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Paris: A Guide to the City's Creative Heart
It's hard not to be smitten by Paris. The city of love and light is one of the most enchanting in the world, but it also has a tendency to keep its best spots well hidden. After spending the last 20 years exploring the city, journalist and photographer Janelle McCulloch has discovered all of Paris' secret gems and shares them in this beautiful guide. From the stylish boutiques on Champs-Elysees to the irresistible cafes, tea salons and patisseries that make up the fabric of the city, you will find everything you need to know to have a true insider's experience of Paris.
Paris begins with an atmospheric guide to the arrondissements, each with their distinct personality, like the sophisticate 1st with its magnificent architecture and perfectly clipped trees, or the hipster 3rd with its avant garde artisans and cool cafes. Janelle leads you on a wander through each area, taking in architectural and design features and discovering secret side streets, tucked-away gardens and beautiful neighbourhood squares.
In the second half of the book Janelle shares her very favourite places to visit in Paris, with over 150 reviews of the most incredible and unusual shops, museums, markets, cafes and food stores. There's Laduree, the city's prettiest patisserie, or the stylish Calligrane, a store that elevates paper into a work of art, along with a whole raft of amazing ateliers, inspiring bookstores, secret design museums, stylish clothing boutiques and even fantastical shops filled with taxidermied animals.
Paris begins with an atmospheric guide to the arrondissements, each with their distinct personality, like the sophisticate 1st with its magnificent architecture and perfectly clipped trees, or the hipster 3rd with its avant garde artisans and cool cafes. Janelle leads you on a wander through each area, taking in architectural and design features and discovering secret side streets, tucked-away gardens and beautiful neighbourhood squares.
In the second half of the book Janelle shares her very favourite places to visit in Paris, with over 150 reviews of the most incredible and unusual shops, museums, markets, cafes and food stores. There's Laduree, the city's prettiest patisserie, or the stylish Calligrane, a store that elevates paper into a work of art, along with a whole raft of amazing ateliers, inspiring bookstores, secret design museums, stylish clothing boutiques and even fantastical shops filled with taxidermied animals.
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2011
39 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 1, 2013
Although this was probably intended more for reference, I read this book cover to cover, drinking in the ideas and descriptions. The format of the book is brilliant, covering the neighborhoods and then individual venues. I love how it focused on design related interests. It inspired me to bring a little Paris into my life, seeking out similar venues, events and atmospheres. I loved the creative bent and the author's taste and take on Paris. I will definitely be taking this book with me when I visit. It feels as if multiple visits would be required to take in even a decent portion of all this goodness.
I found it best to read this when I was close to a computer so I could Google Image many of the areas and venues she mentioned.
I found it best to read this when I was close to a computer so I could Google Image many of the areas and venues she mentioned.
October 4, 2019
As far as travel guides go, this book is completely useless. By the end of my skimming this book, I was about ready to vomit. This is NOT my type of travel book. If you lovely flowery, overly descriptive language full of superlatives and black-and-white photos of up-close architectural details, furniture, ribbons, etc, then this book is for you. If you are looking for practical information, like opening and closing times, directions, website information, go find a Rick Steves guidebook.
The first half of this book is about the 20 arrondissements of Paris. She writes in superlatives to give you an idealized viewpoint of each neighborhood, but there is nothing helpful. It's like reading about someone describing how rich and decadent the chocolate ice cream is that she's eating without telling you where you can get it. Her photos are similar in that teasing manner.
The second half of this book is almost as worthless as the first half. She continues with her superlatives and flowery descriptions of places to go in Paris. But other than names, addresses and phone numbers, the information is pretty useless, unless, for instance, you really want to know what kind of seating is available at Shakespeare and Company while you peruse through your books. She spends a lot of time describing the ambiance or how "cute" a place is, but not what the place sells or exhibits.
I'm glad a friend sent me this book after she was finished using it rather than going out and spending the money on it myself. It's definitely not something I would have purchased for myself.
