it
email me on bonjour [at] a-night-in-paris [dot com]
If you do ANY of these things, I’d love to have your permission to share on my website, newsletter etc — if that’s not OK, let me know when you contact me :-)
So – what’s on in Paris in June 2015?
Excellent question! There is a ton of wonderful things to do in Paris in June each year, from jazz festivals, to fairs like the Foire St-Germain, and I’ll mention some of them here:
The famous “love locks” which have appeared over the last few years are being removed from Paris’ centuries-old bridges, monuments, tourist attractions and other fences as the weight has become quite problematic, and placed some bridges under too much stress and strain. Everyone has an opinion on it, but the bottom line is there is no area which has been created specifically for this type of romantic gesture.
Buy a baguette, cheese, wine etc and go to one of the many beautiful parks in Paris.
Take a barge cruise UNDER Paris! I love this!
For an added adventure, take your picnic on a Barge Cruise — this is one of my all-time favourite things to do when I arrive, I get to relax for a couple of hours as I take in Paris and the outskirts from a barge, which also takes me on a magical journey BELOW Paris!
Oh you must try this if you’re there — it’s away from the madding tourist crowds and such a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon in the city I love.
plus so much more, and something to suit everyone.
Ready to try something really unusual?
How about brunch, lunch or dinner in someone’s home? This is a great idea which has been going on for decades and is a great way to meet Parisians and other adventurous travellers — check out the article I wrote about this a while back:
One of the most common questions I hear is about transport from the airports and major train stations to accommodation. I always use the Paris Shuttle for $27 which I book in advance, and there are some other great choices too.
Facebook Updates
Do you use Facebook? You might like to check out my page and join in the conversation:
I’ve been talking about, dreaming about, sketching and thinking of publishing a book about Paris, and I’ve finally done it!
Yesterday I clicked the PUBLISH button on my first Kindle book about Paris, and I’m so excited! It’s only 20 pages and covers some of my favourite things to do, and even though it’s a Kindle book, anyone can read it on a smart phone or a desktop computer by downloading the software from the amazon site. Cool!
And the best part is it’s only $US0.99! As this is my first time at publishing this type of book I’ve set it at the lowest price allowed. If you do decide to buy – that’s fantastic – thank you in advance!
If you could also leave me a Review on Amazon that would be absolutely marvellous – many thanks in advance!
Every month when I receive the newsletter from this wonderful museum, I always find something I’d love to go see. If I lived in Paris full-time, this would be me favourite place!
There’s a great exhibition about typefaces, and others about toys, fashion and wallpaper just to name a few. I could spend days exploring les Arts Decoratifs!
Visit Les Arts Décoratifs at 107, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris – tél. : 01 44 55 57 50
What’s on in March & April?
Five weeks of Jazz and Blues festival, cinema festival, Easter, art, and so much more!
“Joyeux Noel! Bonne Annee!” – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I haven’t made a video this month, but I have some others I’d like to share with you- this is one of the last ones I made in Paris on my last trip, in my local cafe early in the morning savoring a coffee and croissant – yum!
This video shows you how to use a foreign laptop plug when staying in my favourite city :-)
I’ve found some great videos online to get you in the Christmas mood – ready to jump right in?
This is a cute little video for the kids – a popular French Christmas carol – I dare you to try not to smile :-)
This one is Christmas carols for grownups sung in French – I do hope you like it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAC2y3WZWH8
If you wish you were shopping in the beautifu stores of Paris, here’s a video showing shoppers doing their Christmas shopping in the Galieries Lafayette this year – the window displays are so cool! :
This video was taken last month at an ice skating rink at the Christmas Markets — oooooooh I wish I was there :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiFfROsG5Rk
The Christimas lights on the Champs Elysees look amazing – the energy saver Light Rings on the trees which line the promenade are very cool:
Did you like those videos? I love watching different videos about Paris throughout the year to keep me in a French frame of mind.
What’s on in Paris in December & January?
