Month: March 2018

easter bells

In France, Easter Brings Bells, Not Bunnies!

The Easter Bunny doesn’t come to France on Easter, but we do have flying bells!

The Tradition of “Les Cloches”

The legend of les cloches (the bells) of Easter stems from the fact that in Catholic tradition, church bells are not rung between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday, as a sort of mourning for Jesus, whom Catholics believe rises from the dead on Easter. In France, where there is a church in every town, children would often ask why the bells weren’t ringing, and parents would tell their little ones that les cloches had gone to Rome to be blessed by the Pope before coming back in time for Easter Mass.

Every year, the bells are rung for the first time after Saturday’s Easter Vigil Mass; if you ask any French child, on the return trip from Rome, les cloches come filled with candies and other treats that they drop into their gardens – thus the Easter morning surprise of treats and eggs to uncover.

The Easter Bunny

Funnily enough, the Easter bunny tradition does exist in one place in France: in the east. That’s because our Easter bunny actually hails from Germany, which shares a border with eastern France: this more pagan symbol stands for new life and fertility as spring begins.

Even though the Easter bunny isn’t a French tradition, you will find its likeness in one very specific place throughout France: chocolate shops.

Easter Chocolates

Whether it’s the bunny or the bells that bring you treats for Easter, one thing’s for sure: everyone loves chocolate. Most of Paris’ chocolatiers have already started putting out their multicolored eggs, bunnies, bells, and chicks for the occasion. Discover some of our favorites with our Sweet Tooth tour the next time you’re in the city!

mona lisa crowd

3 Insider Tips for Avoiding Crowds in Paris

Paris is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, so it’s no wonder that it can feel as though you’re always surrounded by crowds: in the métro, in the museums, even in shops and restaurants! If you’re looking to avoid crowds, however, we do have a few tips to offer.

1. Avoid the Metro During Peak Hours

Most French people work from 9am to 6pm (and get at least an hour’s break for lunch!) This means that attempting to ride the metro between 8 and 9am and between 5 and 7pm can feel like hell. Instead, try to plan out your days so you’re not underground during those times: you can either get out earlier, sleep a little later, or walk to your first destination and get to know Paris’ neighborhoods on foot.

2. Visit the Louvre at Night

The Louvre is Europe’s largest museum, and it’s at the top of nearly everyone’s list. To keep from attempting to see the Mona Lisa by peering through the light of a thousand selfie sticks, consider taking advantage of the Louvre’s noctournes: the museum usually closes at 6pm, but on Wednesday and Friday evenings, it stays open until 10.

And the Louvre isn’t the only museum to do this! Many museums and exhibits have noctournes – for most museums, including the Musée d’Orsay, this happens on Thursdays, but take a look online to make sure.

Of course, if you really want to say goodbye to the crowds in the Louvre – or any other museum – you can always opt for a guided skip-the-line tour. Not only will you save time waiting in long lines, but you’ll also learn far more about the art than you ever could alone.

3. Eat Where the Parisians Eat

While there are certainly good restaurants near tourist attractions, if you really want to miss the crowds, get out of the 5th and 7th and explore areas that may be new to you. The North Marais and the area around the Canal Saint Martin are super popular with Parisians (and less known among tourists). Here are just a few of our favorite spots:

kids in montmartre

Top 3 Places to Visit Paris with Kids

Visiting Paris with kids can be heaps of fun – if you know where to go! Choose monuments and landmarks that are interesting for the whole family, like the Eiffel Tower or some of Paris’ most famous pastry shops, and be sure to plan a few outings with the little ones in mind – here are just a handful of our faves.

1. Parks and Gardens

Paris is home to more than 400 parks and gardens – the perfect place to let your kids run around and play. While parks can be found in nearly every neighborhood, we do have our favorites. The Tuileries, for example, are amazing for both kids and adults: centrally located (just next to the Louvre!) and filled with a merry-go-round, temporary Ferris Wheel, and playground, it’s fun for kids of all ages.

