… a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
Caroline is an Independent Educational Consultant and founder of A+CollegeCoaching. Based in Paris, she helps families identify and evaluate options for college and universities abroad as well as navigate the admissions process with the goal of finding the best academic, social and financial fit for their child. Having raised her own children in Germany, Japan and now France, she is particularly sensitive to the needs of ‘global nomad kids’.
Caroline holds a BA from the American University of Paris, an MBA from the University of Hartford, and a Certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from UC Irvine. She stays on top of college admission trends by regularly visiting college campuses, attending conferences and webinars and is a member of IECA and OACAC.
Metro : Denfert-Rochereau (Lines 6, 4 & RER B)
Using the Palo Alto systemic model, Alexia is there to help you resolve your most troublesome life or work problem. She is an expert problem solver whose passion is to get people unstuck. Through laser-focused questions, discussion of an alternative vision and a strategic mindset, together with your own expertise on how the problem recurs, Alexia will help you design your own totally customized plan to get yourself out of that seemingly insurmountable rut.
She gives regular talks (in both English and French) and workshops in Paris on such topics including; How to Help Your Bullied Child fight back and Grow your sales by overcoming obstacles.
Also, read her INSPIRELLE article here: Child Bullying: How to Help Your Child Stand Up for Himself.
Rita Golstein-Galperin is a multicultural expat living in Paris and a Career Makeover Strategist® for expat women.
She created Expat Renaissance to help women rediscover, reinvent and redefine their professional-awesome-self while thriving overseas! Combining her honed strategic problem solving skills and widely interdisciplinary background as lawyer, entrepreneur, public policy professional, economist and lecturer she helps women get unstuck and embrace new opportunities abroad, whether in the job market or starting (and growing) their own business.
Drawing from both professional and personal experience, Isabelle offers intercultural coaching that helps you better understand both French culture and administration, as well as focusing on improving language and communication skills. Isabelle lived 10 years in the United States before returning to Paris. She works closely with many international companies based in France to help their overseas staff adjust to their new French environment. She particularly enjoys helping individuals in private sessions.
Her bi-cultural coaching can make it easier and more rewarding for you to live and work in France!
American-born Jane Mobille has worked with adolescents in France for over two decades as a music teacher, educational admissions consultant and now as a life and career coach. Through private sessions or group workshops with peers, Jane encourages teenagers to speak their mind and make the best choices for themselves.
After completing studies she became a certified life and executive coach and today she not only coaches teens, but also managers and adults.
Read more about her philosophy and work in, Why Teens Will Talk to This Woman Before Opening Up to Parents and here: Teen Coach: Stupid is as Stupid Does.
Joanne Archibald is a Paris-based life coach and writer. She is also a wife, mother, yogi, singer, patchworker, bookworm, Francophile, life-lover, and day seizer. She left the UK for France intending to stay just seven months and it’s now been 12 years… As a family coach and personal development writer, Joanne is dedicated to living life on purpose and helping others, particularly expat families in and around Paris, do the same.
For face-to-face, Skype or telephone coaching sessions in French or English, contact jo@joannearchibald.net. You can also follow her on Twitter @joarchibald
Read her article on INSPIRELLE, The Motherhood Diaries: Living with Chronic Fatigue.
Marie de Tilly is a business etiquette and a French savoir-vivre coach. She offers training courses, tailor-made workshops and individual coaching sessions to help both individuals and professionals gain the confidence they are seeking in their personal and professional life in France.
Madame de Tilly masters to perfection manners and French “art de vivre” and gives conferences all around the world. She demystifies and clarifies the meaning of true good manners by adapting them to modern life. She also teaches manners at the EIML in Paris (International School of Luxury Marketing), and is a regular TV host in Stephane Bern’s daily show on French television.
Meet the savviest eSafety expert we know: Elizabeth Milovidov – an American lawyer and foremost European consultant on Internet safety who shows children, parents and educators how to get the most from the Internet, safely.
On her website, Digital Parenting Coach, you will find free tips and information about workshops and downloadable guidebooks for parents who want to learn about the benefits and risks of Internet, social media and technology.
She is also a dynamic speaker on Internet safety issues, a part-time eSafety consultant at European Schoolnet and an independent expert on children’s rights and Internet for the Council of Europe.