There is so much to do in Paris even though it’s mid-winter, and simply walking the streets and absorbing the history is a great thing to do — and then stop and have some hot roasted chestnuts from a street stall, and explore some more until you find a Crepe stand to buy Nutella Crepes or my favourite – Lemon and Sugar – yum!
And don’t forget Disneyland Paris ! Here is a recent video taken at night – now this puts me in the holiday mood :-) :
It’s been many years since I spent Christmas in Paris – about 16 or 17 I think – and it was always a magical time.
The important thing for visitors to remember is the WEATHER — wear WATERPROOF warm shoes, thermal underwear and socks, gloves, hats and scarves to keep the cold air out from your warm clothing.
The second most important thing to remember is … HAVE A FANTASTIC HOLIDAY and enjoy yourself!!
Bonjour and Welcome to today’s Postcards from Paris!
Hi – this is Teena Hughes, andI’d like to say, “Bonjour mes amies!”, which means, “Hello my friends!”
So – have you been to Paris recently, or are planning a trip? Tell me what you want to see and do, I’d love to hear about your plans! Click the video below to play >>
Today I bring you thoughts of cooler weather in the City of Love and Light!
Autumn is kicking in, with the odd warm days appearing less and less – if you’re already in Paris, you can expect high temps of around 15 degrees Celcius and lows of around 7 degrees.
Here are a selection of questions from people who visit my site or follow my Newsletter – maybe my answers will help you too. If you have a quetion, get in touch and I’ll do my best to help :-)
Comment from Susan
This week Susan wrote about the Travel Packing Tips, and this prompted me to remind you that each time you land on a page on my website, you’ll be able to find similar pages shown at the bottom of the page, listed as “Related Pages”. For example, if you land on any one of the Travel Packing Tips pages, you’ll see something like this at the bottom of the page – simply click any one of the icons to go to another page:
Question from Kara
Kara was moving to Paris with only two week’s notice, and had to find coats in a hurry!
New Postcards from Paris Adventures Deck of Cards!
I’ve wanted to let you know that I’ve been working on a cool little pack of cards – 50 of them – and each one has a tip for a great thing to do or a great place to see in Paris, including some of my favourites.
I’m so excited about this, the pack is small enough to fit in any pocket, handbag or backpack, and each day you’re in Paris you can shuffle the deck and pick out a new adventure for the day.
This is perfect for anyone going to Paris, or as a gift for anyone who loves the idea of Paris.
I’d love your feedback — does this sound like something you’d use? Got any suggestions of your own? Click on the Contact form button in the Menu – I’d love to hear from you!
What’s on in Paris in October?
The French word “fete” means “festival” and there are so many to choose from, you certainly won’t get bored in Paris!
the CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL! “For its 2013 edition from 30 October through 3 November, the Salon du Chocolat will increase from 12,500 to 20,000 sqm dedicated entirely to sweet treats.” Read more >>
the TANGO FESTIVAL – Tango takes over the Paris during this festival which includes concerts, dancing, music and singing workshops, cinema and video, art exhibitions, photography, theater, debates, lectures, food and cabaret evenings Read more >>
NUIT BLANCHE (White Night) – an amazing collection of nocturnal events and activities in and around Paris, including museums, libraries, monuments, cinemas, etc. Read more >>
Fête Des Vendanges de Montmartre — Wine and grape Festival in Montmartre! There are some free tickets still available for the acoustic concert with Alain Chamfort on 13th October. Be quick! Read more >>
Check out Paris’ version of “garage sales”, which are “empty the attics” sales (vide-grenier) – check out when and where >>
My Postcards from Paris Facebook Page
When you have a moment, pop over to my Paris Facebook page to see all the photos I’ve posted, and join in the conversation:
Did someone send you this email because they thought you might enjoy it? That’s fantastic! Why not sign up for yourself, so you’ll receive it in your inbox too?
