The started with a bang and a scandal last week, when a syndicate of female filmmakers known as La Barbe (The Beard) released a searing open letter decrying the festival judges for not including even one film directed by a woman in the 22 entries for the fest's top prize, the Palme d'Or.

Walking across the Pont de l'Archevêché (the Archbishop's Bridge), the narrowest road bridge in Paris, I was once again struck by the abundance of love locks covering the bridge's sides. I snapped several photos of the masses of padlocks, behind which one will find an east end view of Notre Dame de Paris.

When considering the Moulin Rouge’s historical legacy, several names spring easily to mind. La Gouloue, or Louise Weber, is one, and Jane Avril is another – both captured in the posters Henri Toulouse-Lautrec produced for the cabaret. But who were these two very different women, and why have their names remained so firmly embedded in French cultural consciousness ever since they danced at the Moulin Rouge?

With Paris' main fashion museum, Galliera, closed until the spring of 2013, the facility's organizers have found a small temporary exhibition space at Les Docks-Cite de la Mode et du Design along the Quai in the 13th arrondissement. Open since April 13 of this year, the space is currently home to two simultaneous, yet separate, exhibitions. The first, a retrospective and homage to the couture of Cristóbal Balenciaga, 40 years after his death, is next door to the second, the 2012 Spring/Summer White Drama collection from Comme des Garçons. Both exhibitions are on display until October 7.

If you have to explain to a US customs inspector what St. Bart’s is, you might cause some confusion. You see, St. Bart’s uses euros, calls are long-distance, the language spoken is French, the culture is decidedly French – and so is the food (which is mostly imported). It’s no surprise then that the small island is part of France. “So you’re going to Europe,” asks the intimidating inspector with a healthy hint of skepticism. “No, it’s in the Caribbean,” you start to explain nervously. It’s no use, by now the inspector is certain that you’ve invented the place. But, luckily, he lets you go anyways. After all, if you went through the effort of inventing a dream destination, the least you should be allowed is to go there.

Do you want to live in France and most especially Paris? It’s amazing how many people say yes when they have no compelling reason to relocate. If you decide to make the move, bring these three essentials with you: Don’t be rigid, have unrealistic expectations and probably the most important thing is to maintain a sense of humor. BonjourParis' Karen Fawcett talks about moving to France, expat life and the necessity of being prepared to encounter cultural differences...

Radio: Listen Up! is making a lot of noise in Paris. Held at the Musée des Arts et Metiérs through September 2012, the exposition presents a bird’s ear view of radio history in France, beginning at the 1920 end of your dial and spanning all the way up to the 2000s.

Le Dome du Marais is a beautiful woman, a handsome man. They walk past you in the metro, they're entering or exiting a hotel, bar or restaurant, wow! you gasp, why don't I look like that? French artist Édouard Manet showed “Bar at the Folies-Bergère” at the 1882 Paris Salon exhibition one year before his death. It's not included in the current auction, but there's much of interest. Although there's no boutique showcasing Benjamin Griffon's marvellous macarons, they're very easy to order.

The wonderful bergamot orange, which looks like a small lemon, appears in the marketplace here in France in the depth of winter. Its amazingly aromatic scent is best known in Earl Grey tea. But it can also be used to make delicious lemon tart, with a nice meringue on top. Tangy and refreshingly fragrant, it’s a dessert that's hard to resist. Give it a try!

This photo, taken 124 years ago this week, shows the Eiffel Tower under construction in 1888. Nicknamed 'la dame de fer' or 'the iron lady', the tower was built as a centerpiece for the 1889 World's Fair.

Paris is a feast from many perspectives. Visitors with ‘Eyes of Faith’ will find a feast of architectural, stained glass, and sculptural treasures for an inspired spirited exploration of this luminous city.

SUR LA ROUTE ("On the Road"), adapted from Jack Kerouac's novel, will be hitting theaters in France on May 23th. The movie is in the Cannes official selection this year and stars Kristen Stewart, Kristen Dunst, Garret Hedlund, Sam Riley, Tom Sturridge, Amy Adams, and Viggo Mortensen. BonjourParis is excited to give away some amazing PRIZES to our readers...

Paris may be known as the City of Light, but it’s also a City of Museums. With a gallery on every corner from the Louvre to the Museum of Romantic Life a visitor (and even a resident!) could spend months in Paris without ever running out of exhibits to visit. But what if you could see you favourite art works, the masterpieces and the museums in a whole new way? On 19 May an annual extravaganza will be taking place all over Europe that will allow you to do just that – The European Night of Museums.

There is nothing quite like dining in cafés, bistros or brasseries in France. Arguably, the French have everyone else beat and every neighborhood in Paris has a plethora of choices. However, even with the many choices, locals tend to gravitate to the same restaurants. One in particular, Variations, is fondly referred to as “ma cantine”.  This term is used if one tends to go to a favorite spot so often that it feels like your own kitchen.