The first half of this book is about the 20 arrondissements of Paris. She writes in superlatives to give you an idealized viewpoint of each neighborhood, but there is nothing helpful. It's like reading about someone describing how rich and decadent the chocolate ice cream is that she's eating without telling you where you can get it. Her photos are similar in that teasing manner.
The second half of this book is almost as worthless as the first half. She continues with her superlatives and flowery descriptions of places to go in Paris. But other than names, addresses and phone numbers, the information is pretty useless, unless, for instance, you really want to know what kind of seating is available at Shakespeare and Company while you peruse through your books. She spends a lot of time describing the ambiance or how "cute" a place is, but not what the place sells or exhibits.
I'm glad a friend sent me this book after she was finished using it rather than going out and spending the money on it myself. It's definitely not something I would have purchased for myself.
June 27, 2016
If you know me at all, you know that I have dreamed of going to Paris since I was a little girl. I devour everything I can get my hands on to read and prepare for the eventual trip (now hoping for 2017).
This is the prettiest book I have ever read. It is chockful of amazing things that one needs to see, eat and do. It took me on a visually stunning (the photographs are incredible), winding tour through Paris, both the secret, hidden gems and the better known Paris of movies, books and the like, one lovely arrondissement at a time. It is not unlike another Paris tour-type book I read previously, but it is even better.
If you want to know where to get the best macaron, which museums are housed in mansions, where there are secret passageways and gardens and courtyards, or where to get a vintage Chanel suit for less than $1000, you can ask me. Better yet, read the book and learn (or fantasize) for yourself.
Truly delicious and decadent. A five star Francophile read.
This is the prettiest book I have ever read. It is chockful of amazing things that one needs to see, eat and do. It took me on a visually stunning (the photographs are incredible), winding tour through Paris, both the secret, hidden gems and the better known Paris of movies, books and the like, one lovely arrondissement at a time. It is not unlike another Paris tour-type book I read previously, but it is even better.
If you want to know where to get the best macaron, which museums are housed in mansions, where there are secret passageways and gardens and courtyards, or where to get a vintage Chanel suit for less than $1000, you can ask me. Better yet, read the book and learn (or fantasize) for yourself.
Truly delicious and decadent. A five star Francophile read.
February 28, 2023
I can ask one simple question and your answer will tell me if you will like this book.
Here goes: Do you like Paris?
If you answer yes, you will like it.
If you answer no, you will not.
As for me, I've been reading on it for over a month. I didn't want to finish it. Sigh.
Paris. Perfect. Paris.
Here goes: Do you like Paris?
If you answer yes, you will like it.
If you answer no, you will not.
As for me, I've been reading on it for over a month. I didn't want to finish it. Sigh.
Paris. Perfect. Paris.
April 17, 2014
Needs a map!
September 4, 2021
I liked this book but I am confused about its purpose. From my understanding, the intended purpose is an inspiring style guide, like a coffee table book to peruse when you want some artistic inspiration before redecorating your bedroom. Yet it is written as a very specific guidebook - obviously one much too impractical to pack with you and bring due to its weight and size, so what is the purpose of including all the addresses and contact info of the different stores, and especially the step by step walking tour directions?
I also dislike how the photos don’t line up with the text. McCulloch makes everything sound so enticing and you really want to see it, and you can, 50 pages later with no reference of where to find the photo except at the end of the book. Since I read the book cover to cover, I got tired of the same repetitive hyperbolic comments about how « absolutely charming/darling/fabulous/to die for » all the shops were. Finally, I was definitely bothered by the bad French spelling and misplaced accents on the few French words the author tried to include. It made the book seem like a clueless tourist playing French local. Come on editors!!
Even though all these things bothered me, I still gave 3 stars since the main character of the book is so beloved to me. If the book’s purpose was to inspire me to take a trip back to Paris (I used to work there) and see the city through a lens of artistic design, then it absolutely worked. I did find a few new places I will try to look up when I return (hopefully they are still open since this was written 11 years ago- another weird reason to put so much emphasis on exact stores). I guess all the hyperbole worked on me after all and hyped me up enough to go see these places for myself. Also, the book itself is gorgeous and a great display piece. I like the bright coloured photos, thick paper and black page marker ribbon. Thanks overall to the author for a great homage to beautiful Paris.
