Enter any French bakery, and you’ll be faced with a huge variety of baked goods both sweet and savory. But most folks – especially overwhelmed visitors – opt for either a croissant or a chocolate-filled pain au chocolat. And while we’ve got nothing against either one of these delicious specialties, bakeries offer a myriad of other treats to try. Here are just five that, in our opinion, are unfairly neglected.

1. Chouquettes

Near the register at almost any bakery in Paris, you’ll find a basket of chouquettes. These pearl-sugar-topped puffs are usually sold by weight and make the perfect simple afternoon snack.

2. Religieuse

Take the same pâte à choux used to make chouquettes (and, for that matter, profiteroles), fill the puffs with pastry cream, stack two on top of one another, and you end up with a religieuse. Made with similar ingredients to that classic, the éclair, a religieuse gets its name from its appearance, which some compare to that of a fat little nun! You’ll most commonly find religieuse that are either chocolate- or coffee-flavored. Either way, the fondant frosting will always match the flavor of the pastry cream within.

3. Palmier

Known occasionally as elephant ears, the simple palmier actually gets its French name from its resemblance to the leaf of a palm tree. This combination of flaky puff pastry and sugar is a delicious treat to share or enjoy on your own.

4. Pain Gourmand

Gourmand is one of those French words that belies translation, often erroneously transcribed as “greedy.” This word, somewhere between “foodie” and “glutton,” is the perfect adjective to describe the breads stuffed with an assortment of ingredients you’ll find in French bakeries. Every baker will use different recipes: sometimes a sweeter combination of dried fruit, nuts, and seeds is used, while others opt for a more savory combo of bacon, cheese, and herbs.

5. Flan Pâtisser

The flan you find in French bakeries is nothing like a South American flan, closer to a French crème caramel. A flan pâtissier is a custard solid enough to stand up on its own when sliced, baked in a pastry crust and dotted with flecks of real vanilla. No need for a spoon to dig into this treat: just take a bite!

You could easily spend your entire Parisian vacation without ever venturing outside of the (proverbial) city walls, but Paris is also a great jumping-off point to explore the rest of France. While some spots are tough to reach without a car, there are a handful of day trip locales you can visit entirely using trains and public transport. From castles to art to Champagne, here are five of our all-time favorites.

1. Chenonceau

One of the most famous Loire Valley chateaux can be reached via train from Paris in less than two hours. Simply take a TGV (high-speed train) from Paris to Tours, then switch to a 20-minute local train that will drop you at the foot of this spectacular castle. Known as The Ladies’ Chateau, Chenonceau was owned at one time by Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henri II. His wife Catherine de Medici, none too happy with the arrangement, took it from Diane after her husband met his untimely demise. Both women left their traces in this gorgeous Renaissance architectural marvel.

2. Chartres

A masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, the cathedral of Chartres is well worth a visit – and it’s an easy, hour-long train ride from Paris’ Montparnasse train station. The UNESCO World Heritage Site stands out for its heavy flying buttresses, 16th century spire, and three great façades. Especially given the closing of Paris’ own Gothic cathedral masterpiece following this spring’s fire, Chartres is a destination worth a day trip away from the capital.

3. Giverny

Venture into Normandy to discover Claude Monet’s home and muse: his home of Giverny with its gorgeous verdant gardens. Monet’s former house has been converted into a museum, where visitors can take in not only the rooms where the painter lived with his family, but some of his favorite works – both his own and others’ – and of course explore his gardens, complete with lily pond and Japanese bridge. A train from Saint-Lazare will take you to Vernon, where you can either grab a bus or rent a bike to reach the house. Consider visiting the Orangerie and Musée d’Orsay before your visit to lend context to your gorgeous surroundings.

4. Epernay

Did someone say Champagne? The Champagne growing region is a beautiful spot to discover, but you don’t need to hire a car to drink up its richness. The city of Epernay is easily reachable in just one hour from Paris’ Gare de l’Est, and here you’ll be able to wander the Avenue de Champagne to visit some of the most prominent Champagne houses including Moët et Chandon and Mercier. Let us take the guesswork out of it for you with our bespoke turnkey self-guided tours.

