I Prefer Paris

Lunch with Lynn/Under 20 Eats: La Felicita

La Felicita means happiness in Italian and that’s exactly what I felt when I visited the sprawling, new restaurant and food complex in the 13th arrondissement.

Located in an old railroad car hangar, La Felicita, a whopping 50,000 square feet, is the largest restaurant space in Europe with five kitchens. Eataly in New York came immediately to mind when I visited La Felicita earlier this month, echoing the same formula of authentic Italian food in a variety of food stalls and food products.

Bedazzled by the wide choice of appetizing choices including pasta, coffee and pastries, wood oven pizza, and a burger pop up, I opted for La Grande Griglia, the outdoor barbeque and grilled meat station. The aromatic scent of the steak and chicken on the grill propelled me to choose the Capri half-chicken. In choosing my accompaniment, a food flashback pleasantly appeared on the menu, a half-baked potato re-baked and stuffed with cheese. But this was not your familiar, comfort food cheddar; it was scrumptious, rich, Taleggio cheese, making for a fabulous update on a favorite classic. The chicken, crispy on the outside and the white meat moist, was served with a tangy yogurt and lemon sauce. (I’m a dark meat person and I usually find the white meat too dry).

After scarfing down my meal and licking my fingers from the juices of the chicken, I went back inside to explore La Felicita more in depth. Old railroad cars for show had happy street art sprayed on them and a mish mash of various styles of café chairs, Oriental carpets and greenery gave the vast space some intimacy.

Although I’m not a real drinker, I was impressed with the enormous selection of over 500 types of alcoholic beverages served in three bars and a separate beer garden.

This may be a shocking admission, but truth be told, I much prefer Italian coffee than French coffee, and was happy savoring a macchiato served in a glass with an Italian pastry.

La Felicita
55 Boulevard Vincent Auriol, 75014
Metro: Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand
https://www.lafelicita.fr/#1

Check out my latest episode of A Bite of Paris, where I visit Le Trois Chocolates a yummy chocolate shop 

Click here or link below to watch

https://youtu.be/XdJaECIf09E

Please remember to hit the LIKE button if you like it and SUBSCRIBE button to subscribe to my channel.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

 

Paris Window Boxes 2018

It’s the time of the year again when window boxes are in full bloom and overflowing in Paris. Enjoy a snippet of summer in Paris with these photos.

Check out my latest episode of A Bite of Paris, where I visit Le Trois Chocolates a yummy chocolate shop 

Click here or link below to watch

https://youtu.be/XdJaECIf09E

Please remember to hit the LIKE button if you like it and SUBSCRIBE button to subscribe to my channel.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

 

Rooftop Views of Paris and the Loire

In the last month, I have had three terrific opportunities to photograph the roofs and rooftops of Paris and the Loire Valley.

At the beginning of July, I took a trip to the Loire Valley and toured some chateaus.

I climbed up to the tower of the 15th century Chateau de Langeais and set my camera on the ancient rooftops of the town. The slanted slate roofs accented with brick chimneys and dots of treetops made for a rich, architectural mosaic.

At Chateau Villandry, I captured the view of the sloped sate roofs embellished with bricks lined up in a singular row with views of the Loire river and the lush greenery beyond it.

Last week in Paris, I was invited to tour the newly renovated Hotel Lutetia, the Art Nouveau architectural gem. One of the suites on the top floor had a long view of the Eiffel Tower and the gold dome of the Chapel at Invalides. I also got great glimpses of the gorgeous, ornate Haussmann apartment buildings across the way.

Which are your favorites?

I would be happy to make you a print of any of these photos, so email me at r.nahem at gmail dotcom, to inquire about sizes and prices.

Villandry
Chateau de Langeais

Villandry

Chateau de Langeais

Chateau de Langeais
Chateau de Langeais
Chateau de Langeais
Chateau de Langeais
Chateau de Langeais

Chateau de Langeais

Hotel Lutetia
Hotel Lutetia
Hotel Lutetia
Hotel Lutetia
Hotel Lutetia

Check out my latest episode of A Bite of Paris, where I visit Le Trois Chocolates a yummy chocolate shop 

Click here or link below to watch

https://youtu.be/XdJaECIf09E

Please remember to hit the LIKE button if you like it and SUBSCRIBE button to subscribe to my channel.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

 

 

 

Door(s) of the Month: Antwerp 2

Here are the rest of the Art Nouveau Antwerp door photos I said would post this month. Do you have favorites in this second series?

