When I left Australia for a six week holiday many years ago, I had no idea I would end up in Paris, stay there for 3 years, and pine for her every day since I left.
If you’re new to Postcards from Paris — WELCOME!
My name is Teena Hughes, I’m an Australian who has lived in Paris several times over a period of about thirty years, and I love to go back once a year if possible, and spend about six weeks feeling like a local Parisienne again :-)
While I’m there, I catch up with my friends I met there over twenty years ago, plus I host Adventures. I’ve also written a couple of books about Paris, and I love this city more than any other.
Enjoy the little French tidbits I have for you today, and do get in touch if you’d like to chat or ask a question. Here we go!
So excited! 12 pages with a great photo for each month — grab your copy here >>
I plan to create another one with different photos too — so stay tuned!
And for my Postcards from Paris subscribers, I’m sending you a freebie one-page Calendar too!
With love from me and a huge thanks for following along on my Paris adventures xxx Just check your email :-)
I’ve written about Christmas and the Yuletide season a few times, and I’d like to share these stories with you:
Le Loir Dans le Théière
3 rue des Rosiers
75004 Paris
When I lived in Paris in the late 1980s, this became one of my favourite places, and I’ve heard that the name of this Tea Salon came from an unlucky dormouse which was thrown into a teapot during the Mad Hatter’s feast in Alice in Wonderland story.
Now in 2017, I still visit this gorgeous tea salon when I am in Paris each year, and I want to share it with you. This warm and cozy space is decorated with trinkets and knick knacks (odds and ends) and the aroma of the delicious gourmet cuisine (pies, large salads) wafts by and makes the mouth water. Keep an eye out for the dozens of pastries which include the incredible lemon meringue pie and the chocolate fondant cake.
Come weekends, it’s hard to find a spot to sit as …
Giovanna asks: When is it summer in france?
I replied:
Question from Eshaana:
Hi Teena I am planning to relocate from Geneva to Paris in September this year to study French full time. I would love to start my orientation to Paris with your week-long silk painting course. Please let me know the dates of the next courses in July/August with details of costs etc. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards
Eshaana
My reply:
Bonjour Eshaana!
How lovely to hear back from you.
I totally understand, and yes it would be great to meet in Paris for silk painting.
If you’re on my Paris newsletter list, you’ll be notified when I plan my next trip to Paris and will get other tips about the city I love.
If you haven’t signed up yet, here’s the link:
Have a fabulous week!
ciao ciao,
Teena
Question from Marion:
Hi Teena. Are you still doing one day beginner silk painting? I’m a Canadian lady interested in a unique Paris experience.
My reply:
Hi Marion, lovely to hear from you!I live in Australia, and travel to Paris each year for 6 weeks to host my Adventures. Unfortunately I won’t be there at the same time as youI do have online Courses though — I’m currently updating and adding some new ones in the next month or so, if you’d like to be notified please sign up at http://how-to-paint-on-silk.com/newsletter-sign-up.html — if you have any questions, please do let me know. And have a fantastic time in Paris!! Wish I could be there at the same time!
Bon voyage!
Teena
Here is another great video for you – let me know what you think!
“5 Weird French Expressions to Sound Like a Native”
and here is one of my favourite French singers – Trudbol:
For the lyrics in French and English, pop over to Trudbol’s Youtube Channel >>
I’m excited to tell you I’ve started planning my next trip to Paris – woohoo! July 2018 sounds like a great plan — can you meet me there? I’ve got my fingers’ crossed!
Let me know if you have any questions about Paris or my website, or just want to share some tips about your trip to Paris.
Post a Comment below, or click the little “Say Bonjour!” tab on the right side of the screen, or pop over to the Facebook page — I’d love to hear from you!
Ciao ciao for now, a bientot !
Teena
Pop over and sign up so you don’t miss out!
As a citizen of the world who has had 45 home addresses in several countries (Australia, New Zealand, USA, France and Greece), I gave these questions a lot of thought before answering.
When I heard about the shocking and unbelievable atrocious terrorist attacks in Paris, I was stunned. Speechless. Disbelieving.
Then I kicked into gear and started contacting my friends who live in Paris, and further afield in other parts of France.
Hearing back from each one of them sent waves of relief flooding through me, until finally I’d heard back from them all.
