France and the Paris region have seen an uptick in antisemitic crimes since Israel launched an offensive in Gaza in late December, with hateful acts against Muslims also on the rise in France. Some of you may be concerned that traveling to Paris is unsafe for Jewish visitors, and I felt a need to address this issue in light of the recent crimes.

First off, please be aware that the vast majority of these antisemitic acts have been perpetrated in suburbs of Paris, rather than inside the city walls. I continue to believe that Paris, a city with an extremely vibrant Jewish history and present-day community, is perfectly welcoming and safe for Jewish visitors.

Likewise, Muslim visitors to Paris should not feel apprehensive about visiting the city, despite France's sometimes-justified reputation for harboring prejudices against its own Muslim citizens.

However, taking safety precautions is always advisable, and there are places in Paris that would be best avoided for any visitor when traveling alone or at night, and where it may be best to keep a low profile. For more information, read our Paris Safety Tips.

As for those who argue that France has a general problem with antisemitism, my experience tells me otherwise. As mentioned, Paris houses one of Europe's most lively Jewish cultural scenes, counts several museums and centers dedicated to Jewish history, culture and the arts, and the French government loudly condemns antisemitic and racist acts and rhetoric.

I invite readers to comment on any experiences or perceptions you'd like to share on these issues, but please do keep these strictly respectful.

To find out more, please consult our Guide to Paris Safety.

Also see: Travel Advisory for France (From the US State Department)

Legendary pastry chef and part-time Parisian Gaston Lenôtre passed away earlier this week, prompting a flurry of commemorations from gastronomic circles in Paris. Lenôtre, who was 88, founded an eponymous chain of high-end restaurant and pastry houses, the most famous of which is located on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. He was celebrated for his artful approach to traditional French pastries and for using higher quantities of fruit in lieu of sugar in his creations. Today the chef's recipes can be sampled at boutiques around Paris, in addition to other locations around France and worldwide.

Read More: Lenôtre Restaurants and Boutiques in Paris

More on French cuisine from About.com French Food Guide Rebecca Franklin

Parisians woke up to a snow-canopied city early this week-- a pleasant sight in a place where snow rarely sticks to the ground. But the icy conditions led to a fair amount of chaos, including cancelled Air France flights on Monday, thousands of air passengers stranded at Charles de Gaulle Airport overnight, treacherously slick streets and sidewalks, and even the temporary closure of the Eiffel Tower to visitors.

Pedestrians should be extra careful walking on sidewalks and while crossing the street as long as the temperatures remain below zero, as pavements on smaller streets in particular can be very slippery, even with proper shoes.

As for driving, better avoid: most Parisians are not equipped with tires suited for ice and snow, and accidents are common.

Through January 19th, the Grand Palais in Paris is running a noteworthy exhibition on the work of Emile Nolde, an important but perhaps underappreciated German expressionist painter. The show, which you should not miss if you're interested in understanding important trends in 20th century art, represents the world's first major solo retrospective on Nolde and showcases 90 of the artist's major works. Try to reserve ahead if possible.

More Information: Visitor's Guide to the Grand Palais