11 Things You Can Only Buy in Paris

Top 10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris

20 French Sayings That Make No Sense in English

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Beacon for architecture. Capital of haute couture. Epicentre of culinary excellence. Paris sits at the cutting edge of culture: for every world-renowned museum, big-name fashion house and Michelin-star restaurant, there’s a contemporary art gallery, an up-and-coming designer boutique and an innovative young restaurateur doing things very differently.

Introducing Paris

Newsflash: France’s capital is popular. Overcrowded tourist hotspots are still worth visiting if you’re smart about it, but there are some worthwhile alternatives. Take the Mona Lisa: it might be the most famous painting in the world, but the Louvre has 35,000 artworks worth seeing that aren’t blocked by selfie sticks. And while the Champs-Élysées is beautiful, these days it’s your standard high street – complete with a McDonald’s. Instead, try Rue de Marseille and the nearby Canal Saint-Martin, an area popular with young Parisians for its bars, boutiques and concept stores.
Another lively, under-the-radar area is Porte de Clignancourt, with its large flea market and fantastic views of the Sacré-Cœur. Of course, there are some quintessentially Parisian experiences that’ll never get old: a stroll along the Seine, a trip up the Eiffel Tower (try a ‘stairs and lift’ ticket) and settling down with a bottle of wine and steak frites at one of the City of Love’s many brasseries.

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Afghanistan’s ten best cities mix a turbulent history with historic and culturally important sites.

Asia

Afghanistan

The 10 Most Beautiful Cities In Afghanistan

Pratiek Sparsh Samantara surveys some of the best contemporary literary fiction and non-fiction to come out of Afghanistan.

The 7 Best Books On Afghanistan

Watch Ty Evan's new documentary that shows how borders can be broken down with skating.

Can Skateboarding Break Barriers and Empower Youth in Conflict Zones?

Afghanistan's national sport has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, despite how alarming it may be to some.

Buzkashi: Afghanistan's Goat-Grabbing National Sport

Celebrated photojournalist Steve McCurry presents a brand new book of photographs from his journeys through Afghanistan between 1979 and 2016.

A New Book by Renowned Photojournalist Steve McCurry Showcases the Beauty of Afghanistan

Discover the extraordinary tales of Soviet pilots who are found decades after being reported as missing-in-action during the Soviet-Afghan war of the 1980s.

A Soviet Pilot Went Missing in Afghanistan and Was Found 30 Years Later

The spread of strict Islamic schools threatens the freedom and influence of Muslim females in the public sphere.

The Rise Of Fundamentalist Madrassas In Northern Afghanistan

Startup Grind Afghanistan Director Ahmad Fahim Didar talks to The Culture Trip about the country's young startup scene.

The Afghanistan Startup Community Helping to Rebuild a Country

We find out more about the man who has made over 100 films in a country where watching one can lead to a death sentence.

An Introduction to Nothingwood: The One-Man Afghan Film Industry

Shamsia Hassani, Afghanistan’s first female street artist, has emerged as a spokesperson for women’s rights in Kabul.

This Is Afghanistan’s First Female Street Artist

We look at ‘Skate Girls of Kabul', the striking photo series of the NGO that gives the girls of Afghanistan a purpose.

Meet The Skate Girls of Kabul In Photographs of Afghanistan's 'Skateistan'

We speak to the star and director of The Breadwinner about working with a Hollywood superstar to produce the most important animation of the year.

How Angelina Jolie Produced a Devastating Animation About Life Under the Taliban

Phil Grabsky, the director of the Boy who plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, has come up with yet another thought provoking documentary The Boy Mir.

The Boy Mir: Ten Years In Afghanistan

Timeri Murari’s 2012 novel The Taliban Cricket Club explores life in Afghanistan under the Taliban; focusing on their surprising policy of promoting cricket.

Interview: Timeri Murari on The Taliban Cricket Club and Life under Tyranny

GEM: Contemporary Jewellery and Gemstones from Afghanistan will be on show at the British Council’s London headquarters until the 29 November 2013. It is the result of the British Council’s collaboration with Turquoise Mountain, an organisation that promotes Afghan craft and design worldwide and highlights an aspect of Afghanistan that is not so often the focus of our attention, as Melanie Eddy reveals.

GEM: Celebrating Contemporary Afghan Craft and Design

Discover the unique items you can only buy in Paris, from original antiquarian books to delicious chocolate.

Explore the untouristy areas of Paris with our insider selection of the 10 best unusual activities, sights and things to do in the city of love.

French is a wonderful, romantic and, at times, completely absurd language. These 20 bizarre expressions show off the best of its linguistic humour.

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for France, Europe - Local News & Top Things to Do

France

Guides & Tips

11 Things You Can Only Buy in Paris

Discover the unique items you can only buy in Paris, from original antiquarian books to delicious chocolate.

See & Do

Top 10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris

Books

20 French Sayings That Make No Sense in English