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ONLY BE PARISIAN

Only-Be Parisian

A Stroll through Parisian Thrift Stores

The secret of Parisians when it comes to dressing elegantly at reasonable prices is thrift stores. We show you some of the most popular ones.

Tour through the Gems of the Louvre

In Paris, art has a name of its own. The Louvre is one of the world’s most-visited museums with 9.5 million yearly visitors, topping New York’s Metropolitan Museum. But it also does have a handicap: its colossal size makes it unmanageable. The Louvre harbors no more and no less than 35,000 works, from paintings, to sculpture and other valuable objects. So if you don’t have a lot of time to explore it, it’s best to go to the point and preselect the artworks you’d like to view.

The Towns of the Tour de France 2015

This year will see the 102nd edition of the Tour de France. The route starts in the city of Utrecht (the Netherlands) on July 4th, and ends, like every year, in Paris’ legendary Champs-Élysées, on July 26th. The cyclists will ride through a number of French towns internationally known for their cultural heritage. And so, this is our chance to introduce you to some of the gems of the French landscape. Rodez Rodez is located in the Midi Region, to the northwest of the city of Toulouse. Many of the town’s buildings are protected by the State for their historical or architectural value. Most of these buildings are in the old town, or Vieux-Rodez, like the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The town is eclectic, combining gothic, renaissance and baroque architectonic styles. Some other important sites include the Palais Épiscopal and the Saint-Amans Church, both listed among the town’s historical monuments. And these are but some of the features that have earned the town the label of City of Art and History. Arras You’ll find the town of Arras is in the Pas-de-Calais Region of Northern France. Arras is known for its two baroque squares, la Place des Héros and la Grand’Place, which together, form a unique architectural complex with its belfry and its citadel, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The town’s medieval streets attract tourists from all over Europe. Arras is also known as la ville fleurie (flower town) for its flowers. Abbeville The town of Abbeville, located in the department of Somme, in Northern France is known for its municipal theater, built in 1911 and listed among the...

Afterwork Events in Paris

Are you familiar with the concept of afterwork events? As the word itself indicates, it’s about what you do after work before getting back home. An interval of time that is yours to spend as you wish, though lately, going out for a drink and small talk with colleagues gets you the most points. It is time to relax, forget about work, and let your real self shine through. Paris is not short on afterwork events. This new trend that is gaining momentum has many adepts in the French capital. These networking events tend to have two parts to them: a first part that includes dinner and open-bar, generally running from 7pm to 9pm; and a second part, from 9pm to 1am, when the bar turns into a dance floor. Follow our tips below if it’s your first time at a Parisian afterwork. Before the Afterwork Itself Make sure you have concealer at home; you are going to need it the following morning. Coffee will also be high up on your priorities list; you’ll need plenty of it before work. The Buffet An open buffet doesn’t necessarily mean you should stuff your face. Pace yourself and check your manners when filling up your plate and eating. If you are still hungry afterwards, remember that you are in Paris and you can always get some food on your way home. Be a true gentleman! The Open Bar Same goes for the open bar. Just because you have access to unlimited bubbly and mojitos doesn’t mean you should drink recklessly, or you’ll pay the price the morning after. And keep in...

What You Didn’t Know About the French Open

The French Open or Roland Garros started out in 1891 as a national tournament, until in 1925 it opened its doors to foreign players and became Les internationaux de France de Tennis. That same year marked the 114th edition of the popular French tournament at Porte d’Auteuil, from May 19th to June 7th. Here are some anecdotes of the history of the tournament… The Beginning of the Open Era The Open Era, the period in contemporary tennis that opened its doors to both professionals and amateurs, began in 1968 in Paris, two months before the birth of the French Open. This international act was signed in the private rooms of the Automobile Club de France, in the Place de la Concorde. Roland Garros was the first Grand Slam tournament to become an Open, in May 1968, in the midst of the Paris student riots. Roland Garros, who are you? Roland Garros is not a tennis player from the 30’s. The world’s best known clay court tournament is named after an aviation pioneer missing in action in 1918, at the age of 30. He is known for his feats and specially for being the first person to cross the Mediterranean Sea by air on September 23rd, 1913. The tournament was named after him in 1928.   Roland Garros and History The Stade Roland Garros has not always been synonymous with entertainment and sports. It was confiscated towards the end of 1939 and during WWII to serve as a detention center working hand in hand with the Santé Prison and the Vel ‘d’Hiv Roundup.   André Agassi’s Wig When it came...

