Life Between the Pages
My blog posts are free to access, and articles are categorized like a bookstore! From architecture and art, to food and history, travel and video tours, you’ll find a treasure trove to connect you with me, Paris, and my travels in France.
Autumn 2025
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A Christmas Wonderland at Château de Chantilly
Just 28 minutes from Paris, Château de Chantilly becomes a glowing Christmas wonderland. From exclusive footage of its equestrian show to festive decorations, choirs, workshops, and winter treats, this magical season transforms the château into one of France’s most enchanting holiday experiences.
Winter Enchantment at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte transforms into a fairytale world each Christmas, blending French history with enchanting festive storytelling. From dazzling rooms inspired by classic tales to illuminated gardens and winter activities, the Grand Noël celebration offers one of France’s most magical seasonal experiences.
A Magical Christmas Journey at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Celebrate the holidays at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, where Baroque architecture, festive décor, and Molière-inspired displays bring the Grand Siècle to life. Just an hour from Paris, this magical Christmas event offers workshops, carriage rides, glowing gardens, and unforgettable seasonal charm.
Exploring the Christmas Markets of Saint-Michel & Notre Dame in Paris
Discover the festive charm of the Saint-Michel and Notre Dame Christmas markets in Paris, just minutes apart on the Left Bank. Explore artisanal stalls, local craftsmanship, holiday treats, and a beautiful winter walk through one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.
A Cozy, Family-Friendly Christmas Market at Paris City Hall
Discover the family-friendly Christmas Market at Paris City Hall, set among sparkling fir trees, festive chalets, and a beautiful Belle Epoque carousel. With warm treats, children’s activities, and a stunning nightly light show on Hôtel de Ville, this cozy holiday village captures Parisian winter magic.
A Dazzling Christmas Glow at Galeries Lafayette, Paris
Step inside Galeries Lafayette for a stunning look at the 2023 Christmas tree and its full light show beneath the iconic Parisian dome. This wide-angle tour captures the magic, colors, and festive traditions that make the department store one of the most enchanting holiday destinations in Paris.
A Magical Christmas Feast at the Marché de Noël in the Tuileries Garden
Wander through the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas market, nestled before the Louvre, in this festive food tour. From raclette and oysters to hot chocolate and artisan gifts, the market glows with lights, music, and holiday cheer - a Parisian winter dream.
A Snowy Christmas Escape at BHV Marais - Watch the Window Magic
It’s a quiet evening in Paris, and the department store windows of Le BHV Marais come alive with stories of winter magic. The Christmas windows are designed around a winter visit to the Swiss Alps, with each scene shimmering in delicate whites and silvery greys, capturing the charm of a snowy alpine holiday.
Christmas in Paris 2025 Dates & Locations
Celebrate Christmas in Paris with curated itineraries for Bon Marché and Galeries Lafayette. Indulge in festive shopping, gourmet treats, iconic window displays, concerts, and winter strolls through the City of Light, all while experiencing the magic and elegance of a Parisian holiday.
Part Four, Best Strasbourg Hotels: Elegant Stays & Seasonal Tips for Alsace
Strasbourg offers refined stays for every season, from modern pop-art retreats to riverside five-star elegance. With thoughtful tips for spring rains, summer heat, autumn nights, and winter’s chill, this guide helps you choose the perfect base for exploring Alsace with comfort and quiet sophistication.
Part Three, Colmar Day Trip Guide: A Refined Alsace Itinerary from Strasbourg
A Colmar day trip offers a gentle escape into Alsace’s storybook charm. With an easy train ride, elegant dining, and nearby villages like Kaysersberg and Riquewihr, the region invites slow exploration. Whether in summer’s warmth or winter’s sparkling markets, Colmar remains a timeless French retreat.
Part Two, Best Strasbourg Restaurants: An Elegant Guide to Alsatian Cuisine
Strasbourg’s culinary scene blends Alsatian heritage with refined French artistry. From rustic winstubs to celebrated pâtisseries, each stop offers a taste of the region’s soul. This curated guide reveals the city’s finest restaurants, unforgettable cheeses, and beloved bakeries worth crossing town for.
Part One, Colmar & Strasbourg: A Winter Guide to Alsace’s Christmas Markets
Colmar’s winding festival streets and Strasbourg’s storied Christkindelsmärik offer an unforgettable winter pilgrimage. From half-timbered charm to historic squares aglow with light, Alsace reveals its magic at every turn. A serene, snow-kissed guide to France’s most enchanting Christmas towns.
Christmas in Strasbourg & Colmar: A Winter Journey Through Alsace
Strasbourg and Colmar offered a rare, quiet enchantment during a winter shaped by calculated risks. From glowing Christmas markets to timeless Alsatian streets, this journey revealed the tender magic of the season soft, present, and full of wonder. A poetic escape into France’s holiday spirit.
One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Blood Orange & Dijon Sauce
This one-pan roasted chicken brings together the brightness of blood orange, the warmth of thyme, and the silkiness of a Dijon-kissed sauce. Crisp-skinned, aromatic, and effortlessly elegant, it’s a modern French classic perfect for intimate dinners and cozy evenings at home.
Salted Butter Apple Cake: A $2 French Baking Secret!
Discover the quiet elegance of salted butter apple cake, a rustic French dessert that turns simple ingredients into something tender, fragrant, and deeply comforting. With its buttery crumb, soft apples, and optional caramelized twist, this recipe offers a taste of effortless French baking at its most charming.
Let’s Make This Cozy $2 Chicken Stew Together!
Discover the quiet elegance of poulet blanquette, a creamy French chicken stew that turns simple ingredients into soulful comfort. With tender vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a velvety finish, this recipe invites slow, nourishing cooking and brings a touch of timeless French coziness to your table.
The French Autumn Companion: Your Guide to Hosting a Cozy, French-Inspired Dinner Party, Part TWO
Bring the warmth of a French autumn table into your home with timeless dishes that elevate any gathering. From silken gratin dauphinois to rustic ratatouille, caramel-rich tarte tatin, and the elegance of crème brûlée, this guide offers a sumptuous roadmap for hosting with grace.
The French Autumn Companion: Your Guide to Hosting a Cozy, French-Inspired Dinner Party, Part ONE
Celebrate the beauty of autumn with a French-inspired dinner party that blends culinary art with timeless charm. From pumpkin soup to Boeuf Bourguignon and Tarte Tatin, discover how to create a cozy, Parisian-style evening filled with seasonal flavors, candlelight, and graceful ambiance.
Autumn in Brittany: Beach Dogs, Endless Gardens, and the Truth About French Countryside Living
Discover the truth about autumn in Brittany, France — from dog-friendly beaches and nonstop garden projects to the real cost of living outside Paris. Shannon Pratuch shares an honest look at rural French life, seasonal beauty, and the realities of balancing two homes in France.
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