Beauty in Paris is Totally Organic
Story by Sophie Delon
The French capital offers lots of choices for treating yourself while respecting the environment. At La Maison Dr.Hauschka, for instance, which opened its first Paris salon a few months ago, you’ll find a complete selection of face and body treatments carried out by natural estheticians using treatments prepared from natural ingredients. Even the space is in harmony with nature as the architecture of the building and its interior decoration have been designed to respect the environment as much as possible. (more…)
Pierre Hermé or Ladurée? Paris’ Macaron War Rages On
Story by Tory Hoen, Haven in Paris Correspondent
If you’ve spent even a small amount of time in Paris, you know that the macaron is ubiquitous. And in a city of fastidious eaters, it’s significant that a single dessert has managed to win the hearts and minds of so many. But the debate rages on: who produces the best macaron of all? While Dalloyau and Lenôtre both make a commendable run at it, everyone knows that there are only two real contenders.
In one corner, we have the elegant and established Ladurée, which has been turning out sweet confections since 1862. And in the other corner, we have upstart Pierre Hermé, the enfant terrible of the dessert world who worked at Ladurée before setting out on his own. (Word on the street is that the “oppressive” traditions at Ladurée were preventing him from exploring the crazy flavor combinations for which he is now world famous). Naturally, we wanted to get in on the debate, so Sarah (another Hip Paris blogger) and I gathered some friends last week for a comprehensive taste test. Two boxes of macarons later, we reached a nearly unanimous verdict!
In the chocolate category, Pierre Hermé blew Ladurée out of the water. The flavor was far deeper, the texture smoother, the overall experience significantly more heavenly. Pistachio went pretty much the same way. But then we came to the most contentious category of all: caramel beurre salé(buttery salted caramel).
This flavor is no joke in France. You’ll see some variation of it on nearly every dessert menu in Paris. In other words, this category is make-or-break. Initially, Ladurée lured us, as the filling of their macaron has actual caramel in it. Nice touch, but we decided the overall effect was a bit too sugary.
In the end, Pierre Hermé pulled through yet again. His filling is more buttery than caramel-y, but the overall experience is balanced and, to my palate, quite other-worldly.
So there you have it! Pierre Hermé comes up big in every category. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not going to refuse a box of Ladurée macarons if one happens to show up on my doorstep. But in a macaron head-to-head, my money is on Hermé.
So readers, what do you think?
Pierre Hermé. 72 Rue Bonaparte, 6th arrondissement. Tel: 01 43 54 47 77. Metro: Sainte-Sulpice (Line 4) or Mabillon (Line 10).
Ladurée. 21 rue Bonaparte, 6th arrondissement. Tel: 01 44 07 64 87. Metro: Saint-Germain-des-Pres (Line 4). For Ladurée’s other Parisian addresses, click here.
Feeling ambitious? Try making your own macarons with David Lebovitz’s recipe.
Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris. Home page photo courtesy of du-sacre-au-sucre.blogspot.com.
My Paris Favorites: Lindsey Tramuta is Lost in Cheeseland
Edited by Linda Donahue
Philadelphia native Lindsey Tramuta came to Paris to go to school and stayed on because she fell in love with her now-husband Cédric. This marketing and communications professional also loves food, music and reading. And she willingly shares her often-amusing views on life as an expat in Paris in her blog, Lost In Cheeseland. Now that she’s lived in Paris for a while, Lindsey has definite opinions on what constitutes her favorite places. (more…)
Picturing Paris with the Little Brown Pen
Interview by Linda Donahue. All photos by Nichole Robertson.
Parisien Salon readers are already familiar with Nichole Robertson and her stunning Paris photographs. And the blogosphere has had its compass pointed to her blog, Little Brown Pen, for quite some time. The self-described “girl of many words and few exclamation points” is also a writer, married to Evan and currently dwells with him and their two sons in a charming New Jersey hamlet–when they’re not spending a few months a year in Paris.
I recently had a chance to chat with Nichole about her relationship to Paris, her inspiration and the success of her Etsy shop. (more…)
Decoding French: Paris Market & Restaurant Lingo
Story by Tory Hoen, Haven in Paris Correspondent
I used to think I was pretty good at French… until the day I actually moved here and realized just how nuanced the language is when it’s coming at you from all angles. Old people, young people, drunk people, foreign people—they all have their own distinct accents, cadences, and vocabularies. I quickly learned that my “A” in high school French Literature meant very little in the real world, and that making sense of real French would be a lifelong challenge. So far, it has been endlessly amusing. (more…)
My Paris Favorites: David Lebovitz
Introduction by Linda Donahue, Editor-in-Chief
I have never been what one would typically consider a foodie. My palate is far too finicky for this, geared more toward the enjoyment of simple food rather than complicated cuisine. And while I’ll admit to picking up the occasional issue of Gourmet or Bon Appetite in the past, it was only to salivate over the photographs that, despite my selective tastebuds, always looked so darned delicious to me. (more…)
Sweet on Paris: Chez Bogato
Story and Photos by Richard Nahem, Eye Prefer Paris Correspondent
Here’s a tasty reason to nix your failed miserable attempts to diet from the New Year’s resolutions you know you weren’t going to keep and slip into a diabetic coma (safely on your computer screen) while I tempt you with some sweet treats from Chez Bogato. (more…)
Back in Paris: Adjusting to Life at a French Pace
Story by Tory Hoen, Haven in Paris Correspondent. Photo by Erica Berman.
