All stories about "Morgen Jahnke"

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is often considered a must-see, and many visitors make a special trip to the western end of the Champs-Elysées to examine it up close. But some people don't realize it's possible to go up inside the arch and admire the view from above. Since mid-February, the French government has made the trek more enticing by inaugurating a new permanent multimedia exhibit meant to educate visitors about the history of this famous monument. The exhibit includes a special telescope that provides information about surrounding city sights. While the Arc de Triomphe is the best known of the city's arches, it's just one of several arches -- triumphal and otherwise -- scattered throughout the city. Here's a guide.

February is Black History Month in the U.S., and in light of that, now's an especially good time to seek out landmarks that highlight the lives and legacies of the African-American luminaries who have called Paris home. From pioneers in jazz and literary heavyweights to one-of-a-kind entertainers, the city is filled with reminders of their invaluable contributions to the arts, music, and literature.

Newly divorced French president Nicolas Sarkozy's recent marriage to former-model-turned-singer Carla Bruni after a whirlwind 11-week courtship sparked a media frenzy and much public speculation about what effect it might have on French political life. So far, Sarkozy's willingness to let his private life play out in the press has done nothing to revive his record-low poll ratings, creating an ongoing debate about the blurring of public and private life in a country that has traditionally allowed the bedroom antics of its leaders to remain behind closed doors. Nevertheless, Nicolas and Carla are hardly the first power couple to create such controversy in Paris. In honor of Valentine's Day, here's a look at other Parisian couples throughout the ages whose love lives have also been the source of public fascination.

Looking for the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day with that certain someone? Although there's nothing subtle about a moonlit cruise down the Seine, romantic excess is the hallmark of this lover's day, and Paris can deliver it by the boatload. Whether you and your sweetheart are interested in sharing a leisurely meal together, enjoying stunning scenery, or waving to tourists shouting at you from the closest bridge, one of these special Valentine's Day cruises might fit the bill. Just remember that while you can't hurry love, you might miss the boat if you don't reserve your spot well in advance of the big day.

If you're looking for a way to celebrate Mardi Gras this year and can't afford a trip to Venice or Rio, you might consider making a trek up to northeastern Paris, formerly the site of Carnaval festivities in the 19th century. At that time, the areas around Belleville and the rue du Faubourg du Temple were not yet part of the city, but were respectively known as the Haute Courtille and Basse Courtille. These neighborhoods attracted city dwellers seeking entertainment and cheap liquor, which they found in the numerous theaters, dance halls, and guingettes (wine bars) in the area. Mardi Gras was an especially popular time to visit the Courtille, and masked celebrants would carouse all night until it was time to return to their homes on the morning of Ash Wednesday. This exodus came to be known as the "descente de la Courtille," and at one time it involved hundreds of carriages traveling down the rue du Faubourg du Temple on their way into the city.

Although some culturally enriching activities in Paris can be a bit pricey, the city boasts an impressive array of museums that are free of charge to the public. Now there are even more museums on this list, thanks to a new program initiated by France's culture minister, which will see 14 museums across the country forgo admission fees to their permanent collections from January 2008 until the end of June. Designed to make culture more accessible to everyone, if the results of this test run are positive, even more museums may be free in the future. For now, get out there and enjoy some free culture at the three participating Paris museums -- the Musée Guimet, the Musée des Arts ets Métiers, and the Musée national du Moyen Âge -- as well as a few more that are always free to the public.

Although absinthe was invented in Switzerland, after the Pernod family began distilling it in France in 1805, the anise-flavored herbal liquor became nearly synonymous with the cafés and cabarets of Paris. During its heyday, absinthe served as the muse to countless painters, poets, and ordinary folks, seducing its devotees and confounding its critics. But the fun came to an end in 1915, when it was banned in France. Accused of causing deleterious effects in those who imbibed it, including fits of madness and even death, it wasn't until recently that absinthe has made a comeback.

Although the temperature can dip down pretty low in Paris, it's not often that the city experiences actual snow or ice. If you're longing for a white Christmas, but can't afford a trip to a snowier part of the country, you can still find your winter fix right in town. You might start by visiting the temporary igloo on the roof of the Printemps department store, where you can imagine yourself high above the Arctic Circle (or at least high above the busy streets below) until December 31. Or you could pay a visit to one of these other chilly destinations, guaranteed to inspire wintry visions no matter the temperature outside.

