David Jaggard
Love Locks
LOVE LOCKS' LABORS LOST
“Love locks” have come to Paris. In case you’re unaware of this phenomenon, it has become a fad for lovers to solemnize their passion by inscribing their names on a padlock, snapping it onto the railing of a bridge … Read More
Celebrating French Communism at the Fête de l’Humanité
A sea of humanity at last year’s Fête de l’Humanité. Yes, there is still a Communist Party in France. It’s called the PCF, and any one of its members will be happy to explain to you their really, really, really, … Read More
Beautiful Mind: I Take the Miss France General Knowledge Quiz (2)
Behind That Face Lies A Veritable Database She’s not only more fun to look at than I am, she’s also, according to one set of criteria, smarter. Photo of Flora Coquerel, Miss France 2014, by Georges Biard. Readers, I have … Read More
Invasion of the Anglicisms: Is France Committing Linguistic Suicide? (2)
At Least They Still Speak French Here… This stately edifice on the Left Bank of the Seine is the HQ of the Académie Française. If you listen closely on a quiet day, you can hear the ghost of Balzac groaning, … Read More
When Giving Is Not a Given
WHEN GIVING IS NOT A GIVEN Like all city dwellers, Parisians are subjected to a daily barrage of solicitations. And I’m not just talking about the usual horde of beggars and buskers. For years, there have been survey takers outside … Read More
C’est Ironique – et Démocratique: A Not Entirely Fond Farewell to President Sarkozy (3)
Say Something Nice or – Oh, What the Hell… A car leaving the presidential palace after the election. Probably Sarkozy’s astrologer heading for the unemployment office. Contents title: Checking Out the Action at the Auction House Photo title: It’s Amazing … Read More
Going Vert: The Parisian’s 10 Tips to Save the Planet (2)
Apparently It’s Worth Saving The Earth looks pretty green to me in this satellite photo. I like to think it’s because so many Parisians are already taking my advice. This week, delegates from all over the globe will gather in … Read More
Is France Turning into the United States? (Breaking News: No) (2)
One Nation Under… Oh My Gawd! Illustration by Charles Giai-Gischia. Visit his blog, Traits-Drôles, for a larger version and more drawings First, a shameful confession: one of my favorite online news sources is the e-version of a French tabloid newspaper. … Read More
Who’s Talking? An Adventure in the French Film Industry (2)
When Did John Wayne Learn Such Fluent French? The face is familiar, but I can’t place the voice… It was quite a day. By lunchtime I had already been in four fights, and had gotten knocked out cold every time. … Read More