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Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
I tried the extreme-daytripping trend with a 12-hour trip to Paris – here's what they don't tell you on TikTok
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EXTREME daytripping – where you go to another country, explore for a day and return home before bedtime – has exploded on social media. But to make the most of those precious few hours in a foreign city, pre-booking your experiences with an expert is a savvy decision. 2 A look across the Seine to Notre Dame Credit: Getty 2 The Shakespeare And Company bookshop counted Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Gertrude Stein among its visitors Credit: Alamy And many offer time-saving extras like skipping queues or going into attractions after dark. I've never been to Paris, so this seemed the ideal first extreme trip for me – the chance to take in the city's amazing sites and fabulous food in just a day. My morning started with a 5am alarm, and by 6.30am I was in my seat on one of the first Eurostar services out of London. Just two and a half hours later, I was pulling into Gare du Nord in Paris. A must-see was the Impressionist art at the Musee d'Orsay. But there was no queueing for tickets – my guide met me at the entrance and we were straight in. The museum is regularly voted one of the best in the world and inside are over 15,000 pieces of art, from paintings to sculptures. The most notable artists are Monet, Degas and Renoir. Up in the attic I saw works by Vincent Van Gogh. It was the busiest room of the museum, but it was worth manoeuvring through the crowds to get a glimpse of the magnificent Starry Night Over the Rhône. The museum is beautiful, with a huge gold clock and a vaulted ceiling – features from its former life as a train station. The clock has been ticking there since 1900. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport I wrapped up at the Orsay at 1pm – and I was already halfway through the day. With an afternoon food tour booked, I was on a mission to see Notre Dame first, and set off along the banks of the Seine. Coffee carts on the Left Bank were handy for a caffeine boost after the early start, and I picked up a little souvenir at the stalls along the way. I wandered from winding streets to broad avenues lined with trees in full blossom. I stopped outside the famous bookshop, Shakespeare And Company, which opened in 1951 and counted Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Gertrude Stein among its visitors. Across the road was Notre Dame which, after the devastating fire in 2019, has just begun to allow visitors. However, guided tours are not available until June. Half an hour after marvelling at the cathedral, I was tucking into a buttery, layered croissant on the City Experience's Ultimate Food Tour. Across the Marais neighbourhood, I was taken on a gastronomic journey sampling award-winning chocolate, macarons, classic French cheeses and onion soup, all while learning interesting tidbits along the way. In the Jewish Quarter I stopped for a pastrami sandwich, then a French-Syrian bakery for sweet treats and to top it off, I sampled two French wines, including delicious Chablis. I had an hour left before my 8pm Eurostar, which had me back in London by 10pm. As a homebody, extreme daytripping is a trend I can definitely get on board with.
The Irish Sun
03-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I tried the extreme-daytripping trend with a 12-hour trip to Paris – here's what they don't tell you on TikTok
EXTREME daytripping – where you go to another country, explore for a day and return home before bedtime – has exploded on social media. But to make the most of those precious few hours in a foreign city, pre-booking your experiences with an expert is a savvy decision. 2 A look across the Seine to Notre Dame Credit: Getty 2 The Shakespeare And Company bookshop counted Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Gertrude Stein among its visitors Credit: Alamy And many offer time-saving extras like skipping queues or going into attractions after dark. I've never been to Paris, so this seemed the ideal first extreme trip for me – the chance to take in the city's amazing sites and fabulous food in just a day. My morning started with a 5am alarm, and by 6.30am I was in my seat on one of the first Eurostar services out of London. Just two and a half hours later, I was pulling into Read More on Travel A must-see was the Impressionist art at the Musee d'Orsay. But there was no queueing for tickets – my guide met me at the entrance and we were straight in. The museum is regularly voted one of the best in the world and inside are over 15,000 pieces of art, from paintings to sculptures. The most notable artists are Monet, Degas and Renoir. Up in the attic I saw works by Vincent Van Gogh. Most read in City breaks It was the busiest room of the museum, but it was worth manoeuvring through the crowds to get a glimpse of the magnificent Starry Night Over the Rhône. The museum is beautiful, with a huge gold clock and a vaulted ceiling – features from its former life as a train station. The clock has been ticking there since 1900. Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport I wrapped up at the Orsay at 1pm – and I was already halfway through the day. With an afternoon food tour booked, I was on a mission to see Coffee carts on the Left Bank were handy for a caffeine boost after the early start, and I picked up a little souvenir at the stalls along the way. I wandered from winding streets to broad avenues lined with trees in full blossom. I stopped outside the famous bookshop, Shakespeare And Company, which opened in 1951 and counted Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Gertrude Stein among its visitors. Across the road was Notre Dame which, after the devastating fire in 2019, has just begun to allow visitors. However, guided tours are not available until June. Half an hour after marvelling at the cathedral, I was tucking into a buttery, layered croissant on the City Experience's Ultimate Food Tour. Across the Marais neighbourhood, I was taken on a gastronomic journey sampling award-winning chocolate, macarons, classic French cheeses and onion soup, all while learning interesting tidbits along the way. In the Jewish Quarter I stopped for a pastrami sandwich, then a French-Syrian bakery for sweet treats and to top it off, I sampled two French wines, including delicious Chablis. I had an hour left before my 8pm Eurostar, which had me back in London by 10pm. As a homebody, extreme daytripping is a trend I can definitely get on board with. GO: PARIS GETTING THERE: Return Eurostar fares to Paris from £52. See SIGHTSEEING: Musee d'Orsay Skip-the-Line tour is from £47. The Ultimate Food Tour is from £87. See
