Posts by Diana Bishop

Each time that I arrive in Paris, before doing anything else, I head right to my local bistro and order a coffee, and not just any coffee but my favourite one — un café crème. Now —  Paris is famous for its café culture but until recently it was not known for its coffee. Compared to…

I think I’ve read just about every personal memoir written about Paris, gobbling them up like cherry tomatoes ripe off a warm vine.  I especially love reading about women’s experiences in Paris as their stories reflect their journeys to find or redefine themselves as if Paris were somehow the perfect conduit.   Here are Three…

I have said this before but I believe Paris to be the most feminine city in the world. My French friends tell me that is because Paris not only respects women, it honours them. It unabashedly elevates them for their accomplishments, their sacrifice, their humanity, and their beauty.  And yes, I love that all women…

It is said that the Croque monsieur was invented by mistake. It was discovered in the early 20thcentury when French factory workers left their ham and cheese sandwiches on hot radiators while they worked and returned to discover a delightfully melted combination when it came time for lunch. By 1910 the Croque monsieur (from the…

   I first saw Christine Camm on Instagram and knew that I had to know her story. Christine is originally from Sheffield, England. She was a French teacher for over 30 years until she decided to follow her dream and move to the south of France. (My dream too!!!) Christine and her husband Mark (along with…

Last week, I started to tell you about Frederique (Fred)  and her small French bistro in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris, which is right around the corner from the larger better known establishments such as Les Deux Magotsand Café Flore.     Bistro owner Fred was telling me how she re-invented herself as a chef at…

It was lunchtime in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of Paris, and I was looking for somewhere to eat away from the usual tourist traps. I turned down a quiet street and saw an unassuming bistro, and walked into an intimate setting, no more than about 15 tables, many of them adorned with vases of pink hydrangeas that suggested…

When in Paris, make sure you visit a luxury hotel.  Even if  you cannot afford to stay there, most of the world’s most beautiful hotels are open to anyone who just wants to walk in, have a look around, perhaps purchase a drink at the bar, or sip tea in the courtyard which generally is…

One of the best things about 2018 for me was starting this blog and connecting with all of you wonderful women (and a few lovely men) from around the world who, like me, crave a little more Paris in their lives. So I want to thank you for following me on this new adventure and to…

Ok, so I am NOT actually in Paris for Christmas. I am home to spend quality time with family and friends. But my  dream is to one day spend Christmas in this spectacular city!  I hope you will hold me to that promise to myself.   Let’s say, however, that I was in Paris for…