Campaign to Eat More French Bread ‘Coucou, Tu as pris le pain?’
August 5, 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/31/world/europe/a-french-dining-staple-is-losing-its-place-at-the-table.html?smid=pl-shareread more
Whiteboard in French?
January 24, 2013
I love my kids' education at the French American school here in San Francisco. Among other things, it's made them so much more sensitive to language and humor. Today, I asked the kids if there was a French word for a whiteboard. They said that everyone just calls it the "ardoise," which of course is like continuing to call a whiteboard a "blackboard" in English. ... My 8 year old son replied, "How about "blardoise," which I'd say is the perfect adaptation.
The Locks on Paris’s Bridges Represent a Misunderstanding
August 27, 2012
The background on that whole crazy "locks on pedestrian bridges" thing: Symbols of undying love — though not in the view of Parisians — adorn Pont de l'Archevêché, in front of Notre Dame. ... On some of the city’s most iconic bridges, thousands of visitors left small padlocks, neatly attached to the metal railings. Once discreet, doing their deed at night, visitors soon acted in broad daylight, in pairs, photographing each other in front of their locks, and videotaping the throwing of the keys into the Seine. ... One night about two years ago, someone cut through the wires and removed all the locks on one of the bridges.
...Such a font of conversation topics, from the madness of crowds, the meaning of love, which side of the bridge is more popular and why the choice matters, and if there was any symbolism to the bike locks we saw chained in front of the ecole maternelle near our house.
A Little Find in the Neighborhood
August 25, 2012
A little walk from Cimitiere Montparnass to Jardin du Luxumbourg made me stumble upon this new hotel. Hotel des Academies Across the way, the Atelier of Mogdiliani is noted, and the hotel has a lovely tea room Charlotte.read more
Free tuk-tuk taxis take to the streets of Paris
December 29, 2011
Has anyone seen this? How does it work?
A new fleet of ‘tuk-tuk’ taxis have taken to the streets of Paris this week, offering free journeys around the French capital.
The service is set to run seven days a week, using 24 tuk-tuks and stopping at 150 points on some of the most popular fixed bus routes in the city.
The service is operated by entrepreneur Kheir Mazri, who aims to cover costs by selling advertising on the side of the vehicles and by selling a variety of pastries, tea and popcorn to passengers during their journey.
To avoid competition with Parisian taxis, tuk-tuk drivers will not accept special destination requests.
Motorbike-powered tuk-tuks are a common sight in many Asian countries. If the service is successful in Paris, there are plans to expand nationally offering the service in cities across France.
[From Free tuk-tuk taxis take to the streets of Paris - The Connexion]
36 Hours in Paris according to NY Times
August 21, 2011
Just when you think Paris has lost its edge, the NY Times proclaims a new 'it' neighborhood. The latest is on the city's fringes, like Belleville and the former red-light district of Pigalle. A pop-up restaurant, a taxidermy-stuffed speakeasy.read more
The Best Insider’s Guide to New and Interesting Places to Eat
August 21, 2011
http://www.lefooding.com/restaurant/read more
French Lessons by Ellen Sussman, out July 5
June 15, 2011
Can't wait to read the newest book, by my friend and writing teacher, Ellen Sussman. French Lessons is the book, and it's out July 5th.
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Knowing Ellen, my bet is that this will be a well-told sexy story, with plenty to learn about life and love from the three main characters. Hopefully, she'll make some allusions to the life we lived in the '90s when we were in Paris together.
France awards new “palace” label to top hotels
May 5, 2011
I guess we all needed to be able to turn the hotel amp up to 11, which is essentially what adding "palais" to the old star distinction means. Of all the new "palais," we've only stayed at the Hyatt Vendome, which is certainly a wonderful hotel, but is it a palace? Like any expensive hotel the world over, it has it's over-priced closet rooms that overlook an airshaft, as well its million dollar a night arena-size apartments.
PARIS (Reuters) - France granted a few top hotels the right to call themselves a "palace" on Thursday, a label which distinguishes them from rivals and is designed to boost the country's profile as a luxury destination.
The eight winners of the accolade include Paris hotels Meurice and Plaza-Athenee, both owned by the Sultan of Brunei, as well as the Bristol hotel, owned by Germany's Oetker family.
and 39 rue de Vaugirard...
New Paris iPad app
February 11, 2011
When I lived in Paris, I used to have a green hunting jacket with a big pocket in back (for birds?) ... An interactive map pinpoints hotels, restaurants and other Parisian accommodations, which is convenient if you're staying, for instance, in the Marais and want to find a nearby cafe, bar, post office or Metro stop. ... To help navigate the streets of Paris, the iPad's GPS chip reveals your location on the map, which can flip over to reveal a color-coded Metro map. A new feature, Paris in Pictures, includes dozens of color photographs of Parisian attractions to provide inspiration for what to do while you're there.
