Visiting France soon? Here's what's changed...
New Year's Day is often France's day to implement new rules and laws. Here's a brief guide to some of them that may affect travelers.
Paris
Final Approval in for Paris-CDG Express
Final approval is in for the new express RER route between Paris and the CDG airport stations, but it will take 6 years to build.
Eiffel Tower re-opens after 5-day strike
After five days without visitors, the Eiffel Tower is open again and its 300 staffers are back at work, just in time for the annual Christmas rush of visitors.
Paris goes all-out in war on rats
Stung by bad publicity and concerned about health issues, Paris is taking strong steps to curb its rat population.
Paris to sell 'Love Locks' for refugee aid
Paris's attempts to end the Love Lock problem have made scant progress; more keep coming and the city will now sell them off for refugee relief
Paris Christmas Videos!
Gumbo member and long-time Paris chronicler Kerouac2 has posted Christmas videos, featuring the sights and window displays of two big department stores, and also the big Christmas outdoor market along the Champs Elysées.
Eiffel Tower stairs: 14 steps sell for half million
A section removed to make room for an elevator goes for more than 10 times the estimated price.
PortMoresby's 'Fifty Years Later, Paris'
October 8, 2016: 50 Years Later, Paris October 15, 2016: The Albert Kahn Museum & Gardens, Paris October 22, 2016: Three Paris Passages October 29, 2016: More Paris Passages November 5, 2016: Chateau de Vincennes November 12, 2016: Marché Saint-Louis, Fontainebleau November 19, 2016: An Englishwoman's Home in France March 21, 2022: Paris, 1966 Find all of PortMoresby’s contributions here .
Château de Vincennes
In this 50th year since her relationship with Paris began, PortMoresby visits yet another landmark new to her, Château de Vincennes, and wonders what took her so long.
More Paris Passages
PortMoresby’s never-ending exploration of the City of Light continues, with a second day searching for Right Bank 19th century glass-roofed arcades.
Paris Sunday shopping: If you can't beat them...
Small stores are being given more Sunday opportunities to compete with the big chains that are open 7 days in "international tourist zones."
Paris plans summer swimming in canal basin
Where swimming was banned as recently as last summer, Paris plans seasonal swimming pools starting next summer.
Three Paris Passages
PortMoresby continues her journey to see Paris with new eyes. Today’s offering, the first of 2 days spent in a long-postponed exploration of les passages couverts.
Under the roofs of Paris, more living space
Paris has a plan, and a budget, to get landlords to turn 19th-century maid's rooms into inhabitable apartments.
The Albert Kahn Museum & Gardens, Paris
PortMoresby continues her quest to visit places in Paris that have eluded her attention, some for 50 years, and goes west to The Albert Kahn Museum & Gardens.