Teena Hughes, A-Night-in-Paris.com PO Box 424, Burleigh Heads Qld 4220 – Australia Telephone Australia (+61) 0408-801-808https://a-night-in-paris.com I hope you enjoyed Postcards from Paris!
It’s a bit windy here today in Melbourne, and the temps are expected to be in the low 20 degrees Celcius, but we do expect rain. I’m looking at the weather in Paris and a “high” of 10degC is still a bit chilly, but from here on in it should start to get a little warmer in the lead up to summer for June/July/August:
Here are two little audio lessons I’ve made for the beginners:
“Bonjour mon ami! Ca va toi?” and “Croissant au beurre?”
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My New Paris Photo Book
I’ve wanted to let you know that my book of Paris photos is ready, but in all honesty it’s taken longer than I wanted due to the move to a new city, yahda yahda (sorry for the excuses!), but it WILL be ready soooon, promise! I’ve now given myself a deadline, so fingers’ crossed!
Did someone send you this email because they thought you might enjoy it? That’s fantastic! Why not sign up for yourself, so you’ll receive it in your inbox too?
Teena Hughes, A-Night-in-Paris.com PO Box 111, Balaclava VIC 3183 – Australia Telephone Australia (+61) 0408-801-808https://a-night-in-paris.comI hope you enjoyed Postcards from Paris!
Hi, this is Teena, and how lucky I feel to be back in the city I love, catching up with old friends (from when I lived here), meeting clients, making new friends – I’m having a great time so far, and I’m only half way through my five and a half weeks :-)
Today’s quick video Newsletter is about :
my walk along the gorgeous rue Montorgueil
posts I’ve written since I’ve been here
and some questions and answers from the website.
Don’t forget to grab an espresso, latte, chocolat chaud, thé, cold drink, whatever you feel like, and let’s jump in :-)
[jbutton color=”orange” size=”xlarge” ]Join me in Paris?? I’m here until 20th July 2012 and would love to meet you!![/jbutton]
Join me in Paris in July 2012!
Going to be in Paris in July? Reply to this email and maybe we can find time for a coffee? I’ve already met some of my lovely followers and have a few more to catch up with – how wonderful!
Today’s Video Newsletter
I’m in Paris for 6 weeks! Woohoo!
Here is today’s quick Video Newsletter – Postcards from Paris. Click the video to view:
I hope to get another newsletter out to you while I’m here, and I look forward to chatting with you on the website (use the COMMENT form at the bottom of the pages), Youtube, Twitter and Facebook (and soon on Google Plus), and of course you can click REPLY on your email I send you — it’d be so nice to hear from you!
Teena Hughes
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from Teena Hughes | April 6th, 2012 video newsletter
April means summer’s not far away!
Hi, this is Teena, and first off I’d like to wish you a Happy Easter! This morning I’ve been listening to Carla Bruni singing French songs as my mind wanders to the side-streets of Paris where I love to meander and discover new places and things …
Today’s quick video is about :
useful French phrases
what to do in Paris in April
and some questions and answers from the website.
So grab an espresso, latte, chocolat chaud, thé, cold drink, whatever you feel like, and let’s jump in :-)
[jbutton color=”orange” size=”xlarge” link=”https://a-night-in-paris.com/adventures.html”]Join me in Paris?? I’ll be there in June/July 2012 and would love it if you came along on one of my Adventures!! Click to find out more![/jbutton]
Watch today’s video to hear the pronunciation for these French words and phrases:
French phrases for shopping
Some of these phrases might come in handy while you’re shopping in Paris:
“Ou est la caisse, s’il vous plait ?”/ “Where’s the cash register/check-out, please?”
Note: When I write SVP, it stands for “s’il vous plait“/”please” (and is shorter to write, you’ll see it everywhere)
For credit cards: Tappez votre code, SVP. / Please put in your PIN (number/code).