Read her story: “Meet a Cyberspace Cop Protecting You from Internet Abuse” and find her biography and articles written for INSPIRELLE HERE
The Women of Success (TWS) is a network of professional women created by business and life coach Dawn Z Bournand (founder of Fabulously Successful). The network offers valuable peer support, shares tips, tools and techniques for creating a fulfilling life and business, and offers opportunities for members to help each other grow professionally and personally.
Through Project M – Mind & Money, Yulin Lee, offers uniquely designed services for women in all stages of life to become financially independent. Her services include 1-on-1 private coaching, group coaching, accountability coaching as well as workshop and seminar training. As an expat who lived in Paris, France for many years, she understands how family displacements, career changes and a new environment can impact a woman’s life.
Visit her website to find out more about her services and read her article, Mind Your Money: Wake-up Call for Expat Women.
The American School of Paris (ASP) in Saint Cloud, a western suburb of Paris, is a great place for families to find innovative activities and holiday camps in English. Through its Extension Program the private, international school opens its world-class facilities to external students aged 4 to 18 during school vacations as well as Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the school year.
Camps and year-round activities led in English include basketball, tennis, soccer, coding, science, fashion design, filmmaking, theatre and more. Kids looking to improve their English skills have a choice of English immersion classes and even intensive workshops to prepare for the English BAC exam or the SAT American college entrance exam. At ASP, there’s bound to be a camp or workshop right for your child.
Check out their WEBSITE for all the details!
If you love some of INSPIRELLE‘s portraits and Paris photos, turn to professional photographer Alexis Duclos. One of our most fervent supporters, Alexis is an experienced award-winning photographer and video cameraman who can capture your individual and family portraits for business or personal use as well as produce corporate videos to enhance your company websites.
To consult his versatile work visit his website: http://www.alexisduclos.com
Metro: Jasmin (line 9), Michel-Ange Auteuil (lines 9 and 10)
A French and English-speaking American trained clinical psychologist with a PhD specialising in behavioral issues, ADHD, parenting, anxiety and mood disorders, OCD and behavioral medicine.
Member of SPRINT France, a non-profit group of English-speaking and bilingual professionals who work with children of all ages with special needs.
Metro: Jasmin (line 9), Michel-Ange Auteuil (lines 9 and 10)
A British-born and educated clinical psychologist working with adults, children and families, with a particular interest in the autistic spectrum.
Member of SPRINT France, a non-profit group of English-speaking and bilingual professionals who work with children of all ages with special needs.
Established over 40 years ago as an independent and not-for-profit organization, all of their teachers hold AMI (Assoication Montessori Internationale) diplomas. The school offers a unique bilingual Montessori education, at 3 locations in the heart of Paris, for children from 2-9 years old.
Metro: Exelmans (line 9)
Based in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, Club Atheon offers adults and children a wide variety of sports and fitness courses throughout the year, including martial arts, pilates, yoga, zumba and more.
During school holidays, they hold one-week multi-sports, dance and English class workshops (only during school holidays) for kids aged 7-15 at Stade Jean Bouin in the 16th arrondisement.
As mentioned in our ultimate guide to kid’s activities…
When Parisian Cecile Birgand Ayasse couldn’t find original workshops for her own four kids, she set up Apprends et Rêve (“To learn and dream” in English) to create her own solution. From singing lessons with a coach from “The Voice” to Flamenco, computer coding or graffiti art, they offer imaginative weekend workshops and holiday camps where children aged 3 to 15. Activities are taught in French at various locations around Paris.
PERK FOR INSPIRELLE READERS! Mention INSPIRELLE when you sign up for a holiday camp or year-long workshop at Apprends et Rêve (“Learn and Dream“) and get a free yearly membership PLUS 15% off any one-day reservation.
Metro: Porte de St-Cloud (line 9)
A team of “mad scientists”, who make learning about science fun, are at your service to put on a fun and engaging, interactive show at your event or children’s party. Choose from various age-appropriate themes, and they’ll come prepared to entertain the kids with fun scientific experiments. You just provide the laboratory and the cake. Also offering made-to-measure workshops on numerous science topics in schools and at various Savants Fous locations around France. They also organize daily and weekly workshops during school holidays.
