A scintillating tale of derring-do set in France’s distant colonial past, written by, wait for it…a Frenchman. It’s the kind of swashbuckling entertainment that would send an existentialist like Sartre spinning in his grave.
Continue reading “Jean-Christophe Rufin’s “Globalia””
Créteil island hopping
If you are looking for a day out in the country you can find it, astonishingly enough, at the end of the Metro line to Créteil. Créteil, characterized by charmless 1960s architecture, is the last place on earth where you would expect to find four small islands, linked to each other Continue reading “Créteil island hopping”
Crécy…stepping into another world
photo: Maiko Miyazaki
Crécy-la-Chapelle, 27 miles east of Paris and only five miles from Disneyland, might as well be on another planet. It is a tiny medieval town guarded by moats, towers and drawbridges where life is lived at a gentler, provincial pace. Continue reading “Crécy…stepping into another world”
Visiting the fairy tale château Ecouen
If you are interested in the French Renaissance, there is no need to travel as far as the Loire. A walk through the forest leads to the fairy tale setting of the château of Ecouen, with its collection of historical treasures and objects. If you are interested in the French Renaissance, there is no need to travel as far as the Loire. One of the most elegant examples of this style in France, the 16th-century château of Ecouen, is the setting for the furnishings and objets d’art that make up the collections of the National Museum of the Renaissance, some of them from the Musée de Cluny.
Paris hotels with panache
Who would disagree that Paris is more romantic when you stay in the right hotel? (For the purposes of this aperçu, the right person is just a parenthetical detail.) The problem is, with so many hundreds to pick from, how do you find the one that’s best for you? For many visitors the choice is defined by a favorite quartier, budget or both. A friendly welcome is always a plus.
We’ll always have Paris
John Baxter talks about sex and love in the City of Light
Renowned film critic, biographer, and Paris resident John Baxter’s new book, “We’ll Always Have Paris: Sex and Love in the City of Light,” is a gushing love letter to his adoptive city. Continue reading “We’ll always have Paris”
“Life on hold” When Guests Arrive
Q. I live in a one-bedroom apartment in Paris, and up till now, I’ve been (I think) really hospitable to friends, family and even friends of friends who have come to town to visit. Recently I’ve realized that I’m not looking forward to these visits the way I used to, but I feel guilty when I imagine myself saying “no” to people who want to stay, as I’m sure their feelings would be hurt. On the other hand I get really resentful at having to put my life on hold every few weeks. I’m sure many people have this problem and I wonder how they handle it.
Her Husband is Having an Affair
Q: A friend of mine has suspected for a while that her husband is having an affair at his office. Although she has pretty strong proof, he repeatedly denies it when she tries to confront him. Personally I find his behavior inexcusable, and feel that she should just get out and get on with her life. She’s a wonderful person and it hurts me to watch her go through all this suffering over someone who doesn’t care. Can you give me any tips on how to help her make the break? Continue reading “Her Husband is Having an Affair”
A Need to Reconnect…
Q: I’ve been married to a Frenchman for about 15 years, and we have a 10-year-old daughter who attends a French school. Though she speaks English, she is far from fluent. I would like to take her back to the US for a school year so that she can get a solid base in the language while she is still young. In addition, I feel a strong need to reconnect with my family, particularly some elderly relatives who are ill and whom I would like to spend some time caring for. Because of our precarious financial situation, regular visits home have never been an option for me. Continue reading “A Need to Reconnect…”
French Hard to Meet
Q: I’m about to start my second year in France, and while I have enjoyed being involved with the English-speaking community since my arrival, I would really like to branch out this year and create some ties with the French. My language skills aren’t great, but part of the problem has been that I haven’t found a way to use them. Are the French as hard to meet as everyone says? Do you have any ideas that could help me? Continue reading “French Hard to Meet”
Wife Complains about the French
Q. We’ve been living in France since the beginning of our married life, and for more than 20 years my American wife has been complaining about my French compatriots. She criticizes just about everything: our habits, our culture, our behavior, etc. I actually sometimes agree with her comments, but her criticisms are continual and systematic, and I’m finding it more and more difficult to put up with them. What can I tell her to get her to change her attitude?