I had, like most of the Paris expat community, known of Terrance Gelenter long before I actually met him, on a beautiful spring day at a (now defunct) café in St. Germain. It was a chance meeting. I was having lunch with my dear friend John, and Terrance was sitting a table by himself. Because he and John were friendly (bien sûr), we sat down at the table next to his, and spent the next hour or so chatting away. Terrance was holding court, for both us and the café staff who knew him well.
With all this talk about disappearing bee colonies, few realize that there’s one place in Paris where the bees have a thriving home: the Luxembourg Gardens. Richard Nahem takes you on a tour of this remarkable bastion in one of the French capital’s most popular destinations.
Thierry Breton had every intention of studying veterinary medicine when he arrived in Paris in 1985. Instead, the man who was born in Senegal, and who grew up in Africa and Martinique, fell in love with clay. Though he didn’t come to Paris to be an artist, his exposure to the art of sculpture led to a life-long devotion to the medium. His talent was immediately apparent, and invitations to exhibit his work came quickly and frequently.
After returning from a 13-month voyage through 32 countries, Kasia Dietz returned to NYC and literally bumped into the Italian who was to become the love of her life and would, five months later, follow him to Paris. That was nearly three years ago, and in the time since, Kasia has gotten to know the French capital inside and out, delighting in new discoveries and familiar haunts alike. And, it should be noted, Paris has fallen in love with Kasia. Her collection of bags is sold in the oh-so-prestigious Le Bon Marché … but for those who cannot make it to Paris to, they’ll find the Kasia Dietz collection online at Shop.ParisienSalon. In the meantime, pour yourself a glass of wine or tea, sit back and let Kasia share her favorite places in the City of Lights.
It’s been half a century since black & white movies were made virtually obsolete by their technicolor counterparts, save for the occasion art house release. And except for a handful of homages to the genre, silent films went silent in the late 1920s. But French director and producer Michel Hazanavicius wanted to make a silent film for years, having been inspired by the filmmakers of that era and, from an artistic standpoint, the image-driven nature of that format. And after finding success with a series of French spy spoofs, he found the financial backing to bring that dream to the big screen.
The days are shorter and colder, but January in Paris offers plenty of warmth. Perhaps they’re still wrapped up in the joy of the holiday season and the excitement of a new year, or maybe they just need more diversions to get through the winter months, but Parisians have filled the month with some of the most exciting events of the year.
Here we are, ready to once again mark the end of another year and celebrate the start of a new one. I’ve already spent my time reflecting back on 2011 and contemplating all the things I want to accomplish in 2012. I don’t believe in resolutions — I broke too many in my younger days to find any real use in them. But, at this time each year, I always try to find “The Lesson To Be Learned” from the preceding year. I think Oprah would call it an “aha moment.”
Nichole Robertson (of Little Brown Pen) waxes nostalgic for afternoons spent in the Marais drinking vin chaud. On days when it’s too cold to go out, try her recipe and indulge at home! It’s a wonderful way to bring a little bit of Paris home with you.
When I mentioned to Toma Clark Haines that I found Les Puces de Saint-Ouen intimidating, she laughed. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard someone say this. In fact, it’s one of the things that led to her transformation as The Antiques Diva®. She launched her blog, The Antiques Diva, in the summer of 2007, intending to share her shopping secrets with those planning on visiting the markets of Europe. The blog evolved into a full-fledged business, though, and today The Antiques Diva offers shopping tours in six countries—France, England, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Holland. So when Toma invited me to take a half day tour of Les Puces in Paris, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to have an expert take me through the winding alleys of the world’s oldest and largest flea market.
Jules Pansu, the son of a modest weaver from Voiron, had a dream to design and manufacture his own fabrics. After seven years of traveling by train all over Europe and Russia, selling silks for a company from Lyon, he knew the trade and was confident he could create the highest quality fabrics—fabrics that would add to the elegance and beauty of any furnishing. His dream came true—in 1878—launching a family-owned dynasty that, 133 years later, still remains one of the most respected purveyors of luxury fabrics around the world.
An American expat in Paris offers a collection of affordable, wearable art inspired by her travels.
Discover a bespoke shop for the well-dressed man that's made-to-measure in the 8th arrondissement.
Despite jumping at the occasional fad, Parisian shoppers follow certain cardinal rules.
How do stylish women travel with their cameras in Paris while remaining perfectly fashionable?
Are the racist rants of ex-Dior designer John Galliano part of a bigger problem in Paris?
Our food critic offers his opinion on this American restaurant in the 1st arrondissement.
In a city known for its delectable patisseries, where shelves are lines with all manner of gateaux,
Olivier Magny's new wine bar takes wine tasting to the next level.
We love all of the pillows made by Jules Pansu {Paris}, but the La Terre (Earth) pillow really speak
