Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Feb 8, 2012, 5:33 am
I went to see the newly-renovated Musée d'Orsay last week. The first (pleasant) surprise: no lines! Maybe it was the sub-zero weather. The second (not so pleasant) surprise: no photos allowed in the Nouvel Orsay.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Feb 7, 2012, 2:50 am
A balcony on the rue François Miron, Marais.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Feb 6, 2012, 12:02 pm
The view from my window Sunday morning at 8am...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jan 30, 2012, 11:19 am
In this issue: Hot Chocolate Menu at the Lancaster Hidden Gardens in the Marais Free-Range Eggs for Crêpe Day! The Value-Added-Tax Going Up…and Up French Calendars for 2012 Like Blue Man Group… without the Paint Two-for-One Versailles Tickets Aligre Flea Market Hotels for Valentines Par...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Dec 28, 2011, 12:27 pm
Paris can be rather dreary in the winter, especially after they start taking down the holiday decorations. But there are little things that make up for it.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Dec 20, 2011, 9:40 am
In This Issue: Christmas in Paris Holiday Dining Options in Paris More Francophile Gift Ideas RIP George Whitman Charities Need Your Talent Merry Paris Blog The Census is Coming La Poste Goes Mobile Affordable Pilates Classes 100 Things Parisians Should Do &#...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Dec 19, 2011, 1:21 pm
Ho ho ho and a bottle of rum! Or better yet, a mug of vin chaud to ward off the winter chill that has finally descended on Paris in all its soggy splendor. It’s looking like it won’t get cold enough to snow again this Christmas, but there are plenty of other fun holiday events and pretty lights ...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Dec 19, 2011, 10:21 am
The French daily newspaper Le Figaro just published, in its Figaroscope weekly entertainment guide, a list of "100 Things All Parisians Should Do at Least Once." How many can you count? What do you think is missing from the list?
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Nov 10, 2011, 7:00 pm
Wow, doesn't this health food store window really draw you in with its scrumptious looking food display? Non, me neither.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Oct 28, 2011, 4:41 pm
Forget Halloween. In France, November 1st is much more important. Toussaint, or All Saints' Day, is when French families visit the graves of their departed loved ones. Many tourists have visited the cemeteries of Paris to photograph the historic tombs of famous and unknown Parisians, but have...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Oct 24, 2011, 1:12 pm
Ever visit the Crypte Archéologique? Almost every visitor to Paris eventually comes to Notre Dame Cathedral, but few venture below the Parvis to see what lies below.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Oct 18, 2011, 1:41 pm
Ding dong, the witch is dead! The 1970s monstrosity in the center of Paris, Le Forum des Halles, is finally under the wrecking ball.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Oct 12, 2011, 10:37 am
In case you were looking, walk this way...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Oct 2, 2011, 12:31 pm
In this Issue * Immortalize Yourself for Just €10 * A New Place de la République * Angelina at Versailles * A Beautifully Quirky Museum * Italian Cocktails, Chinese and a Wine Bar * Souvenirs Made in France * Post-Midnight Pizza Delivery * Uniqlo Winter Clothes * French Tax People Are ...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Oct 2, 2011, 10:50 am
Today over 300 people and 2000 cupcakes gathered at Le Comptoir Général  near the Canal St Martin for Cupcake Camp Paris 2012, to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Check out the pretty (yummy) cupcakes here!
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Sep 27, 2011, 2:35 pm
There are some very interesting accessories at the Harley Davidson Bastille shop in Paris...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Sep 21, 2011, 11:40 am
Help support the SOS Helpline by donating or buying books at this fall's book sale, just €1 for paperbacks, €2 for hard covers.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Sep 18, 2011, 12:47 pm
Bored students, a Post-it note pad, and a window...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Sep 10, 2011, 4:16 pm
Heather spends an afternoon checking out the festivities and food at the Saint-Pourçain en Seine "marché du terroir" on the Quai St-Bernard. No guarantee of sun on Sunday, but if you've got some wellies or a rain parka, it's worth the trek over to the Left Bank.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Sep 3, 2011, 12:55 pm
In this Issue * Do-It-Yourself Workshop Space * Emergency Groceries 7am-10pm * Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bar Disappoints * Affordable Art, Sport and Music Classes * New French Electric Scooter-Car Hybrid * European Heritage Days Highlights 2011 * Islam & the City: Muslim Punk Music? *...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 31, 2011, 11:52 am
It's the Mandarin Oriental. It's on the Rue St-Honoré. How bad could the bar be? Mon dieu, don't ask...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 24, 2011, 10:47 am
Kids won't eat their peas and bacon? Try and woo them with these adorable little French candies.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 21, 2011, 8:48 am
Nothing like a pair of adorable pastry penguins to make the muggy Parisian heat just a bit more tolerable.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 20, 2011, 11:56 am
Had enough of macarons, gelato and cupcakes? Head over to the city's first boutique specializing in nuts and dried fruits. Don't worry, it only sounds healthy...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 13, 2011, 12:20 pm
With only a couple of weeks before the first chords are struck in anger – it’s about time to glance over the i’s and address the t’s of what’s looking like a real Revels box of a weekend. And what better place to start than, unquestionably, Rock en Seine 2011′s strongest day.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 6, 2011, 3:30 pm
In this issue: Do-Gooder Shopping Fix #1: Retro Glasses Free Museums This Sunday Paris Airport Lounges Do-Gooder Shopping Fix #2: Books & CDs Restaurants Open in August Paris Beach Atmosphere Buy Your Tickets Now for Fall Shows Get Someone Else to Pay Your Parking Tix Back in the U...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Aug 5, 2011, 5:05 pm
This Parisian detective agency was already a beloved local landmark before Woody Allen made it world famous in his latest film.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jul 25, 2011, 3:46 pm
My car, Swampy, was parked here. Legally parked here, I might add. But he got towed anyway, and not only did I have to go fetch him from the bowels of the 'burbs, I also had to pay for the pleasure of doing so. I'd like a refund, Monsieur.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jul 23, 2011, 3:41 pm
Braille is such a great invention, allowing the optically-challenged among us to read the words the rest of us can clearly see.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jul 17, 2011, 3:49 am
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Paris Plages, the Hôtel de Ville is hosting a free exhibition “Paris Sur Seine: from the old docks to Paris Plages” which highlights the special relationship between Parisians and the Seine River with many fascinating historic images and photographs.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jul 16, 2011, 2:47 pm
Here is the entire 34 minute Bastille Day fireworks show put on by the City of Paris (mairiedeparis) at the Jardins du Trocadéro behind the Eiffel Tower. This year's show had the theme: "From Broadway to Paris" You can see the shorter stop-motion photo version here.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jul 12, 2011, 11:38 am
I like the fact that both the US and France celebrate our national holidays in July. It makes me feel all warm in fuzzy inside to see that, despite some grumblings to the contrary, Franco-American friendship is still very much alive.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jul 5, 2011, 8:16 am
A small piece of the big stone that nearly fell on my head last month. As if I need any more incentives to stay out of church!
