About Me

Bonjour and welcome to My Paris Itinerary!

Hi, I’m Tiana!

I’m a ~~20-something~~ 30-year-old California girl who has found herself living abroad in the dreamy city of Paris, France.

In 2019, after spending years of my life (and far too much money) in college studying a subject I wasn’t passionate about, and then going on to work a full-time office job that I didn’t love, I realized that life is too short to be unhappy.

tiana thompson — *Graduating from Arizona State in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science!*

I quit my day job, packed up my stuff, and moved 5,547 miles to Paris – with about $300 to my name and maybe three French words memorized.

And, in my now 4.5 years residing in France, I can confidently say that I’ve lived many different lives and had so many interesting experiences that have shaped me into who I am today.

Seriously. I’ve done it all here.

Since moving to France in August 2019, I’ve:

1️⃣: Worked as an au pair with a wonderful family who introduced me to the intricacies of French culture, how to navigate French administration without losing my mind, the dos and don’ts of Parisian life, and certainly lots of patience.

2️⃣: Did a second year as an au pair with a family that was not so great, which taught me for the first time what it’s like to feel truly alone in a foreign country, miles away from everything familiar. This chapter also taught me resilience and the importance of finding community in unexpected places.

(P.S. You can hear me talk about my experience as an Aupair on my Youtube channel here)

3️⃣ & 4️⃣: My third and fourth years in France, we’ll call my ✨grad school era✨, was my first introduction to the French education system. I spent these two years completing a Masters program in digital marketing, taught entirely in French. This experience pushed my language skills to the limit, but also introduced me to a diverse group of friends from different countries and a network that helped sharpen my skills as the self-proclaimed marketing girly I am today.

(P.S.S. I also have videos about how I went to school in France for free on my Youtube channel if you’re interested in learning more)

5️⃣: The next chapter in my Parisian saga: entering the French workforce. During my grad program, I worked for two separate companies, which gave me a nice taste of French corporate culture. I learned the sacredness of vacation days and the August holiday period, the essential pause café with colleagues during the workday, and the importance of work-life balance and taking time to recharge.

Throughout these experiences, I’ve come to appreciate the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between my American upbringing and my adopted French life.

It’s been a journey of personal growth, cultural immersion, and countless adventures. Through the highs and lows, Paris has taught me the value of resilience, the beauty of diversity, and the true meaning of home.

Each moment has been a step toward feeling more at home in this beautiful, complex country.

About the Blog

In January 2021 I started my main blog, Where Tiana Travels, where I discuss my travels all around the world, my experience as a solo traveler, and bits and pieces about my life in Paris.

It has since grown to over 100,000 monthly readers (it’s insane to even see that number typed out) and it is still a place I go to share memories from some of my favorite places from around the world.

In July 2023, I decided to start a blog completely dedicated to the city that I have grown to love and call my home: Paris.

And thus, My Paris Itinerary was born.

My mission with My Paris Itinerary is straightforward: to guide you through Paris as I know it.

This isn’t just another travel blog that glosses over the city’s surface. Here, I aim to dive deeper, showing you Paris from the viewpoint of someone who had to learn its rhythms and secrets firsthand.

As an American, and more specifically, as a black woman, my journey of integration into Parisian society has been eye-opening and challenging, but ultimately very rewarding.

This blog is where I share that journey with you, offering a unique perspective that navigates the nuances of adapting to (and *thriving*) in Paris.

In this blog, you’ll find detailed guides and recommendations that steer clear of overhyped attractions in favor of authentic Parisian experiences.

I’ll share the inside scoop on the dos and don’ts of the city, highlighting what to see (and what you might consider skipping), and spilling the tea on where to find the best hangout spots and places to eat that typically only locals know. 🤫

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy following along on my adventures!