Author: staff

A new book of short stories “French Kisses” by David Poe draws on his thirty years living the expatriate life in France. His well crafted stories have the taste of a mature wine. He is clearly someone who knows the culture here and is a man who knows what you get living a life abroad… and also what one gives up with such a life. Continue reading “David Poe’s French Kisses”

One of the summer pleasures of Paris is having a drink at an outdoor cafe terrace. “Paris Terrasses, Outdoor Dining in Paris” published just in time for the season is a new 2014 updated bilingual guide to Paris’ outdoor dining gems ranging from terraces on rooftops such as “Les Ombres” decorated by the archtect Jean Nouvel at the Musee Branly with its stunning view of the Eiffel Tower to more intimate settings such as the inner terrace at the Entrepot, a multicultural venue with live music, theater and home of Paris’ legendary art movie house. Continue reading “Paris Terrasses, Outdoor Dining in Paris”

I once asked the French photographer Boubat if he was a romantic. He responded saying no “I’m a humanist. I’m interested in photographing people. There’s enough bad to be seen in the world.  I like to photograph and show what is good.”

French Humanist Photographers were among the best at portraying poetic moments and showing what was good about life after WWII.  Now a new book “The Lighter Side of Paris” (Paris qui rit!) brings together such photographers as Boubat, Doisneau and Kertesz, who not only captured the poetry of daily life but the funny moments too. This book features a collection of humorous pictures of Paris that bring a smile. The photographs include work by such stars as Henri Cartier Bresson and less known pictures by a very funny René Maltete as well as many remarkable anonymous photographers. Although most of the photos date from the post WWII period, several were taken in the 20’s and 30’s with a few capturing drole moments in the Belle Epoque. Continue reading “The Lighter Side of Paris”

Jon Lewis’ charming book “How We Didn’t Buy a House in Besancon” tells the tale of challenges encountered when buying property in France. Required reading for anyone contemplating retiring here. Finally succeeding at finding his dream home, he and his wife Josée now live in the South of France, eight hours drive from Rome and quite a long way, as it turned out, from Besançon. Following is an excerpt from his book where he provides practical information for buying a house in France: Continue reading “How We Didn’t Buy a House in Besançon”

Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world with 28.9 million tourists a year. Sometimes, especially in the summer months, it seems that they are all trying to go to the same place you are. A new book “Quiet Paris” by Siobhan Wall is a guide to over one hundred wonderful off the beaten path places for savoring the quiet delights of this most seductive of cities. Continue reading “Discovering Quiet Paris”

“Paris Mythique” is a new photo book published by Parigramme featuring one hundred iconic black and white photos ranging from Doisneau’s “le baiser de l’hotel de ville” to Henri Cartier-Bresson’s picture of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre on the Pont des Arts footbridge to Raymond Cauchetier’s photograph of Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo on the set of Godard’s legendary 1960 movie “Breathless.” They’re all here as well as some little known gems such as a rare 1923 photo showing Sylvia Beach and Ernest Hemingway posing in front of the original Shakespeare and Company Bookshop when it was located on rue de l’Odeon. Continue reading “Mythic Paris in Black and White”

Alison Harris’  new photo book “Paris in Love” —ideal gift for Valentines Day— continues where Doisneau’s famous “Baiser de l’hotel de ville” left off. This charming book of color photographs published by Parigramme, depicting Paris’ romantic Seine, secret gardens, cafe terraces and park bench lovers, would make a perfect “petit cadeau” (only costs 9.90E) for anybody who loves this city. And like Audrey Hepburn said in the film “Sabrina,”  “Paris is always a good idea.” For those who might have to wait a little while before getting a flight here, the book “Paris in Love” could be the next best thing.

In Paris the book is available at Smiths Bookshop, 248, rue Rivoli, Paris, 75001 Info: http://www.parigramme.com

Step into a postcard of Paris with this excellent guide to the City of Light. Illustrated by more than 300 color photographs, “No Worries Paris, a photographic walking guide” by Jerry and Janine Sprout takes readers on a visually luscious journey to the city’s striking monuments, as well as into the cobblestone crannies of its villages and along the glamorous fashion boulevards. Continue reading “No Worries Paris”

Incisive, articulate and timely reading —this is one of the best books on France to come along in years. While most books about France tend to deal with such topics as how to seat your dinner guests à la francaise or insider tips on correct manners for French kissing, this one strikes a bulls eye for what really makes the country tick. Continue reading “An American Spectator in Paris
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Burgundy is a lush region of France, steeped in history and immersed in wine. Imagine a cooking school in a grand château, with a 3-star chef and guests from around the world….under a distant cloud of loss and betrayal. Joan Shore’s new book “Red Burgundy” is a story of progress vs. tradition, commerce vs. culture, the foreign and the familiar. (And the possibility that if you’re very lucky — or very unlucky — the past may catch up with you!) Continue reading “Red Burgundy”

A spectacularly opulent relic of royal wealth and power comes alive in “Versailles” a new book by Valérie Bajou, who is a curator at the Château de Versailles and is a renowned specialist of French painting in the 19th century.

Highlighting the château’s vibrant, tumultuous past, the book covers everything from its metamorphosis from humble hunting lodge to palace, to the dismantling of its collections during the French Revolution and its restoration and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site today. In addition, the singular château is explored from top to bottom in an extravagantly extensive photographic tour that reveals the many priceless artistic and architectural treasures of this palace of palaces.