I also dislike how the photos don’t line up with the text. McCulloch makes everything sound so enticing and you really want to see it, and you can, 50 pages later with no reference of where to find the photo except at the end of the book. Since I read the book cover to cover, I got tired of the same repetitive hyperbolic comments about how « absolutely charming/darling/fabulous/to die for » all the shops were. Finally, I was definitely bothered by the bad French spelling and misplaced accents on the few French words the author tried to include. It made the book seem like a clueless tourist playing French local. Come on editors!!
Even though all these things bothered me, I still gave 3 stars since the main character of the book is so beloved to me. If the book’s purpose was to inspire me to take a trip back to Paris (I used to work there) and see the city through a lens of artistic design, then it absolutely worked. I did find a few new places I will try to look up when I return (hopefully they are still open since this was written 11 years ago- another weird reason to put so much emphasis on exact stores). I guess all the hyperbole worked on me after all and hyped me up enough to go see these places for myself. Also, the book itself is gorgeous and a great display piece. I like the bright coloured photos, thick paper and black page marker ribbon. Thanks overall to the author for a great homage to beautiful Paris.
May 22, 2022
“A bit of history before we go on. Montmartre, which means “mountain of the martyr,” was given its name because of the martyrdom of Saint Denis, the bishop of Paris and now the patron saint of France, who was unfortunately decapitated on the hill by the nasty Romans. (Legend has it that Saint Denis simply picked up his head, washed it off and carried it 5 miles to the north to what is now the town of Saint-Denis before he finally dropped down dead.)”
Thank you for teaching me about the architect Haussmann.
Thank you for teaching me about the architect Haussmann.
July 25, 2018
Touring Paris via Janelle McCulloch's pictorial guide is an absolute pleasure. Discovering the city by insights of each arrondisement is a valuable guide. Written in a journal style [Including ribbon marker] and a flexible binding. Beautiful photographs aid the traveller or tourist in explorations of courtyards, boutiques, markets, patisserie, cafes, art, design, style and ambience of this City of Light. Prendre plaisir !
December 12, 2023
A delightful mini-tour of each of Paris' arronidsements, this book provides a stroll and a peek at the flavor of each. While the logistical information is sure to fall out of date, this book gives a better overall view of what you can find in Paris, with more color than a typical travel book. With more inspiration than information, it's a great way to dream for an upcoming trip or reminisce of past times spent in this city.
March 1, 2023
Totally agree with some of the classic places to visit (Angelina, Laduree) but unfortunately some of the more obscure recommendations of shops and cafes don't exist anymore. This book needs an updated version!
July 3, 2017
Absolutely stunning
June 22, 2018
loved it!
January 20, 2024
A beautiful book about many Paris highlights. I bought the ebook to have with me on my trip to Paris and it was a great reference.
April 27, 2025
Disappointing as a travel guide.
May 13, 2017
I am still in the planning stages for my trip to Paris but I have really enjoyed pouring over this book as a reference. The photography and layouts are beautiful and I have taken notes of places I want to visit that are generally not found in your top tourist attractions in Paris - like the Flower and Bird Market in the 1st arrondissement. Or to stop and note the metro entrance called Kiosk of the Night-Walkers which the author refers to as street art in itself. After reading about some of the 19th century covered passages in the 2nd and 9th arrondissements I found a self guided walking tour of the secret passages of Paris on line. I plan to visit the garden of the Hotel de Sully - something I would have likely walked by without noting the secret door leading to the garden from the Places des Vosges had I not read about it in this book. The descriptions of different fabric, ribbons, and trims, vintage and affordable french style, tea salons, galleries and museums, boulangeries, patisseries, and chocolateries at the end of the book are also a great reference. I do really wish the book had maps in each arrondissement though - if there were maps I would have given it 5 stars.