The Luxembourg Gardens are great as well, particularly in summer. There are tons of green spaces for picnicking, and vintage toy boats can be rented and navigated across the park’s ponds.

2. The Cité des Sciences

The Cité des Sciences et de L’Industrie is always a hit with children. This interactive science museum at La Villette is home to a planetarium, a submarine, an IMAX theater, and an ever-changing lineup of exhibits that will interest and challenge kids – whether they speak French or not.

The surrounding park is also a good place to burn off steam, so plan for a picnic and some playtime after the museum!

3. Louvre Bingo

While the Louvre might not seem like the ideal place to bring your kids, if you plan ahead (and let Paris Uncovered help you out a bit), it’s perfect. With a Paris Uncovered Family Louvre tour, you’ll skip the line into the country’s largest museum and set out on a scavenger hunt to fill your BINGO card. Educational and fun for both kids and adults, this tour will demystify the historical Louvre palace and its collection of more than 38,000 objects.

beer in paris

Drink Up! Our Top 5 Places to Enjoy Beer in Paris

That title’s no typo: while Paris is certainly known for its plethora of great wine bars, the French capital has been coming into its own on the beer front in recent years. With craft breweries like Deck & Donohue or La Goutte d’Or, fantastic bottle shops like Paris Sainte Bière or Bières Cultes, and more than enough beer bars, the age of the beer-lover has arrived in Paris! Here are five of our fave places to enjoy a nice, cold beer in Paris.

1. La Fine Mousse

This craft beer bar boasts 20 different beers on tap from France and from around the world, as well as a host of bottles. In the spirit of a wine bar, it also offers a few nibbles to accompany your brews, with suggested pairings for each of the appetizers, mains, and desserts, not to mention meat and cheese boards you can share. La Fine Mousse tends to fill up fast, especially when it’s hosting a beer-related event, but it’s definitely worth your while – even when it’s standing room only.

La Fine Mousse – 4 bis Avenue Jean Aicard, 75011

2. Express de Lyon

We’re a bit loath to share this unassuming-looking location just outside Gare de Lyon; what looks like any old brasserie is actually one of the top craft beer bars in Paris, with a combo of European craft brews and the basic Belgian beers that you’ll find at most Parisian bars and restaurants. Top it off with a seriously cheap menu of delicious food, and… we’re not entirely sure why we’re giving this little secret away.

Express de Lyon – 1 Rue de Lyon, 75012

3. Brewberry

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Pantheon is this delightful little beer bar with an adjacent bottle shop. A selection of 24 beers on tap (and over 400 by the bottle) makes this the perfect stop for any beer connoisseur. The terrace seating in spring and summer is the perfect place to people-watch in this pedestrian neighborhood over a beer or two and a shared plate of fries with Chimay beer cheese.

Brewberry – 18 rue du Pot de Fer, 75005 

4. Le Supercoin

This bar has dubbed itself a spot for artisanal beer and pop culture, and it’s pretty spot on: an excellent selection of rock music and a laid-back atmosphere has made Le Supercoin a favorite for many beer-lovers. The prices here are extremely reasonable for Paris for both craft brews and generous portions of snacks, and while the bar gives off a divey vibe, the ever-changing selection and regular beer events keep beer aficionados coming back for more.

Le Supercoin – 3 Rue Baudelique, 75018

5. Paname Brewing Company

While a lot of our favorite breweries are open to visitors on occasion, Paname is one of the only ones to also boast a bar and restaurant. Paname’s spacious dining room overlooks the Canal de l’Ourcq, the perfect place to enjoy comfort food dishes with an Anglo edge like sweet potato pizza, barbecue ribs, or a New Zealand beer-braised lamb sandwich. Paname’s five draught beers are accompanied by seasonal additions as well as bottles from other breweries from France and abroad.

Paname Brewing Company – 41 bis Quai de la Loire, 75019