After seven months away, I’m back in Paris and am greedily soaking up every minute of it. After two weeks, I’ve slipped back into many of my happy habits, though I’ve come to realize that settling back into my Parisian life does require a few active adjustments. For instance: (more…)
My Paris Favorites: Linda Donahue
Edited by Sophie Delon
Parisien Salon’s Editor-in-Chief didn’t just fall in love with Paris the first time she visited the French capital; she realized she’d found her home. In the many years since, Linda Donahue has explored the nooks and crannies of her adopted home town, discovering hidden treasures she loves to share with visitors. And while she finds it difficult to pick “favorites” among her discoveries, Linda has narrowed them down for the sake of publication. (more…)
Paris in Wonderland: Through the Glass at Printemps
Story and photos by Richard Nahem, Eye Prefer Paris Correspondent
Printemps is lightning up the the dreary, gray winter with their delightful Alice in Wonderland windows. The store is celebrating the release of the new Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, and has given free rein to a group of top designers to use their imagination to create their own Alice dress. Haider Ackermann, Manish Arora, Chloé, Ann Demeulemeester, Christopher Kane, Nicholas Kirkwood, Maison Martin Margiela, Bernhard Willhelm, and the late Alexander McQueen have done a fabulous job in making Alice current and oh, so chic.
And as a tribute to the legendary Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Ladurée and Printemps has installed a tearoom with long community tables to make your very own tea party.
Until March 14
64 Blvd. Haussmann, 9th arr
Metro: Havre Caumartin
www.printemps.com
Richard Nahem is a native New Yorker who now lives in Paris. A successful New York City event planner and producer of cultural events, he has worked with many celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Whitney Houston, and Joan Rivers. After a teenage trip to Paris made him an instant Francophile, he visited the city frequently until he made it his home (in 2005). With 25 years of rave reviews from friends and colleagues, Richard decided to take his own private tours of “his” Paris public. His goal for Eye Prefer Paris Tours is to provide fun, adventurous, and exciting tours of Paris for the independent-spirited traveler.
Winter Indulgences: February in Paris
Story by Tory Hoen, Haven in Paris Correspondent
I’ve always loved Europe in the winter—and Paris in particular. And by winter, I mean real winter: January and February, when the holiday crowds have cleared out and it’s gray, gray, gray all day. I can sense you raising your eyebrows as you read this, but bear with me. Not only is it a particularly tranquil time to be in Paris, but you can also find great deals, with airfare rates down and many accommodations offering discounted rates for visitors to the city. (more…)
My Paris Favorites: John Agee
Edited by Linda Donahue
In the four years since John Agee arrived in Paris from the U.S., he’s fallen more and more in love with the city. He is, in fact, the expat American who is continually reminding Parisians just what a spectacular city they live in. Whether it’s wandering the charming streets around his jewelry boutique in the 6th arrondissement or unwinding with friends in the salon of his Paris home, John is an ambassador at heart for his adopted hometown. Here are some of John’s favorite places and things to do in Paris: (more…)
Paris’ Best Truffles for Valentine’s Day
Discover Paris! presents its pick for the best chocolate truffles in Paris
With Valentine’s Day approaching, and in view of the popular association of chocolate with the celebration of this special day, Discover Paris! – publisher of the monthly newsletter Paris Insights – organized a taste test to determine the best truffles that France’s chocolate makers have to offer. (more…)
A Little Parisian Luxury this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of holiday. But whether you’re a cynic or a romantic, single or attached, you can probably justify making room in your life for a little Parisian luxe. Kim Petyt, an American wedding planner in Paris and author of Parisian Party, has a few gift ideas for lovers and haters alike. (more…)
My Paris Favorites: Jane Bertch of La Cuisine Paris
Edited by Linda Donahue
For Jane Bertch, Paris is a delicious treat from start to end. The co-owner of La Cuisine Paris – where cooking classes are held almost every day of the week – came to the city from Chicago just four years ago to work in banking. But after experiencing the savory cuisine found in Paris, she decided it was time to switch careers. She and her Paris-born partner Olivier Pugliesi-Conti opened La Cuisine Paris last year, right across the street from the Jardin du Luxembourg. (more…)
The Wine Poet of Paris: Susan Barbour
Interview by Linda Donahue
Susan Barbour always tells people that, unlike with most sommeliers, there was no “bottle that did it for me.” Instead it was a grape—a moldy, rotten, wrinkled grape from the Sauternes region—as well as the peculiar way the angled light hit the vine-rows and the charming idiosyncrasies of the winemaker who led that tour. All of these components intersected in the glass, and suddenly she saw that wine was poetry. (more…)
