France: Experience the World’s Most Popular Destination Like a Local

#125: Travel journalist, Lindsey Tramuta shares insider tips to help you discover the magic of the world’s most popular tourist destination: France. She discusses how to navigate Paris like a pro and reveals the country's must-visit regions. Chris also covers the best ways to utilize your miles and points to get there.

Lindsey Tramuta (@lindseytramuta) is a journalist who's lived in Paris since 2006. She's written for The New York Times, Eater, Food & Wine and Conde Nast Traveler and is the author of The New Paris, The New Parisienne, and The New Paris Restaurant Guide.

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Resources Mentioned

Lindsey Tramuta: Website | Newsletter | Podcast | Instagram | Twitter

• The New Paris
• The New Parisienne
• The New Paris Restaurant Guide

ATH Travel Episodes:

• #101: Planning the Best Japan Trip Ever
• #107: Italy Unlocked: Insider Tips, Must-See Destinations and Booking Flights/Hotels on Points
• #115: Iceland: Planning an Epic Adventure

Must-Visit Regions

• Centre-Val de Loire
• Burgundy
• Alsace: Strasbourg
• Normandy
• Cote d'Azur: Marseille | Saint-Tropez
• Basque Country: Biarritz
• Brittany
• French Alps
• Provence

Paris Deep Dive:

• Neighborhoods: Charonne | Belleville | Luxembourg Gardens
• Museums: Musée de Montmartre | Gustave Moreau Museum | Musée Carnavalet
• Museums (Kids): Cité Des Sciences | Museum of Hunting and Nature | National Museum of Natural History
• Contemporary Art: Pinault Collection
• Unique Things To Do: Catacombs | Women of Paris Tour
• Wine Tastings: Caves du Louvre | Cavewoman Wines
• Day Trips: Versailles | Fontainebleau | Bouldering in Fontainebleau

Restaurants:

• Paris: L’Ami Jean | Marché des Enfants Rouges | Les Enfants Du Marché | Septime
• Baked Goods: Pierre Hermé | Boulangerie Utopie | Mamiche
• Bars: Bar Hemingway At The Ritz | Bar Les Ambassadeurs At The Hôtel de Crillon

Chris’s Recommendations:

• Fromagerie Laurent Dubois
• Philharmonie de Paris
• Flash Invadors
• Puy du Fou

Online Sources For Recommendations:

• Food: Le Fooding | Eater.com | The New Paris Restaurant Guide
• Experiences & Tours: Context Travel Tours | Paris by Mouth
• Bars: 52 Martinis - Forest Collins

Rolf Potts’s book: Vagabonding

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Full Show Notes

(02:37) Why France Is The Most Popular Tourist Destination

(04:32) Experiencing France Like A Local

(07:05) What Sets France Apart

(09:33) French Culture

(11:34) Ideal Itinerary For A Short Trip To France

(15:29) Must-Visit Regions

(19:00) Is Paris a Must See?

(24:05) Highlights For A First Trip To France

(26:39) Overhyped and Underrated Spots

(28:02) Common Trip Planning Mistakes

(30:39) The People And The Culture In France

(34:02) Personal Interactions To Expect In France

(36:08) Taboo Conversation Starters To Avoid In France

(40:01) Traveling To France With Kids

(42:17) Must-Have Culinary Experiences In France

(46:01) Logistical Guidelines For Dining In France

(48:52) Tips For Planning A Trip In Paris

(53:26) Underrated Spots In Paris

(55:26) Kid Friendly Museums In Paris

(56:23) Unique Spots Off The Beaten Path In Paris

(58:59) Lindsey’s Paris Restaurant Recommendations

(1:02:20) Recommendations For Baked Goods

(1:03:24) Transportation In Paris

(1:04:42) The Nightlife In Paris

(1:06:19) Planning A Picnic At The Park

(1:07:28) Chris's Recommendations

(1:09:15) Day Trips From Paris

(1:11:30) The Right Modes Of Transport

(1:13:41) Parting Advice

(1:14:15) Using Miles & Points

Connect with All the Hacks

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