5. Malmaison

This manor house just outside of Paris was first the residence of Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Josephine, who bought it while her husband was on his Egyptian campaign. After intensive renovations, the house became a luxurious estate, and today it is surrounded by extensive gardens, particularly its famous rose garden. It’s easily reachable by bus from La Défense.

A lot of visitors to Paris worry that they won’t be able to communicate in France without mastery of French, but the truth is, most French people have a working knowledge of English (and many of them speak it better than we do – thanks, American television!) But there are a few phrases that any visitor should master, whether it’s to communicate with one of the rare locals who doesn’t speak any English, or just to show that you’re making an effort with the locals.

With that in mind, here are the five phrases to master before visiting Paris.

1. Bonjour

Not so much a phrase as a word, bonjour is nevertheless the number one thing to learn how to say before visiting France. While most phrase books will translate bonjour as “hello,” it’s a lot more.

French culture requires that every interaction begin with an exchange of bonjour – before you even consider making a request. So every time you enter a shop or restaurant, say bonjour and wait to hear it back *before* asking for a able, a specific size, or anything else.

(Emily wrote all about bonjour – and what happens when you neglect to say it – for the Wall Street Journal.)

Pronunciation: bawn-DZOU

2. Bonne Journée

Goodbye is technically au revoir in French, but you’re far more likely to hear people say bonne journée at the end of an interaction, which means, “Have a good day!” Around 5pm, this will be traded out for bonne soirée or “Have a good evening!”

Under no circumstances, by the way, should you ever say bonne nuit or goodnight to strangers – this is a bit too intimate and should be reserved for people you live with.

Pronunciation: bun-dzou-NAY

3. Excusez-moi ?

Many cases of interacting with French people will begin with this phrase: it’s the right way to stop someone on the street before asking them, for example, where the closest métro stop is or what the time is.

Pronunciation: ex-coo-zay-MWA

4. Où sont les toilettes ?

Ah… that essential phrase. If you need the restroom, this is how to ask for it. A word of warning, though: Parisians do not take kindly to non-patrons using their restrooms, so you might want to order at least un café au bar (a coffee at the bar) before asking to use the facilities.

Pronunciation: oo-son-lay-twa-lett

5. Merci !

If you learn one word in a foreign language, make it “thank you!”

Pronunciation: mer-SEE

Learn even more about what makes the French tick with our custom tours, which can be tailored to any element of French culture you find fascinating.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day in the French capital is a no-brainer, but deciding what to do once you’re in Paris can be tougher. Luckily, we’ve got some off-the-beaten track suggestions to help make your Valentine’s Day as romantic as possible.

Montmartre is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Paris, and it’s not hard to see why! The former village can be found atop Paris’ highest hill and is home to tons of quiet cobbled streets for canoodling… and the famous “I love you” wall.

Paris’ bateaux mouches are riverboats that escort you on a cruise down the city’s River Seine. What could be more romantic than holding hands as you take in Paris’ sights, all the way to the glittering Eiffel Tower?

Paris is home to 36 bridges, and everyone has their favorite. For years, the Pont des Arts was a big draw for young lovers, who would attach a padlock to the bridge’s rails as a symbol of their love. While the padlocks have since been removed, we still love this pedestrian bridge with its view of the Louvre.

Less well-known than the Seine, the Canal Saint-Martin to the north of Paris is no less lovely for a stroll. In fact, a wander along the smaller waterway, with its iron bridges, is one of our favorites if you prefer to steer clear of the crowds.

Paris is home to tons of lovely parks, from the Luxembourg to the Tuileries to Buttes-Chaumont. One of the most romantic, to our mind, is the Jardin des Plantes, with beautiful gardens and one of the oldest gazebos in the world.

Top Photo by Grillot edouard on Unsplash

Following the past few weekends of “Yellow Vest” protests, a number of people have been asking us, not just if we’re OK in Paris (we are!) but also if it’s safe to come here. The short answer is yes!

