To celebrate the release of her new book Paris: A Curious Traveler’s Guide, we asked author Eleanor Aldridge to let us in on 7 things she'd like her readers to know about her. Read on to find out what she had to reveal…
Paris
I’m always happy to give restaurant recommendations. Few things make me happier than helping friends find a great meal and then hearing that they enjoyed it. My first messages from readers of Paris: A Curious Traveler’s Guide telling me that they’ve loved restaurants in the guide have made my month.
I might have an English accent, but Paris is home. Despite my best efforts I can’t quite shake my London twang in French, but I’ve been based in la belle France for nearly two years – and writing about Paris for much longer. I get reverse culture shock going back to the UK these days and it takes me a few days to readjust. I always end up saying merci and bonne journée when I pick up a coffee after I get off the train at St Pancras.
I’ve only seen the Mona Lisa three times. That was enough. There are so many more interesting artworks to discover in the Louvre, and you don’t have to stand in line for an hour or fight through the crowds to see them. This is the approach to sightseeing I wanted to share with my book: not passing up the big sights but making time for more offbeat highlights and quintessentially Parisian experiences as well.
I’m obsessed with natural wine. It’s such an exciting scene in Paris and at the moment I discover a new producer or wine every week. Natural winemakers champion small-scale production, minimal intervention and little-known varietals, so styles are constantly evolving. Septime la Cave, L’Etiquette and Cave de Belleville (all in the book) are my favourite spots to go in search of something delicious to drink.
I might be a trained chef, but I hate baking. I just don’t have the patience for macarons: please don’t ask me to make them. One of the greatest joys of living in Paris is that almost no-one bakes in their tiny Parisian kitchens. Instead, if you’re going to a friend’s for dinner you pick up a beautiful tart or dessert from a top pâtisserie.
I’m a bit of a sucker for a romantic cliché. There’s nothing better than watching the sunset from the Sacré-Cœur or picnicking in Buttes Chaumont. Although the secret to actually enjoying the experience is to have a pre-planned escape: a reservation at a cute cocktail bar or a backstreet restaurant nearby.
I love a good list. Currently I’m working through an ever-growing list of the best lunchtime formules with friends and a list of all 43 AOP cheeses that I’m determined to eat or cook with before the end of the year. I’m also planning a trip to Corsica for next summer, so I’m starting to gather tips on the best beaches and bars.
Eleanor Aldridge is a writer and editor based in Paris and the author of Paris: A Curious Traveler’s Guide, a new insider’s guide to the city without pretension. Curated to offer a fresh approach to visiting the “city of love”, it spotlights little-visited museums, casual neighborhood bistros, standing-room-only wine bars, and quirky hotels. Find her on Instagram at @elliejaldridge.