“Je voudrais …” / “I would like …” (more polite than “I want”)
Did you like the funny phrases in the last newsletter? I’d love to hear if they made you chuckle … here’s the link for the last newsletter >>
If you did like them, let me know, and I’ll feed you some more in upcoming Postcards from Paris :-)
What can I buy in a French:
Pharmacie/Pharmacy — medicines, health products, expensive perfumes, women’s make-up and cosmetics — but NOT daily products like toothpaste and soap; you’ll find those in the supermarche / supermarket.
Tabac/Tobacconist — stamps, newspapers, phone cards, recharge cards, and sometimes a bar and cafe.
That’s it for today, I look forward to chatting with you on the website (use the COMMENT form at the bottom of the pages), Youtube, Twitter and Facebook (and soon on Google Plus), it’d be so nice to hear from you.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!!
Teena Hughes
Not on the Postcards from Paris mailing list?
Did someone send you this email because they thought you might enjoy it? That’s fantastic! Why not sign up for yourself, so you’ll receive it in your inbox too?
from Teena Hughes | March 18th, 2012 video newsletter
Heading for Spring and then Summer – fantastique!
Hi, this is Teena, poring over lots of French books and new lists of Paris cafés and restaurants, planning my trip which is only a couple of months away – woohoo!
Today’s quick video is about :
funny French phrases
what to do in Paris in March
and some questions and answers from the website.
So grab an espresso, latte, chocolat chaud, thé, cold drink, whatever you feel like, and let’s jump in :-)
[jbutton color=”orange” size=”xlarge” link=”https://a-night-in-paris.com/adventures.html”]Join me in Paris?? I’ll be there in June/July 2012 and would love it if you came along on one of my Adventures!! Click to find out more![/jbutton]
Watch today’s video to hear the pronunciation for these French words and phrases:
Funny French
I came across an old French phrase book of mine, and the phrases are meant to be said “tongue-in-cheek”, which means they are cheeky and funny. If you’re easily offended, please don’t read (not even while squinting with one eye closed):
Vous etes une super nana!/ You are an absolute babe!
Vous etes un ange descendu sur terre. / You are an angel come to earth.
For those who like to talk about wine:
Le Chateau Montrose etait futé mais trop discret. / The Chateau Montrose was clever but shy.
Need to curse with attitude? :
Bande de chameaux! / You bunch of camels!
Making friends at an art gallery or other pick-up spot:
Parlons-en tout en prenant un café express. / Let’s talk about it over a cup of espresso.
Shopping for trinkets
Hier, j’ai acheté une Tour Eiffel en plastique. / I bought a plastic Eiffel Tower yesterday.
If you like these, let me know, and I’ll feed you some more in upcoming Postcards from Paris :-)
Things to do in Paris in March / Mars
French Women’s Film Festival (Films De Femmes above)
Banlieues Bleues – 5 week Jazz & Blues festival)
Le Printemps du cinéma, 3 days only, 3.50 Euro tickets
still have short queues at monuments, museums etc
sit in cosy cafés with hot drinks, people-watching
Above: FILMS DE FEMMES – 34 Years – 30th March – 8 April
Until next time! A bientôt!
That’s it for today, I look forward to chatting with you on the website (use the COMMENT form at the bottom of the pages), Youtube, Twitter and Facebook (and soon on Google Plus), it’d be so nice to hear from you.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon!!
Teena Hughes
Not on the Postcards from Paris mailing list?
Did someone send you this email because they thought you might enjoy it? That’s fantastic! Why not sign up for yourself, so you’ll receive it in your inbox too?
When the bombings happened not long after I returned to Australia, I was stunned and shocked like the rest of the world.
My first print book to be published on Amazon will be ‘live’ in August, maybe even as little as a week away!
Last edition I wrote:
I’ve wanted to let you know that I’ve been working on a cool little pack of cards – 50 of them – and each one has a tip for a great thing to do or a great place to see in Paris, including some of my favourites.
I’m writing to you from Paris!
Today’s Video Newsletter
LET'S CHAT