Paris is famous for its sidewalk cafés (dubbed terrasses by the locals), locations inextricably linked with its history.

From Procope, Paris’ first café, which hosted the founding fathers of both the French and the American Revolutions, to Flore, which Existentialist writer Jean-Paul Sartre considered a second home, to Brasserie Lipp, where Hemingway used to sit and scribble (and yes, sip a beer or two), it’s no wonder that sitting in a true Parisian café is on the minds of many visitors to the city.

For these writers and revolutionaries, Paris’ cafés became a sort of outdoor living room: a place they could meet to discuss writing, politics, and more. (Find out even more about this on our Left Bank tour!)

You may have noticed the repercussions of this tradition on the modern Parisian café. Here are just three ways Paris’ cafés retain this Old World culture.

1. You don’t need to pay rent.

Cafés have long been considered meeting places, in large part due to the fact that young thinkers and writers didn’t have the space to welcome their cohorts into their homes. They would linger over one drink for hours, and the same is still accepted – and even expected – in Paris today.

When you visit a Parisian café, you’re free to order just one drink and sit and talk, read, or – in some cases – even work on your computer, for as long as you like.

That said, don’t push this cultural norm too far! If you notice that the café is filling up (or that waiters are setting up for lunch!) either buy something new or move on.

2. Your waiter isn’t rude – despite what it may seem!

Waiters are far from attentive in Paris, but don’t misconstrue their intentions! Parisian waiters are purposefully aloof to keep you from feeling like you’re being chased away. Once you’ve ordered, they won’t bother you – which means you might have to work to hail them and pay your check!

Sometimes, if your waiter is going off shift, he may ask you to settle your bill, but you can still linger without a problem.

3. People-watching is a sport.

You may notice that if you grab a table outdoors, you won’t be facing your dining companion. Most café tables in Paris are set with both chairs facing the street, both freeing up sidewalk space for those who need to walk past and providing café-goers ample opportunity to watch the passers-by! So sit back, relax, and soak up this all-too-Parisian past time.

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a food tour – there are certain Paris must-sees that never change. But the French capital is also home to a thriving, ever-changing scene of exhibits, concerts, and more! Here are the three things we’re most excited about this month.

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1. Trying a New Michelin-Starred Restaurant

The new Michelin guide was published in January, and with 18 new one-star and two new two-star restaurants in the capital, there are more than a handful of places we’d love to try (and a few, like Frenchie and Racines, that we’d love to go back to!) While dining at a Michelin-starred establishment can certainly be an investment, it’s also an experience that’s well worth the heftier bill. A bit of local advice? Try going at lunch, when the check won’t be quite as pricey but the food will be just as delicious.

2. Seeing a Street Art Train

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On February 2nd, an art installation that has already seen success in Poland, Austria, and Germany will be coming to Paris – to Gare de l’Est, to be precise. The graffitied train is the longest mobile street art piece ever created and will be hanging out on Parisian tracks all day on Saturday. With two new cars tagged by local street artists, this installation is intended to draw attention to transportation’s effect on the climate.

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3. Immersing Yourself in Van Gogh

Following the enormous success of the Atelier des Lumières’ Klimt exhibit, the immersive space is inviting France’s favorite Dutchman, Vincent Van Gogh, to be its next star. Beginning on February 22, Van Gogh’s most famous paintings will be accompanied by sound and light installations for a 35-minute immersive experience that promises to be something very special.

Gain skip-the-line access to this and other exhibits as part of our no-stress turn-key trips!

Braving the heat during a Parisian summer can be tough, but there is one place you can cool down: the Parisian beach!

I know what you’re thinking: Paris is landlocked. And while the city hasn’t undergone any topographical magic, since the creation of Paris Plages in 2002, you can indeed go to the beach, even in the city.

What’s Paris Plages?

Paris Plages is a series of beach-like installations along the Seine River and the Bassin de la Villette. These free installations feature chaise lounges, misters, sun umbrellas, and sports activities. (There used to even be sand!)

Paris Plages 2018 is open until September 2, and it’s totally free for anyone to access.

Where’s Paris Plages?

There are two different Paris Plages areas: one in central Paris along the Seine, and the other in the 19th, at la Villette.

Quais de Seine

The first extends from the Pont de Solferino to the Pont Alexandre III on the Left Bank and from the Pont de Sully to Pont Neuf on the Right Bank. Pulling up a chaise lounge on this portion of Paris Plages allows you to take in historic monuments like the Louvre and Notre Dame, not to mention the River Seine flowing at your feet.