The Sun
03-05-2025
- The Sun
I tried the extreme-daytripping trend with a 12-hour trip to Paris – here's what they don't tell you on TikTok
EXTREME daytripping – where you go to another country, explore for a day and return home before bedtime – has exploded on social media. But to make the most of those precious few hours in a foreign city, pre-booking your experiences with an expert is a savvy decision. 2 2 And many offer time-saving extras like skipping queues or going into attractions after dark. I've never been to Paris, so this seemed the ideal first extreme trip for me – the chance to take in the city's amazing sites and fabulous food in just a day. My morning started with a 5am alarm, and by 6.30am I was in my seat on one of the first Eurostar services out of London. Just two and a half hours later, I was pulling into Gare du Nord in Paris. A must-see was the Impressionist art at the Musee d'Orsay. But there was no queueing for tickets – my guide met me at the entrance and we were straight in. The museum is regularly voted one of the best in the world and inside are over 15,000 pieces of art, from paintings to sculptures. The most notable artists are Monet, Degas and Renoir. Up in the attic I saw works by Vincent Van Gogh. It was the busiest room of the museum, but it was worth manoeuvring through the crowds to get a glimpse of the magnificent Starry Night Over the Rhône. The museum is beautiful, with a huge gold clock and a vaulted ceiling – features from its former life as a train station. The clock has been ticking there since 1900. I wrapped up at the Orsay at 1pm – and I was already halfway through the day. With an afternoon food tour booked, I was on a mission to see Notre Dame first, and set off along the banks of the Seine. Coffee carts on the Left Bank were handy for a caffeine boost after the early start, and I picked up a little souvenir at the stalls along the way. I wandered from winding streets to broad avenues lined with trees in full blossom. I stopped outside the famous bookshop, Shakespeare And Company, which opened in 1951 and counted Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and Gertrude Stein among its visitors. Across the road was Notre Dame which, after the devastating fire in 2019, has just begun to allow visitors. However, guided tours are not available until June. Half an hour after marvelling at the cathedral, I was tucking into a buttery, layered croissant on the City Experience's Ultimate Food Tour. Across the Marais neighbourhood, I was taken on a gastronomic journey sampling award-winning chocolate, macarons, classic French cheeses and onion soup, all while learning interesting tidbits along the way. In the Jewish Quarter I stopped for a pastrami sandwich, then a French-Syrian bakery for sweet treats and to top it off, I sampled two French wines, including delicious Chablis. I had an hour left before my 8pm Eurostar, which had me back in London by 10pm. As a homebody, extreme daytripping is a trend I can definitely get on board with.
Observer
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land
As visitors step through the threshold of the Stal Gallery in Muscat, they are greeted by a vivid tapestry of images that beckon them to unravel the story of Oman through the lens of French-Syrian photographer Ammar Abd Rabbo. The air thrums with anticipation, a palpable connection forming between the observer and the world captured within each frame. Abd Rabbo's photographs transcend mere visuals; they are portals that transport onlookers into the heart of Omani life – where the stones speak of ancient histories, the faces reflect the dignity of everyday existence, and the landscapes hum with a silent poetry. It is an invitation to connect, to reflect, and to experience a cultural dialogue rich with emotion and insight. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land Organised in collaboration with the French Embassy in Oman, this exhibition is a key highlight of the "French Weeks" programme, a vibrant celebration of Franco-Omani relations through art, dialogue, and exchange. This marks the first time Ammar Abd Rabbo shares his personal archive of Oman with the public, bringing forth a collection titled 'Oman In My Eyes.' The exhibition features 37 exquisite images, drawn from nearly three decades of his journey which began with his initial visit to the Sultanate in 1996. The photographs encapsulate evocative portraits, traditional ceremonies, snapshots of everyday life, street photography, and rare moments from national sporting events of the past. They portray not only the physical evolution of Oman but also the profound connection and affection Abd Rabbo has developed for the country. 'Oman has never left me,' he expresses. "Since my first journey in 1996, almost 30 years ago, this country has etched into me its lines of stone and light, its silent and dignified faces, its still poetry within movement." For Abd Rabbo, photography transcends mere documentation; it is 'a kind of poetry and music' – a unique form of visual storytelling that seeks to elicit contemplation and emotional resonance. