40 Days in Paris > Bienvenue à 40 Jours à Paris

Inline skaters mob Paris streets

2008-01-15T15:30:00.000+01:00

A pack of in-line skaters take over the streets of Paris every Friday at 10 p.m. If you'd like to join this gang of rolling Parisians, come to the area beneath the Montparnasse tower at 9:30 p.m.

For three hours you can tour the city while vigorously "getting your skate on." The route covers thirty kilometers and you'll meet people from all of Paris - and beyond. This group of thrill-seekers is always up for a good time, but if the streets are wet or if it's raining the week's ride will not roll.

Should you need to rent in-line skates for the Friday night ride consult with Nomade Shop. They will rent skates to you, but because of the logistics of the transaction and schedules and such -- you will probably need to rent the skates for a day and a half. I think you'll pay about 9 euros for the full day and less for the half-day.

View their Web site or visit the shop at 37 Bld Bourdon, near Place Bastille, to get more details about purchasing or renting in-line skates. I've heard there are other places to rent skates. If you know about alternate places, please leave a comment (below) with the information.

Skater's beware! Remember that the Metro closes at 12:30 a.m. If you return to the Montparnasse starting point at 1 a.m. you will need to take a bus or taxi, or walk home --- unless you are one of those automobile owners that we hear so much about.

METRO: lines 4, 6, 12 and 13 to
Montparnasse Bienvenue
INFO: PariRoller Web site

The Thing About Paris -- Beautiful & Brutal

2007-09-16T08:45:00.000+02:00

"People come to Paris to work out something, to try a dream that may very well have failed at home. They believe they can either forget themselves, or find themselves...it was these extremes I wanted to explore, margins where cultures and beliefs collide. That’s the thing about Paris: you may not be changed in the way you dreamed of, but you will certainly be altered...[Paris is] a city that is both beautiful and brutal"

-- Lauren B. Davis, on The Radiant City

Travel tip: wheelchairs in Paris

2006-12-14T00:06:00.000+01:00

There are a number of wheelchair-friendly tourist attractions in The City of Light. However, it seems that there are fewer in Paris than in other international cities.

The question below appeared on the San Jose Mercury News Web site:

Question: Is there anywhere in Paris to rent a wheelchair for a parent who is unable to walk long distances?

Answer: The French Government Tourist Office told us that some pharmacies in the Paris area rent wheelchairs. Try Pharmacie Thoraval, 264 Boulevard Voltaire. You can send e-mail to pharmacie.thoraval@wanadoo.fr or call 011-33-1-43-73-51-73 to reserve one before your arrival.

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tourist, France, Paris, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

Les grandes vacances

2006-08-17T10:41:00.000+02:00

au revoir
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Renoir, impressionism, Paris, Luncheon of the Boating Party, France

The importance of being punctual

2006-08-04T16:23:00.000+02:00

Most restaurants in Paris are beyond my reach. It won't always be the case and, for now, it's fine with me. When I'm a full-time Parisian, I plan to dive in to the restaurant scene one star at a time, starting with the zero-star restaurants. (I don't suppose Monoprix has any Michelen stars in their future.)

Pop star Janet Jackson can afford to dine anywhere she wants. Unless that happens to be Chef Alain Passard's (pictured) l'Arpege in the 7th. No amount of money will get her in.

The Irish Times says Jackson's been banned from the resto for not calling to cancel her reservation. Surely, there is a personal assistant or Ritz Concierge who could assume the blame for Janet; it's doubtful she makes her own rezzies.

"No-Shows" are, apparently, a "no go" at l'Arpege, and Janet...Miss Jackson...has had the welcome mat pulled from beneath her Manolo Blahniks. This harkens back to the time Oprah Winfrey was left at the stoop of Hermes when she tried to gain entry at closing time. Sometimes Parisian indifference trumps U.S. Star Power, and the result is always salacious gossip.

Or is this a simple case of strategy. Do the folks at l'Arpege understand, as we do, that Janet sitting on your curb brings more attention to your establishment than Janet simply unfurling her serviette at a private table inside? L'Arpege doesn't seem like a place that needs any publicity and Janet denies a reservation was ever made.

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Janet Jackson, France, Paris, French Food, l'arpege, Alain Passard, pop star

'Just one more. I swear.'

2006-07-30T19:06:00.000+02:00

The robust air-conditioner at Corcoran's on Blvd. Clichy could inspire anyone to become permanently affixed to a bar stool. The place is an Arctic refuge. But, just as high petrol prices help to deter unnecessary driving, the price of a pint of Guinness at Corcoran's prevented me from becoming a serious drinker.

Most people drink too much because of their thirsty strands of DNA. It appears that genetics, behavior and other elements align to make an alcoholic. And with alcohol being an integral part of daily life, it is definitely the most socially-acceptable addiction to have. Life for the expat can be a complicated endeavor, even for the most well-heeled, evenly-keeled person.

Fortunately, the Paris anglophone community has a solution and a network for just about everything. This includes a strong link to the international support system of Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings are held in Paris everyday, although some meetings don't meet during the August break or on national holidays.

