Diane de Poitiers wears the bejewelled crown of France’s most intriguing, and infamous, royal mistress. The chief lover of Henri II, who ruled from 1547 to 1559, an all-powerful Diane made many enemies, and such was her dominant status that she has detractors to this day — many historians write her off as greedy and […]
Old Paris
In Search of the Paris of La Bohème
There are several quintessentially Parisian operas and one of the most popular, La Bohème — with its tale of struggling artists, chilly garrets and consumptive love — is currently playing at the Opéra Bastille. (Even if the opera’s words are Italian; and even though the current production is set in, err, outer space.) While Giacomo […]
Ten Cosy Winter-Perfect Paris Restaurants
There are atmospheric eateries all over Paris, serving up hearty, feel-good fare that warms your soul as much as your stomach. Here are just some to add to your Paris in Winter itinerary … Au Petit Suisse This ultra-charming restaurant, dating back to 1791, is an absolute treasure. There’s a lovely terrace on which to […]
In Search of the Paris of Dangerous Liaisons
The latest version of Dangerous Liaisons (below; currently streaming on Starz in the US, Prime Video in the UK and Stan in Australia) is a Bridgerton-style (read: steamy scenes and heaving corsets) origin story of the classic French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The series, filmed in Prague, is set in Paris of […]