July 9, 2014 | By Paris Update | Tales of la Ville
Book Lovers in Paris Overheard at the Lydia Davis reading at Shakespeare & Company on Monday evening: Young American woman: “I wish I liked Bukowski’s writing better than I do, because I love his name.” Older American man: “I’ve read … Read More
June 18, 2014 | By Heidi Ellison | Tales of la Ville
Strikes, the Baccalaureate, Actors’ Livelihoods Train strike Today is the eighth day of a strike by some 14 percent of French railway workers, the longest action since 2010. They are protesting a proposal to open the SNCF, the French railway … Read More
June 11, 2014 | By Heidi Ellison | Tales of la Ville
Anti-Semitism, Love Locks, Museum Scandal, Clinton Love locks. Photo by David Jaggard. Bald anti-Semitism The latest anti-Semitic remark by Jean-Marie Le Pen, honorary president of the far-right-wing National Front party, has led to a public spat between him and his … Read More
March 4, 2014 | By Heidi Ellison | Tales of la Ville
Rocking to aNostalgic Beat Henri Leproux, founder of the Golf Drouot, with Johnny Hallyday and Eddy Mitchell. © Jean-Louis Rancurel Last week, a little-known (outside of France) clan gathered in the City Hall of Paris’s ninth arrondissement to celebrate its … Read More
May 17, 2010 | By Nick Hammond | Tales of la Ville
Just because books are old doesn’t mean they are worth thousands of euros. Photo: Nick Hammond In an age where so many independent businesses, even in Paris, are being overtaken by chain stores, I recently visited a small bookshop in … Read More
July 14, 2009 | By Nick Woods | Tales of la Ville
Is the widespread pickpocketing in Paris a sign of a larger social malaise? Photo: Olivier Reis Just before midnight last week, I heard screams through my window. “Stop him! Stop him! My bag! My bag!” Looking out, I saw a … Read More
June 16, 2009 | By Paris Update | Tales of la Ville
The bande dessinée section in any Paris bookshop is bound to be packed. Photo: J. Gascoigne Walk into any large bookshop in Paris, and you are sure to find one section full of people with their noses buried in books, … Read More
May 26, 2009 | By Nick Woods | Tales of la Ville
High expectations for French wine are not always met. It’s hard to believe, but taking visitors out for dinner and drinks in Paris has become something of a potential embarrassment. It isn’t to do with the cost – though I … Read More
May 12, 2009 | By Paris Update | Tales of la Ville
It is a matter of public record that I adore living in France in general and Paris in particular. So much so, in fact, that when a French friend asked me the other day if there was anything I … Read More
April 7, 2009 | By Nick Woods | Tales of la Ville
Nick Woods (right) gets a friendly handshake from the counterman. “France would be great without the French,” was the hackneyed expression I used to hear often back in Britain. Now that I live in Paris, I hear: “How are you … Read More