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Condé Nast Traveler
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
How to Experience Paris Like a Local
Transcript The internet might tell you to queue for the Eiffel Tower, but I'm taking you somewhere better. Hi, I'm Laurianne Melierre, Paris local and travel expert. Come along to experience my city. [lively music] Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This is the city that I keep falling in love over and over again. This city has some of the most incredible sites ever. So let's see what the internet say we should see first. I don't even have to look at because the Eiffel tower. Of course the Eiffel tower is iconic. Who would doubt that? But the Seine, the river is the soul of the city. This is the best way to discover Paris and see some of the most beautiful monuments, an overview of the Eiffel Tower, you can see the Pont des Arts, you can see the Pont Alexandre III just by walking or cycling. And as a cyclist enthusiast, I'm so happy that the Quais de Seine is now pedestrianized. No car is allowed. You see people riding a bike, running, jogging. You see people falling in love, kissing each other, holding hands. This is the life of Paris. Sometimes some people visiting Paris, ask me if it's okay to take selfies on the Eiffel Tower. My answer is you do you. No Parisian will ever go to the Eiffel tower anyway. When we were there, when we were 10, we visited the place. We're done. [lively music] Paris isn't just a city with museums, it is a living museum. So let's see what the internet say we should go to. Okay, I don't even have to look this up since we all know that internet says to go to Le Louvre. [Laurianne chuckling] Of course, Le Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. But if you wanna try something off the beaten path, Bourse de Commerce is my go-to. The museum opened in 2021, but this building has been around for more than five centuries. It used to be a grain exchange and then a commodities market. And it's now a cultural landmark. If you're hearing something, this is right. This is the main exhibition. The artist is called Celeste Boursier-Mougenot. [bells clanging] The sound becomes something that is part of the art and part of the experience. So it's not just noise, it's something to reflect on. To be honest, the space itself is a work of art. It's bold, it's grand, and it's always inspiring. So when you come to Bourse de Commerce, clearly what happens under the rotunda is always so spectacular, unexpected, sometimes a bit weird or confusing because art isn't always meant to be comfortable. [lively music] You never know what is gonna come up in the next room. You walk around and you discover some art, and then you push a door and you discover some more art, just like these ones. It's part of this new exhibition called Corps et ames, it means Bodies and Soul. I really have the impression that I have real people with me. I don't know if I can approach them. And I think this is exactly what you wanna feel when you come to La Bourse de Commerce. It's this surprise. You never know what you're gonna see. So here you have photography, drawings, sculptures, paintings. It's so diverse. It really makes you more curious. When I come to Bourse de Commerce, I never leave the space exhausted or drained. I feel rejuvenated. I want to know more. [lively music] But my little secret is this artwork, the mouse plays hide and seek with you. To me, it's a great example of how Francois Pinault sees art. Like it's supposed to be playful, it's supposed to be lively. If you come here, please text me and tell me if you found the mouse. [lively music] To Parisians, and to French people in general, lunch is sacred. Like you can't spend less than an hour eating for lunch. Let's see what internet has to say about where to go. Okay, so the internet says to go to a bouillon. Of course, why not? It's charming, it's cheap, it's rooted in tradition, but maybe you can skip the touristic areas and go to where Parisians actually live. And to me, a good example would be Clamato. So Clamato opened in 2014, long enough to say it's a Parisian staple. They only serve seafood-based dishes. So you have fresh seafood from Brittany or Normandy. It's always very local, very is seasonal. The most difficult part is to choose. I'm a seafood addict, so... [Laurianne chuckling] Maybe we can order a Clamato Michelada. It's a mix of beer, mescal, tomato juice, and Tabasco because it's lunch but why not? [Laurianne chuckling] I already feel better. [Laurianne chuckling] Okay, so let's try this. Ooh, that is just spicy enough. It's juicy. Like my mouth is watering. It's also because I'm starving. It's calling for a nap afterwards. [Laurianne chuckling] The smell of a very good piece of bread. It's