141: Finding community & the unexpected in Paris with Catherine Down

This month is my 18th December living in Paris, and as I reflect on that time, I’m struck by how much the city still enchants and surprises me. It might be a buzzy neighborhood, a refurbished historical marvel like Notre Dame, a dining experience, or something more unexpected. Someone in the business of sussing out and building such experiences, including some I have attended, is today’s guest Catherine Down. She’s a food writer and travel and event consultant who joins to talk about the most surprising spaces and experiences in Paris, what she finds so meaningful about the city after 12 years as a resident and what she recommends if you’re coming to town this month.  Mentioned in this episode: Catherine Down Catherine's newsletter Catherine on Instagram Modern Love NYT essay Caractère de Cochon Le Marché Saint Germain Ice Skating at the Grand Palais  Café Mirabelle Le Doyenné  Repaire de Cartouche  Le Baron Rouge  Le Bon Marché  Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan ⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