Many years ago when I first lived in Paris (pre-Jean-Marie), a Parisian friend once said to me, "To really discover Paris, just look up."

She explained to me that the true beauty of Paris and its architecture was the wonderful variety of facades and that to really appreciate them, you could not simply look around you at eye level but had to look up to see them in full splendour.

​Here are some to marvel at.  

This articles was inspired by the book ​'PARIS 100 FAÇADES REMARQUABLES' published by Parigramme.

If 50 is the new 40 and 60 is the new 50, then Yummy Mummies, you had better look out - here come the Grannies Who Rock.

I have selected 15 Grannies Who Rock - French Style - vital, intelligent, beautiful and rocking it.

There is a new hotel in town, the Hotel Montana, marvellously located next to Café de Flore and facing a Louis Vuitton boutique.  With its black facade and red neon light, this newly renovated boutique - full suite - hotel, certainly stands out in this chic and quiet street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Hotel Montano houses six suites only, each covering an entire floor.  The architecture was entrusted to Elizabeth Bona-Lemercier and the interiors to Vincent Darré who explains “I didn’t want it to look like a hotel, but rather as if you had been given the keys of an apartment that belongs to Pablo Picasso or Serge Gainsbourg.”

If you want to hang out with the fashion and film crowd as well as the intelligencia, be sure to reserve a table at the hotel's restaurant 'La Gauche Caviar' found on the first floor or just hang out at the ground floor bar from 6pm.
​
Le Montana
28 rue Saint-Benoît
+33 1 53 63 79 20 28
Hotel-lemontana.com

Hi,  I am here!

Jean-Marie and I did create Our French Impressions together over 5 years ago, but whilst I have influenced some aspects of the site, I can't claim to have been too active.  

That is all about the change though, so seat belts on -  here we go.

My experience with France started as a young single professional women living in Paris discovering the delights of the 'City of Light' and the country as a whole.  I then moved onto pastures new around the globe only to return to the city as a married woman with my French husband - Jean-Marie - in tow.  In all, I have live well over 15years in France.  

I have truly embraced and love the french lifestyle and culture, I speak French fluently, have travelled extensively throughout the whole country learning something new at every turn and taking full advantage the wonderful delights - whether they be culinary, architectural or design focused - that I have been privileged to encounter.

I have soaked up so much of it the French say I am more Parisienne than a Parisienne!

Professionally I am a communicator and marketer with a large portion of my career having been in tourism.  Over the years, I have organised more itineraries in France for friends and colleagues than I care to remember.  

Now, after much demand from those same people, Jean-Marie and I are using all of that knowledge and fun to organise our own tours.  Have a look at our next one, 
"Your Week in Provence"  taking place in May 2015.  We have put together a rich and varied itinerary full of insights into the real Provence - cooking with Michelin star chefs, enjoying bespoke visits to the vineyards and private cellars and enjoying cocktails with local artisans and artists. Whilst structured, the itinerary is flexible and offers free time if feel inclined to have some time to wanter off on your own.

In Tricia's A-List,  I will focus on things that I know and love about France whether that be culture, fashion, lifestyle, design - whatever takes my fancy really.  I will also have my regular podcast on a variety of topics, Les E -choes with news items, and E-vents curated events that I feel could be of interest to you.

You also be able to follow me on Instagram at @tricias_a_list for more snippets of 'French Intelligence'

And I would love to hear from you - so leave me a comment or a message.

Allons-y!