The Jetpacker

What To Eat In France

One of the best things about traveling is tasting authentic foreign cuisine.  And there’s no better place to broaden your gastronomic horizons than France.  Here’s a list of what to eat in France:

The One Thing We Wish We Knew Before Visiting Paris

If there’s one thing we wish we knew before going to Paris, it’s this:  you can’t see everything. You can’t get upset about it.  You can’t try to rush it.  You just have to accept it and enjoy the time you have.

Coffee In France

The coffee in France probably isn’t what you’re used to. Instead of uber-grande, 40-ounce cups of Joe that barely have enough caffeine to keep you buzzed until your lunch break, the coffee in France is very strong… and very small.

Paris’ Latin Quarter

Paris’ 5th arrondissement, on the left bank, is commonly known as the “Latin Quarter.” But the name is a little deceiving. You won’t find Latin dancers performing the samba in the Latin Quarter. You won’t find restaurants serving Latin food. You won’t even find many Latin people. Instead, you’ll find a young, lively district filled [...]

Crémerie-Restaurant Polidor Review

We’re not sure if the French have what Americans consider “soul food.”  But if they did, Crémerie-Restaurant Polidor, in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank, would be the place to get it.

Chartier Restaurant Review

Chartier has been serving traditional French food in Paris since 1896.  And when I say traditional, I’m talking about all the things that you might be afraid to eat:  tripe, tongue, brains… all the gross-sounding left over parts.

Centre Pompidou

Modern art is, for lack of a better phrase, “really freakin’ weird.”  So it makes sense that Paris’ modern art museum, Centre Pompidou, would be just as strange on the outside as it is on the inside.

What’s There To See In Le Marais?

It’s easy to overlook the Marais district on a visit to Paris.  There’s no major tourist draw.  There’s no clear identity.  It’s like the Marais is the middle child in a family of 7 — not noticed, but crying for attention.  So, what’s there to see in Le Marais?

Notre Dame & The Deportation Memorial

I’m gonna debunk this right here and now because I don’t want any of you to have the same expectations that I did about Notre Dame:  there is no hunchback.  There are some old people with hunchbacks.  There may even be the occasional visitor named Esmeralda.  But there is no beautiful gypsy woman.  So what [...]

Les Invalides

You’d think a building housing numerous military museums would be camouflaged.  But the Hotel des Invalides (not a real hotel) is bright white and topped with a golden dome.  Go figure.