Click here to view the first series of doors if you missed them last month.

Check out my latest episode of A Bite of Paris, where I visit Le Trois Chocolates a yummy chocolate shop 

Click here or link below to watch

https://youtu.be/XdJaECIf09E

Please remember to hit the LIKE button if you like it and SUBSCRIBE button to subscribe to my channel.

A Bite of Paris Episode 11: Chocolate Tasting at Les Trois Chocolates

 

Adore chocolate? I do!

Join me today on A Bite of Paris for a chocolate tasting (Chocoholics, please, no licking the screen while watching!) at a very special chocolate shop, Les Trois Chocolates in the Marais. Enjoy!

Click here or link below to watch

https://youtu.be/XdJaECIf09E

Please remember to hit the LIKE button if you like it and SUBSCRIBE button to subscribe to my channel.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

Instagram Photos July 2018

The weather in Paris has been amazing this summer, sunny and warm with hardly a trace of rain. I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors in cafes, gardens and on my tours.

If you still haven’t followed me on Instagram yet, here are my tags. 


@eyepreferparis


@parisian_doors

Yesterday, I wrote about my radio interview with Katrine Knudsen on World Radio Paris about my move to Paris. Sorry but I forgot to insert the link. Click here to listen.

Paris Mosque
Gardens Villandry Loire Valley

Passy

Mandarin Oriental Paris

Hemingway apartment 74 rue Cardinal Lemoine

Chanel rue Cambon

Tomatoes at Bastille /Richard Lenoir market

Grand Marnier souffle at Chateau le Prieure Loire Valley

Brasserie Lipp Saint Germain
Window box

Au Cadet de Gascogne MONTMARTRE

 

Do you love cheese? I go for a cheese tasting at Beau et Fort, a restaurant and cheese shop in the 9th arr. on A Bite of Paris

Click here to watch or link below.

https://youtu.be/4SAKUoiuBoM

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

Viva la France! France Wins 2018 World Cup

With bated breath and suspense, France waited for the outcome of the World Cup Final, which started at 5 PM yesterday. Cafes, pubs, and restaurants all around Paris were filled to the rafters with tense fans hoping, praying, and cheering. At about 7:30 PM, it was over- France beat Croatia with a score of 4-2.

I live on the rue de Rivoli, the busiest and most traveled street on the right bank. People took to the streets right after the match, happily and deliriously cheering and shouting slogans of victory. I also took to the streets, documenting their infectious joy with my camera.

Fans were decked out in patriotic garb, wrapping themselves in French flags, wearing red, white and blue Afro style wigs and funny hats, along with faces tattooed in French national colors. Children were also part of the celebration, dressed like miniature versions of their parents.

I walked up to Place de la Bastille, which was in total but friendly chaos, with people climbing up the July column to cheer. Motorcycles whizzed by supping up their engines and cars feverishly honked their horns, with passengers hanging out the windows waving flags.

And the celebration is just beginning. Today the winning team arrives back in Paris and at 5 PM there will be a parade on the Champs Elysees to honor them. Can we stand that much more joy? I say YES!

I was interviewed by Katrine Knudsen on World Radio Paris about my move to Paris. Click here to listen.

 

Do you love cheese? I go for a cheese tasting at Beau et Fort, a restaurant and cheese shop in the 9th arr. on A Bite of Paris

Click here to watch or link below.

https://youtu.be/4SAKUoiuBoM

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

Houses in the 13th Arrondissement

I’ve been seeing a new doctor in the 13th arrondissement, near the Maison Blanche metro station.

I am not very familiar with 13th arrondissement and the few times I’ve visited it was to go to an Asian restaurant since there’s a Chinatown there.

