Librairie à Chats

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Not for *les allergiques, Mon Chat Pitre (My Foolish Cat) is France’s first ‘purring bookshop’, found in the Aix-en-Provence. Opened in 2021 by passionate animal advocate Solène Chavanne, the bookshop is the permanent pouncing ground of several rescue cats – and, sorry, no, you can’t take one home.

France has the highest pet abandonment rate in Europe, and this unique bookstore draws attention to the plight of overwhelmed shelters, while also offering a wide selection of books of every genre.

If your idea of an afternoon well spent involves patting cats, sipping coffee and perusing pages, this might just be the purrfect destination on your next trip to France.

Read more here.

Librairie Mon Chat Pitre
13 Rue de Montigny, 13100
Aix-en-Provence, France
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* the allergic

Canuts de Lyon

If you’re browsing Airbnbs in Lyon, one word will often jump out at you: ‘canut’. A ‘canut’ apartment refers to converted former *ateliers that housed the city’s skilled silk workers (canuts) in the 19th century.

Famous for creating intricate patterned silk but working under terrible conditions with low pay, canuts spent long hours on Jacquard looms, which allowed complex designs to be woven with punch cards, but were heavy, noisy and physically demanding to use. The workshops, especially in the Croix-Rousse district, had high ceilings and large windows to allow workers to see the fine threads, and some even had mezzanines for extra space.

Now, those practical features are used to appeal to tourists with a taste for history – and comfort. Many historic workshops have been transformed into chic, light-filled apartments that preserve the original architecture, including exposed beams, tall windows and sometimes loft-style mezzanines – but with every amenity you could need for *un séjour stylé.

*workshops | *a stylish stay

SWOON: Pérouges

Thinking of joining us on our October trip to Lyon? This month’s SWOON subject makes the perfect side trip. Perched on a hilltop 30 minutes outside the gastronomic capital, Pérouges is a charming medieval town straight out of *un conte de fées — but it almost didn’t survive.

A popular film set, Pérouges is loved by locals and *les tourists for its well-preserved 15th-century ramparts, stone houses and cobblestone streets. And let’s not forget those delicious galettes de Pérouges (think a sweet, brioche-like flat pastry with sugar and a touch of *citron).

Once a thriving hub of linen weaving and trade, the town fell into disrepair with the Industrial Revolution. New roads and railways bypassed Pérougues, its population dwindled, and buildings were so neglected that razing was on the cards in 1909.

Thankfully, a group of passionate locals came to the rescue – buying and restoring the historic houses and protecting the village’s medieval character for us to enjoy for centuries to come.

*fairytale | *tourists | *lemon

Everyday Parisian

Sharing her lifelong love affair with France since 2016, American Francophile Rebecca Plotnick is the woman – and skilled snapper – behind the popular Everyday Parisian blog and The Paris Diaries newsletter.

Worth a look for her photos alone, Rebecca’s content ranges from seasonal packing tips and neighbourhood guides to advice on the best restaurants in Paris for solo dining.

You can also read about Rebecca’s passion for Paris (and new book) in her interview for A Table in France. Or pick up one of her prints online.

Listening Bars

Imported from Japan, listening bars are the latest craze sweeping Paris. If you have a deep appreciation of *la musique and an aversion to shouting over the doof-doof thumping through many venues, these stylish audio-centric bars are for you.

You’ll find DJs spinning vinyl – from funk to disco and house, exceptional audio systems, and inventive food offerings.

Want to get in on the listening action over a craft cocktail? Here are some of the best listening bars to drop by on your next trip to Paris.

* music

Art at La Bourse de Commerce

With its distinctive round shape and glass dome, la Bourse de Commerce may be one of those French buildings you previously walked by, but it’s well worth a closer look. First serving as a commodity exchange for *le grain in the 18th Century, the historic building near Les Halles is now an art museum that has housed the impressive Pinault Collection since 2021.

A must for fans of modern and contemporary art, the minimalist gallery spaces ­– designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando – feature works by renowned artists such as Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst. Admiring all that talent make you hungry? There’s also a rooftop resto with panoramic *vues.

View the upcoming *expositions on the Bourse de Commerce website.  

*grain | *views | *exhibitions

10 Things to Do in Honfleur

Joining us for our trip to Honfleur? Here’s a list of 10 of the best things to do in the quaint Normandy town – perfect for planning out your *temps libre.

Not coming this time? *Vous allez nous manquer, but don’t worry. We’ll be sure to raise a glass when it’s time for #8.