a bit acidic. You can smell the sour dough. I feel guilty having so much pleasure. It's mayonnaise but on another level. [Laurianne grunting] Here's the grilled octopus with ajoblanco and fig leaf olive oil. Underneath lies a surprise, the surprise being the harissa, the spicy sauce. [Laurianne grunting] [Laurianne clapping] Bravo. To recognize a very good product, the texture needs to be present, the flavor needs to develop in your palettes. This dish is called aioli. It's Provencal language. It's really a mix of seafood and vegetables. You always have the eggs, salted eggs. You have cabbage, you have white fish. And the bigorneau. In English you would say sea snail. And for the sea snail, okay, pick and you take it up. Dip it in the sauce. [Laurianne grunting] Oui, oui, oui. [lively music] With bakeries on every corner, Paris is definitely pastry heaven. I'm sure the internet will point you to the best macarons and croissants in the city. But for a chocolate fix that is truly unforgettable, let's head to PLAQ. [lively music] ♪ Oh, yes, yes ♪ Hello, Sandra. Hello. [both speaking in French] [Sandra speaking in French] It's not just a shop, it's also a factory. We call it a manufacture atelier. It makes it so special to know that the chocolate you're gonna buy is made here, not just somewhere in France, not just somewhere in Europe. It's made here in Paris Regional between the 2nd and the 10th Arrondissement. It's so fun because in France we have this petit ecolier that we can buy in any grocery store, something that it's after school and they remade the petit ecolier but the PLAQ way. Once in a while, having this, I think it brings back memories. PLAQ is not your typical Parisian spot, and still it is so ingrained in the life of the neighborhood. My favorite treat here, of course, there is the PLAQ, so it's just pure chocolate and sugar. But I like to come and have not a hot chocolate, but a cold chocolate. And it's not mixed with milk as we normally do. It's mixed with water. So you really have the smell and the flavor of pure chocolate. And Sandra, the co-founder, just told me that actually some people have a shot of this every day and they can't live without it. And I understand why. [tranquil music] [Laurianne grunting] Shopping in Paris is serious business. And I'm sure that if you look up into the internet, you're gonna find plenty and plenty of recommendation from fashion places to souvenir shops. But my recommendation is La Grande Epicerie. It's not just a shop, it's a food institution. To me, this is really the Disneyland of food. When I come here, I'm always so excited because you have everything you ever dreamed of in terms of food in one place. Chestnut spread is very French. You can put it on crepes, you can just take it directly. This brand, Faugier, is one of the oldest. It says 1885. It's always sold out. In Japan, chestnut spread is very popular, especially in pastries, but very expensive, which is the opposite in France. It's very popular, but quite cheap. Some lucky locals actually buy all of their food here, but as it's a bit pricey, this is not what a regular customer does. The way they source the product, it's handmade. You don't have to have a big production line to be featured in La Grande Epicerie. You just have to have an amazing and outstanding product. So Christine Ferber is here, and I can't think of any other place where you can find this range of jams. Here's a cultural cheat code. You can't really start a French apero if you don't have chips. My favorites are Brets. It's made in Brittany, and you have all of these beautiful flavors, like Bleu d'Auvergne or Jura Cheese, and Pesto, Mozzarella. So really try a few and tell me about it. Some people find it weird and I find it delicious. Snails, a French delicacy. Usually I take it and I put it to freeze. And so when people come over, I can just put that in my oven and it's ready in minutes. And the whole point is to have the best bread possible, to take the butter and eat the garlicy butter. And speaking about butter, I think we're approaching the hot aisle, the one that people keep coming and coming over for. One of the most famous butter house is Beurre Bordier, Maison Bordier. They are located in Brittany. You can have the normal milk, like just salted milk, but you also have all of these beautiful flavored butter from vanilla to olive oil with lime, yuzu. Raspberry? This is a new one. [lively music] In Paris, every building feels like a work of art, beautiful, timeless, and full of character. So let's see where the internet says we should be looking at. Notre Dame de Paris. Yes, of course, everyone knows the beauty of Notre Dame, especially since it's reopened. But I think I should take you maybe somewhere else. As a writer, this is a place that is so