“Ukrainian Diary” is Boris Mikhialov’s huge photography retrospective with more than 800 images occupying two floors at Paris’ Maison Européenne de la Photographie (to January 15, 2023). The exhibition —delayed in 2020 due to the pandemic— revisits Mikhailov’s photographic projects starting in the 1960’s continuing to his most recent work. Continue reading “Boris Mikhailov’s Diary”
Paris Cemeteries, the Saints Go Marching
November in Paris begins with yet another long weekend away from work – le pont de la Toussaint (All Saints Day) – one of many strewn along the French calendar year. As Paris florists bring out their stock of chrysanthemum for the annual commemoration of Parisians now gone, and as other Parisians pack their cars and pile up at the exits of the city for yet another frantic weekend on France’s chock-a-block highways, why not use this most appropriate time of year for a less stressful outing to one of the capital’s cemeteries. This should be completed with the purchase of Georges Brassens’ “La Ballade des Cimetières,” a perfect way to record your outing and do your French homework. Continue reading “Paris Cemeteries, the Saints Go Marching”
Drinking French
While dreaming during these troubled times of getting back to France, it’s great to have a new book that evokes some of the things we love about the country. With “Drinking French” author David Lebovitz serves up more than 160 recipes for trendy cocktails, quintessential apéritifs, café favorites, typical Parisian snacks and more. Continue reading “Drinking French”
Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris
Unlock the secrets of Paris’s charm with “The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris,” a handy visual guidebook written by veteran Paris journalist Ruby Boukabou. Learn the history of the city’s most famous landmarks, grasp their fascinating details and discover dozens of lesser known architectural gems. Continue reading “Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris”
Vivian Maier at Musée du Luxembourg
Street photographer Vivian Maier’s pictures have been creating quite a buzz among the cognoscenti since they were discovered in Chicago at a warehouse auction in 2009. Her photographs —along with super 8mm films, audio recordings and personal items—are exhibited this autumn at Paris’ Musée du Luxembourg (until January 16, 2022). Continue reading “Vivian Maier at Musée du Luxembourg”
Paris’ Secret Vineyards
Until recently, much of Paris was a collection of villages, fragments of which can still be detected by the sharp observer. Needless to say, their wine-loving inhabitants covered a substantial portion of their territory with vineyards… to everyone’s joy.
The Last President of Europe
William Drozdiak’s new book “The Last President of Europe” revisits Emmanuel Macron— France’s youngest leader since Napoleon— as he attempts to reshape his country and define France’s place in Europe and the world. The book is a revelatory examination of the global impact of a BC Macron (before coronavirus) and his tumultuous presidency. Continue reading “The Last President of Europe”
Emily in Paris
When the going gets tough in these pandemic times the tough get Netflix. “Emily in Paris,” updating the ever popular American in Paris story, premiered this month on Netflix with Lily Collins as the titular character moving to Paris for a new job with a French marketing firm. It already ranks among Netflix’s top ten! The rom-com, written and produced by Darren Star—whose previous hits include “Beverly Hills” and “Sex in the City” —follows Emily for ten episodes as she searches for love and struggles to achieve success in a French workplace while experiencing the usual franco-american culture clashes. Continue reading “Emily in Paris”
Man Ray et la Mode
Art meets fashion this autumn at the Musée du Luxembourg with the exhibition “Man Ray et la Mode” revisiting the influence of Man Ray’s powerful experimental images and avant-garde aesthetic on fashion photography (until January 17, 2021). Continue reading “Man Ray et la Mode”
Taxi Tales From Paris
“You talking to me?” From Robert de Niro in “Taxi Driver” to Jim Jarmusch’s film “Night on Earth” telling tales of five taxi drivers on one night in five separate cities (including Paris), taxi drivers are the stuff of urban legends. Continue reading “Taxi Tales From Paris”
No Ordinary Season
James Jacobs’ debut novel “No Ordinary Season” revisits life in small town America. A first impression could be this is just another coming of age book. It is much more than that. Appearing a century after Sinclair Lewis’ iconic “Main Street,” Jacobs’ book, situated in the fictional town of River Bend, Indiana, portrays a town with some of the provincial attitudes and prejudices of Lewis’ day. Continue reading “No Ordinary Season”