While there’s no swimming here, there are activities like foosball, mini-golf, and even ballroom dancing – and there are misters all around in case you need to cool down.

Bassin de la Villette

If you can’t imagine the beach without swimming, however, the Bassin de la Villette is the place to be. Here, swimming pools have been installed in the Canal de l’Ourcq, providing the perfect spot to take a dip and cool down.

Chaise lounges, lockers, and changing rooms are at your disposal, and lifeguards watch over the different swimming areas during opening hours.

Once you’ve had a dip, take advantage of the board games, paddle boats, and even a zip line with exquisite views over the Canal itself!

Top image Ken Eckert

The 4th of July has come and gone with little fanfare in Paris, but France is building up to its own national holiday: the 14th of July, dubbed “Bastille Day” in most of the Anglophone world, is France’s national holiday, but if you ask any French person, it’s not the celebration of the day the Bastille prison fell.

A Bit of History

In 1789, the political and social upheaval that had been brewing in France finally came to a head: beginning in May when the commoners of France (those who were neither part of the clergy nor members of the aristocracy) formed a National Assembly, against the wishes of the King, and invited both clergymen and nobility to join. In late June, the newly formed National Assembly took the “Tennis Court Oath,” vowing to establish a constitution – and not to separate until it had been done. They locked themselves into the Jeu de Paume building – now a museum – to do so.

While these events are certainly the ones that led up to the Revolution, the event that many remember was the July 14th Storming of the Bastille, when a group of Revolutionaries released the prisoners held inside – all seven of them. This largely symbolic action was seen by the Revolutionaries as a direct affront of the monarchy’s abuses of power.

But while the 14th is a public holiday in France, it actually celebrates, not July 14, 1789, but July 14, 1790. In the year that ensued, the privileges and feudal rights of the aristocracy and clergy were abolished, and the Declaration of the rights of man and the citizen was adopted and signed. On July 14, 1790, the Revolutionaries believed that they were well on their way to adopting a constitutional, parliamentary monarchy (like the one currently in place in England), and the very first Federation Day celebrated, ostensibly, the new unity among people, aristocracy, clergy, and King.

Yes, the French King was still alive on the first July 14 holiday; Louis the 16th and Marie Antoinette wouldn’t try to flee France until the following year, resulting in their eventual demise by guillotine.

Celebrations in Paris

Today, Federation Day occurs on July 14 throughout France. It is France’s national holiday, a celebration of the rights of men and of the French values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

But like the 4th of July in the United States, it’s also an excuse for a party.

One major event folks in Paris look forward to every year is the Fireman’s Ball. These free balls are held at 40 different firehouses throughout Paris on both the 13th and the 14th of July, allowing folks to dance, drink, and celebrate with the (very handsome) firefighters of Paris. For a full list of participating firehouses this year, click here.

There are, of course, also gorgeous fireworks in Paris for the 14th, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. Many people will congregate on the Champ de Mars to enjoy them, along with the musical accompaniment! This year, the theme of the display and music is “love;” to see how this is interpreted, be on the Champ de Mars before 9pm, when the concert begins. The fireworks will be launched at 11pm and are sure to be a gorgeous site!

Bonne fête de la Fédération à tous !

Image: Yann Caradec

The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a food tour – there are certain Paris must-sees that never change. But the French capital is also home to a thriving, ever-changing scene of exhibits, concerts, and more! Here are the three things we’re most excited about for this month.

1. Watching Le Foot

Even if you’re not a soccer fan, it’s hard to ignore the World Cup! This year, the Cup is being held in Russia, but you’ll still be able to catch it pretty much anywhere in Paris. Choose from among some of our favorite sports bars (or literally any bar in Paris, at least when France is playing!)

• La Moose
• The Highlander
• O’Sullivan’s

2. Outdoor CinEma at La Villette

Paris doesn’t boast tons of air conditioned spaces, which means often in summertime, the best place to spend the evening is outdoors. That’s why you’ll find us at nearly every outdoor screening at the La Villette park.

The schedule for this summer boasts both French and American films, from La La Land to Les Chansons d’Amour. Pack your favorite bottle of rosé to sip while you watch!

3. Have a Dip at La Villette

While Paris is far from the beach, Paris Plage, the artificial beach that appears on the Seine every summer, is back with a vengeance.

But aside from tanning on the quais de Seine, you can also swim in the city center: for the second year in a row, the Bassin de la Villette is open to the public from 11am to 9pm. Access to the bassin is free to all – just don’t forget your swim cap!