June 13, 2024
So I will admit I mostly just looked at the gorgeous pictures! However, there is a lot of information about off the beaten path sites, and when I get my hands on a ticket to Paris, I'll be reading this cover to cover.
November 26, 2016
This is one of the most beautiful books that I have ever read and one that I will continue to reference as I plan my trip to Europe this April. Rarely does a book capture everything that you long for when you travel. The author takes you on a delightful sojourn throughout Paris's Arrondissements capturing the spirit and the charm of each one. Along the way you discover markets and cafe's, little hidden gardens and grand architecture. Often times a book can charm but leaves you disenchanted when it comes to trying to put together an agenda. Instead of having stop the journey to write out or to backtrack so as to remember what places to visit, shop or eat, Janelle has dedicated all of these special places a little further along in her book. This section is also beautiful to look at with wonderful little tags and gorgeous photos. When I began this book I was only planning to spend 3 days in Paris and now I am planning on 5 and feel that is still not enough. I may change my whole European trip to just explore France. I noticed that this author has written another book on France so I'm off to the bookstore!
June 13, 2015
The finest feature of this book is the gorgeous illustrations of Parisian scenes, shop interiors, little known places, and so forth. This was a gift from a friend to thank me for taking care of her cat. I perused it bit by bit. The first part was an arrondissement-by-arrondissement "stroll" laying out the author's favorite spots. I knew most of it but enjoyed the strolls. The second half of the book was places to visit, and although there were a few museums in there, most of it consists of shops, and way beyond my means for sure. A vast majority of these were decorating shops, fabric shops, curiosity establishments... but I was intrigued to read about them and actually attracted to some of the bookstores and paper product shops. Much too hefty to cart with me over to Paris, but I jotted down a few things to track down next time I go!
July 1, 2015
Pretty, not as helpful as I had hoped.
I finished this on the flight to Paris and found it a bit confusing in its purpose. It's a beautiful book - gorgeous photos, well laid-out, lovely typefaces - but it wasn't as useful as I had hoped.
Each chapter includes a general description of the arrondissement/neighborhood before then highlighting specific eateries, hotels, and attractions within it. It reads a bit more as a personal travelogue and I didn't find it overly helpful compared to our Rick Steves' guides, though it was more readable and this one will look nice on the coffee table. Still, I never once referred back to this one after finishing the opening chapters, despite the index of businesses in the back and the supposed focus on "creative" locations.
I finished this on the flight to Paris and found it a bit confusing in its purpose. It's a beautiful book - gorgeous photos, well laid-out, lovely typefaces - but it wasn't as useful as I had hoped.
Each chapter includes a general description of the arrondissement/neighborhood before then highlighting specific eateries, hotels, and attractions within it. It reads a bit more as a personal travelogue and I didn't find it overly helpful compared to our Rick Steves' guides, though it was more readable and this one will look nice on the coffee table. Still, I never once referred back to this one after finishing the opening chapters, despite the index of businesses in the back and the supposed focus on "creative" locations.
August 31, 2013
The edition that I checked out from my public library is entitled: Paris: An Inspiring Tour of the City's Creative Heart, published by Chronicle Books in 2012.
This is an inspirational read that will have you checking airfares to Paris as soon as you dive into the book. It emphasizes stores that sell home decor and the lovely buildings that provide particularly nice shopping experiences. The photographs are beautiful--captions are provided at the back of the book. The book is arranged by arrondissements and also by categories such as bookstores, tea salons, galleries and museums. This is a book to read before you travel, as it is a little too big to carry in your luggage.
This is an inspirational read that will have you checking airfares to Paris as soon as you dive into the book. It emphasizes stores that sell home decor and the lovely buildings that provide particularly nice shopping experiences. The photographs are beautiful--captions are provided at the back of the book. The book is arranged by arrondissements and also by categories such as bookstores, tea salons, galleries and museums. This is a book to read before you travel, as it is a little too big to carry in your luggage.
