Have you ever wished for a guide to the world’s great travel destinations - curated from the point of view of Quiet, Depth and Beauty?
That’s what I’m excited to start bringing you today, with this guide to Paris, from Jo Piazza, author of THE PARISIAN HEIST.
Stay tuned for a forthcoming one from me, from my recent trip to London and Oxford, which are two of my favorite places on earth.
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But first! As a parent of two amazing teen boys, I’m very happy to announce that today’s Kindred Letter is sponsored by Ten Speed Press, publisher of The Success Trap: How the Pressure to Stand Out Is Fueling Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout in Teens—and the Fundamental Fix They Deserve.
This crucial new investigation into the teen mental health epidemic reveals how rising expectations in school, extracurriculars, and daily life have driven unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression. Dr. Stuart Slavin offers thoughtful, practical guidance for parents, educators – and students – to help redefine what true success looks like: not just achievement, but mentally resilient, healthy, and happy teens.
And now, here’s Jo Piazza. Jo is a bestselling author, podcast host, mom, travel writer, and introvert. (This travel guide first appeared at the Silent Book Club, an organization you might also like to check out! ):
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Paris over the past few years while I’ve been working on The Parisian Heist. Most of that time was spent researching, some writing (I still write 1500 words a day even when I travel) and some just wandering in search of inspiration or to let my mind gather up the tiny details it needs for sparks of creativity.
My favorite places in the city (besides anywhere I can eat cheese) tend to be the ones where I can alternate between reading a book and looking at interesting things.
My favorite bookstore in Paris is actually a used bookstore tucked inside the concept shop Merci, which also happens to be one of my favorite stores on the planet. Concept shop seems to mean a store that sells everything from soap to sneakers to curtains to candles in the shape of food.
I’ve spent entire days there, alternating between browsing the books (almost all of them in French….I like to look at the covers), sitting down to write, and strolling through the rest of the store.
I do something similar at the Musée d’Orsay, where my favorite place to post up is Le Restaurant, their wildly beautiful dining room with chandeliers, gilded ceilings, and murals overhead. I like to wander through the museum, stop for lunch and a perfect cheese plate, read or write for a while, and then go back to wandering among the art.
The Red Wheelbarrow is my favorite English-language bookstore in Paris. I like to grab a book there and then take it to the Luxembourg Gardens across the street to read in the grass and people watch.
When I need more caffeine I head to Maison Fleuret, a literary coffee shop. It’s tucked inside an old bookstore (that dates back to 1872) in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. You can have coffee, eat one of the best croissants in Paris, and surround yourself with books. If you like their pastries they also offer baking classes which I love taking in Paris because they give my brain something new to learn.
Near Shakespeare and Company, the Bistro des Livres combines books and food. It’s a perfect place to gaze at the line at Shakespeare and decide if you’re willing to brave it. But here’s a pro tip. You don’t have to. The line has gotten completely out of control as the bookstore has become more popular with influencers. But if you order a book ahead of time for pickup you can skip the line.
I am also obsessed with wandering around the Museum of Hunting and Nature in the Marais when I need a break from words. It is one of the strangest and most wonderful museums in Paris, filled with art and taxidermy and beautiful rooms that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a mad person’s very eccentric house.
When the sun starts to go down there is a hidden bar called Bar À Bulles behind the Moulin Rouge in Montmartre with a rooftop garden and a gorgeous view of the windmill. It is weirdly not touristy, especially on a weeknight, and an absolute delight for a reading spot with a drink.
One of my favorite nighttime restaurants is Le Bon Georges for a solo dinner outside, preferably in the fall when they give you cozy blankets. They make a perfect steak poivre and serve you vats of chocolate mousse and rice pudding.
So this is my Paris prescription, buy a book, find somewhere beautiful to sit with it, order something delicious, wander around for a while, and repeat. Paris is one of the best cities in the world for being alone in public, which is frankly the greatest luxury an introverted writer can ask for.”
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I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.
*Would you like to see more such travel guides for seekers of Quiet, Depth and Beauty?
*What was your favorite of Jo’s picks?
*If you know Paris well or have visited, do you have other spots to share? I haven’t been to Paris for decades and would love to hear your recs.
We love all your comments!
I love this idea. It is a fantastic idea and you must continue to do this. Surely everywhere we travel is a chance to see if through quiet, appreciative eyes. Reading this article makes me want to travel again and do it differently. Not to see the famous or important sights and eat the wonderful, famous food or drink but to claim the travel experience as suited to my needs. My inner world. I love the article by Jo. It was perfect. Thank you as always. You are such a life saver.
This is a great new feature! I sometimes fantasize about traveling alone for both personal growth and the luxury of doing what I want without negotiating. While I haven't yet mustered the courage to do it, save for the occasional business trip, these reviews might just get me to take the plunge...eventually. I HAVE been to Paris with my husband and daughters, and have been to several of the places mentioned. The thought of going back with a book and a journal sounds quite peaceful, and in some strange way, even romantic.