As the entire world was stunned, we each had emotions which were hard to control, hard to understand, and felt unbelievable loss for many whose lives were taken way too soon.
I understand some people’s fear about travelling to Paris after this horrific event, but the bottom line is, awful things can and do happen everywhere.
If we live in fear and stay at home, we won’t have the amazing adventures we’re meant to have.
I can’t guarantee my own safety 100% outside my own door or anywhere in the world, but I still travel and do my best to stay safe.
In fact, when I was last in Paris, I was staying just a block away from one of the locations in the 11th arrondissement where people died — it was such a lovely neighbourhood and no-one could have known in advance.
I totally realise that something awful could happen in or near the sleepy little beach-side village where I live here in Australia — any time — any day, and so I choose to not be fearful.
But do your own research, and if your country’s government issues travel warning against Paris — listen to those – they won’t be permanent, just during unrest or other events.
In the meantime, continue to plan your trip and have the time of your life!
If you have any other questions, please do get in touch (by email or on Facebook) so we can chat further.
Happy travels!
Sending big hugs, and please do write back to me and tell me ALL your stories about the wonderful (or not) time you had in Paris :-)
If you’re feeling romantic and you’re on foot, you might want to walk across the Pont des Arts, to see the multitude of locks which romantic couples have left on the bridge. Often called the “Lock Bridge” or “Love Lock Bridge”, romantic couples add locks to the sides of the bridge.
But guess what? On 9th June, 2014 part of the bridge started to collapse due to the weight of the thousands of locks!
The local want to ban the practice, but no law has been created yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC-r93coyBM
Built between 1802 and 1804 under the reign of Napoleon, the bridge is a favourite with local and visiting visiting artists.
The “love lock” ritual started in other countries, and finally reached Paris in 2008, finding a home on the Pont des Arts – now lovers are also going to the Pont de l’Archevêché near Notre Dame cathedral.
For your romantic adventure, once you’re on the Pont des Arts there are great views up and down the River Seine so take in your surroundings – the beautiful, centuries-old historical buildings from the Ile de la Cité, to the Louvre and Pont Neuf – you can also see the top of Sainte Chapelle church in the distance.
If it’s a lovely day, bring food and drink and have a little picnic with your loved one.
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Metro :
To be honest, it’s only non-French people who call the 14th of July “Bastille Day”, so please don’t say “Happy Bastille Day!” to your French friends or other French people – ok?
I’ve lived in Paris so I am familiar with this day commemorating the French Revolution, but thought I’d get a Wikipedia explanation for you:
“Bastille Day is the name given in English speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly Le quatorze juillet (the fourteenth of July).
The French National Day commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on the 14 July 1789, as well as the Fête de la Fédération on the 14 July 1790.
Celebrations are held all over France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.”
Read more on Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day
If I’m lucky enough to be in Paris for le Quatorze Juillet (Bastille Day), I generally celebrate with friends by having a picnic or going out to dinner.
There will be plenty of restaurants open for this national holiday, but a make sure you BOOK IN ADVANCE so you will have a guaranteed reservation.
Enjoy!
Teena Hughes
All those luggage tags in airports, on masses of black suitcases and bags, the conveyor belt going round and round.
When you’re waiting for your bag this lime green one with French words on it will be visible from a distance and oh so easy to spot :-)
**Please note payments will appear as ‘Abfab’ or ‘Absolutely’ on your credit cards and receipts.
Please let me know asap and I’ll do my best to help you, thanks! Back to my Paris Store >>
I wanted to design a mini folding umbrella with French words all over it, in a happy bright colour to make a statement in the streets of Paris on a grey winter’s day. This is my first one:
Mini folding umbrella: $US29.99 + Shipping $10.00I had a prototype umbrella made and took it with me to Paris – here I am in the Place des Vosges just off rue St Antoine near metro Bastille. It was a grey day, and this design really stood out from the crowd :-)
**Please note payments will appear as ‘Abfab’ or ‘Absolutely’ on your credit cards and receipts.
Please let me know asap and I’ll do my best to help you, thanks! Back to my Paris Store >>
Whether you’re going on holidays overseas or interstate, a pack of playing cards is always a great thing to bring with you.
This deck has 54 cards, with my design on their back – French words and phrases which make me think of being in Paris.
