Another French Holiday Cake – the Galette des Rois

Galette des Rois 3

Visitors to Paris at this time of year—particularly those who pop into Parisian patisseries or even grocery stores like Franprix, Monoprix or Carrefour—will undoubtedly see a seasonal dessert for sale that is unique to Europe: Galette des Rois. Translated as the “Cake of Kings,” this circular (or, less often, rectangular) cake celebrates Epiphany, the Biblical story of the arrival of the three wise men /magi to the newly born Christ child. This holiday is celebrated on January 6 each year–12 days after Christmas, marking the end of the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” as immortalized in the classic holiday song). Continue Reading →

Livestream the 2017 Bastille Day Fireworks!

Paris Fireworks

If you’re like me, you’ve added watching the Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower to your bucket list. And if you’re also like me, you unfortunately won’t be crossing off that travel goal this year. Not to worry, OuiAlwaysHaveParis has you covered! Continue Reading →

Honoring Victims of War at Paris’s Anne Frank Garden

Anne Frank Garden-10

Visitors to the City of Light who enjoyed today’s annual Armistice Day parade and the ceremonial placement of a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe might also wish to take a moment to solemnize the second World War, in particularl the millions of Jews who were murdered by Nazi Germany (including about 77,000 French Jews). What better place to honor them than with a visit to a serene city park dedicated to perhaps the most well-known of all the victims of the Holocaust—Anne Frank? The charming but difficult-to-locate Jardin Anne Frank memorializes the teenaged girl known worldwide for the diary she kept while she, her family and friends hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. But the quiet green space in Paris also more broadly memorializes all those who’ve lost their lives to war. Continue Reading →

Not in Paris for Bastille Day? We’ve Got You Covered!

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So, you weren’t able to to be in Paris for Bastille Day? Missed the incredible half-hour fireworks show over the Eiffel Tower? (Me too, sadly.) Never fear, OuiAlwaysHaveParis has got you covered! Continue Reading →

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! (Happy Bastille Day!)

Bastille Day 3

Today, France celebrates it’s national independence day, the anniversary of the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison in Paris that marked the start of the French Revolution. If you’re in Paris today (lucky you!) show up early to snag a spot on the Champs de Mars park adjacent to the Eiffel Tower for an unparalleled view of the fireworks show. Many of the city’s bridges also are ideal viewing locations. Aimer! Continue Reading →