close to my heart. This is the BNF Richelieu site. BNF stands for Bibliotheque Nationale de France. So the building itself is a blend of different architectures, eras, but also influences. And we are now in the Oval Room, which used to be a study room, like a reading room. And since the reopening in 2022, it's completely accessible to the public. You have more than 20,000 books and more than 10,000 comic books. There is no hierarchy between culture. So a comic book is at the same level than a Flaubert manuscript because it's really the interests of the researchers and of the people that gives a document its meaning. And when a document enter this space, it doesn't have any commercial value anymore. It won't be sold anymore. And so it's just a new piece of culture, a story, a testimony of the time that is accessible to people. If you look up, you'll notice some city names like Rome, Carthage, Thebes, Vienna. All these cities symbolize the fact that culture has no borders. And I like seeing this around, like, of course, Paris is a cultural place, but culture can be found anywhere in the world. [lively music] Paris is all about the art of living. Of course, we work and we work hard, but we work in order to afford a lifestyle and be comfortable. Just working without pleasure doesn't mean anything. Aperitif is very important in our culture. It starts around, I would say, 6 PM. It's the end of the day and you're just a bit more relaxed. Okay, let's see where the internet thinks we should go for a drink. Not too bad, I go to Harry's Bar. My suggestion would be to go to Frequence. It's still in the heart of the 11th Arrondissement. It's independent, it's small. I like the vibe. It's full of locals. You will blend perfectly, just like their cocktails. We're at Frequence. It means frequency. Of course, it's related to music because here we play music analog with vinyls. To describe the atmosphere, I think it looks like this painting. It's crowded, full of people dancing, chatting. You touch a shoulder, you touch an elbow, you order a drink. You see this old friend that you didn't see for a while and you chat and you dance, and all of a sudden, it's 2 in the morning and they're closing and you're like, Wow, I had the best evening. Cheers. Sante. It tastes like danger. [lively music] These were my favorite places in Paris. I hope you enjoyed as well. Please leave a comment to tell me about your favorite places, or ping me to debate. [lively music ending]
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Travel expert reveals top tips for staying safe at waterparks - from how to avoid a waterslide wedgie to the dangers of leaving chlorine on skin
A trip to a waterpark is an essential part of summer for many families - whether holidaying abroad or in the UK. From splashing in a pool to riding the rapids, the popular attractions are often packed with fun activities. However, there are some hidden dangers to consider when trying to keep the family safe. Travel expert Oliver Brendon has revealed the often overlooked things that are vital when visiting a waterpark. Though slipping down a waterslide at full-speed and crashing into a refreshing pool of water at the end might sound fun, it might not be a positive experience for all. Small injuries like 'painful grazes' and awkward 'wedgies' can cause enough discomfort to ruin a day out. Oliver explains, 'It might sound like a playground joke, but wedgies on waterslides can actually cause minor injuries. 'Children, and adults alike, can end up with painful grazes or cuts from not keeping their legs crossed properly on the way down. 'The speed and pressure of the water can really catch you off guard and leave you feeling uncomfortable for the rest of the day. 'To avoid this, it only takes a few seconds to remind your child to cross their legs and hold that position, but it can make all the difference. 'It's one of those things you laugh about later, but it's definitely worth preventing in the first place.' Another important factor to consider when splashing in a pool all day is the impact of chlorine on skin. Oliver warns that leaving the otherwise useful chemical on our bodies for too long could cause harm. He adds, 'I understand the instinct to dry off, grab a snack, and head home after a long day, but skipping the post-pool rinse-off can cause problems later. 'Chlorine left on children's skin can be really irritating, especially if your child has any sensitivities. 'A quick rinse at the showers near the pool is all it takes to avoid this and it makes a big difference. 'It's a small step that can prevent itching and complaints later in the day.' One important consideration that Oliver flags is how important the colour of your child's swimming costume is. Certain colours aren't very visible in water and the travel expert recommends sticking to bright, bold options. He says, 'It's not something many parents think about, but the colour of your child's swimsuit really does matter when it comes to safety. 