The Paris interview with Laurie Pike

Laurie Pike – travel blogger

Every other week, Discover Walks will share with some great insight from Travel bloggers from around the world who fell in love with Paris. They will share their favorites addresses and things to do while in Paris. Because genuine advice and stories are so important to us, in addition to our born-and-raised Parisian tour stories, we now bring you real advice from fellow travelers.

Bonjour Laurie, can you tell us more about who you are?

My name is Laurie Pike. I grew up in Cincinnati, and have split my time between Paris and my US home cities (variously, NYC, LA, and Cincinnati) since the age of 19. I’m 54 now.

Why did you start writing theparisblog?

The Paris Blog was founded in 2005. It was the first group blog about Paris. At the time, there were fewer than a dozen blogs written in English by expats in Paris.

Why did you start traveling?

My family has traveled around the US staring when I was 7 years old. At 8 years old I even took a ferry to Canada from Eastport, Maine–with only my 7-year-old sister accompanying me. No passport was needed at that time, and the ship’s staff just assumed we were the children of someone on the boat.

What’s special about your blog?

The different voices of the dozen-plus contributors. We have a cocktail specialist who reports pretty much exclusively on the burgeoning cocktail culture in the city. On the other hand we also have the viewpoints and tips from an arts maven, an architecture buff, and a longtime guide to the city.

What would be your top 3 things to do in Paris?

• A picnic lunch in the Roman Arena (which many are not aware exists);
• Shopping for food and gifts on rue Caulaincourt, an under-appreciated street winding from Pigalle to Montmartre;
• and seeing a film at Studio 28, which is the oldest cinema in the city, and features lighting sconces designed by Jean Cocteau. It often shows films before they have been officially released.

Your Top 3 good addresses in Paris?

• Café de Flore on the Blvd. St Germain for a glamorous café experience;
• Fragonard, also on the Blvd St. Germain, for affordable gifts;
• and the top-floor cafeteria of the Printemps department store, in the 9th arrondissement, which has an amazing view for just the cost of a beverage or a meal.

Your favorite landmark in Paris?

Sacré Coeur Basilica. Like the Eiffel Tower, it’s a beacon and symbol of the city that has interesting stories behind it. Americans often think it is old and classic, but many Parisians find it kitsch-and it is, in fact, one of the newer landmarks, age-wise.

What is your favorite neighborhood in Paris?

Montmartre. It is small and village-like, friendly and mixed.

Could you give us your recommendation to first timers in Paris?

Take buses instead of the metro. They are frequent and comfortable, and they have huge picture windows that make a simple jaunt an eye-popping scenic tour.

Thank you so much, Laurie, keep on enjoying Paris!

Merci beaucoup :-)