The Paris Traveler

 
 Books–could not love them more.   I usually have two going at the same time.  One comes with me wherever I go and one sits on my bedside table waiting to help me unwind from a crazy day.  All topics make my list of what to read but I would have to admit that over the years France, Paris, French history or contemporary French literature have taken up much of my reading time.  I thought I would share what I consider some of the better reads I have come across and would look forward to any suggestions you might have! Old …read more

6 Comments

 
September with a hint of autumn in the air. I love strolling along the Seine stopping every now and again to see if I can find a rare gem among the used books being sold by those ever present booksellers in Paris called les bouquinistes.
After hundreds of years of controversy, they finally became a permanent fixture as we know them today in 1891 on the Quai Voltaire and have grown to nearly 250 on both the Right Bank and Left Bank, selling old and used books, posters, post-cards, stamps, music albums, art prints, and more. What’s even nicer is having lively …read more

11 Comments

Let me vent here a little, afterall what good is having a blog if you can’t vent, right?! I have this pet peeve that drives me crazy! I’m an avid reader and I love not only books, but also reading newspapers, magazines, other blogs, etc. but I can’t for the life of me understand why people think it’s necessary to show others how much (or how little) French they know!
I really haven’t found this phenomenon used so extensively with any other language than French. Do people actually think it’s so chic, or that others will be so impressed, when they …read more

4 Comments

When I first arrived in Paris back in 1971 one of the things that surprised me most was how the French continuously spoke about WWII as though it had happened yesterday. Gee, I would say to myself, it happened 25-30 years ago, let it rest! I was nineteen at the time.
Being part of the “Baby Boomer” generation, World War II was something I read about in my history books at school, not something you constantly looked back on as part of your memories. Well, as the years have gone by and I can now look back upon my own life; …read more

12 Comments

This year’s Treasure Hunt in Paris takes place on July 7th! A lot of things seem to be taking place on the 7th this year, which I find isn’t quite fair! (Okay, so it pisses me off!) Why are people so obsessed with numbers? (777) All over the world, people are getting married on my birthday! It’s been my day for…., well let’s just say it’s been my day since I was born, so I wish people would stop horning in on my day!
Actually treasure hunts are kind of fun where people start off alone, or in groups, finding clues …read more

4 Comments

Are you looking for a place where you can have a drink, listen to music, or perhaps just strike up a conversation with an interesting person? No, I’m not suggesting a trendy bar this time around, but you can drop into the Virgin Megastore on the Champs-Elysées where you’ll be able to do all three.
It’s one of those places where you can just hang out; put on headphones, listen to some great cds, all the while looking out the window, and watching the people strolling down the avenue. (Hundreds of thousands of people walk up and down the Champs-Elysées everyday!) …read more

2 Comments