Metro: La Muette (line 9) Boulainvilliers (RER C)
Situated in what once was the “Passy La Muette” train station, in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, La Gare is an impressive spot for brunch. In nicer weather, you can enjoy sitting in one of its two lush outdoor terraces. On weekends, they have an all-you-can-eat buffet spread and entertainment for the little ones. It’s also an elegant spot lunch or dinner on Monday thru Saturday, too!
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
Metro: Porte de St Cloud
Known for its crispy Peking Duck served over several courses, the Palais du Bonheur serves up typical grilled and steamed Chinese dishes — all for a reasonable price, with a welcoming smile! Our faves: Peking duck of course, salt and pepper shrimp, ma po tofu, braised eggplant and hot and sour soup!
Metro: La Muette (Line 9)
An elegant Chinese restaurant hidden on a small street near the busy rue de Passy. We love their crispy Peking duck lunch (98€ for 2 people), which features a yummy variety of dim sum, half a crispy duck per person, served 3 ways, rice, and dessert. And, unlike most other restaurants, there’s no need to order the duck in advance!
With more than 15 shops across 4 continents, Maison de Famille furniture and decor are a fusion of classic, ethnic and modern styles. This blending of new and old, local and exotic immediately wins over a clientele of all ages and styles.
Other locations in Morocco, Italy, USA, Russia, and Japan.
We adore this charming, chalet-style restaurant and event space on its own island in the Bois de Boulogne in the West end of Paris. The voyage there itself is unique – you can row, yes we said row, your way across the lake. Or, you can park and then take a ferry from the public parking area (free for restaurant goers, 1,50€ round-trip for island hoppers). On fine days, you can pack a picnic and find a spot of grass to spread out. Or, you can book a brunch at their elegant restaurant.
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
This large chain with 250 stores in France and around Europe, offers a huge variety of styles for all your home decorating needs. Whatever your preference the Maisons du Monde’s own team of furniture designers imagine their exclusive and unique collections of furniture and decor each year in 3 different catalogues – indoor, outdoor, and junior.
Right in the heart of the Passy area, you’ll feel transported to Thailand at Ayada Spa, where you can get a Thai massage from smiling masseuses trained at the famous Wat Pho in Bangkok. Or sit back in a comfy armchair and give your feet a sensory treat with a 30 or 60 minute reflexology treatment. If you have more time, they also have a small hammam.
You know Zara Women’s and Men’s affordable clothing stores so visit the chain’s home furnishings boutiques throughout Paris. Discover attractive collections of small furniture, decorative objects for the bathroom and kitchen and a textile selection (bed linen, tablecloths, towels, throw covers).
Offering a large selection of arts & crafts in stores all over France. Great for home decorations and craft projects for all levels of expertise.
Metro: Charles Michels (line 10) Other ways to get there: CLICK HERE
Underground parking and valet parking available.
The spanking new Beaugrenelle shopping center is one of our favorite one-stop destinations in central Paris: a 50,000m2 modern shopping center and cinema complex in the 15th arrondissement. Shoppers, You’ll find some of your favorite brands. Hungry? Try the food court which offers a range of family-style restaurants.
A multiplex Gaumont Pathé cinema offers online bookings with your choice of seating–including love seats for snuggling up to someone.
Want to drop off your kids while you shop? Viens Jouer à la Maison offers workshops and an indoor playroom with regular activities to keep your little ones busy on Wednesdays and weekends!
Look for more activity ideas in our Guide to After School and Weekend Activities or in 15 Indoor Activities for Children in Paris on Rainy Days!
Metro: La Muette (line 9)
A compact nail bar and esthetic salon located off rue de Passy in the 16th arrondissement that is open Sundays and closed Saturdays. Treat yourself, often, to a double whammy manicure/pedicure treatment or a relaxing facial for 55 euros each. Perfect for the busy woman managing a budget.
READ MORE in our Perfect Sunday Pedicure article!
Madura creates collections with the aim to give pleasure and to make interior design easy, enjoyable and approachable. Together with their vast range of textiles, they also offer a wide selection of lamps, blinds and other accessories.
Numerous locations in Paris, around France, Europe and New York City.