When I got off the metro, I was on Rue Tobliac, a soulless street, with dull, modern buildings and generic shops. As I was walking to the doctor’s office, I encountered the most charming side streets dotted with three-story private houses. It’s very rare to see individual houses in Paris among the endless rows of apartment buildings, so when I discover them, I take notice.

Most of the houses were in excellent condition, seemingly well maintained on the outside. The paint colors were subtle shades of beige, yellow, mauve, pink, and aqua, with the ironwork in contrasting, stronger colors. Wild vines and roses were in abundant bloom, cascading over the iron gates. Art Deco porticos of wrought iron and glass hovered over the glass and iron doors. Thoughts of moving from the familiar Marais to a house in an unknown neighborhood swirled through my head.

If you would like to see these houses, they are located off of Place Abbé Georges Hénocque, 75013, Metro: Maison Blanche.

I was interviewed by Katrine Knudsen on World Radio Paris about my move to Paris. Click here to listen.

 

Do you love cheese? I go for a cheese tasting at Beau et Fort, a restaurant and cheese shop in the 9th arr. on A Bite of Paris

Click here to watch or link below.

https://youtu.be/4SAKUoiuBoM

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

Colored Glass and Leaded Windows at Chateau de Chaumont-Sur-Loire

On my trip to Chateau de Chaumont-Sur-Loire last month, I visited the chateau in addition to the gardens.

Once inside, I was attracted to the beautifully detailed colored and leaded glass windows throughout the chateau. The veins running through the glass and the colored panes created a blurry texture, giving the grounds and chateau an abstract landscape. Many had family crests or arms on top or in the middle.

Do you have some favorites here?

 

Do you love cheese? I go for a cheese tasting at Beau et Fort, a restaurant and cheese shop in the 9th arr. on A Bite of Paris

Click here to watch or link below.

https://youtu.be/4SAKUoiuBoM

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com 

 

Gardens of Thought at Chamount-Sur-Loire

Every year Chateau Chamount-Sur-Loire hosts a garden show with a theme. Now in its 27th edition, Gardens of Thought is the theme for 2018, celebrating the written word.

Twenty-five international landscape designers were given a plot of land to fulfill their vision, collaborating with a host of set designers, directors, graphic designers, an anthropologist, a geographer, and a cabinetmaker. Writers Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Octave Mirabeau, Marcel Proust and George Luis Borges are just some of the writers used for inspiration.

I have been to garden show twice before and have enjoyed it immensely. (Click here and here for links to my trip in 2012).

I took the train late last month from Gare Austerlitz to Onzain /Chaumont-sur-Loire station, a 90-minute ride. The chateau was about a scenic 25-minute walk partly along the Loire River from the train station. During July and August, there’s a shuttle that runs from between the chateau and train station.

It was a half sunny/half-cloudy day, giving me ample opportunity to photograph the gardens with the light constantly changing.

Standouts were the stunning crystal blue glass boulders fixed on a pond by American sculptor Dale Chilhuly, a Japanese meditation garden embellished with Yves Klein blue stones, and the whimsical Thought Bubbles Garden decorated with strands of colored yarn and thought-provoking phrases written on bubbles

In addition to Gardens of Thought, 2018 is a cultural landmark for Chateau de Chaumont-Sur-Loire, which is now commemorating the 10th anniversary of its program, Art Season. Since its inception in 2008, over 75 international prominent and upcoming artists have been commissioned to create and install an art project. The works are displayed in various structures on the property including the chateau and the royal apartments and ancillary buildings such as the horse stables, water tower, and donkey barn. This year’s invited artists include Sheila Hicks, Natahlie Nery, Klaus Pinter, and Fujiko Nakaya.

I will soon post photos from Art Season.

The 2018 edition of the Garden Show and Art Season runs until November 4 and is open every day. The chateau and gardens are open all year round.

http://www.domaine-chaumont.fr/en/international-garden-festival

Special thanks to all of you who made comments to win a copy of Everyday Monet.

 

Do you love cheese? I go for a cheese tasting at Beau et Fort, a restaurant and cheese shop in the 9th arr. on A Bite of Paris

Click here to watch or link below.

https://youtu.be/4SAKUoiuBoM

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com