Heidi Ellison
Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
Monumental Success
Just outside the tall windows of the splendid new Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine stands one of France’s most famous monuments, the Eiffel Tower, while inside visitors inspect detailed casts and scale models of many of the country’s other … Read More
Le Severo
Here’s the Beef Le Severo owner William Bernet stands proud in front of his menu. Simplicity and goodness rule at Le Severo. This is the place to go when you crave a big hunk of flavorful beef with a side … Read More
La Rentrée Littéraire Sept. 2007
Après le Déluge The usual tsunami of new works of fiction is being published in France again this fall: 727, to be precise, 493 of them written in French, including 102 first novels. The hot ticket of the season, however, … Read More
Two Days in Paris
French-American Culture Clash
Not only does actress Julie Delpy act in Two Days in Paris, but she also wrote, directed and edited her second feature film, and composed the music. The result is surprising success: a smart, witty Woody-Allen-style comedy with the human … Read More
Et Toi, T’es sur Qui?
Teenagers in Love
Et Toi, T’es sur Qui? is the simplest of films – the story of the awakening of love and sexual desire in a small group of teenage classmates – but it is told with such gentle humor and authenticity that … Read More
Hôtel du Nord
Film Icon Reborn Yet Again Part of the Hôtel du Nord’s cozy dining room. September 14, 2005; updated July 11, 2007 It’s a rare pleasure to see a restaurant get better over time rather than deteriorate, but that is the … Read More
Festival International des Jardins
From the Garden To the Plate “la Dune aux Escargots” garden designed by Max Sauze. Photo © Paris Update The good news for regular visitors to the annual International Garden Festival at the Château Chaumont in the Loire Valley is … Read More
Les Chansons d’Amour
Singin’ in the Rain
Actress Ludivine Sagnier may be on the road to typecasting as a French musical comedy star. Following her noted role as the cheeky teenager in François Ozon’s 8 Femmes, here she is again, all grown up and singing her heart … Read More
Très Bien, Merci
ID Check
Identity cards play a major role in Très Bien, Merci, a film with a serious identity crisis of its own. One minute it seems to be turning into a French version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and the … Read More
Centre Pompidou: Contemporary Collection
Contemporary Correspondences Photo: Georges Meguerditchian Following the successful rehang of its modern art collection (1906-60), the Centre Pompidou has scored another hit with the new presentation of its contemporary collection (1960-present), showing individual pieces chronologically in loose groupings that bring … Read More