Private Tour Guide in Paris
Welcome to It’s a French Thing!
I’m passionate about sharing all the when, where, why, and how comes about this beautiful culture and people.
A Detroiter turned Parisienne, who is a French Ministry of Culture Licensed Museum Guide, I specialize in offering fun and insightful guided tours not only within Paris but also in the surrounding Parisian region.
It would be my pleasure to lead you through the renowned museums and monuments of Paris, as well as unveil the hidden gems nestled in secret districts off the typical tourist path. Diving just a little deeper into the tapestry of French culture and history will make your visit so much richer. My private tours and blog aim to shed light not only on the sights you must see but also on the customs, habits, and behaviors that sometimes leave us perplexed yet always charmed.
Are you planning your dream trip to Paris?
Are you a little intimidated by France and the French?
(I was too!)
Francophile? Mais oui.
The Cuisine of Bretagne (Brittany)
My husband is what you would call a Brest man, meaning of course he is from the city of Brest in Brittany, France. There are 13 regions in France, a country roughly the size of Texas. Each region has its own character, traditions, cuisine and even French dialects. With a landscape between sea and land as diverse as in Bretagne, there are sure to be many delicacies you will find and enjoy.
The Petit Palais- Paris Museum of Fine Arts
Read this before you buy a baguette
All of us have the image of the beret wearing Frenchman walking with a baguette under his arm ingrained in our heads. So when one arrives in Paris and tries to say in their best French “une baguette s’il vous plait” they are expecting to eat a piece of the dream. When they bite into something that is often chewy, bland, limp that’s when the heartaches begin. Oh l’horreur! Any good Frenchman knows to order a Tradition (or “tradi”) and not a baguette.
French Cheese Etiquette Questions Answered
French President Charles de Gaulle was way off in 1962 when he famously asked, "How can you govern a country which has two hundred and forty-six varieties of cheese?" There are so many different types of cheese in France that even if you tried one new cheese every day for a year, you’d not even be close to trying them all! There is immense diversity within each variety of cheese, leading some to estimate between 1,000 and 1,600 distinct types of French cheese. Here are some answers to the biggest cheese etiquette questions.
The Statue of Napoleon I, Invalides
Overlooking the Cour d’Honneur at the Invalides is an imposing statue of Napoleon I (1769-1821).
In daylight or at night when he is lit up in all his glory, this dark figure looking over the honor courtyard strikes an impressive note. Like many French things, there is the story and then there is the backstory, this one is a doozy.
The Role of Mayor in France
For the typical French person, the two most important and recognizable politicians in their lives are 1) the President and 2) their mayor. While France is an extremely centralized country, it’s the local mayor that can make or break daily life for you.
Chapel Expiatoire, Perhaps The Most Remarkable Monument In Paris
Perhaps the most remarkable monument in Paris.
These are the words the writer Chateaubriand used to describe a Paris monument that you have most likely never heard of, the Chapel Expiatoire.
Versailles Night Fountains Show
Starting June 11, 2022 every Saturday evening in summer, the gardens of the Chateau of Versailles are dressed in thousands of lights, the fountains are flowing, the Sun King’s favorite baroque music is playing and a spectacular fireworks display finishes the evening.
Since there are only so many Saturdays in summer, now is the time to buy your tickets and plan your visit. I went last year with my husband and kids and it was magical. Here is my write-up from last June on this memorable evening.
May 1 in France
In France, 1 May is a public holiday filled with parades and flowers. We celebrate Labor Day but it is also the day when family and friends give one another lily of the valley. Find out more about the significance of this day in France.
Easter Traditions in France
The 12 French Presidential Candidates 2022
Changes To COVID Entry Rules, End Of Vaccine Pass And Masks
Understanding The French Presidential Election
In one month from now France will head to the polls to elect their next president. There is a laundry list of candidates and the election is held on two days! Here is a breakdown of how presidential elections are run in France.
7 Of The Rodin Museum’s Greatest Works
The Musée Rodin houses the works of France’s greatest sculpture Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). The museum is a little gem in itself- it is housed in a prestigious 18th century mansion called the Hotel Biron around the corner from les Invalides. Rodin lived there for a number of years and at the last year of his life he donated he works, personal collections and copyrights to France. It was in 1919 that the museum was inaugurated.
5 Tips For Using Your Phone In France
If you are like most people, you can’t leave the house without your cell phone, let alone leave the country! Staying connected (whatever that means to you) when traveling has never been easier.
10 Romantic Things To Do On Valentine’s Day In Paris
Here Are Some Fun Ideas To Share With Your Loved One This Valentine’s Day If You Are Lucky Enough To Be In Paris. If You Aren’t Here This February Add Them To Your Paris Bucket List Because Paris Is Always The City Of Love.
Versailles Petit Trianon Evening Visit
LA CHANDELEUR, Crepes Day in France!
La chandeleur (Candlemas in English) is a Christian festival celebrated every February 2 or 40 days after Christmas. The French celebrate by eating crepes! Find out why we celebrate February 2 with crepes and get my crepe recipe.
The French Flag has Changed
I bet you didn’t notice that the color of the French flag changed! Don’t worry you are not alone, over 60 million French men and women didn’t notice either, at least for the first few months.
French President Emmanuel Macron very quietly decided to change one of the symbols of the country without ever talking about it or making an official announcement. The decision to change the color blue in the French flag was taken by the President on July 13, 2020.
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