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Jun 1, 2011, 5:59 am
People don't look up enough in Paris. If you did, you'd see strange building decorations like this all over the city...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - May 28, 2011, 10:16 am
Yesterday I went up to Bellville to check out the first day of the annual PortesOuvertes. It's not really polite to take photos of the artworks, but the neighborhood is surprisingly photogenic...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - May 27, 2011, 4:33 am
In This Issue:   Belleville Artists Open House Boutique Hotels Under €200 Metro Ticket Price Rise in July Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" Brassens Exhibit and Bassin de la Villette Photos of Ile-de-France Gardens Let the Races Begin! Bryan's Welcom...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - May 26, 2011, 6:42 pm
Last week I got to spend six days guiding a group of South African garden enthusiasts around the private gardens of the Ile de France, from tiny kitchen gardens to vast chateau gardens. Here are a handful of the hundreds of photos I took.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - May 26, 2011, 9:36 am
I’ve never been a big Georges Brassens fan, but as he’s one of France’s most beloved musicians of all time, I thought I’d put it on the schedule for last weekend’s Tagalong Tour that would include a little stroll down the canal to see what’s new along the Bassin de la Villette.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - May 23, 2011, 4:22 am
Welcome to Paris. Want to see the city's most famous monuments? Take a  river cruise down the Seine...brought to you by (insert big corporate ad name here). I'm not sure what's more offensive: advertisements on historic monuments, or the unpaid interns on the boat cruise who are impossible to under...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - May 6, 2011, 3:24 pm
Looking for an insider's view of the Paris indie music scene? The Paris-based British journalist Mark Thompson of Gigs in Paris talks about his latest project to bring the music to the people, Paris Undercovers.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 30, 2011, 4:53 am
The brilliantly hilarious British comedian Eddie Izzard sells out shows in Madison Square Garden and Wembly Stadium. But lucky for us, he's now performing his show en français in a tiny theatre in Pigalle through June 11. Don't miss the chance to see one of the greatest stand-up comedians of our ti...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 29, 2011, 10:55 am
Ever spend all day working on your French gateau only to totally screw up the decoration on top? My local bakery offers up an interesting solution...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 24, 2011, 6:08 am
If you're visiting from America, you can move along, there's nothing to see here. But if you live in France and have been craving real American treats in a cozy and friendly setting, come on down to the Left Bank.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 22, 2011, 3:05 pm
Like French Dressing? So do I. But if you want to find it in France, you'll have to look in the "Exotic" food section of the local supermarché, shelved next to the Lucky Charms and Goober Grape.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 18, 2011, 3:44 pm
Looking for an alternative to the average Parisian shopping experience? Head out to Le 104 CentQuatre up by the Bassin de la Villette for a wonderfully diverse selection of shops, eating spaces, arts, and fun activities for kids (of all sizes).
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 16, 2011, 12:01 pm
The much-anticipated Docks en Seine project housing the Cité de la Mode et du Design was supposed to open back in 2008. I stopped by to check out the rooftop terrace last week. It's a bit behind schedule, to say the least. Some photos...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Apr 13, 2011, 5:02 pm
Il y a 140 ans, la Commune...the City of Paris commemorates the 140th anniversary of one of the bloodiest civil wars in French history with a free exposition In the Heart of the Paris Commune at the Hôtel de Ville through May 28. Get the English translation of the full text here...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Mar 24, 2011, 1:02 pm
You don't normally see anything in Paris airspace except pigeons and the occasional news helicopter. So even Parisians came outside to get a look at the zeppelin flying over the Musée d'Orsay this week.
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Mar 22, 2011, 4:24 pm
Planning your spring getaway? As you sift through the seemingly endless supply of sleek magazine-style travel sites with professional photos, countless discount booking sites promising the best rates, and dozens of consumer rating sites with conflicting reviews, it helps to be aware of the insidi...
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Heather Hall posted an article on Secrets of Paris - Mar 21, 2011, 12:47 pm
I think for most Anglophones the word “seduction” conjures images of a sexual nature, such as a woman giving a come-hither look to the gentleman across a crowded bar, or a man wining and dining a date before putting on the moves. But seduction to the French is not just about attracting the oppos...
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