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land What distinguishes this exhibition is the humanistic and lyrical perspective he employs in portraying his subjects. Abd Rabbo's art avoids the snares of spectacle and formality, opting instead to honour the quiet dignity woven into the fabric of daily life, reflecting the timeless essence of a country in transition. His photographs resonate with both personal and universal themes, encouraging viewers to pause and ponder the concepts of identity, change, and memory. Born in Damascus in 1966, Ammar Abd Rabbo's early life was spent in Libya and Lebanon before he moved to France in 1978, following the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War. A student of political science at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris, he ventured into photojournalism with renowned agencies such as Sygma, Sipa Press, and AFP. Over the past thirty years, his work has graced more than a hundred magazine and book covers and found its way into leading international publications including Time Magazine, Le Monde, Paris Match, Der Spiegel, and Asharq Al Awsat. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land His lens has traversed a myriad of subjects, capturing the stark realities of war in Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria, alongside significant global events like the Cannes Film Festival and Paris Fashion Week. Abd Rabbo's portraits of renowned figures, such as world leaders and cultural icons like Michael Jackson and Stephen Hawking, sit alongside tender depictions of ordinary people navigating extraordinary challenges. In conflict zones, he chooses to focus not on combat, but on the resilience of civilians – a perspective central to his poignant 2016 photo book Alep, À Elles Eux Paix. Abd Rabbo's work has been showcased globally in esteemed institutions and cultural events, including Banksy's Dismaland in the UK, the Venice Biennale, MAXXI Museum in Rome, and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. He has held solo exhibitions in cities like Doha, Dubai, Beirut, and Paris, and in 2018, he was honoured with the title of Chevalier of the French Order of Arts and Letters, recognising his meaningful contributions to the arts. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land In 'Oman In My Eyes,' Ammar Abd Rabbo invites visitors to engage with his ongoing relationship with the Sultanate – a journey enriched by admiration, curiosity, and profound emotional resonance. Each image serves as a thoughtful meditation on place and presence, offering a rare and timeless view of Oman through the eyes of a seasoned storyteller. This exhibition promises to attract a diverse audience – from art enthusiasts and cultural historians to photography aficionados and members of the Franco-Omani community. It pays tribute to Oman's evolving landscape while celebrating the enduring connections fostered through art and cultural exchange. Visitors are heartily invited to explore this powerful visual narrative and immerse themselves in Oman as seen through the discerning eyes of a photographer whose work resonates with both gentleness and depth. The exhibition will be open to the public from 27 April to 12 May 2025 at Stal Gallery Ammar Abd Rabbo
The National
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Former Syrian rebel spokesman on trial in Paris for war crimes
A former spokesman for the Syrian rebel group Jaish Al Islam went on trial in Paris on Tuesday, accused of complicity in war crimes, amid warnings that several witnesses were refusing to give evidence after the change of government. Majdi Nema, 36 - better known by his nom de guerre, Islam Alloush - has been charged with complicity in war crimes committed between 2013 and 2016, including the recruitment of children and teenagers to fight for the group. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. As his trial opened, Mr Nema told the court there was no evidence to support the charges against him. Claire Thouault, deputy prosecutor at France's National Anti-Terrorism Office, said that the proceedings had been affected by the new government, which recently struck reconciliation agreements, including with Jaish Al Islam. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara is the former leader of the rebel group that took control of Damascus in December - Hayat Tahrir Al Sham. "The group which took power a few months ago has carried out reconciliation agreements - in particular with Jaish Al Islam, to which Majdi Nema belonged," said Ms Thouault. "This context is, in our opinion, an element of explanation for why a certain number of witnesses and civil parties refused to be heard or to testify." The trial, set to run until May 27, is France's first held under universal jurisdiction relating to war crimes committed in Syria. The court is composed of three professional magistrates and six jurors. Last year, a Paris court tried Syrian officials in their absence because the victims held dual French-Syrian citizenship. They were sentenced to life in prison. Mr Nema appeared in court behind a glass enclosure, dressed in a black jacket and white t-shirt. In a brief statement after confirming his identity, Mr Nema declared his innocence. "The person who filed a complaint against me set up this case for purely political purposes," Mr Nema said, without naming the accuser. He was arrested in the southern French city of Marseille in 2020 during a student exchange after rights groups, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), filed a criminal complaint in France against members of Jaish Al Islam. Born in 1988, Mr Nema was a captain in the Syrian armed forces before defecting in 2012 and joining the group that would become known in 2013 as Jaish Al Islam. He told investigators that he left Eastern Ghouta in May 2013 and crossed the border to Turkey, where he worked as the group's spokesman, before leaving the group in 2016. He has quoted his presence in Turkey as part of his defence. Mr Nema travelled to France in November 2019 on a university exchange programme. Mr Nema was initially indicted for complicity in the enforced disappearances of four activists in Eastern Ghouta in late 2013, including prominent rights defender Razan Zaitouneh, but those charges were dropped on procedural grounds. Jaish Al Islam has been accused of involvement in the abductions, though it denies this. France has since 2010 been able to try cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which argues some crimes are so serious that all states have a duty to prosecute offenders. The country's highest court upheld this principle in 2023, allowing the investigation into Mr Nema to proceed.
