68 Comments
User's avatar
Sacha Cohen's avatar

This is marvelous and it was such a treat to see the street through your eyes! 😘

Karen Bussen's avatar

Merci Sacha and what a fun afternoon with you in the Parisian sunshine 🌞🥂

Some Things About Me's avatar

Karen, I loved every word, every accent aigu or grave! It was educational. It was fun and brought me back to the tiny tiny times I’ve had in Paris. It was in summer and the streets were filled with sunshine and some of the fondest memories I have of life. Thank you for bringing me back-and-forth it is on my list for this late spring or summer. I can’t wait!

Karen Bussen's avatar

Hello! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment. You've made my day ☺️ and Paris is here waiting for you 🧚‍♀️

Mícheál Barry's avatar

Rue du Bac is also home to Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse, a beautiful church housing the incorrupt remains of St. Catherine Labouré, who experienced Marian apparitions and where Catholic pilgrims flock to pray and see the home of the miraculous medal. Rue du Bac has so much to offer the visitor! I love it.

Karen Bussen's avatar

Thank you for noting this—I haven’t yet visited but you’re so right, this street has so much to offer ☺️

Margaret Csala's avatar

Thanks for this post! I'd love to read more like it, with a focus on just one street or micro-neighborhood.

Karen Bussen's avatar

Thank you for this! OK, stay tuned, more coming soon 😃 🧚‍♀️

Renee | Dream Plan Experience's avatar

J’adore this street. So much so, I’ve stayed in a pied-a-terre at the corner of Rue de Grenelle and Rue du Bac…well, I’ve lost count, I think 7 times now. It’s my home away from home. So glad I found you, and look forward to the next one.

Karen Bussen's avatar

Aha ! We are kindred souls 💕 I am so happy you’re here and we clearly share a love of this little corner of Paris 🥂

Erica Cantley's avatar

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much for this, Karen! Can’t wait to share it with my friends who will be visiting Paris this fall!

Karen Bussen's avatar

Hooray!!! Merci merci — you were (and often are) my inspiration 😘😘

Patty wise's avatar

Love your vlog…I feel like I’m in Paris 😊♥️

Karen Bussen's avatar

Bonjour ! Thank you for taking the time to say this—I wanted to give that feeling of being there 🌸🌺🌸

Karen Davis's avatar

I love all your 'Stacks!

Karen Bussen's avatar

Thank you! I just can’t tell you how happy it makes me to get your message 😘😘

Karen Stone Talwar's avatar

Such great memories of my days on the rue du Bac... the linen shop, the silver shops, etc as well as living in the 7th - Karen Stone Talwar - Founder of Adventures in Art.

Karen Bussen's avatar

Thanks for stopping by and so happy that it sparks good memories 💐

Brenda Wasson's avatar

Such great recommendations! I’m heading to Paris for the first time in a couple weeks as a solo traveler and have been wanting to find some unique places to visit that aren’t the same social media recommendations you see over and over. So glad I found your Substack!

Karen Bussen's avatar

Oh that’s amazing!! I’m wishing you a wonderful visit. I’m a little jealous because the first time in Paris is iconic❣️❣️Are you staying on the Right Bank or Left?

Brenda Wasson's avatar

Staying in the Left Bank in St. Germain!

EGP's avatar

How utterly charming. Thankyou so much for writing with such good information and in such a fresh and breezy way.

Karen Bussen's avatar

What a lovely comment, thank you. I do believe you made my day ❣️

Diana Baleya's avatar

Ahh this is such a good round up! During my first year in Paris one of my close friends lived on Rue du Bac and, of courseeeeee, I spent lots of time at her place and discovering the area. I've been more of a rive droite gal now that I'm a, dare I say, "local"...but this post was a great motivator to go back and check out the new spots!

Karen Bussen's avatar

Love it ! It has changed a bit in the last few years so happy that you might take a stroll of rediscovery 😃

Wondering what your favorite area might be on the rive droite ?

Geoff Stuart's avatar

Merci! We are staying in Paris for 4 days in late May and now we have an itinerary for a mid-day wander!

Karen Bussen's avatar

It's my pleasure and I'm so happy to hear this. Wishing you a wonderful visit ❣️

Bruce's avatar

Love being there from my chair in California! Dreaming of going back

Karen Bussen's avatar

So happy you could join us from California and France is waiting for your next visit 😃

suzettegrist@gmail.com's avatar

It was brilliant! Thank you. However, I would have enjoyed the septic tank's inclusion........

Adam Zak's avatar

I have a quick question for you if you don’t mind.

I’m arriving in Paris on June 25 and will spend three days there before heading to Angers for a week-long French language immersion program. I’m still pretty early in my French learning, and my goal during those first few days is simply to acclimate my ear to the sound and rhythm of the language.

Do you have any favorite places or activities in Paris that are good for that — cafés, markets, bookstores, exhibitions, walks, or neighborhoods where you naturally hear everyday French conversation?

I’ll be staying near Rue de Lévis in the 17th, but I’m happy to explore anywhere in the city.

Even one or two suggestions would be much appreciated.