The folks at AAPARIS.org have published their summer 2006 meeting schedule and offer support and advice to people with questions. A lot of my friends and family members have maintained sobriety using the A.A. program. They've all said it starts with that first meeting...and then another.

Sing, sing a (Rouget de Lisle) song

2006-07-25T09:02:00.000+02:00

The New York Times carries a column called "Metropolitan Diary," in which readers submit accounts of random occurances in The Big Apple. Having witnessed Americans in Paris, I enjoyed the following entry about Parisians in America. Apparently, we CAN all get along.

Dear Diary: Recently, on a beautiful sunny day, I was riding downtown on a Fifth Avenue bus, sitting in the back and surrounded by what sounded like a group of very noisy French students with their American guide.

As we passed the French Embassy, with the Tricolor flying majestically in the breeze, the students suddenly stopped talking and, as if in one voice, began singing "La Marseillaise."

When they stopped, this lovely spontaneous act of patriotism was greeted with a round of applause from the riders, all of whom had a big smile on their face.

I did, too.

La Petite Anglaise makes former employer 'incandescent with rage'

2006-07-20T05:25:00.000+02:00

A terrible thing has happened to popular blogger "Petite Anglaise" (aka Catherine Sanderson.) As reported in the expat blogoshere and now in The Guardian, Daily Mirror and elsewhere, "Petite" has been sacked from the Paris branch of British accountancy firm, Dixon Wilson. The firm cited her legendary blog, Petite Anglaise, as the central reason for the dismissal.

From all accounts it seems to be a baseless action on the part of her employer. Her French lawyer agrees. I've always assumed that "terminating" a worker in France is a complicated process, to be avoided at all costs. Do British firms have it easier or are they willing to take legal risks that French firms don't dare? Her firing may indicate that some "old school" chap at Dixon Wilson took the blog entries personally when they were discovered. Nevermind that the firm was never named or identified.

Sanderson has always omitted her name from blog entries, calls her daughter "Tadpole" and her daughter's father "Mr. Frog." It's such an endearing dose of anonynimity. Where is the crime in all this, I ask you? I suppose misuse of the firm's computer is a viable charge against our "Petite Anglaise." But, that could be a petty and laughable claim, given the daily atmosphere at so many firms in France.

On her site, Sanderson offers readers a chance to defray her legal expenses by making a donation using PayPal. Petite Anglaise's more daring fans might be tempted to share their thoughts directly with Dixon Wilson. I suppose one could also apply for Sanderson's job and start the process all over again, with another blog about Dixon Wilson adventures. Infiltrate. Replicate.

Ms Sanderson's employers, the Paris office of a British accountancy firm, allege that her anonymous blog La Petite Anglaise brought it into disrepute, even though it was never named - a judgment that seems harsh. -- Guardian

This is sure to be an ongoing story. I hope that references to Bridget Jones' Diary will cease, and I'm sure Catherine...err..."Petite" agrees. Stay tuned.

U.S. voter registration abroad

2006-07-15T10:00:00.000+02:00

Registering from afar: it just keeps getting easier. Let's all praise the fact that registering expatriates to vote in their "homeland" does not involve any french governmental agencies or french government workers. Click, click, print, and mail: that's all there is to it. It takes less time than waiting to purchase a bottle of water at Monoprix.

Military and expatriate voting is an overlooked, but important part of America's democratic Republic. Perhaps we've learned a valuable lesson recent elections; every vote counts, especially when every vote is not (always) counted.

Spend a couple minutes at the site linked here. Register if you'd like, and vote your conscience (end of sermon.)

Superman Returns to Paris

2006-07-15T09:27:00.000+02:00

Brandon Routh is the latest Superman to be cast in a decades old franchise that now seems dated; but, in a charming way. Routh's hair (pictured) has sued Warner Bros. Pictures for second billing on "Superman Returns." As you can see, it played a prominent role in the film. Although, it was often found laying down on the job and looking like a wig. This will not diminish the film for viewers.

"Superman Returns" opened in France on 12 July.

>Read the entire post

Paris: A new bridge, a floating pool and a fake beach

2006-07-14T08:13:00.000+02:00

Apparently Simone trumps Josephine on the hierarchy of special events and logistics. To accomodate the opening of Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir (below left) on Thursday, the brand new - and operationally challenged - Piscine Josephine Baker was closed. Yes, again.

De Beauvoir becomes the first woman to have her name given to a Parisian bridge; in this case the 37th bridge in the city and one that leads to a library. How fitting, eh Simone? But, back to this pool…

It’s never been easy for me to wrap my brain around the idea of a floating pool. People in Manhattan have been begging for these contraptions, but the pools remain uniquely Parisian (so far as I know.) They are quite odd. Plain and simple. But, given the real estate required for a real live pool, it's no wonder Parisian and New Yorkers don't mind jumping into the drink...which floats in the drink.

I once took a swim at the Inter-Continental in Montreal in the dead of winter. The room that contained the terrace level swimming pool was enclosed in glass on two sides. It was over-heated and the air in the room was swampy. As I swam, a blizzard raged outside. I’ve never recovered from the sensory confusion of swimming in a hot pool while snow was falling overhead.