I also found a font (typeface) which reminds me the art deco Metro signs in Paris – what do you think? Does it look ok to you?
**Please note payments will appear as ‘Abfab’ or ‘Absolutely’ on your credit cards and receipts.
Please let me know asap and I’ll do my best to help you, thanks! Back to my Paris Store >>
The location of public toilets in Paris is — everywhere! On this great Paris website you can find them by arrondissement / suburb (district), from the 1st / 1ere / 75001 / Premier to the 20th / 20eme / 75020 / Vingtieme.
They’re called “sanisettes” and they are modern 21st Century self-cleaning, grey space pods which easily blend into their surroundings – you might not even realise they ARE toilets. There are 400 in Paris, and great news! They’re also wheelchair-friendly (I’ve been told) or at least accessible for the disabled.
They’re open between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and can be found near major tourist spots, food markets and taxi stands.
Click this link to view the website with all the locations >>
Every time someone uses a “sanisettes,” then exits, the automatic door closes and it’s like it’s taking a shower :-)
The toilet bowl and floor are automatically cleaned, dried and disinfected.
Inside you’ll find coat hooks, a mirror and a handbasin, with natural lighting coming through the roof, and they use a reduced amount of water with renewable energy-source electricity.
How cool these public toilets are also eco-friendly and doing their bit for the planet — on flush at a time :-)
I’m thrilled to announce that I have been designing drink coasters and cushion covers (and soon to be handbags, umbrellas, smartphone cases like iPhone, Android, Blackberry etc) and much more — all with a Paris theme, using my own handpainted designs and photos.
Please note that each item will be manufactured once the order is placed, and this can take 2-3 weeks before delivery.
I’m still working out the logistics so if something doesn’t make sense with the items or shipping etc, give me a yell, ok?
Stay tuned for the smart-phone cases, toiletries bags, umbrellas and much more!!
To be notified of new products, please sign up for the Postcards From Paris Newsletter.
Cheers,
Teena
PLEASE NOTE: in Sept 2015 – New resto called “FACE B” is at this address
In July 2012, we found Les Mandibules restaurant in Paris whilst wandering around the 11th arrondissement, and I really wanted to check it out.
We were there relatively early at 7pm and were the only customers for a short while. The decor was super cool, old album covers, an old portable record player in the front window, Rolling Stones album in prime position. Lost of memorabilia around the place and great music on the sound system set the mood for a great evening.
Please note that “Entrée” in French is the “starter” course (as it is in many other countries apart from USA).
The duck was served with thinly sliced carrots cooked with cumin, absolutely delicious.
The salmon was servcd with wild rice and looked fantastic.
Our dessert of profiteroles was delicious – a small cup of chocolate was provided to pour over the profiteroles, which immediately hardened and provided plenty of crunch to go with the icecream inside the choux pastry.
If you find yourself anywhere near rue St Maur and rue St Ambroise, check out this delightful restaurant. The Patron was absolutely charming and quite a character, who ensured our visit was fabulous. (View the Where to Eat in Paris page and also the Famous French Food page.)
Prices:
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Les Mandibules
5 rue Guillaume Bertrand
75011 Paris
Metro: St Ambroise / rue St Maur
Le Musee en Herbe is a museum for kids and they absolutely love it. You can wander around the current exhibitions or take the kids on a guided tour including animations (they must be accompanied by an adult)
How about some of their workshops? Weekends, Wednesdays and many school holiday days. The kids will learn about the current exhibition – the artist and their work – and then be encourage to create their own art in the same style. This is very cool!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KM7R_M-euA
View on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KM7R_M-euA
If you’re looking for things for kids to do in Paris, check out my other pages:
Le MUSÉE EN HERBE
21 rue Hérold
75001 PARIS
Tél : 01 40 67 97 66
Fax : 01 40 67 92 13
Ouvert du lundi au dimanche de 10h à 19h sans interruption, vacances et jours fériés.
Open from Monday to Sunday from 10:00a.m. to 7:00pm, holidays and public holidays.
Nocturne le jeudi jusque 21h. Open late on Thursdays until 9:00pm
Métros : Les Halles (ligne/line 4), Palais Royal (ligne/line 1 et 7)
Bus : 85, 74, 29, 48, 67
RER : Châtelet – Les Halles
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