Award-winning travel writer Gary Lee Kraut, a Paris-based specialist on travel and touring in France, will offer a series of March events about Paris bistro life and the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration.

Kraut, originally from Mercer County, is an award-winning travel writer, the editor of the web magazine France Revisited, and author of the critically acclaimed guide Paris Revisited: The Guide for the Return Traveler. His experience and knowledge as a France travel and tour specialist has also made him “the go-to guy” for those seeking personalized tours, advice, and tailor-made events in Paris and throughout France, via the website garysparistours.com. He has lectured extensively in the U.S. and France about insights from his travels, travel writing, wine regions, and American war sites in France.

On Wednesday, March 5 at 7 p.m., Kraut will present a hybrid lecture on Paris bistros at the East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center, East Brunswick, highlighting a range of organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional bistros and cafés as vital hubs of sociability and expressions of art-de-vivre à la française (French art of living). Participants can also watch the presentation online by registering here.

On Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m., at the Mercer County Library System Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township, Kraut will discuss the evolution of Paris bistros over the past 150 years and their significance in today’s culinary landscape, highlighting various owners, patrons, dishes, and wines that are integral to his personal Paris bistro experience. Registration is suggested by calling (609) 883-8294 or visiting Mercer County Library.

On Friday, March 7 at 6 p.m., Kraut will discuss “Paris Bistro Life” at Alliance Française de Philadelphia, 1420 Walnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, speaking on the importance of Paris bistros, the history and what is keeping them alive today. At 6:30 p.m. there will be appetizers French bistro style, with French wine. The cost is $30 for Alliance Française members and $35 for non-Alliance Française members. Register here.

On Saturday, March 8 at 5 p.m., he will present “France Revisited: Rebuilding Notre Dame” at Acme Screening Room, 25 South Union Street, Lambertville, and discuss the completion of the Notre Dame restoration since the film was made. He will highlight an in-depth interview he conducted with a journalist and a photographer who were among the few granted access to the restoration site in the years leading up to Notre-Dame’s reopening to the public last December. Additionally, he will explore the broader debate in France regarding the preservation and restoration of historic religious buildings. The film is free to attend with the discussion and reception costing $20. Register in advance (tickets not available at door) at acmescreeningroom.org/now-playing/france-revisited-is-back.

Kraut will be available after each of his talks to speak individually with those planning to visit France in 2025 and 2026.