The Piscine Josephine Baker replaces the Piscine Deligny (pictured) that sank more than a decade ago. I never saw the Deligny and, to be perfectly honest, there’s something peculiar about an eighty-foot long container of over-chlorinated water floating atop a natural body of water, even if tethered to the dock.

Compared to the sight of those oddballs who willingly swim in the Seine, however, the idea of swimming in a buoyant body of water is not so strange. One would assume there are fewer microbes in the pool than there are in the river.

Despite its €17 million price tag, the Piscine Josephine Baker – and the complex itself - has been closed several times since it opened earlier this month. This is a monumental case of bad timing, given that temps will climb past 35-degrees by Tuesday. Perhaps Josephine’s troubles will cease and swimming will resume.

Paris Plage...coming soon! Mister mister might be able to cool the air for a moment or two.

World Cup finale: Zizou sings the blues after seeing red

2006-07-10T02:18:00.000+02:00

"Madness can descend in just one second, an aberration from nowhere. So it was in the 110th minute of the World Cup final as Zidane, the greatest player of his generation and in his last game for France, decided to head butt Marco Materazzi in the chest...Zidane's evening rapidly went from the threshold of glory to a slow ignominious trudge from the field." -- International Herald Tribune

"J'espère que ce qu'on a fait jusqu'à la finale va nous servir de base pour les qualifications à l'Euro-2008. Si on garde le même état d'esprit, on devrait y arriver. Arriver en finale et perdre aux tirs au but, c'est difficile de retenir quelque chose au niveau sportif, mais on retiendra notre merveilleuse aventure humaine et cela, ça n'a pas de prix. Jedis merci à Zidane, Thuram et Makelele pour ce qu'ils ont fait mais maintenant on va essayer de se débrouiller sans eux." -- Teammate Willy Sagnol, Les Bleus.

Zidane une icône française
LE MONDE | 08.07.06

Paris, New York...Memphis: "Give me your tired, your poor...your zealots"

2006-07-09T09:54:00.000+02:00

I don't often apologize on behalf of my countrymen. Je suis Americaine, but I also have an EU passport. So, if need be, I could momentarily claim not to be associated with that fat family-of-five from Phoenix who sprawl out on their bus seats and loudly complain about the lack of air-conditioning.

Something has come to my attention and I am compelled to step forward and issue a loud "mea culpa" to the families of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and his friend Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. These men worked hard to give the United States a gift that has become its most iconic symbols, the Statue of Liberty.

A church in Tennessee has installed their own version of the Statue of Liberty, based on Bartholdi's Liberty Enlightening the World. Their version has caused a stir, due to its crossing a line between a once understood, now blurred, division between church and state.

Said the local paper: "Onlookers, confused by the statue's message, stared in disbelief. 'I had to come out here and see it for myself,' said Yolanda James. 'I can't believe they put the cross in America's hand.'

A police car has been stationed near the cross-wielding Lady Liberty statue on the church grounds in Memphis. Even tacky people's liberties are protected in the United States. I guess that's something.

"Let them eat bandwidth!"

2006-07-06T17:25:00.000+02:00

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe plans to install 400 WiFi access points all over the city in 2007. Actually, he'll probably have someone else do it (I don't think he's keen on manual labor.)

There is nothing more democratic than free access to a high speed Internet connection. Many cafes and hotels offer WiFi for free - or a small charge. Even the cafeteria at Alliance Francaise provides WiFi, although bravery is required to use the electrical extension cord next to the drinking fountain.

Wifi picnicing (pictured) is another way to use WiFi while socializing. One wonders if the spread of WiFi Gratis throughout Paris will diminish people's interest in mobbing together to share tips and conversation. Given the insular nature of technology, my guess is that WiFi picnics will prevail thanks to free access in parks and public spaces.

First he gave us free toilets...and now this! Thanks Monsieur Delanoe. Free PeePee and free WiFi are both inalienable rights of The People.

Screenwriter Jason Smilovic wrote a hip script and watched "Slevin's" stellar cast bring it to life

2006-06-28T09:25:00.000+02:00

I recently interviewed screenwriter Jason Smiolvic and producer Robert Kravis, who are out in support of their feature film, "Slevin."

From the parlor of a well-appointed suite in a boutique hotel, Smilovic says he thrived on fast food from Burger King's "99-cent menu" while toiling over the "Slevin" screenplay several years ago.

The film that grew from his efforts was acquired by The Weinstein Company, which recently partnered with MGM. Perhaps the cheeseburger sacrifices paid off?

"Slevin" is distributed by Metropolitan Filmexports and opens in France today, 28 June. -- Go to interview --

(Photo courtesy The Weinstein Company)

Seasonal Paris -- I'm cool like that

2006-06-27T05:15:00.000+02:00

This weekend will send temperatures into the 30-degree range. Put your head under the sink, sit on an ice tray and watch this video clip again and again (:22 seconds). Revisit the cool weather of last November as your apartment's thermometer climbs into the oppression zone.

