Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Dedicated to Christ's heart, Sacré-Cœur Basilica stands proudly atop the highest point in Paris in the Montmartre (mount of martyrs) district. It's notorious for being the ugliest church in the world, but I have good news—it grows on you. Construction began in 1875 for this Roman Catholic basilica and

Nespresso Anyone?

For all you coffee lovers, you will want to make certain to visit Nespresso. Starbucks and Pete's don't hold a candle to this upscale coffee shop. Actually, "coffee shop" isn't quite the right description. It's more like a coffee boutique. Two floors of elegantly displayed coffee machines,

THE "WHY" FACTOR

I cannot tell you how many times in the last few months I have been asked by a French person why we use a particular word or phrase in English. I have only one response and that is that I honestly don't really know. There is a very definite difference between our two respected cultures. As

GROCERY STORE ETTIQUETTE

Many of us may take food shopping for granted while we are at home, but it is a whole new experience in France. Let's face it, we are accustomed to going to the store, putting whatever we want in the cart and having the cashier ring it up for us. Then, miraculously, everything is bagged

THE AMERICAN CHURCH

I was first introduced to The American Church not because of the church itself, but because it is widely known throughout Paris to post ads for housing. People gather during non-worshiping hours with pens and papers in hand, hoping to find just the right spot to live. Don't bother looking on

VICTOIRE 1945

Holiday number deux for May is Victoire 1945 which celebrates the surrender of Nazi Germany thereby the end of WWII for France. The festivities include a procession of the military on the Champs-Elysées ending symbolically at the Arc de Triomphe. The sitting president lays a wreath on

MAY DAY and MUGUETS

The first of May kicks off a host of holidays during the month. La Fête du Travail (or Labor Day to us) celebrates the worker. However, May Day is also known around here as La Fête du Muguet (meaning the Festival of the Lily of the Valley).