Paris Street Talk: Merry, the Mural and the Pisser (Merry, la fresque et la...
...As I turned to walk up rue Saint Merri in the Beaubourg Quarter of Paris I was surprised to see that the entire wall of a 5-story building was covered with the image of a face of a man with a finger to its lips. The man was calling for quiet. He had Dali eyes.
Insights into French Identity: 2012 National Commemorations in France
Every year the National Archives of France selects events of historical significance to highlight as national commemorations on the occasion of a multiple of their centennial or semicentennial, providing insights into the French national identity.
Oscar Wilde Saved from Adoring Fans in Paris
The unveiling on Nov. 30, 2011 of Oscar Wilde’s newly restored tomb in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris was the occasion to pay tribute to the great 19th-century Irish writer. We take this opportunity to revisit the turbulent history of the tomb itself.
An Hour from Paris: Chateau Thierry’s American WWI Sights (photolog)
Belleau Wood, the Aisne-Marne American War Cemetery and the Chateau Thierry War Monument are only an hour’s drive east of Paris, an easy stop on the way to Champagne, yet it took me over 20 year to get there.
Droles de Mecs: High-Energy Gymnastic Hip-Hop Humor
You don’t need to understand French to enjoy the hip-hop gymnastics of Droles de Mecs, a high-energy, feel-good acrobatic dance show playing in Paris...
The Harsh Reality of the End of Daylight Saving Time
There’s something therapeutic about turning the clocks back in the fall—harsh reality therapy that makes us aware of our own dwindling time... and the arrival of All Saints Day. November 1, when Catholic tradition in France invites people to place chrysanthemums on the tombs of loved ones.
Ville Impériale (Imperial City), a New Trademark, Promotes Napoleonic Tourism
The European Federation of Napoleonic Cities, created by Charles Napoleon, launches the trademark and logo “Ville Impériale” (Imperial City) in the town of Rueil-Malmaison, home to Josephine's Chateau de Malmaison.
Photolog: A Daytrip to the Chateau de Chantilly
Photolog of a daytrip to the Chateau de Chantilly, 25 minutes north of Paris by train, at the entrance to the Picardy region. It includes the Conde Museum of Henri d'Orleans (Duc d'Aumale), palatial stables, gardens (including by Le Notre) and park.
Ballooning over Paris from Parc André Citroën
The tethered helium balloon in Parc Andre Citroen on the southwestern edge of Paris offers a queueless, stepless view of the expanse of the city and of its southern and western suburbs.