Passerelle Debilly, a moveable bridge

2006-06-21T00:46:00.000+02:00

Visit ParisDailyPhoto for a more artistic, black & white photo of this unassuming and relatively peaceful pedestrian bridge. (You'll also find many other great Paris photographs made by Eric-the-Friendly-Parisian.)

Here is some tourism propaganda about Passerelle Debilly."In order to carry visitors to the 1900 Exposition, its General Commissioner, Alfred Picard, on 26th October 1898 approved the construction of a footbridge opposite the Avenue Albert de Mun, intended to join the Army and Navy Halls to the exhibit recreating old Paris.

This metal footbridge designed by the engineers RESAL, ALBY and LION, was completed on 13th April 1900.It was then named the Military Exposition, or Magdeburg, or even de Billy footbridge, after an Imperial general killed at Jena in 1806.

The city of Paris took over management of the structure in 1903 and in 1906 relocated it to opposite Rue de la Manutention after a few alterations. From its original provisional status, the "Debilly" footbridge, as it was now named, finally became a permanent fixture. As a contemporary of the Alexander III bridge and the Austerlitz Viaduct, it was included in the supplemental registry of historical monuments in 1966. It was repainted in 1991 and its plating resurfaced with tropical hardwoods in 1997."

Look at Passerelle Debilly from S P A C E

Paris: walking from Pigalle to Place Clichy

2006-06-18T14:29:00.000+02:00

Two cliches of
Blvd. Clichy
The Tour Bus &
The Sex Shoppe
(near Place Blanche)

Le Quay - afternoon

2006-06-18T14:17:00.000+02:00

How precious! I've adopted a German.

2006-06-16T08:25:00.000+02:00

People think my German, Thomas Vieten (left)
looks like actor Jason Biggs (right)
The World is full of marketing schemes and promotional curiosities. I have fallen for a rather unique one -- I've adopted a German. I had to choose between twelve of them, so I chose the one who most resembled a sweet little (stoned) puppy dog, the only thing I've adopted before.

I received an adoption certificate and was assured that no child support payments will be requested. My little guy's name is Thomas Vieten and he's from Dortmund as you can tell from the picture. Thomas-Tom-Tommy has won the opportunity to represent Dortmund in a PUMA campaign that had him crammed in a tour bus and touring Europe with eleven of his countrymen. They stopped in Paris in mid May. The twelve adoptees worked with local PUMA reps and ran a contest that resulted in a french woman winning a free trip to the Cup.

These adoptees have made friends while influencing people, and while gaining exposure for the World Cup and Puma. Now, of course, they are back in Germany working the party scene and reporting all about it on their individual blogs. You can adopt your own German at the campaign's Web site. Be sure to download your certificate, suitable for framing (not really.)

That little bastard better be sending Daddy some new Pumas, don't you think?

Coupe du Monde 2006: Are you trying to escape World Cup fever?

2006-06-12T17:32:00.000+02:00

Even though it's not being held in France this time around, the World Cup has a hold on everyone. Heck, even the Americans are going to give it another go. And for those who aren't interested in football, the Swiss offer a temptation-filled alternative to World Cup mania. Click the 'play' button for details. (Mon dieu!)
Return to the beginning of this blogfutbol, Coupe du Monde, Paris, World Cup, Soccer, football, Germany

Smoothe sailing on the River Seine

2006-06-07T08:17:00.000+02:00

Stalking famous works of art

2006-06-04T03:59:00.000+02:00

Some people insist on having their photo taken in front of "famous" art. It's odd. I've seen this most often at Musee d'Orsay. Wherever it occurs, Impressionism is involved. They must recognize the art from mousepads or coffee mugs and insist on a photo. Do they remember reports of paintings sold for millions at auction or art that was hauled away by crafty thieves?

If they recognize a painting, they call it "famous." But, not everyone poses in front of paintings. There are also serious photographers grabbing shots with impressive cameras. I choose to believe that those well-equipped photographers are taking photos that will one day be used in an art history class. And, I choose to believe that the tourists who barge past inspired works of art to get to "the good stuff" will share the photos with their friends back home and will eventually be motivated to develop a broader appreciation of art.

As a journalist, I've learned to observe. It no longer takes effort. But, it is difficult. Objectivity is a learned trait. All humans are inherently judgmental. "This is GOOD" and "that is BAD." Artists hate this about us. Why can't we allow their work to wash over us like a salty wave at the beach. Do we have to proclaim that the water is cold or warm or blue? Can it just be wet?

(Have you hugged an artist or photographer today?)

Are the French open to fancy footwork on the court?

2006-05-31T22:55:00.000+02:00

Marc Gicquel (photo: AP)

Sebastien Grosjean (photo: Reuters)
It's not like a Frenchman to stray too far from tradition, even with sports. These photos, taken during the French Open at Roland Garros yesterday, seem to suggest that French players have introduced some peculiar new moves to their game. But, don't be alarmed. I'm sure these hijinks are the product of a camera's shutter opening and closing at just the right (or wrong?) time.

