Tag Archives: France

Would You Visit Napoleonland

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In a baffling bid to increase tourism to France, Yves Jégo, Mayor of Montereau and Deputy from the Parti Radical, has announced plans to raise funding for a new French theme park dedicated entirely to Napoleon Bonaparte. Mayor Jégo suggests … Continue reading →

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Ikea Underground

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

This past week, the international, flat-pack furniture mega-store chain Ikea installed a fully furnished apartment in the Paris Auber RER underground station. Five “roommates” were recruited to live the underground life Ikea-style for six days while demonstrating the functionality and ingenuity of Ikea’s space-saving design … Continue reading →

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Pssst…French Books

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

  The Grolier Club of New York City has fostered interest in, and support for, book arts for more than 125 years. It also offers regular exhibitions, displays, lectures and publications on publishing, printing, libraries, book art and the book … Continue reading →

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Lest We Forget

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Brian D. Butler
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Salon Du Chocolat

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Every Fall Paris attracts serious chocoholics for the annual Salon Du Chocolat at France’s largest exhibition center, the Porte de Versailles. The delecious show covers the world of chocolate from the cocoa bean growers based in Africa and South America … Continue reading →

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French Wines by Metro

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

I may not be an oenophile, in fact I don’t know a quality Beaujolais from Thunderbird, but I do know a cool map when I see one. Designed by David Gissen, the Metro Wine Map harkens back to Harry Beck‘s … Continue reading →

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Is It Map Week ?

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Naw, it’s not map week, but maps are… A schedule containing a description of the world, A representation of the whole globe of the earth, or of some particular country upon a plan, or plain superficies. A representation of the … Continue reading →

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Mappamundi

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

The glorious Fra Mauro Mappamundi was created between 1458 and 1459 by the Venetian monk/cartographer/sailor/explorer/adventurer Fra Mauro. The map was commissioned by Portugal’s King Alfonso V and produced at the Camaldolese Monastery of Saint Michael on the Venetian lagoon island … Continue reading →

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France Supports Its Bookshops

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

In an unprecedented effort to support booksellers in France, an ambitious advertising campaign has been launched this week. A consortium of labor groups that represent booksellers, publishers and bookstores is financing the effort to encourage French readers to visit bricks and … Continue reading →

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L’Homme Chat

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Filmmaker Paul Trillo shot this endearing mini-documentary during the Cannes Film Festival this year. Béla the Cat Man is originally from Hungary, but now travels the south of France “performing” on the street.

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