MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #6: Fire dogs. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the routines, rituals, and inspirations that shape my writing life here in Paris. A Glimpse of Paris: the parade The 14 July Bastille Day parade along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris attracted many locals and tourists. Bastille Day isContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #6: Fire dogs”
Tag Archives: daily routine in Paris
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #5: Theatre, Drama, and Illusions
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #5: Theatre, Drama, and Illusions. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. A Glimpse of Paris The New Yorker magazine in America, launched in 1925, focuses on the cultural life of New York, andContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #5: Theatre, Drama, and Illusions”
Paris Summer # 2: Sun, samba, and urban beaches in July & August
Paris Summer # 2: Sun, samba, and urban beaches in July & August. Paris Beaches are back. Yes, urban beaches. The Paris Plages (beaches) are back with the rhythms and colours of Brazil. From 5 July to 31 August 2025, three main sites transform into tropical escapes: 1) the Bassin de la Villette (with zip lines and water games), 2) the Canal Saint-Martin (with terraces and art), and 3) the Seine riverbanks (with food markets and beach volleyball). TheContinue reading “Paris Summer # 2: Sun, samba, and urban beaches in July & August”
Paris Summer # 1: Yes, you can swim in the Seine this summer – Paris returns to the river
Paris Summer # 1: Yes, you can swim in the Seine this summer – Paris returns to the river. After a 100-year hiatus, the Seine is officially open for swimming in summer 2025. Thanks to a 10-year investment tied to the Paris 2024 Olympic legacy, Parisians and visitors alike can now dip into the iconic river at three specially designed sites: 1) Bras Marie (Paris Centre), 2) Bras de Grenelle in theContinue reading “Paris Summer # 1: Yes, you can swim in the Seine this summer – Paris returns to the river”
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #4: Art and Architecture
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: Art and Architecture. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. A Glimpse of Paris With no visits out of the periphery of Paris, I’ve turned towards nature – such as the botanicalContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #4: Art and Architecture”
10 Documents That Shaped France – featuring the Oath of the Tennis Court and Notebooks of Grievances
10 Documents That Shaped France – featuring the Oath of the Tennis Court and Notebooks of Grievances. From royal decrees to revolutionary manifestos, ten documents made history in France. While piecing together a 2,000-piece “Histoire de France” jigsaw puzzle by Les Jolies Planches, I realized something truly special. This wasn’t just a visual timeline of famous French figures and battles; it was scattered throughout with replicasContinue reading “10 Documents That Shaped France – featuring the Oath of the Tennis Court and Notebooks of Grievances”
How I Learned French History Piece by Piece
How I Learned French History Piece by Piece. If you’ve ever wanted to trace the entire history of France from prehistoric firelight to modern-day République, but didn’t know where to begin … I suggest starting with a 2,000 piece jigsaw – in French. Headfirst into history, I finished the jigsaw puzzle titled “Histoire de France” by Les Jolies Planches (The Pretty Boards), a 69 cm x 98 cmContinue reading “How I Learned French History Piece by Piece”
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. A Glimpse of Paris A rail trip to Normandy in the north of France in the late days of May was spentContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #3: City and Country”
A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier
A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier. I found a treasure in a Parisian bric-a-brac fair. Tucked between antique poetry volumes and faded black-and-white portraits on a table, a dreamy blue hardcover book caught my eye: young girl in powdered curls gazing downward, a robin perched like a crown in her hair, surrounded by blossoms.Continue reading “A forgotten French treasure by Jean-Adrien Mercier”
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #2: Productivity and Pleasures in Paris
MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #1: Writing & Little Pleasures in Paris. Bienvenue to Martina’s French Ways — a corner of the site where I share the little rituals, objects, and routines that shape my writing life here in Paris. In each post, I’ll bring you with me on morning walks, market finds, creative breakthroughs, and of course, theContinue reading “MARTINA’S FRENCH WAYS #2: Productivity and Pleasures in Paris”