Marc Gicquel (top) appears to be playing futbol rather than tennis. Or is he riding an invisible polo pony across the court? In the second photo, Sebastien Grosjean looks like he has blended some kickboxing and ballroom dance moves into his game. Or, like Luke Skywalker, has he finally mastered "The Force," which allows him to suspend a tennis ball in mid-air simply by clenching his buttocks?

I suppose these questions shall remain unanswered.

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tennis, France, Paris, French Open, Roland Garros, Marc Gicquel, Sebastien Grosjean

Now that's one Smart Car!

2006-05-23T07:21:00.000+02:00

If you see a car similar to this one being driven backward...on the sidewalk...by a woman who looks like this -- get out of the way! She is on a mission. Something about a code. I dunno. I think there might be a book or a movie called Da Vinci Code. I haven't heard much about it, have you?

By the way, you'll remember that Steve Martin drove a SmartCar in the unremarkable Pink Panther. Now la petite voiture has returned au grand écran to terrorize pedestrians and sidewalk cafe diners...and passenger Tom Hanks.

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cinema, da vinci code, Paris, tom hanks, dan brown, cannes, audrey tautou, musee louvre

Montmartre: a short video spotlighting one of Paris' most noteworthy neighborhoods.

2006-05-21T10:19:00.000+02:00

Artist Robert Hawkins has put together a brief video tour of the Lamarck-Caulaincourt area. You'll recognize the streets and cafes of Montmartre as Hawkins strolls with his little dog.

It's not uncommon for people to ask "If I am only going to be in Paris for a couple of days, what's the one thing I should see?"

I always tell them not to miss Montmartre and suggest they make some time to sit and relax on the steps at Sacre Couer for at least an hour one evening. It's not exactly a place to witness Parisians and their Parisian-ness, but from those steps it feels like you can see the whole world and that the whole world is comprised of only Paris.

If one wants to absorb an abreviated version of Paris, this is one of the best places to do it. And now, when they ask, I will also refer them to this little video that Robert Hawkins has assembled and hosts at turnhere.com.

'Teeth of the Sea' doesn't sound as frightening as 'JAWS'

2006-05-11T09:30:00.000+02:00

When your American friends ask you if you've ever seen the movie Varsity Blues you might want to say "no, friend, I don't believe I have." But, if you saw American Boys at the French cinema then you did, in fact, see Varsity Blues. There are many movies that get re-named for clarity's sake, and others for reasons known only to the foreign distributors. The Incredibles was changed to Les Indestructibles; Wedding Crashers was changed to Serial Noceurs...and there are many more interesting examples.

If you can think of any, here's your chance to add them to the "40 Days in Paris" list of oddly re-titled films. Post your contribution in the comments section just below this blog entry.

And beware of Les Dents when you visit Paris-Plage this year.

We'll return after these messages...

2006-05-06T09:15:00.000+02:00

Ten Days on Hiatus.
(See you soon.)

L'espirit Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés

2006-05-06T05:30:00.000+02:00

Jazz may be an American invention, but it immediately - and permanently - found a home in Paris decades ago, especially on the Rive Gauche where jazz will never die.

Afficionados will be flooded with choices as the sixth annual jazz festival descends on venues in Saint Germain des Prés from 9 May until 21 May. Of the events taking place throughout the quartier, these two struck me as quite unique: (a) "Musical ride in 1950s bus touring the left bank," (b) "The French National Jazz Orchestra's tribute to Led Zeppelin."

For more traditional gigs, check the schedule at
Le Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The festival will include photo exhibits and will spotlight up-and-coming talent. But, if you can't wait until next week to get a fix of jazz, go to
Jazz à FIP and click on the "écouter" button to soothe your nerves.

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Saint Germain, jazz, Paris, Left Bank, photography, 40 Days in Paris

Dora and cat fetch $95 million

2006-05-04T09:07:00.000+02:00

"A Picasso portrait, 'Dora Maar With Cat,' sold for $95.2 million at Sotheby's last night, the second-highest price ever paid for a painting at auction." -- The New York Times. (Image: "Dora Maar With Cat" detail, 1941 portrait by Picasso.)

Man base jumps from La Grande Arche de la Défense

2006-05-04T05:44:00.000+02:00

Hervé Le Gallou likes to jump from tall structures. In Paris alone, he's jumped from La Tour Eiffel, La Tour Montparnasse and La Grande Arche.

But, it's not a sport for just anybody. Base jumping requires planning and skill. Getting arrested and having your gear confiscated - or plunging to your death - are real possibilities. In this case, you'll notice on the video (above) that Gallou makes a nice landing and a clean getaway. More of Gallou's exploits are posted at his Web site.

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base jump, extreme sports, Paris, France, video, 40 Days in Paris

Democrats Abroad France

2006-05-02T09:28:00.000+02:00

Democrats Abroad France will hold a "Voter Registration and Wizard Launch" on Friday. The group intends to register voters and demo their new online voter registration tool. Come to Le Coffee Parisien on Friday, 5 May between 17h00 and 19h00. The cafe is at 4 rue Princesse, 75006 Paris.

"Our goal is to double our overseas voter registration numbers for the 2006 midterm election and to double that again in 2008," said Democrats Abroad members Joe Green and Margo Miller in a recent editorial. They represent Democrats in Canada and the UK, respectively.

