What would the City of Light be without the poetry of its bridges? Arcing across the Seine like stone verses in a love letter to the past, the bridges of Paris offer more than a way to cross from Left Bank to Right. They are time travelers, storytellers, and sentinels, each with its own soul and saga.

Paris is lovely. It’s romantic. It’s full of iconic architecture, delicate pastries, and tourists standing in the middle of the street taking photos of things they don’t understand. But if you're the kind of traveler who prefers the weird little corners of a city to the glossy, over-filtered highlights, this post is for you.

There is so much to discover in Paris that a lifetime isn't enough. And what to do, when we are far away and planning (or dreaming about) a trip? What to see, do, eat, buy? We need help (and inspiration).

Enter the most BEAUTIFUL and inspiring new book: Paris Shopfronts, illustrated by Joel Holland, words by Vivian Song, foreword by Sarah Andelman. 

Do you follow one of my favorite authors? David Downie, a native San Franciscan, lived in New York, Providence, Rome, and Milan before moving to Paris in the mid-80s. He divides his time between France and Italy. His travel, food, and arts features have appeared in leading print and on-line publications including Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Saveur, Epicurious.com, and Gault & Millau, the premier French food guide. He is the author of over a dozen nonfiction books, including the highly acclaimed Paris, Paris and A Passion for Paris.

Paris is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world - and for good reason. The city seems to have a personality all its own, full of charm, quirks, and subtle beauty - it is unlike anywhere else in the world. For those who have visited la Ville des Lumieres in the past, the incomparable experience that comes from the city’s personality does not need to be explained. But if this is your first trip to Paris, you may need some help in understanding how to best take in all that the city has to offer.

I have the (the!!!) most beautiful book sitting on my desk. It’s about Paris (naturally), and is a completely new look at an ancient, much photographed city – through its bridges, glowing, at night.

Paris is consistently ranked among the top cities in the world for tourist visits, and often places in the top three results in lists from media and publications such as CNN, TripAdvisor, and Condé Nast Traveler.