Anna1013

I hope Gabrielle is ok with this, but I copied her original post below that was from the shopping with a husband in Paris thread that has gone a bit bonkers. I suggested she post a new thread just to let other know about her blog, but she hasn't and I thought others would love to look at her Paris food blog.

My favorite thing is that she has loads of pictures of both the food eaten, as well as indoor and outdoor photos of the rest./cafes she reviews. Not sure how often she comes here, but I left a message after her review of Mon Vieil Ami.






Hi there,

Personally I recommend staying in the 10th arrondissement near Canal St Martin. There are direct metro lines to all the main shopping areas, yet the area itself is quiet, reasonably priced and with comparatively few tourists (it's the area in which I live and happily, few tourists know if its existence).

As for what to do after the shopping, I can offer you a few suggestions as I'm a food-mad Australian who moved to Paris a few years ago and after having so many requests for help from people just like you, I decided to start up my own foodie blog:

http://www.frenchfling.com/

I take my camera all around Paris and take photos of the bistros, restaurants etc and the various dishes served (I also try to talk to the chef when possible), then write reviews (including prices) so you can see for yourself what looks good! There are bars and shops, boutiques and cheese stores and all kinds of other things to help you fill in your days when you get here (or more importantly, your husband's days), so please take the time to have a look, it's one of the more comprehensive independent guides online - and it's free!

Hope I can be of some help to you and others coming to Paris!

Gabrielle.

hpeabody

Thanks. Bookmarking

cigalechanta

Thank you, Anna

ahotpoet

I was just talking to a friend about this the other day. I am a foodie and am willing to do the research. I think something like this is a great idea and am thinking of doing something similar. I wonder if I could turn this into a moneymaking enterprise somehow to offset the costs of all that fine dining. I guess I better fire up the old camera. Any ideas?

Sarvowinner

Lovely website - we are off to Paris for Australia for Christmas. I've forwarded it to my travelling companions.

robjame

Do you think she is doing this independently or do the cafes, etc. remunerate her for her efforts? This can be a problem because it affects how seriously we can take her recommendations. Otherwise it is just another advertising supplement.

"if I could turn this into a moneymaking enterprise"

As there is no advertising on the blog how would you do this and retain your objectivity? Charge for subscription?

Christina

There may not be advertising on that blog, but a lot of blogs do have advertising. In addition, a lot of blogs are written as content on some other media website, or as PR or marketing for a particular company or practice. For example, I read several blogs of interest in my professional area (health care, health policy and health law/ethics), and one of them is written by a lawyer in a firm that handles a lot of health care law cases, and also does consulting -- so while the blog itself doesn't have an ad on it, it is PR for his firm, basically. In fact, there is a note on it that legally, his blog is even considering advertising in the state of Massachusetts, which is where his firm is located.

Kristina

There are so many food blogs out there I seriously doubt one could make much money doing it.
Most people just do it for fun or because it's their passion.

"As there is no advertising on the blog how would you do this and retain your objectivity? Charge for subscription?"

Just because there's no advertising, doesn't mean one is receiving renumeration for writing about specific restaurants.
I have had a website for 10 years and I write about all my trips, and more specifically about restaurants and food in detail (with photos). I do this because I love it. I really don't want to have any advertising on my webite and because I own the name I don't have to (unlike some "blog" website. Basically, it's my "hobby" and like most hobbies has some cost attached. I make NO money doing it. Recently I added an Amazon page to my website with travel and food books I recommend. If people buy from those clickthrough links I get 4%. I've made a grand total of $2.70! I can't use that amazon $$ until I reach $10. So, like most personal websites, this is just a labor of love.

Christina

I don't think anyone was suggesting one would receive remuneration if there was no advertising -- but the question was how else could you make money on such a website?

You aren't making any money on your blog, that's the point. The guy above was trying to figure out how to make money on one (ahotpoet).

ahotpoet

Christina with a C,
You got it!
I am in a real transition period of my life now (don't want to get into the details here) and am looking for ways to increase my income. I do not have to support myself with it but I can always enhance my lifestyle that way. I absolutely love the idea of doing this. Why not live the dream?
The person I spoke to indicated to me that he and several people he knows have a need for this type of service. I can happily provide it and eat well while doing it. Everybody wins.
In my circle I am the one doing the research, making the suggestions, taking out-of-towner friends to special places they insist are some of the best places in the world.
Kristina with a K
I understand about the labor of love aspect. That is what it is for me now. I am the go-to-gal when friends have a special occasion. They say, "Can you do your "thing" and find us a great place in (insert City name here).Sometimes it is a place I have never been but doing the research is my form of fantasy armchair dining.
Robjame,
I am not the person who posted that website but I think she has the right idea.

Momliz

Gabrielle's blog looks like a good resource but she makes the same mistake that many web designers do (please don't take offense, none is meant!) of making it hard to read with the contrasting, busy background and font color. A white, cream or soft gray are far better as background colors, with a dark font color. Way easier on the eyes, I think.

Kristina

Ahotpoet-Oh, I hear you! I am that person with my friends as well. I am the "travel guru" and OCD planner of the group. Believe me, if I could find a way to make money from my website or planning I would be so happy. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I should charge for my services, write a book, work in travel, I could fund my trips!

Unfortunately, that's a tough one.
Most people think that what they read online should be "free" and are hesitant to subscribe to pay sites. They think (and I tend to agree) that the info is already out there and it's not worth it to spend money. And sites with a ton of advertising are irritating (but I will wade through the ads if the info is good like here or on chowhound.com). Then you get into ethics issues like discussed above if the people you are reviewing (for example) are paying for your services. It's hard to road to go.

I do wonder about the food blogs which have gained national notariety and if they generate enough money for their owners. In many cases the writers have published cookbooks or write for other print publications.