Democrats Abroad is active in 75 countries, according to their Washington, D.C. headquarters, and has 2500 members in France. The organization allies with the Democratic National Committee and sends a delegation to the Democratic National Convention. Members of Democrats Abroad France pay no dues or fees to join and have the option of joining subgroups such as Young Democrats Abroad France, open to the under-40 crowd.

Celebrate la victoire in your PSG 'undies'

2006-04-30T06:37:00.000+02:00

Paris Saint Germain wins its 7th French Cup. Bravo! But, I can't believe it took 5,000 police to keep dueling spectators in control during the finale. Is this the same mild-mannered club that offers its fans a selection of lingerie bearing the team logo? Perhaps if more people in the crowd were wearing official club lingerie under their clothes there would have been less fighting and more harmony at Stade de France.

Ladies can buy a PSG sac, men can buy PSG boxers, and students might like a PSG cartable...if they don't attend school in Marsailles. All this, and more, can be yours at the official PSG online store or at a local shop.

'Barefoot in Paris' author Ina Garten has a new project

2006-04-29T23:37:00.000+02:00

Ina Garten can do no wrong in my book. I have no basis for saying this, other than I enjoy her cookbooks and cooking show - and she has an apartment in the 7th arrondissement. A while back, I posted an entry about her book, Barefoot in Paris (2004), which rose to No. 11 on The New York Times bestseller list.

This year Ina launched a product line with one of my favorite stores, Stonewall Kitchen of Maine. I only hope her side business won't detract from her cooking show. Some day I'll tell her, when I see her at the market in Paris.

Shakespeare & Company: 'Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise'

2006-04-28T05:27:00.000+02:00

"I may disappear leaving behind me no worldly possessions - just a few old socks and love letters, and my windows overlooking Notre-Dame for all of you to enjoy, and my little rag and bone shop of the heart whose motto is "Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise". I may disappear leaving no forwarding address, but for all you know I may still be walking among you on my vagabond journey around the world." -- George Whitman, Shakespeare & Co. (photo: R. Keith)

In June, a festival "focusing on travel writing, will take place under a tent in the Réné Viviani park next to Shakespeare and Company. / Chez Thompson offers a blog post about spring, pancakes and Shakespeare & Company. / Sab Will promises a fantastic interview with Sylvia Whitman, "who now runs the legendary Left Bank bookshop."

Tom Cruise: Mister Impossible feeds the press in Paris ----- Monsieur Impossible alimente le presse -----

2006-04-28T03:46:00.000+02:00

For a brief time Tom Cruise's sister, Lee Ann, served as his public relations advisor. She may or may not have been adequate for the job, but there is no way she could have achieved anything close to the crafty strategy that was employed for Cruise's visit to Paris on April 27.

In the morning, Cruise (a.k.a. Thomas C. Mapother IV) didn't show up for the press conference for Mission Impossible 3. He's one of the few dudes who can make more headlines by not appearing at a press event than by actually showing up.

Why did he skip out? According to his handlers he needed to purchase some outfits for his new baby, Suri, and visit Paris with his two older children. Tom Cruise shopping for baby clothes? Where's that gaggle of assistants when needed? (I wonder if Suri is getting one of those ubiquitous "J'aime Paris" t-shirts.)

Here's how Cruise made news in only a few hours:"Some 60 employees at the Ritz Hotel in Paris went on strike Tuesday, the day before the upmarket establishment was to host a publicity media conference by Tom Cruise. The Workers' Force union said in a statement that the employees walked off the job to protest changes to their contracts by management. The management of the hotel confirmed the strike but said it was not affecting service to its guests. Cruise was due to speak to reporters in a salon in the hotel on Wednesday..." -- The Tocqueville Connection.
"...Cruise left dozens of camera teams, reporters and photographers waiting in vain for him on Wednesday at Paris' Ritz hotel, where he was supposed to give a press conference.'" -- Reuters.
"'Tom has decided to visit Paris with his two children (instead),' a spokeswoman said, referring to 13-year-old Isabella and 11-year-old Connor." -- Reuters
"Hours later, the 43-year-old actor arrived by helicopter at La Defense, the sleek high-rise complex on the western edge of Paris, where thousands of fans massed Wednesday ahead of a red carpet showing of his new film. Cruise treated them to autographs." -- Associated Press
"His fiancee, Katie Holmes, and their week-old daughter, Suri, stayed home in Los Angeles while Cruise was in Europe this week" -- Associated Press

Return to the beginning of this blogSuri, Cinema, Paris, Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible 3, 40 Days in Paris

Cruise launches Ciné Cité in Paris with screening of Mission Impossible 3

2006-04-28T03:05:00.000+02:00

Photo by Eric/Paris Daily Photo
Tom Cruise visited Paris today to open his film Mission Impossible 3 at the sparkling new UGC Ciné Cité la Défense, a 16 room cinema complex with a total of 3700 seats. On hand to greet his arrival were thousands of fans and members of the press. To welcome Cruise, who was shuttled to the area by helicopter, an extensive red carpet was unfurled and barricades helped preserve order. The MI3 star stopped to chat with the crowd as he often does. He's been known to take command of fans' cell phones and speak with their disbelieving friends or mothers on the other end.