Going to open-air markets in Paris is one of the great pleasures of the city. Rows of gleaming produce, pungent cheeses, freshly baked bread, and glistening fish on ice are but a few of the tantalizing reasons to visit these markets. In my opinion, there's only one major problem with the outdoor food fests: their timing. If, like me, you've arrived one too many times just as the vendors are packing away their goods, or have been greeted by the sight of dwindling piles of mushy fruit and wilted veggies, you'll know what I mean. In the case of these morning markets (which most of them are), the early bird gets the worm-ess produce. If you are tired of getting to the market after all the good stuff is gone, there is hope. In the last few years, the city of Paris has introduced markets that start later in the day. Although they may be smaller and less famous than some of their counterparts, they will still be open when you roll out of bed in the wee hours of the afternoon, or get off from work in the early evening.

As the days get shorter and the nights get colder here in Paris, it seems like the perfect time to enjoy food and drink that not only warms the body, but cheers the soul. While there are certainly French cold-weather delicacies that fit this bill, British food seems especially tailor-made to drive the winter chill away. Luckily, there are many places in Paris to find authentic British victuals, whether you want tea and biscuits to enjoy beside a cozy fire, or a full-on holiday feast, complete with Christmas pudding.

Within the last few years, Algerian pastries have experienced a new vogue in Paris, thanks in no small part to the popularity of La Bague de Kenza, a pâtisserie located on the rue Saint Maur in the 11th arrondissement. While La Bague de Kenza may be in the forefront of the trend with three other locations in the city, it is by no means the only option for those seeking pâtisseries orientales (as North African and Middle Eastern pastries are called in France). In particular, you can find the Algerian version of these sweet treats -- often consisting of a combination of honey, nuts, and delicate pastry -- in a number of places around town. But let the buyer beware, as these dainty morsels can be habit-forming.

Although the popular French game of pétanque has its origins in the south of France, it's become a favorite pastime throughout the country. According to the Fédération Française de Pétanque et de Jeu Provençal, there are nearly 50 pétanque clubs within Paris alone, located in almost every corner of the city. Each club has its own "terrain," or playing area, which may be a specially constructed "boulodrome," or simply open ground in a park or along the center of a boulevard. Many clubs also claim a certain pub or neighborhood bistro as their headquarters (or siège), the perfect place to grab a drink after the game, or for the losers to buy the winners a round. If you're interested in seeing where the boulistes hang out, here are just a few places they're likely to be found.

It may not be politically correct, but there's something strangely compelling about seeing dead animals on display -- perhaps precisely because it is a shock to our modern sensibilities. Paris has many places to indulge this morbid fascination, from boutiques that replicate 19th-century curiosity cabinets to museums that showcase historical collections of animal specimens for educational purposes.

Japanese food, at least in the Western mind, is often identified with the elaborate preparation and almost ritualized consumption of sushi. However, there's a whole range of food, from fried snacks to bento boxes to hearty noodle soups, that might be considered Japanese "fast food." A particularly good place in Paris to sample this type of cuisine is the rue Sainte Anne, a relatively short street with an unusually high number of Japanese restaurants and businesses. Popular with Japanese tourists and savvy locals, the rue Sainte Anne is conveniently located near the grands magasins of the Opéra district -- and it's just a few blocks north of the Louvre, making it a perfect lunch destination after a morning of shopping or sightseeing.

Paris, more than many other cities, has a fascinating underground scene. I'm not referring to art or music, although they are impressive, but rather to the city's literal underground. Limestone quarries, sewer tunnels, and Métro lines crisscross below Paris streets, and ancient buildings lie hidden beneath modern (and not so modern) edifices. While you can visit the Eiffel Tower (or the Montparnasse Tower) and enjoy Paris from above, these sites will give you a look at what's going on beneath your feet

Canadian Thanksgiving, although quite similar to its American counterpart, has a few key differences. It's celebrated in October, not November (since harvest time comes sooner to the frosty North), and it's usually limited to a one-day affair, not the four-day extravaganza it can be in the US. Because of its smaller scale, expat Canadians may admit to a certain ambivalence about the importance of Thanksgiving in their hierarchy of holidays, but that doesn't mean they won't feel a slight tug of nostalgia for their roots when the second Monday in October rolls around. Fortunately for them, Paris provides homesick Canucks with a range of options for countering their condition, whether they yearn for an authentic poutine, televised hockey games, or that hard-to-find copy of their favorite Canadian novel.