Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries Georges Proust’s Museum of Magic is in the Marais district, and the museum itself is housed below ground in ancient vaulted chambers built of stone. There are magical antiques, interactive illusions (around 15 interactive "curiosities") … [Read more...]
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme
Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries The Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme comprises a unique collection of artefacts and documents in a beautiful 17th century building, the Hôtel de Saint-Aignan. The museum is arranged so that after the introductory hall, each room … [Read more...]
Musée Fragonard
Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries The Musée Fragonard shows visitors major collections of anatomical "pieces" portraying all systems making up the living body. It contains Honoré Fragonard's famous "Ecorchés" (he was the cousin of the painter and … [Read more...]
Musée Edith Piaf
Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries Everyone has heard Edith Piaf's songs like "La Vie en Rose" and "Non, je ne regrette rien," and many know something of her chequered career. Well, Belleville is the neighbourhood where she grew up. The daughter of an acrobat, her real … [Read more...]
Musée Baccarat
Unusual Paris Museums and Galleries The Baccarat Museum is housed in a prestigious mansion on Place des Etats-Unis - once the home of art patron Marie-Laure, Viscountess de Noailles (1920-1970) who held fabulous parties there attended by artists like Man Ray, Cocteau and Dali. … [Read more...]
My Top 10 Free Things to Do in Paris
Paris resident Allison Lounes chooses ten of her favourite free activities in the City of Lights! Going to Paris can be expensive. Unfortunately, most of the popular tourist attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are pricey too. While you certainly shouldn't neglect the most … [Read more...]
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Normandy, one of fourteen permanent overseas American WWII cemeteries: A visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial was part of our tour to see some of the Normandy landings sites, the famous landing beaches, the Caen Memorial and other reminders of Normandy's place in World War II … [Read more...]
Farms, cottages, villas, beachfront properties in France for sale or rent
A property in France can be a good investment Whether your dream is a farm or cottage in the Dordogne, a South of France villa or a beachfront property in Provence, the question of buying or renting is always the first question to be considered. Taking down the "For Sale" sign is easy, but … [Read more...]
Dreams of the GR3 Saumur – Orleans
Saumur on the Loire River, France .Feb 11 – Tuesday (some years ago) REIMS, FRANCE I plan to walk from Saumur to Orleans along the GR3 Trail. A big hearty breakfast and off to the station. Ten minutes before the train pulls out – a bomb scare. The police arrive, but don’t find anything. I miss my … [Read more...]
Espalion – on the French road to Santiago
Walking into Espalion is one of things that makes you feel that you have accomplished something. I don't know why, but that's how it can be some days. We had just come down from the Aubrac Massif (in the south-west region of France), where although the weather had been kind to us, we were still … [Read more...]