Do you follow one of my favorite authors? David Downie, a native San Franciscan, lived in New York, Providence, Rome, and Milan before moving to Paris in the mid-80s. He divides his time between France and Italy. His travel, food, and arts features have appeared in leading print and on-line publications including Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Saveur, Epicurious.com, and Gault & Millau, the premier French food guide. He is the author of over a dozen nonfiction books, including the highly acclaimed Paris, Paris and A Passion for Paris.

Paris is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world - and for good reason. The city seems to have a personality all its own, full of charm, quirks, and subtle beauty - it is unlike anywhere else in the world. For those who have visited la Ville des Lumieres in the past, the incomparable experience that comes from the city’s personality does not need to be explained. But if this is your first trip to Paris, you may need some help in understanding how to best take in all that the city has to offer.

I have the (the!!!) most beautiful book sitting on my desk. It’s about Paris (naturally), and is a completely new look at an ancient, much photographed city – through its bridges, glowing, at night.

Paris is consistently ranked among the top cities in the world for tourist visits, and often places in the top three results in lists from media and publications such as CNN, TripAdvisor, and Condé Nast Traveler.

Paris, the City of Light…and street art? YES! Paris is well-known for its street art, also known as urban murals or graffiti. Paris even has a Graffiti Museum! Paris has a deep, rich history of graffiti, starting in the 1970s with creation of urban art during the destruction of Les Halles, and growing more by the decade. 

It's no secret that Paris, the City of Light, has long been a tourist favorite. Why?  For starters, Paris undoubtedly hosts some of the most well-known museums, monuments and historical sites that have inspired authors and artists for centuries.

Picture this: Paris, summer, happiness, much good food, reading (all those bookstores!), and…city crowds? If you’re a bit tired of the city (and even with Paris, this is possible) and you’ve already visited Versailles, Normandy, and Giverny, there are several unusual and adventurous one day excursions from Paris – easily doable, within a short drive, and full of fun.