The iconic French singer comes to life in this enthralling biography written by Australian author Carolyn Burke, who captures Edith Piaf’s immense charisma along with the time and place that gave rise to her unprecedented international career. Burke’s previous biographes include “Lee Miller: A Life” and “Becoming Modern: The Life of Mina Loy.”
Raised by turns in a brothel, a circus caravan, and a working-class Paris neighborhood, Piaf began singing on the city’s streets, where she was discovered by a Champs-Elysées cabaret owner. She became a star almost overnight, seducing Paris’s elite and the people of its slums in equal measure with her powerful, passionate voice. Continue reading “Edith Piaf… “No Regrets””
The Chateau de Versailles covers over 200,000 square meters. It is one of the best-known heritage sites in the world comparable to such icons as the Taj Mahal and Beijing’s Forbidden City. Versailles was the center of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the French monarchy. 
Spending time in Paris is like being in the biggest and best sweetie shop in the world. You want to try that, that, oh! And that! With so much to do, the dilemma is where to start. Of course there’s the über tourist stuff like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, yawn, but don’t you get the feeling that you’re missing out? That a secret world of chic Parisian life is passing you by?
Historian and author David McCullough’s new book revisits the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians and architects who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900 to see what France could teach them. McCullough, who has been called a “master of the art of narrative history, is a two time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for “Truman” and “John Adams.” 
Paris Revealed is the latest literary offering from long time fan of Paris and prolific author, Stephen Clarke. The cover promises to ‘reveal Paris’ and this wonderfully informative book more than amply delivers. Full of fascinating insights into Parisan life and the city of Paris itself, it succeeds at being compelling reading for anyone who loves the “Ville-Lumière.” 
Woody Allen is not alone in loving Paris. The city is the most visited capital in the world. Its many monuments dotting the cityscape are always a feast for the eyes. Now a new book including short descriptve text in English with color photographs by Chicurel and Pascal Ducept portrays the splendors of the city of light from the Notre-Dame de Paris to the Louvre to lesser know jewels such as the Hotel de Sens with seldom seen views. “Paris Monuments,” published by Parigramme selling for only 19 euros, is one of the best new Paris picture books to come along in awhile. 
Paris loves to put on a great show. And what better way to show off French savoir-faire than by providing visitors to the French Capital a glimpse of its illustrious High Fashion tradition. Palais Galliera is kicking off its new season with a glorious exhibition honoring Madame Gres housed at the Musee Bourdelle through July 24, 2011. The museum, situated in the vicinity of the Montparnasse Tower, is the former atelier of Antoine Bourdelle, a former student of Rodin. Its rooms and courtyard are chocked full of massive bronze statues and equestrian figures, busts and reliefs. So, you might wonder, what does a sculptor museum have in common with a high fashion designer? 
Just in case you missed the critically acclaimed retrospective exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent’s career last year, you still have a chance to catch part of the master couturier’s work at the Fondation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent situated in the 16th arrondisement in the same building that once housed his Haute Couture operations. On through July 17, 2011. 
If your stay in Paris is limited, say from one week to a few months, renting an apartment on a temporary, short-term basis is the best way to experience home living in France while avoiding the expense, paperwork and organization of a long-term rental. 
The discreet, green façade of the store makes no effort to pull in a crowd and some of the cooking implements in the window look tired. Yet if the light catches in just the right way, you might spot a gleam of copper through the open door. If you have a food-loving bone in your body, you’ll feel a flutter of excitement and decide that this unassuming place merits a look.