November 29, 2015
A gorgeous tome of mouthwatering full-page, full color photographs that any traveling soul will devour time and time again.
The guide, while so poignantly written one can almost cancel their plane tickets, is aimed at the 30-something career woman with a purse full of limitless credit cards. The tour takes you through private gardens of luxurious hotels, to Lagerfeld's tiny museums, to sumptuous homeware boutiques and one-of-a-kind couture shops with lavish price tags.
The entire book and the reader's experience reek of class, good taste, and a certain contained elitism.
Absolutely breathtaking in the right hands.
The guide, while so poignantly written one can almost cancel their plane tickets, is aimed at the 30-something career woman with a purse full of limitless credit cards. The tour takes you through private gardens of luxurious hotels, to Lagerfeld's tiny museums, to sumptuous homeware boutiques and one-of-a-kind couture shops with lavish price tags.
The entire book and the reader's experience reek of class, good taste, and a certain contained elitism.
Absolutely breathtaking in the right hands.
May 22, 2014
Outstanding photography and writing as delightful as Paris itself. Tastes differ, but I enjoyed nearly all the recommended stops I chose to visit, and would have missed some wonderful experiences without this book (like the Musée de la Chasse). Perhaps it would lower the tone of the book, bringing it in too close proximity to smeary-inked Fodor's, but I would have appreciated maps of the arrondissements, even if they were more pretty than functional. It would have been nice to gauge the closeness and general proximity of each district's highlights.
August 10, 2013
I loved this book. It's definitely the most interesting guidebook for Paris I've ever read. She mentioned a lot of really interesting shops and museums. Some of her better recommendations include Cafe Angelina, La Musee de la Chasse et la Nature, and Ultramod. The pictures are stunning and her writing isn't half bad. (I really liked how she wrote about the character of each arrondissement.)
Good job Janelle McCulloch!
Good job Janelle McCulloch!
September 1, 2014
Very Personal
I just finished reading this book, and I depart for Paris in four days. This will not be my first visit to Paris, more like my 7th or 8th. I think the book was I tended for me and tourists like me. I feel as if a friend wrote this all out for me personally and included her favorite photos with it. C'set charmant.
I just finished reading this book, and I depart for Paris in four days. This will not be my first visit to Paris, more like my 7th or 8th. I think the book was I tended for me and tourists like me. I feel as if a friend wrote this all out for me personally and included her favorite photos with it. C'set charmant.
November 13, 2014
A sumptuous celebration and guidebook in one, this is the refreshing
literary equivalent of taking Dom Pérignon with Coupe Hélène. In this book Janelle McCulloch presents the world's favourite city in an easy, informed way, helping newbies negotiate and appreciate the profusion of arrondisements and letting old hands savour the incomparable glamour and high style of the City of Lights.
literary equivalent of taking Dom Pérignon with Coupe Hélène. In this book Janelle McCulloch presents the world's favourite city in an easy, informed way, helping newbies negotiate and appreciate the profusion of arrondisements and letting old hands savour the incomparable glamour and high style of the City of Lights.
March 3, 2016
This book is stunning! I already had a few travel guides but bought this just to enjoy the beautiful images. When I got it home I realized it also had useful travel guide type info. Not practical to take with me, but I will definitely be combing the book for inspiration for my trip.
And beautiful images even if you're not going!
And beautiful images even if you're not going!
February 3, 2013
Janelle McCulloch's writes with the heart of a romantic. How could anyone not enjoy seeing Paris through her eyes? PARIS: An Inspiring Tour of the City's Creative Heart is also a delight to explore as it's layout is as beautiful as the city it describes and the secrets it reveals.
April 27, 2016
Great shopping tips for those in the "design world."
June 15, 2013
Beautiful book with lots of idea of cool places to visit in Paris. Breathtaking photos.
June 10, 2013
Like watching the uninspired vacation slides of a dull acquaintance's trip to Paris.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews