Welcome to Boston. City of the future. Cradle of American history. Hotbed of innovation, bastion of tradition (…) Boston has so many facets that discovering it can entertain visitors for days on end. It dazzles with renowned museums, great shopping, lush gardens and parks, and vibrant public spaces. (…) The easiest way to fall in love with Boston is to explore it on foot.”

Top 10 Boston, Eyewitness Travel.

Last week, I returned to Boston for the first time in 30 years. Boston is often listed as one of the most European cities outside of Europe. I agree. I realized the opening words in the Eyewitness Travel guide I had brought along apply to Boston, but also to Paris, London, or Barcelona, all favorite European grandes dames. The mix between the old and the new, the rich historical background, the cobblestone streets, the compactness of the downtown area, the high walkability factor, not to mention the efficient public transportation system, made me feel at home right away. I love to travel alone, but was lucky to have an enthusiastic sidekick with me this time, a friend and colleague who shares my love of urban environments (best discovered on foot,) history, good food and wine. We were in town for our company’s annual conference, but we flew in early (Who else could convince this French Girl, who never sleeps on airplanes to book a red-eye flight?) For a long weekend, we walked; explored; enjoyed fabulous meals; stayed out of the rain when we could; and had a jolly good time.

Boston

Two friends toast a great city, a great meal… and Cognac.

I loved Boston when I first visited thirty years ago as a Tour Director for a leading company in global education. I remember walking for hours in the city that summer, with a group of French teenagers I took around the East Coast. We traveled from Maine all the way down to Mississippi and Louisiana. It was a great trip, full of exciting discoveries, but I never forgot “the City on a Hill.” Last week, Boston and I finally got re-acquainted, and we hit it off right away. Here are some of the highlights of the visit. It included – bien sûr – a meal (or two) at a local French restaurant. My friend Jessica, the blogger behind A la Prochaine, a Boston-based publication, had sent me a generous list of some of her favorite “French-flavored” haunts. My travel companion is a bit of a foodie, and he selected several great spots for us as well. French Girl in Seattle readers, who were following the trip on Facebook, provided other excellent recommendations. Merci à tous!

Bon appétit, Boston!

From the French Bistro Ma Maison, where I enjoyed two delicious meals, to Tatte Bakery in Beacon Hill, the Salty Pig, and Porto and its Mediterranean fare, we did not hit a single bad note.

Boston

Escargots — because we can.

Boston

Moules-Frites, with a generous serving of baguette to…

Boston

Boston

Sancerre has officially become my favorite white wine

Boston

La sélection du jour chez Tatte Bakery, Beacon Hill

Boston

Brunch #enterrasse – Quelle chance!

Boston

Charcuterie and cheese platter chez Salty Pig pushed down with…

Boston

French wines were a theme during the weekend: My friend is nice like that!

Boston

Going Italian in the North End, as Paul Revere looks on

Boston

Cannoli chez Mike’s Pastry (where the Sunday afternoon lines compete with Paris-based Berthillon’s)

Boston: Rues et quartiers

Boston

Affluent, historic, and residential Beacon Hill

Boston

Beacon Hill

Boston

Beacon Hill

Boston

Beacon Hill

Boston

Quincy Market, the historic marketplace, near Faneuil Hall

Boston

Inside Quincy Market

Boston

Just like in Paris: “Distracting” architectural details

Boston

Inside the Old North Church, North End, the oldest standing church in Boston

Boston

The Old Granary Burying Ground, founded in 1620

Boston

Famous (and not so famous) Boston patriots lie here, like Paul Revere

Boston

A reminder that life was precious and often short, 200 years ago

Boston: All great cities have at least one great park!

Boston

The Massachusetts State House and the Boston Common

Boston

Parkman Bandstand (1912) is said to be modeled on Versailles’ Temple d’Amour.

Boston

The elegant Public Garden, the US’s first botanical garden

Boston

George Washington

Like many {european} grandes dames, Boston, Massachusetts, has it all. Best of all, the city is compact enough that one can truly enjoy its essence in just a few days. Boston had me at “Hello,” but nowhere was I more impressed than during my afternoon visit at a local landmark, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This amazing building, and the unique art collections it showcases, is the result of a woman’s vision, taste, and great personal fortune. Words don’t do it justice, but maybe a few photos will. The building itself, known as Fenway Court when it was still Ms Gardner’s residence, is remarkable. The magnificent Courtyard and its lush landscaping, maintained by an army of gardeners year round, will take your breath away, even if the art does not. A must-see in Boston, and a fitting conclusion to this long blogpost. I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I did mine.

A bientôt.

Boston

Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840-1924,) by John Singer Sargent, Gothic Room

Boston

Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. The Gothic Room

The Cloister

Boston

The Courtyard: A masterpiece and a gardener’s dream

All photos by French Girl in Seattle

Please do not use without permission.

Véronique - France with Véro
Véronique of France with Véro

Véronique of France with Véro

Vero shares her homeland weekly on social media with virtual tours, photo essays, live events and other publications at France with Vero. Learn more.

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22 Comments

  1. Debra on April 2, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    Boston is one of my favorite cities. I have visited several times. There is much to see and do. And I love the history! Thank you for sharing your wonderful weekend trip and photos. I always enjoy your posts so much. This Boston trip photos provided me with familiar places I visited. So nice. Thanks again.

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:52 pm

      Merci de votre visite Debra. Since you know Boston better than I do, I am happy you enjoyed my story and photos.

  2. g on April 2, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    So much of Boston reminds me of Philadelphia-AS ALWAYS an informative delightful read!!

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Merci g. Philadelphia, like Boston and other East Coast belles, has been on this French Girl’s “Must-revisit-soon” list. A bientôt.

  3. Jessica on April 3, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Loving this post, Veronique! C’est parfait!! I’m so happy you had a wonderful stay in Boston and enjoyed Ma Maison. I had a feeling you might like it there! 🙂

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:46 pm

      And thank you again for all your recommendations. I have saved some of them for my next visit, hopefully very soon.

  4. cauquil jocelyne on April 3, 2017 at 7:32 am

    cette ville est vraiment superbe!!!!

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:50 pm

      Je confirme – avec enthousiasme!

  5. Alain et Jo on April 3, 2017 at 8:07 am

    vraiment magnique ce reportage sur boston…

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Merci beaucoup!

  6. Gwyneth Perrier on April 3, 2017 at 9:53 am

    Wonderful photos – that courtyard is gorgeous! Sancerre is also my favorite white wine. 🙂

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:49 pm

      Merci Gwyneth. Truly, that courtyard is mesmerizing. My photos don’t even do it justice. I shared a short video I filmed there on my Instagram account if you care to watch it. A bientôt.

  7. Jeanne on April 3, 2017 at 11:21 am

    I have never been to Boston but need to change that especially since I know I can navigate the city using public transportation. Great pictures!

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 3, 2017 at 10:48 pm

      Thank you Jeanne. Boston is extremely easy to navigate. The public transportation system seems pretty good, but I always give enthusiastic thumbs-up to a city that is mostly “walkable” i.e., to this French Girl, “civilized.”

  8. Olivier Delaporte on April 6, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    I have been there too, 30 years ago…There was no Cabernet but I still remember the lobsters…
    Great pictures, Véronique!

    • French Girl in Seattle on April 7, 2017 at 7:08 am

      Merci Olivier. Is this “the” Olivier Delaporte from Amex France I wonder? 😉

      • Olivier Delaporte on April 7, 2017 at 10:08 am

        This is the one… Let’s catch up when you next show up in Paris!



  9. Claude Savoye on June 19, 2017 at 7:21 am

    Suberbe voyage à Boston

  10. Claude Savoye on June 19, 2017 at 7:23 am

    Quelle belle ville !

  11. Sandy on July 10, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Never been to Boston, merci for sharing. Those moules frites tho!!! Je veux! Miam miam!

  12. Katrien on August 31, 2017 at 7:47 am

    Cela donne effectivement envie de s’y rendre…. Pour manger. Je n’ai pas accès à ce type de délice dans mon bled au Tennessee
    Katrien. Bellaventure USA

    • French Girl in Seattle on October 2, 2017 at 5:25 pm

      Boston est à voir absolument: Vous habitez beaucoup plus près que moi et je vous souhaite d’aller y faire une visite bientôt.

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