Traveling is something I would like to do with my family one day but since I can’t I enjoy reading books about Cities my family would like to visit one day. I would like to share Discovering Paris, One Page at a TimeParis Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore: An Insider’s Guide to the City by Federico Larlori I received in exchange for this review.
I have a question for you. Have you ever dreamed of traveling somewhere you’ve never been, only to realize that life doesn’t always make it easy to pack a suitcase and head out the door? Well, I’ve decided that if I can’t travel as much as I’d like, I’m going to become an armchair traveler! LOL. I’ll travel the world from the comfort of my home, sitting in my chair with my dog Pheobie beside me and a good book in my hands.
I believe this book will be the perfect Christmas Gift for the travelers in our family which is why you will fin Paris Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore: An Insider’s Guide to the City, written by Federico Iarlori and illustrated by Monica Lovati. inside our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List and I will be sharing this book with Santa when David and I go and start to load the Sleigh. And let me tell you, this book has me dreaming of Paris!
I wish you could see the front cover of this book. There’s a beautiful bridge, a girl riding a bicycle, lovely Parisian buildings, and what I believe is the Eiffel Tower in the background. There’s even a gentleman who reminds me a little of the Beatles. I love illustrations that make you stop and look, and this cover immediately made me want to open the book and see what was waiting inside.
I’ve always thought it would be wonderful to ride a bicycle through Paris, stopping to admire the scenery and perhaps finding a little café where I could sit and enjoy a croissant. Since that bicycle ride isn’t happening just yet, I’ll happily settle for traveling through these pages!
The book promises to take readers beyond the usual tourist attractions, introducing hidden gems, charming neighborhoods, markets, museums, cafés, and places that help you understand the people and culture of Paris. And yes, please, tell me where to find those cafés! Then let me know if they accept dogs because I’m bringing mine with me.
One of the things that makes this book especially meaningful to me is that both Charlie and my late daughter, Suzzane, would have absolutely loved it. Paris is Charlie’s favorite city, while New York was Suzzane’s. Both of them, like me, dreamed of seeing places beyond our everyday surroundings. Sometimes, a book gives us an opportunity to share those dreams even when we can’t make the journey ourselves.
As I turned the pages, I kept thinking about the things they would have enjoyed discovering including the different parts of Paris, from the artistic heights of Montmartre to the historic streets of Le Marais. It introduces readers to romantic Paris, Paris on foot, its boulevards and arcades, and places away from the usual tourist trail.
There’s even information about the catacombs beneath the city and hidden passages waiting to be explored. Some of those French names might be a little difficult for me to pronounce, but that’s part of the fun! I can learn something new without worrying about embarrassing myself in front of anybody. Laughing out loud. And David? I can already imagine him trying to pronounce some of those French expressions. Charlie and I would probably be rolling on the floor laughing out loud!
One thing I really appreciate about Paris Curious is that it isn’t simply a collection of pretty pictures or a list of famous landmarks. It gives readers information to help them understand the city and plan what they might want to see. The book includes maps, practical travel tips, places to stay, suggestions for getting around, and even advice about what to pack which if you knew me you would know I would need otherwise I would end up bringing everything I own.
If you know someone studying fashion they could have fun exploring the clothing and style suggestions, too. For families #Homeschooling they could use the book to teach there students about fashion, history, art and so much more will having them read for 10 minutes in our Reading Challenge and they would earn a ticket.
There are ideas for exploring Paris from above, discovering its culture, visiting places connected with books, and finding interesting destinations outside the usual sightseeing route. That was my favorite part of the book because it would get us away from other travelers and allow us to see new things other people might not know about.
I especially enjoy books that give me little facts I didn’t know before. For example, the book mentions that Paris is about 500 miles from Marseille and that the journey can take less than four hours. It even makes you wonder what it would be like to escape to the seaside for a little sunshine!
Of course, I would need to work on the budget before making any travel plans. But that’s another thing I like about this guide: it gives readers information they can use when researching and planning a future trip. Even if your trip remains a dream for now, there’s something wonderful about learning what’s possible.
David is going to enjoy the sections connecting Paris with its culture, especially the references to Ratatouille because that is one of his all time favorite movies. Do you like that movie? The illustrations even brought the little mouse to life, and I can’t wait to share that discovery with David and Charlie.
