Tag Archives: France

Centre Pompidou has an identity crisis

Posted on November 30, 2018 by

Whenever I am in Paris, I always make some time to visit the grand Centre Pompidou. After four decades, the modern art museum with its inside-out construction is looking less cutting-edge, but it still boasts one of Europe’s best contemporary … Continue reading →

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Ou est la petite bibliotheque gratuite ?

Posted on November 26, 2018 by

H/t to Cécile C. for the photo of this wonderful little free library in the town of  Relecq in Brittany, France.

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Bookstore Tourism : Paris

Posted on November 24, 2018 by

It’s been quite a few years since a large indie bookstore has opened in Paris. The new  ICI Librairie et Café looks like it would not be out of place in Stockholm or Copenhagen. The multi-floor bookshop offers a wide ranging collection, … Continue reading →

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The best museum in the world ?

Posted on September 27, 2018 by

You may disagree, but TripAdvisor just named the Musée d’Orsay in Paris the “Best Museum in the World” for 2018. Housed in a stunning turn-of-the-century former railway terminal, this riverside gem hosts an eye-popping collection of European art works dating … Continue reading →

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Leave the gun, take the cannoli

Posted on July 26, 2018 by

One of the joys of travel is the opportunity to sample new foods or variations on edibles that you’ve enjoyed all of your life. Unfortunately lapses in language skills, confusion about what exactly to ask for, or even widely differing … Continue reading →

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Reading Nook

Posted on May 1, 2018 by

French artist Thierry Mandon uses video, performance art, and installations to reflect on the poetic nature of everyday existence with a twist of absurdist humor.

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Americain En France

Posted on April 29, 2018 by

A French “reading and conversation book” for American soldiers prepared upon the entry of the United States into the First World War. This volume belonged to David S. Blondheim, at that time an associate professor of French and later a professor … Continue reading →

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Springtime in Paris

Posted on March 31, 2018 by
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Philadelphia Stories

Posted on March 27, 2018 by

About three years ago I did a post on the introduction of Short Édition short story dispensing machines in France. These brilliant kiosks provide users with one, three, or five minute reads on slim receipt-like paper strips for free. Last week, the Free … Continue reading →

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Un Bouquiniste et Notre Dame

Posted on March 13, 2018 by

The last few times that I’ve been in Paris I’ve been disappointed to find that the traditional bouquinistes or booksellers along the Seine have been slowly replaced by vendors of tourist tat. This photo from 1931 by Jean Pierre Yves Petit (aka … Continue reading →

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