Romantic Dinner at Le Ciel de Paris

Tour Maine-Montparnasse is the best spot in Paris to calmly watch the city at night. The Eiffel Tower stands straight ahead in the distance, at the end of the Champ de Mars. At the very top, on the 56th floor of this Parisian skyscraper you’ll find the highest restaurant in the city: Le Ciel de Paris. Its strategic location, modern design, gourmet menu, and elegant service make it one of the most romantic places in Europe.

The Paris Marathon guide

Paris, “Ville Lumière”, in just a few days thousands of people will wait at the Champs-Élysées, ready to run the Paris Marathon . On April 12th, the Paris Marathon provides a unique way of exploring the city, running the 42,195 meters that make up one of the most important and toughest races in the world. A total of 16,000 foreigners representing 140 countries, and over 50,000 runners will compete in the streets of the French city; some run for sporting glory, and many as an important personal feat. The backdrop to the race couldn’t be better; athletes will start at the world’s best known boulevard, the Champs-Élysées, and finish at Avenue Foch, passing through some of the French capital’s legendary sites. The most striking city in the world will be all theirs! Ready?   The personal challenge of the race mixes in with the breathtaking views of the city. The mostly flat course of the race crisscrosses through the city’s key points. The Arc de Triumph will be the site of the Paris Marathon’s start line, from which runners will sprint down the Champs-Élysées towards the Place de la Concorde. Then, Rue de Rivoli, will lead these participants to the Place de la Bastille. Pacing differences will start to become obvious, and it will soon be time for the runners to have a drink and recharge, to withstand the remaining 35 kilometers. Around 12 kilometers into the race, runners will reach Versailles with its unrivaled views over Louis XIV’s abode. The Paris Marathon is the best time to see the city. The next course of the race will lead...

Fashion Week in Paris

If fashion were a country, Paris would be its capital, with the permission of Milan and New York, of course. The French city exudes elegance and glamor in all of its boulevards and avenues, and its inhabitants often showcase their good taste in their daily outfits. For this reason, when you walk around the city it feels a bit like you’re on a makeshift catwalk where none of the passersby lack style. Paris is the epicenter and home to the fashion industry, and from March 3 to 11, will bring together the crème de la crème of the industry for Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2015/2016. Get ready, fashion addicts, because the most anticipated prêt-à-porter styles for the next season are coming to the French capital. The moment of Chanel Without a doubt, one of the highlights of this Fashion Week in Paris is the show by maison Chanel parade, led by German designer Karl Lagerfeld. This fashion show will take place at the Grand Palais on March 10 starting at 10:30 am. Fashion critics, models, celebrities, and other trend hunters take a seat in the front row of this company whose reign in the fashion world started back in 1910, when it was founded by legendary designer Coco Chanel. The history of this fashion house can even be traced through the footsteps of its founder throughout the streets of Paris. This route starts at number 21 Rue Cambon, where she opened her first store, and culminates in the Church of the Madeleine, where her funeral was celebrated with all the well-known names of the fashion world in attendance. This itinerary...

Plan your weekend break in Paris

If you’re yearning for a trip but your vacation doesn’t start until the month of August, we have a solution: a weekend short break to Paris. The City of Light offers a wide range of activities and something to suit everyone’s tastes and much more than just the Eiffel Tower and the Moulin Rouge. Does a little city break in Paris sound appealing? Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world and one of the most immortalized in both film and photography, but its charm remains immune to it all. So much so that it is still possible to visit some of the most magical places without having to worry about anything more than the closing times. Proof of this is the Père-Lachaise cemetery, which is a must for all lovers of French culture. Located in the heart of  20th arrondissement, it brings together some of the most important figures of the French cultural scene, including Honoré de Balzac, Frédéric Chopin, Eugène Delacroix, Molière or Édith Piaf. In addition, the cemetery also contains the tombs of international icons like writer Oscar Wilde and the legendary singer of The Doors, Jim Morrison. Another must-see place in Paris is Le Marais. Located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, it is one of the most fashionable areas of the city and the ideal place to take an evening stroll through the popular Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. It was inaugurated in 1612 to mark the marriage of King Louis XIII and Anne of Habsburg and its arcades are now filled with lively cafes, restaurants and art shops. The...