Cherries have a long and juicy history in Paris, going right back to the Ancient Roman era. After conquering the future City of Light in 52BC, those high-living Romans imported fancy new architecture, customs, fashions and food. Markets began to sell luscious orchard fruits, with cherries — which the Romans had brought back from Asia […]
Paris in Spring
My Paris: Brooke Saward from World of Wanderlust
Leading travel influencer Brooke Saward has legions of fans worldwide. They follow her every intrepid move not just for holiday inspiration, but also for her thoroughly researched, tried-and-tested tips on how to travel well, especially as a solo female; check them out on World of Wanderlust. Brooke might roam far and wide, but she seems […]
Paris’s New Smoke-Free Parks
In 1560, a certain Jean Nicot introduced tobacco to Catherine de Medici, raving about its various healing powers. The queen and her court were soon hooked — and the ambassador would go on to be immortalised in the word nicotine. The backstory of tobacco in France has long infused smoking with an air of nobility; […]
May Day in Paris (and a Pretty Perfumed Souvenir)
Labour Day in France, La Fête du Travail, is also known as La Fête du Muguet — lily of the valley being the signature bloom for today. On this much-loved public holiday, it has long been a ritual to give family and friends bouquets of this sweet bell-shaped flower, which is considered a lucky charm. […]