PODCAST :: EXPLORING PARIS AND NICE LIKE A LOCAL WITH MONICA PUCHOIS
“At one point, I was by the river and there were no boats, no cars and no people and the water was calm. To the left was the Eiffel Tower and to the right was Notre-Dame cathedral and it was just me and the city – and empty city - it was actually really special.
“I don’t want to ever forget that because it is something we never see here in Paris. We are so used to being surrounded by people and bikes and cars and scooters and noise. But this was so quiet and the only sounds were a few cars every once in a while, driving by and some people on their bikes. We were not allowed to go further than 1km so there were never many people around you. It was obviously an unsettling time but there were some magic moments we could get out of it, too.”
The romantic and beautiful French capital of Paris is one of the world’s most loved cities with 50 million tourists visiting the city last year.
It’s hard to imagine then, this vibrant city without the hum of bustling cafes, outdoor patios, bistros and busy parks and museums but such was the case in the midst of the global pandemic when the once bustling streets and parks were deserted.
Our guest for Episode Five of The Travelling Tribe Podcast, Monica Puchois, lives in Paris with her husband and two young children and talks about how it felt for Parisians to have this magical city all to themselves.
Plus, she talks about family life in Paris and shares her insiders’ tips for exploring the city and her home away from home, Nice, with her family.
Listen to this insightful chat on Apple Podcasts here and if you enjoy it, we’d love you to review and subscribe.
You can also listen on Spotify, here.
This episode, produced by the incredible team at The Edit Suite, is a must-listen for any travelling tribes.
SHOW NOTES
Monica’s tips for exploring Paris with kids in tow:
DO
Visit Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg, widely known as the most beautiful park in Paris. The later has playgrounds, a merry-go-round and sandpits for the kids to jump on.
Hire bikes and explore the city. Only take the metro if you need to get across the city quickly – otherwise bike or walk.
Skip the lengthy queues for attractions like the Eiffel Tower and instead pack a picnic and enjoy the view of these beautiful icons rather than standing in line for them.
Tips for Nice:
DO
The best beaches can be found just outside of Nice. Try Villefranche-Sur-Mer and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, a 15-minute train ride from Nice. Both are ideal for swimming with kids. At Roquebrune, there’s a cabin restaurant, Le Cabanon, right on the sand for delicious food and drinks.
See the private seaside holiday cabin, Cabanon, of one of the 20th century’s most admired architects, Le Corbusier
Visit the Picasso Museum, Musee Picasso, in Antibes.
Visit the antique market each Monday on the cour Saleya.
EAT
For a local meal, try Le Safari or La Civette.
STAY
Monica’s Airbnb @cozy.stay.nice
Monica holidays every year for one week with her girlfriend and their children, at Saint Jean-de-Luz, the Basque Coast in the South West of France…..
Camping in Sardinia…..
