Urban Mutation in Paris: Birth of a Shiny New Quarter A lone banker on his cellphone in the glass bridge between buildings. Anyone who remembers Boulevard Macdonald as it was a few years ago might want to pay a visit now … Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