Eric, a well-known photoblogger from The Paris Blog and Paris Daily Photo, snapped an excellent photo (above) of Cruise working the crowd.

Return to the beginning of this blogUGC Ciné Cité, Cinema, Paris, Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible 3, The Paris Blog

Musée de la Mode: 300 outfits - and still nothing to wear

2006-04-26T06:42:00.000+02:00

This is your last chance to see L'Homme Paré, an exhibit that's been hosted at Musée de la Mode et du Textile since October. The collection includes 300 period costumes ranging from the 17th century to modern times. It highlights the changes and commonalities in men's fashions through the years. I don't think we ought to resort to a "what's hot" and "what's not" list, like they do on television during award shows, but you'll be amazed by the expansive collection.

If you'd like a preview, visit this multimedia presentation that offers a sneak peek at L'Homme Paré. If you'd prefer, a PDF brochure can give you all of the Musée's "information practique."

Musée de la Mode et du Textile
107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
Tél: 01 44 55 57 50

MORE INFO:
The museum is open from 11h00 to 18h00 during the week and opens an hour earlier on the weekend. Your metro choices are Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, Tuileries, Pyramides. Your bus choices include numbers 21, 27, 39, 48, 68, 72, 81, or 95. If you want to arrive with tickets in hand, you can pre-purchase through FNAC for 7,50, 6,00, or 4,50 €.

Villepin: un "nouveau pacte"

2006-04-26T05:37:00.000+02:00

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is trying to repair his reputation in the academic world. On Tuesday he visited the Sorbonne and announced a plan that would financially benefit students for three months after they graduate from university. His appearance at the university prompted a protest demonstration by dozens of students.

Dominique de Villepin a appelé de ses vœux, mardi 25 avril, un "nouveau pacte" entre l'université et les Français avec l'ambition de donner aux facultés "les moyens de préparer les jeunes à l'emploi". Inaugurant à la Sorbonne le siège de la commission du débat national "université-emploi", le premier ministre a également proposé que les étudiants puissent continuer à bénéficier de leur bourse "pendant trois mois" après l'obtention de leur diplôme. -- Le Monde (photo: AFP)

Villepin plaide pour un "nouveau pacte" entre l'université et les Français
LEMONDE.FR | 25.04.06

Passerrelle Debilly

2006-04-25T19:05:00.000+02:00

Jardin du Lux: promenades à dos de poneys

2006-04-24T09:26:00.000+02:00

I’ve been called a “shoegazer.” That is, someone who dwells on things unnecessarily. To me, fun things are not always fun.

The ponies on which children ride across the Jardin du Luxembourg seem to share my philosophy. You’d think they’d be having the time of their lives. As far as equine employment goes a slow and quiet life in Le Sixième, ambling across the Lux and getting your picture taken, is not a bad gig. But, the ponies (and especially the donkeys) appear to be under-whelmed with their life’s mission. Their handlers are rather sedate also. On a warm day, they look particularly miserable. The kids look non-plussed, but are probably having a little fun. Now and again you might see one of them crying or wanting off the animal -- further proof that fun sometimes eludes us.

These situations make me feel better about not being a “fun-seeker.” Most magical moments are beyond our control. They materialize when life’s elements align in our favor, and when we're not trying too hard.

Twenty five percent of French people smoke; compared to twenty three percent of Americans

2006-04-22T01:29:00.000+02:00

People in the United States often ask about the level of foreignness of our foreign friends, The French. Longstanding stereotypes are tightly held, almost cherished. We love our illusions, do we not? When these questions come up, I gladly answer them.

But, after I attempt to dispel the most ridiculous of stereotypes, the questioners get suspicous of me, as if to say "Gee whiz! Those chain-smoking, smelly, rude frogs have really brain-washed him."

One stereotype that even I believed until 2005 is --- "all French people smoke." It seems to be true, but the numbers don't support the myth. Nonetheless, smokers are accommodated everywhere in Paris...with few exceptions. Often, when I've asked for a non-smoking table at a restaurant, the waiter has simply removed the ashtray, motioned for me to sit down and presented the menu. Voila! Then he turns around and disappears into a cloud of smoke.

A recent survey revealed that a majority of French people would prefer to dine in a smoke-free environment. I don't know if that speaks to their distaste for cigarette smoke or if it illustrates the fact that, in France, cuisine trumps tobacco on the hierarchy of desire. If you are one of these aesthetes and would like to dine without getting lung cancer, you should visit Paris Non Fumeur to find smoke-free establishments.

"Surveys show a large majority of French people would like smoke-free restaurants. Since 1992, some bars and restaurants have been required to have clearly identified nonsmoking areas, but in practice the areas are often nonexistent or hard to spot." Full article (IHT/Reuters)

Happy Birthday Joan Miró

2006-04-20T07:35:00.000+02:00

If you notice a rather decorative display on the french Google site today, it's because of Joan Miró's birthday. Don't be alarmed. Google Corp. hasn't purchased all of Miró's work and permanently adopted a Miroesque logo. Although, I guess we've all seen those Monet umbrellas and mouse pads, so anything is possible.

