Elizabeth Gourd

Elizabeth is a freelance writer and blogger living in Paris. Originally from London, she loves exploring new places and cultures and is always on the move to discover something new. Future travel plans include getting lost in Central America and finding herself in India before she is old.

Paris from the back seat of a 2CV

There are worse ways to spend a grey Thursday afternoon than drinking champagne and being chauffeured around Paris in a vintage Citroën 2CV. Well, I can certainly think of a few. But for our delightful guide Cédric, this guided tour on four wheels is a routine pleasure and the perfect way to be introduced to the city.“Traffic and weather are the main issues,” he explains cheerfully. ... Read More

Secret Montmartre: An Insider’s Guide

You’ve probably been to Montmartre. Perhaps you’ve had your portrait done in famous Place du Tertre and then queued for the Sacré-Cœur; maybe you’ve wandered the romantic cobbled streets before dinner and a show at the Moulin Rouge. But do you know the area like a local? ... Read More

6 Churches in Paris That Aren’t Notre Dame

Notre Dame may be world-famous and we’d certainly recommend a guided tour – but what about the hundreds of other beautiful churches that shine like stars in the City of Light? Religious or not, you won’t want to miss their stunning architectural features and soaring celestial heights. Here’s our guide to a handful of historic churches you might not have visited before.  ... Read More

Paris Real Estate Hits a New Record in 2017

In 2017, it has been a bumper year for apartment sales in Paris, both in terms of price increases and volume of sales. According to a recent report by Notaires of Paris Ile-de-France, sales increased 21% year over year. In fact, the first nine months of 2017 produced more transactions than the entire years: 2012, 2013 or 2014. ... Read More

7 Of The Best Hot Chocolates You’ll Ever Taste In Paris

Hot chocolate is just for kids, right? Not in Europe, it isn’t. Imagine a cup of luxurious molten hot chocolate before you, profoundly rich and velvety and with a perfectly-tempered balance of bitterness and sweetness. This stuff isn’t child’s play – it’s a serious undertaking. Here are seven of the best places for hot chocolate in Paris: but remember, please drink responsibly. ... Read More

Why Rue des Martyrs Is The Perfect Paris Street

Beginning at the imposing columned church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette and stretching right up into the foothills of Montmartre, Rue des Martyrs is a beloved stronghold of local community life and spirit. The street may be one of the most authentic Parisian street in the city – the hustle and bustle of hardware stores and grocery stalls mixed in with pharmacies and bookstores, florists and bakers. ... Read More

5 Bookstores Every Book Lover Should Visit In Paris

If Midnight in Paris is anything to go by, Paris is arguably the greatest literary city in the world. Between its poets and philosophers, novelists and playwrights, this city is a historic melting pot of famous thinkers and revolutionary ideas. Where else could you discuss existentialism in the seats of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, or pay your respects at the graves of Molière and Proust? ... Read More

A Guide to Shopping in Paris’ Covered Passages

It’s Black Friday, so we’ve got shopping on our minds. As the days shorten and the weather gets colder, seek refuge in one of Paris’ enchanting passages couverts. These traditional antique shopping arcades are hidden in scattered locations across the 9th, 2nd and 1st arrondissements. With eclectic offerings from second-hand books and stamp collections to designer Louboutin’s, here are some of our favorite secret spots. ... Read More

Where To Shop For Candles In Paris

To the untrained nose, candle shopping in Paris might seem like a no-brainer. But with so many diverse and intoxicating scents to sniff, from honeyed tobacco to Mexican orange blossom, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Here’s a handful of our top recommendations, so you can come up smelling of roses (or maybe lavender – whatever your preference). ... Read More

Five Christmas Gift Ideas From Paris

Starting to write your Christmas shopping list? Gone are the days when two turtle doves or a partridge in a pear tree would have sufficed for festive gifting. Originality is everything in gift-giving this holiday season (think monogrammed velvet slippers and personalized perfumes). But if you’re in Paris, you’re in luck – it’s the best city to discover unique treasures and custom gifts, unavailable back home. ... Read More

Paris Hits New Record as Prices Continue to Surge

It’s official: Paris real estate is hot right now. The market is sizzling, according to new sales records and surging prices in 2017. A recent report by Notaires confirmed sustained price rises across the Île-de-France region between July 2016 and July 2017, where apartments have increased by 5.2% and houses by 2.2% on average. Paris represents a significant proportion of these accelerated growths. ... Read More

Affordable Shopping In Paris

Chic, high-end and enviably couture: ‘affordable’ isn’t something that springs to mind when thinking about shopping in Paris. However, you may be pleasantly surprised. We’ve handpicked some stores where you can get voguish brands year-round at a fraction of the price. Whether you’re searching for the best designer consignment stores, discounted beauty products, or simply clothing that won’t break the bank, we’ve got every option covered. ... Read More

Here’s How to Spend a Magical Christmas in Paris

Spending winter in Paris? If so, read our insider guide for the festive season. All of our Paris Perfect apartments are centrally located, to help you get the very best from your vacation. From mid-November the first flakes of festivity begin to fall, as a flurry of traditional Christmas markets open across the capital. There are a wealth of markets in the city, but we frequent our favorite spots. ... Read More