*free time | *We’ll miss you

A Tour of France in 10 Classic Dishes

From *les huîtres at Cap Ferret to tartiflette in the Alps, whet your appetite for a culinary tour of France in 10 classic dishes. Rounding up the country’s most delectable regional delicacies with a side helping of accommodation suggestions, this Guardian article is a must for any gourmand.

*oysters

Rue Saint-Dominique, Paris

Found in the 7th arrondissement with *la Tour Eiffel as a tourist-pleasing backdrop, Rue Saint-Dominique is one of Paris’s premier shopping destinations. Dating back to the 14th century and renamed in 1643 after a Dominican monastery once located nearby, the chic, vibrant street, crossed by the Esplanade des Invalides, is the perfect place to while away an afternoon.

Whether you want to give your credit card a workout or simply soak up the atmosphere and *faire du lèche-vitrines, you’re spoilt for choice with the boutiques, *boulangeries and specialty stores on offer. Plus charming cafés, bars and restaurants, ready to help you refuel.

*the Eiffel Tower | *window shop | *bakeries

Nuit Blanche

On Saturday, 7th of June, locals and tourists will see the streets and monuments of Paris in a new light as Nuit Blanche (White Night) takes over the city for the 24th year. Launched in 2002 by then-Mayor Bertrand Delanoë, the annual event aims to make contemporary art accessible to the masses, with installations, performances and projections illuminating public spaces and cultural institutions throughout the city.

With actress Valérie Donzelli as Artistic Director, this year’s program focuses on cinema, with nearly 300 free artistic projects popping up across Paris. Included in the lineup are an open-air dance performance at the Institut de France and an “aquatic and musical installation” at the Bourse de Commerce.

*Un grand succès, the Nuit Blanche concept has been adopted around the globe, with over 30 cities now putting their own spin on the all-night celebrations, including our very own Melbourne.  

Nuit Blanche, Paris
7 Juin, 2025
Visit the website

*A big success

Paper Republic

Can’t stop buying *la papeterie? We understand the addiction. So, we’d be remiss not to insist you pop Papeterie Perjac on *l’itinéraire when next in Paris. (Call us enablers.)

A cornucopia of delights folded between the le Grand Rex cinema and le Palais Garnier (opera house), the 60-year-old stationery store is now permanently home to the paper republic embassy.

Founded by Frenchman Jérôme Bacquias in 2012 and based in Vienna, paper republic is famous for its range of high-end leather-bound journals and refillable notebooks – featuring vegetable-tanned Tuscan leather and acid-free, wood-free FSC-certified 80gsm natural paper made “in one of the best, if not the best, European paper mill in Sweden”.

With embossing and customisation available in-store, their journals make the perfect gift. Or why not treat yourself and document your travels in style?

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Paper Republic Embassy
Papeterie Perjac
66 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière
75010 PARIS


*stationery | *the itinerary  

The Best Hikes in France

If you prefer your holidays far from bustling cities and crammed coastal resorts, with a healthy dose of fresh air, Lonely Planet’s guide to the best hikes in France might be for you.

And, to ensure you fit right in on *la piste, we’ve also compiled *une liste of handy French hiking vocab to learn before *votre depart.

 *the track | *a list | *your departure

À LA DÉCOUVERTE DE | discover Carcassonne

À LA DÉCOUVERTE DE | discover

carcassonne

"… you have created a prison called “The Wall”, which would be better called “Hell”. Some prisoners remain in fetters … and are unable to move. They excrete and urinate where they are … Some are placed on the chevelet*; many of them have lost the use of their limbs because of the severity of the torture … Life for them is an agony, and death a relief."

Now if that's not a sales pitch for Carcassonne tourism I don't know what is. 

Thankfully the Carcassonne of today extends hospitality far kinder than that described in the extract above from a letter written in 1285 to a Dominican inquisitor describing the conditions in the Inquisition Tower.

Sitting in the verdant valley of the Aude River in the region of Occitanie, the citadel was restored at the end of the 19th century and in 1997 it was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. According to some sources, it is the second-most visited French site after the Eiffel Tower, which either indicates the bloodthirsty history has been forgotten, or is the very reason for the city's continuing popularity.

A friend of ours has a lovely apartment situated close to the city which is available for rent. Please remember to mention Lingua Franca when you make your booking to receive le traitement de faveur*.

*an instrument of torture | *the full treatment