The movies under are usually out there solely to members of the Secrets and techniques of Paris Neighborhood. For a restricted time, we’re making a small choice from the member video archive public. They mirror the vary of content material we publish for members: skilled interviews, sensible steering, and on-the-ground reporting in Paris.
Uncovering the Secrets and techniques of the Louvre with Creator Elaine Sciolino
I sat down with journalist and creator Elaine Sciolino, former Paris Bureau Chief for The New York Instances, to speak about her e book Adventures within the Louvre: The way to Fall in Love with the Best Museum within the World. Along with sensible visiting recommendation — tips on how to keep away from strains, footwear suggestions, and the worth of getting misplaced — we additionally mentioned upcoming modifications on the Louvre, together with plans for the Mona Lisa and the next ticket worth to see her. (This dialog was recorded earlier than the current heist.)
Watch to the very finish for a quick lesson within the appropriate Italian pronunciation of Elaine’s identify.
Christine Bacoup-Tidas Solutions Questions About Shopping for Property in Paris
I spoke with Christine Bacoup-Tidas, a French-American lawyer and the founding father of Tomette Paris, a real-estate company in Paris that works completely for patrons. On this one-hour dialog, she solutions frequent questions in regards to the variations between home-hunting within the US and France, essentially the most frequent pitfalls when shopping for property in Paris, and the way she guides purchasers by way of the method, from securing financing and selecting the best visa, to working with contractors, inside designers, and property managers.
Cara Black on Researching and Writing Crime Fiction Set in Paris
I spoke with Cara Black for an in-person Secrets and techniques of Paris Ebook Membership dialog about her Aimée Leduc thriller collection, starting with Homicide within the Marais. We talked in regards to the inspiration behind her Paris-based crime novels, her analysis strategies, and the historic layers of the Marais. The dialog additionally touches on the writing course of, authenticity in depicting Nineties expertise and police work, and her newer historic thrillers set throughout and after the Second World Conflict.
Visiting the Reopened Towers of Notre Dame Cathedral
I visited the renovated bell towers of Notre Dame shortly after they reopened to the general public in September 2025 to see how the brand new go to expertise works, accompanied by Lisa, Philip and Roleeda. As this video exhibits, the renovation work targeted on making the climb as comfy and informative as potential, regardless of the 424 steps and the absence of an elevator!
The music heard all through the video comes from the organ live performance on the cathedral’s reopening ceremony in December 2024 (Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3). On the summit, the music is Edith Piaf’s rendition of La Marseillaise.
Swimming within the Seine on Opening Day
Fred and I awakened early to go to the Quai des Célestins, one of many three designated swimming spots on the Seine the place Parisians had been capable of swim legally for the primary time in a century as a part of Paris Plages. After weeks of heatwave temperatures in Paris, it was a cool, overcast morning — about 19°C/66°F — once we arrived simply after 8:30am, which felt chilly when considering a swim. In actual fact, the water was hotter than the air, and as soon as in, it was surprisingly nice to paddle round and take within the views. And no, I didn’t put my head below.
Three Methods to Tie a French Silk Scarf
Designer Junhee Kim of Mont Kiji confirmed me a number of methods to tie a French silk scarf throughout a go to to Rendez‑Vous des Designers, a cooperative boutique in Saint-Germain-des-Prés she based to showcase work by unbiased, Made-in-France designers. We filmed this on web site, so if in case you have hassle listening to our dialog over the background music, English closed captions can be found. Merci to Fred for the digital camera work and modifying!
Paris is an distinctive metropolis in some ways, however it is usually a metropolis like some other, with its strengths and its flaws. As an alternative of telling guests what they “should” see or do, Secrets and techniques of Paris is constructed round correct, first-hand journalism that offers readers the knowledge they should make their very own knowledgeable selections. The web site and publication give attention to reported articles primarily based on in-person visits, interviews, and first-hand analysis; sensible data that’s checked, up to date, and clearly defined; and context for modifications affecting each guests and residents, from museum costs to public transport modifications.
This work — and the extra, extra private materials proven right here — exists due to the help of the Secrets and techniques of Paris Neighborhood. Membership retains the location and publication ad-free and unbiased, and provides members entry to behind-the-scenes updates, unique movies like those above, in-depth neighborhood guides, invites to meetups, and ongoing documentation of life in Paris that I don’t share with most of the people.
Be taught extra in regards to the membership group right here.
