Paris

Dry Canals: Paris on purpose, Venice by low tides

December 31, 2015

Two European cities are facing dry seasons in their canals, with record low tides exposing long-unseen areas of Venice’s waterways, and Paris draining its iconic Canal Saint-Martin for cleaning and repairs. In Venice, abnormal tides this year, combined with a so-far dry winter, have left water levels about 70cm (more than 2 feet) below normal. As a result, routes for the city’s vaporetti, or water buses, have been curtailed because they are unable to navigate in some of the smaller canals.

Where they’re going: NY, Paris top Airbnb New Year list

December 24, 2015

The recent terror attacks in Paris apparently haven’t put off its lure for visitors; Airbnb reports it’s the top New Year holiday booking in Europe,

Paris’ New Year celebration will go on, but quietly

December 23, 2015

Paris’s traditional outdoor New Year’s Eve celebration on the Champs-Elysees will happen this year, but will be a much more low-key affair than in the

Tasty lunch sets the table for climate conference

November 30, 2015

The world climate conference (COP21) opens today in Paris with 150 heads of state and government meeting to try for a world agreement on environmental issues.

Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 8, 2015: Seafood anyone?

November 8, 2015

While walking through the streets of Paris I noticed the abundance of fresh seafood available. All this photo does is make me hungry again.

Floating hotel set to anchor in Seine

November 7, 2015

Paris is about to get perhaps its most unusual hotel, floating in the Seine near the Quai d’Austerlitz in the eastern part of the city. Built in Normandy almost as if it were a ship, it will be towed into place within the next few weeks. The…

New app makes Paris buses cheap tours

November 5, 2015

RATP, the regional authority that runs Paris transit systems has just unveiled a new set of smartphone apps, one of which may become one of the city’s best tourist bargains.

Palais Garnier: Opera House in Paris

November 5, 2015

Samantha shares her appreciation of the magnificent Palais Garnier, home of the Paris Opera.

Paris mayor gets power to ban traffic when pollution peaks

November 4, 2015

A horrific spike in air pollution in Paris Monday has led to the national Ecology Minister, Segoline Royal, granting Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo the power to impose traffic bans when pollution is high.

Sweet victory for French chef in chocolate contest

October 31, 2015

A French chef, Vincent Vallee, has become the first French world champion of chocolate, taking the prize in Paris Friday after a three-day final at the Salon du Chocolat trade fair.