'Blue and green tend to blend into the water, making your child harder to see, especially in a wave pool or when things get busy. 'Brighter colours like pink and yellow, particularly if they are neon, stand out far more clearly. 'As a parent, it gives you a bit of peace of mind knowing your child is easy to spot. It also really helps lifeguards if they ever need to scan a crowded area.' Oliver's final piece of advice is how to avoid losing a child at the waterpark, which can often be busy and crowded. He recommends identifying a 'meeting point' where the children can easily find if they ever stray away from the family. The expert explains, 'With so many people around and lots going on, it's surprisingly easy for children to become separated from their parents at a pool or waterpark. That moment of panic is awful. 'To avoid it, I suggest families set a clear meeting point as soon as they arrive, somewhere easy to find and explain to kids. Tell your child that if they lose sight of you, they must go straight to that spot and stay there. 'It takes all the panic out of the situation and can help provide a calm and simple resolution to an otherwise stressful moment.'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Daily Mail
People left shocked after travel expert reveals the 'friendliest' European destination
A travel expert who's been to more than 50 cities in Europe has revealed where he thinks the friendliest people are to be found. Instagrammer @Scottvisits spends much of his time on the road, reporting back on his travels to his 100,000 followers on the social media platform. After visiting most major cities in Europe, he revealed that Austria is the place where he felt most welcome. The mountainous central European country, of which Vienna is the capital, impressed the avid traveller enough that he named it as 'friendliest country' in his recent Travel Awards. On an Instagram reel entitled: 'After visiting every country in Europe, here are my awards', he announced that Austria had won his heart. Other awards included the most beautiful destination: Switzerland, and the most underrated: Slovenia. Meanwhile, the cheapest was deemed Albania and and the most delicious food was to be found in Greece, he surmised. However, some people questioned his verdict on Austrians being Europe's friendliest folk, saying 'are you sure?', while another said @Scottvisits assertion that there was nowhere friendlier was 'total nonsense'. One person wasped: 'Austrian and friendly do not go hand-in-hand' while another joked 'I wonder where in Austria did he go'. Another joked: 'Born and raised in Vienna and I can absolutely confirm that we do not have the friendliest people here' followed by a laughing emoji. However, there were some people who had first hand experience of visiting and living in Austria who agreed that the welcome is always warm. One fan wrote: 'I lived and worked in Tyrol for 2 years, lovely folk, seriously!' Last year Vienna was crowned the world's most liveable city in 2024 for the third year running in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index. The study ranks cities based on important factors such as healthcare, culture, stability, education and infrastructure. Which places do others think are friendly? In April, expat network, InterNations, asked expats around the globe to rate their city based on how welcoming it is, how friendly the local residents are and how easy it is to find friends. Expats were asked whether they've found a personal support network in their new home, if they're happy with their social life and how easy they find it to make local friends. The world's friendliest destination for expats was found to be Malaga, on Spain's sunny Costa del Sol. More than eight in 10 (84 per cent) of expats felt that local people were friendly while 67 per cent said residents were easy to make friends with. One expat told InterNations: 'What do I enjoy about life here? The weather and climate, the possibility to travel and the friendly environment and people.' Just under 80 per cent (78 per cent) said it was easy to get used to the local culture in Malaga much higher than the global average of 59 per cent.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- CTV News
Ottawa Watch Travel made easy Whether you're off for a quick long weekend getaway, or flying somewhere further away, Travel Expert Jenn Weatherhead has three ways to make it even easier!
Ottawa Watch Whether you're off for a quick long weekend getaway, or flying somewhere further away, Travel Expert Jenn Weatherhead has three ways to make it even easier!