When protests like these take place, news coverage can often lead to misinformation or a distorted view of the facts. The reality is there were a few protests confined to a small area of the city, and it has been relatively easy to steer clear of them. Protesting is part and parcel of French culture and has been since the French Revolution, and while these protests have been tied to more destruction than most (a complicated relationship we’ll get into a bit more below), there’s no need to worry about the safety of any friends or family traveling to Paris. The city is well and ready to welcome you – and even better, it’s all dressed up for the holidays!

If you’re interested in knowing more about what’s been going on in Paris, however, here’s the insider scoop.

Why Are People Protesting?

As a Socialist country in the largely capitalist West, France walks the fine line between encouraging economic growth and providing rights for its employees. And while some draw comparisons (however flimsy) to the 18^th and 19^th century French Revolutions, the act of protest is deeply rooted in French culture, especially when people feel their rights are being threatened.

The “Yellow Vest” demonstrations first began as a protest against an increased fuel tax on the part of working class people who already struggle to make ends meet. Over the last few weeks, the movement has expanded to highlight other issues facing France: an ever-deepening wage gap, recent tax cuts for the rich, unemployment, and low economic growth over the past decade.

What’s it Like in Paris?

The French have the constitutional right to protest, which they have long used liberally. It’s not infrequent to witness demonstrations in Paris, usually on Saturdays confined to the city’s largest squares, like Place de la République.

The past few Saturdays, protesters have been assembling instead in ritzy neighborhoods of Paris, such as along the Champs-Elysées, wearing the yellow vests that all are required to keep in their cars in case of emergencies. While the protests have been largely peaceful, there have been some cases of people (who are not necessarily associated with the movement) resorting to acts of vandalism. The news media has been conflating these images with images of the protesters, leading many people – both in France and abroad – to come to the erroneous conclusion that this is a violent protest.

What Does This Mean for Visitors?

Paris is a safe place to live and visit, even during the protests. Most inconveniences can be avoided simply by staying away from the areas where protests are taking place and not engaging with (or photographing!) protesters.

Inconveniences linked to the protest have been confined to protest days – namely, Saturdays. On the past few Saturdays, as a precautionary measure, the city of Paris has closed a handful of metro lines and stations, mainly near the Champs-Elysées, Opera house, and République. In addition, last Saturday, the city of Paris decided to shut certain museums and monuments for the day and encouraged small businesses not to open. The city has been posting monument closures and other information on its website to minimize the effects on people’s daily lives.

While there have certainly been some instances of vandalism, for the most part, these demonstrations have been relatively peaceful, and they have not stopped Parisians from getting on with our lives – or visitors to Paris from enjoying the city.

So please come pay us a visit – we’d love to show you around!

Throughout Europe, the tradition of the Christmas market is alive and well, but the further north and east you go, the more traditions you’ll find. Paris, however, despite its central location, boasts several great Christmas markets. Some are more charming than others, so to save you the trouble of seeking out the best, here are our five faves this holiday season.

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1. Most Nordic – “Un Noël à Norvège,” December 1-2

This small market near the Opera building is inspired by a Norwegian Christmas atmosphere. For two days only, this little market will introduce visitors to Norwegian culinary specialties and artisanal products ranging from knitwear to eco-design. This market also boasts a Christmas concert both days at 4pm.

Eléphant Paname, 10 rue Volney, Paris 2nd

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2. Most Traditional – Alsatian Christmas Market, December 5-21

Paris’ famous Alsatian Christmas market is appropriately located just outside Gare de l’Est, where trains depart for eastern France. This 37-year-old market is the ideal place to try some of the most traditional elements of a Alsatian Christmas, including pain d’épices (French gingerbread), kougelhopf (a brioche-like cake studded with raisins), and goose foie gras – a must for any French Christmas celebration.

Place du 11 Novembre, Paris 11th

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3. Most Charming – Montmartre, December 1-31

Is there any neighborhood more charming than Montmartre? This beautiful Christmas market is located just steps from Sacré Coeur basilica, boasting 70 wooden chalets selling everything from ornaments and baubles to candy to a classic of French winters, vin chaud (hot mulled wine). Pay it a visit on your own, or let us take you there as part of our Secret Montmartre tour!

