There are approximately 220,000 businesses in Paris, so it’s not surprising that some of them have startlingly idiotic names. Ridiculous shop signs come in many varieties. One common category is the illogical juxtaposition, an example of which is shown above. … Read More
Is this the invention of the year? Etienne Bonaud playing his “didgophone,” a cross between a saxophone and a didgeridoo, at the Foire de Paris. There are more oyster openers on sale in Paris this week than oysters. At least … Read More
Sometimes it’s just too easy. There I am, going about my daily business in Paris while keeping an eye out for something that could qualify as ironic, when suddenly a ready-made topic looms up right in front of me, grabs … Read More
Suppose you’re a judge hearing a civil case. You have no information other than what the lawyers for the two sides tell you. First, the lawyer for the plaintiff makes his presentation, calmly and coolly explaining his position, delineating the … Read More
Basque tapas are way better than bad sex. And in a crowded tapas bar, the experience is not much different. Photo: David R. Burton I just returned from a jaunt to one of my favorite parts of the world: the … Read More
Paris is home to a sizable population of beggars, a tradition that no doubt dates back to when the city was an outpost of the Roman Empire. One reason for this, no doubt, is that Paris is also home to … Read More
I fear for the future of France. I say this because of a disturbing event that took place in my building last weekend. A neighbor’s teenage daughter gave a party on Saturday night. This in itself was not disturbing: everyone … Read More
The preserved facade of this former wine shop on Rue Pierre Semard in Paris is old enough to list absinthe as one of its wares. When people think of Paris they often think of the fabled “bohemian life” in the … Read More
Some principles of the Paris retail system seem to defy logic. It’s not so common any more, but you can still find shops in Paris with a sign on the door reading “entrée libre”— literally “free” or “unrestricted entry.” When … Read More
In Paris, that hand in your pocket may not be your own. Like everyone else who has been to or even heard of Paris, I am thoroughly aware that the city is teeming with pickpockets. Nonetheless, I always find it … Read More