Charlie has always admired Marie Curie, so the book’s cultural references give me another reason to think he’ll enjoy exploring it. And when I came across the references to libraries, I immediately thought of Suzzane. I wish she were here to turn these pages with me and tell me which places she would want to visit first.
That’s one of the lovely things about books. They can introduce us to something new while bringing back memories of the people we love. There’s also plenty for anyone interested in food. The guide explores dining in Paris, including cafés, bistros, and the city’s famous baked goods. I would love to try some authentic French croissants!
But here’s something I didn’t expect: Paris has more than French food to offer. There are sections about hamburgers and even tacos! Hamburger mania in Paris? Tacos in Paris? Those are the kinds of discoveries that make me laugh and remind me that a city can have all sorts of surprises waiting around the corner.
I can just imagine David and Charlie reacting to some of these pages. The book also explores Paris through its art, architecture, history, books, movies, and other cultural connections. There’s something here for readers with different interests, which makes it fun to explore together.
Another feature I appreciate is the space for notes at the back of the book. Why don’t more books give us room to write down our thoughts, favorite discoveries, and things we want to remember after reading the stories the Author has taken the time to share with us?
I enjoy being able to make a book my own. If I discover a place that interests me or read something I want to investigate later, having a place to record it is a welcome bonus. The book also mentions events and attractions such as the Tour de France and Paris Design Week. Now, Paris Design Week sounds like something I would love to experience someday!
Here’s my plan: one day, when my rich uncle finally gets out of the poor farm, I’m going to ask him if he’ll take me to Paris Design Week. Don’t ask me how I’m getting there, though. I’m not flying, I’m not getting on a boat, and I don’t think I can drive there, can I? LOL Maybe I’ll just have to send one of you in my place! Until then, I’ll keep turning pages and enjoying the adventure from home.
Now, I know your wondering if I would recommend Paris Curious? I would to those of us who love travel, history, art, food, books, and discovering places they haven’t visited before, then Paris Curious is worth adding to your reading list and sharing with your friends and family.
I especially like that it combines illustrations with practical information and cultural discoveries. It’s the kind of book you can browse a little at a time, opening it whenever you want to learn something new about Paris. It could also be useful for someone researching a future vacation, planning an itinerary, or looking for ideas about what to see and do. And if you’re a homeschool family, some of the information could inspire conversations about geography, art, history, culture, and even French vocabulary.
For me, though, part of the appeal is much simpler: I can dream about Paris without leaving my living room. I can imagine the cafés, the beautiful buildings, the bookstores, and the streets I’d love to explore. I can think about the places Charlie would want to see and the discoveries Suzzane would have enjoyed. And I can share a little of that adventure with David, Charlie, and all of you. That sounds like a pretty good way to travel to me!
If you’re looking for a new book to read or a different gift for someone who loves traveling, consider adding Paris Curious to your list. It’s also an idea for a Christmas gift for the person who loves exploring the world, whether they’re planning their next vacation or traveling from the comfort of their favorite chair.
I’ll be sharing more armchair adventures with you, too. I have New York Curious waiting in the wings, and that one will be especially meaningful because New York was Suzzane’s favorite city and a place she actually got to visit with her Big Sister from Big Brother’s & Big Sister’s.
Until then, I’ll be right here with my book, my dog, and my imagination, dreaming of Paris. Because sometimes the best adventures begin by turning a page. Which is how my family remains Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Disclosure: I received a copy of Paris Curious: Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore: An Insider’s Guide to the City in exchange for an honest review. This post contains an affiliate link, which means Greatful Moments may earn a commission if you make a qualifying purchase, at no additional cost to you.
About: Ready to begin your own armchair adventure? Discovering Paris, One Page at a Time
A colorful guide to Paris for curious travelers, packed with tips for places to go on and off the beaten track and how to understand the city and its people.
Find your way through Paris’s cobbled streets and iconic boulevards, discovering the breathtaking monuments, intimate restaurants, and bustling neighborhoods that make this city so special.
Packed with charming illustrations, explore everything from the Eiffel tower to entrecote, the best bakeries to biking tours. Whether you’re looking for world-class museums, rooftop bars with panoramic views, vibrant street art, or intimate night spots off the tourist trail, the city’s finest offerings are on full display.
It’s the guide for the art-lover looking for the most interesting galleries and unusual museums, or the foodie looking to sample France’s famous cuisine – must-have for travelers looking to experience Paris like a true Parisian.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