Parvis du Sacré Coeur, Paris 18th

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4. Most Picturesque – Notre Dame, December 14-23

Is there anything more beautiful than strolling through a Christmas market overlooking the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral and its immense Christmas tree? This market is smaller than some, but the view – and the emphasis on small, local artisans – makes this marché one of our all-time favorites.

Square René Viviani, Paris 5th

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5. Most Kid-Friendly – Tuileries, November 24-January 6

The Tuileries Christmas market boasts not only stalls and typical Christmas goodies, but also rides for the little ones, including a gorgeous Ferris Wheel with fantastic views over the city. Consider paying it a visit before or after a kid-friendly tour through the Louvre museum, just a few steps away!

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1st

Top image: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

There’s perhaps nothing more beautiful than the bright yellows, oranges, and reds of a Parisian autumn. Standing out against the city’s beige limestone façade, these hues seem all the more vibrant. Here are five of our all-time favorite places to encounter them this season!

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1. Montmartre

The quaint former village of Montmartre is crawling with vines (pun absolutely intended). Not only does the neighborhood play host to its very own vineyard, but ivy can be found all along the narrow streets that dot this picturesque bit of Parisian paradise. Let us show you around this beautiful neighborhood (and show you all the best spots to spot these autumnal colors).

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2. La Petite Ceinture

Before New York had the high line, Paris had la petite ceinture and the promenade plantée, converted sections of the former railroad line leading posh Parisians to the Bois de Vincennes. Today, both the promenade plantée near Bastille and the petite ceinture to the south of the city boast some beautiful views of fall foliage.

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3. Jardin des Tuileries

You don’t have to meander far from central Paris to enjoy fall colors. The Tuileries Gardens, just adjacent to the Louvre, boast some beautiful foliage. The garden is planted in a traditionally symmetrical French style; we love the way that this creates gorgeous vistas with the former palace in the background!

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4. Bois de Boulogne

Just outside the city of Paris proper sits the Bois de Boulogne, a haven for those looking for a touch of nature in Paris. Formerly part of the royal hunting grounds, today, the Bois de Boulogne is home to walking trails and beautiful views of Paris (including the Iron Lady herself!)

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5. Quais de Seine

Walking along the Seine River is one of our favorite Parisian experiences any time of year, but it’s particularly beautiful in fall. This view of the Institut de France from the famous Pont des Arts is part of our Paris Highlights tour and is one of our favorites for enjoying the colors of the season.

Top image: Valerii Tkachenko

Paris isn’t known for being a particularly great wine region (though there are a few vineyards in the city, including an historic one in Montmartre!) That said, Paris can be a fantastic place for discovering wine from all over France.

For many in the States, French wine boils down to a few regions: the tannic, robust reds of Bordeaux; the silky pinots of Burgundy; sparkling Champagne; white Sancerre from the Loire Valley. But there are other regions of France to uncover  – here are some of our favorites.

1. The Languedoc

This Southern French region suffered a poor reputation for years, but today, it’s one of our favorites, producing full-bodied reds that benefit from hotter, longer summers. Most wines in the Languedoc are made from an assemblage or blend of grapes: common varietals include carignan, syrah, mourvèdre, and grenache.

Try the natural wines from Marc Barriot or Fitou from Caves Mont Tauch for two distinctive but equally delicious iterations of this wine region.

2. Beaujolais

For many, Beaujolais is associated only with Beaujolais nouveau, the primeur wine released every third Thursday of November. But this slightly sweet, uncomplex bottle is more a marketing ploy than a real wine, and it unfortunately obscures the reputation of the delicious Beaujolais-Villages wines made in this region.

Beaujolais permits just one red wine grape – gamay – which is known for being relatively low in tannins, with a fruity flavor reminiscent of blackcurrant. A peppery finish is a common characteristic of these wines.

Try the organic wines from Maison Leynes for a Beaujolais experience you won’t soon forget.

3. Auvergne

The Auvergnat wine region suffered greatly during the two World Wars, but it has since rebuilt to become better than ever.  With only three permitted varietals – gamay, pinot noir, and chardonnay – Auvergne manages to create complex wines thanks in large part to its volcanic soil.

Try the natural wines from Patrick Bouju at Domaine la Bohème to taste this complexity for yourself!