An Eye for Paris Fashion: Barbara Mariani
Story by Richard Nahem, Eye Prefer Paris Correspondent
Barbara Mariani is part owner and manager of Rick Owens, the cult designer’s wildly successful shop in the Palais Royal. Brought up in the Midwest, Barbara also lived for a number of years in New York (like myself). Here’s how Barbara found herself in Paris wrapped up in the style of Rick Owens. (more…)
Romantic Paris: Valentine’s Day in the City of Love
Story by Sarah Raymond, Haven in Paris Correspondent
Paris has long been known as the City of Love, and with good reason. It is a place full of beauty, from the winding Seine river reflecting the city lights to the Sacre Coeur Cathedral perched upon the hill and the iconic Eiffel Tower that distinguishes its famous skyline. Even the classic rooftops inspire a feeling of romance among visitors and inhabitants alike. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to share with you some of our favorite romantic spots and things to do in Paris. Whether you are a foodie, movie buff, hopeless wanderer, or just someone who enjoys spending a relaxing night at home, Paris has something to offer. And this year, with Valentine’s Day falling on a 3-day weekend in the US and fantastic last minute deals on Paris apartments, you just might be able to hop over for a spontaneous romantic getaway! (more…)
My Paris Favorites: Richard Nahem in the Marais
Edited by Linda Donahue
In this new feature, Parisians and expats living in Paris offer up their favorite places and indulgences in the city. This week, Richard Nahem of Eye Prefer Paris shares some of his favorite spots in the Marais. (more…)
Bistro Wine by the Glass: How to Pick the Winner
Story by Susan J. Barbour
You’re at a bistro or bar by yourself. There could be many reasons for this. You’re on a business trip or a layover. Your date stood you up. You’re working on an epic poem or a wineblog. The waitress approaches your table. The sun is transforming the empty chair across from you into a glowing throne of indescribable beauty. A moment seems to crack open on its hinge; the Universe invites you to leave your worries and start living again. Obviously you have to have a glass of wine. You shield your eyes to peruse the menu. It’s a familiar story: five reds and four whites–with suspect descriptions in italics. It’s at times like this that you fear you’ll end up quoting Evelyn Waugh: ‘A domestic red, of no lineage…but I think you’ll be amused by its presumption.’ No, you think. Let that not be my fate. Let this wine resemble the beautiful moment I am in. (more…)
Stéphanie Césaire: Luxury Handbags in Paris
Story by Geneviève Sandifer, Haven in Paris correspondent. Photos courtesy of Césaire.
One thing that women the world over can agree on is that the search for the perfect partner is fraught with its share of trials and errors. The urge to collect can be too tempting (and enjoyable), since, let’s face it, different occasions beg for appropriate company. Showing up with a flashy, recognizable number at a company benefit will have your professional circle questioning your judgment and taste; but tote along an oversize, understated friend to a glitzy, packed soirée and you’ll feel weighed down all night. I am, of course, talking about purses here. (more…)
Stuff Parisians Like: Berthillon
By Olivier Magny, Ô Chateau Correspondent
The best ice cream in the world is made in Paris. Of course. And it can be found at Berthillon. Parisians of all social classes know about Berthillon. Parisians of all social classes have tasted Berthillon. Berthillon is one of the rare forms of luxury all Parisians can afford. (more…)
Paris Fashion Has Je Ne Sais Quoi
Story and Interview by Linda Donahue
Mireille Nagourney believes that every woman should have five of each season’s essential pieces in her wardrobe. She calls them the “five must-haves.” The founder of Je Ne Sais Quoi (JNSQ), a unique, multi-brand e-boutique, further offers that it’s the combination of edgy-yet-elegant accessories that adds that certain, well, je ne sais quoi to anyone’s personal style. And this is the key to Paris style. (more…)
In Love in Paris: One & Only Photography
Story by Tory Hoen, Haven in Paris correspondent. All photographs courtesy of One & Only Paris Photography.
Paris might just be the most photogenic city in the world, so it’s no wonder that Anthony and Audrey—a Franco-American couple and photography team—chose this city as their personal and professional base. Through their company, One & Only Paris Photography, they shoot sumptuous Parisian interiors (like those they did for Haven in Paris), but their bread and butter are the romance-inspired photos they shoot of couples in the City of Love—from engagement photos and weddings, to romantic strolls and sultry boudoir-inspired portraits. Audrey and Anthony know just how to capture real, intimate moments and frame them against spectacular Parisian backdrops. As a married couple, they have a true talent for understanding how to translate real love into photographic love… and the rosy Parisian light doesn’t hurt. (more…)