A blurb from Wikipedia:
As a young man, Miró was drawn towards the arts community that was gathering in Montparnasse and in 1920 moved to Paris. There, under the influence of Surrealist poets and writers, he developed his unique style: organic forms and flattened picture planes drawn with a sharp line. Miró confessed to creating one of his most famous works, Harlequin's Carnival, while hallucinating due to a lack of food. Today, his paintings sell at prices between US $250,000 and US $8 million.

(born 20 April 1893 in Barcelona, died 25 December 1983 in Mallorca)

Who will be the 10,000th visitor to 40 Days in Paris?

2006-04-20T06:37:00.000+02:00

Congratulations, in advance, to visitor number 10,000!
"40 Days in Paris" is almost a year old and, frankly, I'm surprised that people are compelled to visit and read. Visitors have checked in from a couple dozen countries, some of them rather obscure -- and from every continent except Antartica. Antarticans don't read blogs? What's up with THAT?

If you'd like to give me a gift on this quasi-auspicious occasion, have all of your Antartican friends click on my blog a few times. This will fill the geographical void in my blogsphere and help me sleep at night.

I don't get too many details on my stats report, but if I can determine the location of "Monsieur/Madame 10,000" I will post it later, for trivia's sake.

I don't actually believe that everyone who registers a "click" has intentionally landed here. The popularity of Paris factors into this site's clickability -- and the wayward surfers looking for Paris Hilton pictures account for more than a few accidental visitors. Still, the counter is good entertainment and it's interesting to see the data.

Wheelchairs in Paris? Good luck with that!

2006-04-18T06:19:00.000+02:00

There are a number of wheelchair-friendly tourist attractions in Paris, but fewer than in other international cities.

This question appeared on the San Jose Mercury News Web site:

Question: Is there anywhere in Paris to rent a wheelchair for a parent who is unable to walk long distances?

Answer: The French Government Tourist Office told us that some pharmacies in the Paris area rent wheelchairs. Try Pharmacie Thoraval, 264 Boulevard Voltaire. You can send e-mail to pharmacie.thoraval@wanadoo.fr or call 011-33-1-43-73-51-73 to reserve one before your arrival.

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tourist, France, Paris, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

Passeport électronique en France

2006-04-14T19:47:00.000+02:00

«Ce jeudi 13 avril, nous débutons le déploiement du passeport électronique en France, en commençant par les Hauts-de-Seine», indique un porte-parole de l'imprimerie nationale à ZDNet.fr. Cette nouvelle génération de passeport permettra, notamment, d'entrer sur le sol américain sans visa. Dès le 19 avril, ce sera au tour de la préfecture de Paris de les délivrer. L'ensemble de l'hexagone devrait être fourni fin juin. (ZDnet France)

Vincent van Gogh: 'what you tried to say to me'

2006-04-13T08:50:00.000+02:00

Vincent van Gogh
click above to start a slide show with classic music by Don McLean

Paris St Germain soccer club sold by Vivendi's Canal Plus

2006-04-13T04:22:00.000+02:00

From AFX News Limited:

Vivendi Universal unit Canal Plus said it has agreed to sell French premier league soccer club Paris St. Germain, in which it holds 100 pct, to a consortium of investment funds. No financial details were disclosed in Canal Plus' statement. The three buyers are private equity group Butler Capital Partners, Morgan Stanley and Colyzeo.

Air France to allow in-flight mobile phoning, texting, e-mail, etc.

2006-04-13T03:47:00.000+02:00

The family of four stretching across Row No. 21 is fighting amongst themselves. Their baby demonstrates its lung capacity by crying for 30-minutes solid. The teenagers in Row No. 20 are speaking a language that sounds like your own, but is fast and mumbled -- completely unintelligible. The topic seems to be about things that totally "suck." The salesman in Row No. 19 wants to know if the passenger next to him plays golf, then launches into a 90-minute review of the nation's golf courses. He can be heard at the back of the plane, in the bathroom...with the door closed. His neighbor seems uninterested, but the conversation is about HIM, so it persists. Noises from nearly every row echo through the cabin.

To this concert of banality, Air France would like to introduce the ultimate in uneccessary air cabin noise -- the mobile phone conversation. I learned about this troubling news at www.which.co.uk...

Air France will incorporate special in-flight technology into the 100-seater Airbus A318, which is due to enter service in March 2007. That will make it the first airline in the world to introduce the technology. Until now mobile phones have been banned on aircraft as they can disrupt navigation systems.

The service will mean passengers can make calls and send texts on their phone as well as access the internet, and receive and send emails on phones, laptops or other devices.

What can I bring? -- Clearing customs in France is easy, if you're not packing contraband

2006-04-11T06:13:00.000+02:00

Ever wonder what you can bring into the country when visiting France? Here is a short list of items (and quantities) that can be brought into the country. (Although I don't know who would want to bring wine INTO France -- maybe a Californian.)

Visitors may bring:
200 cigarettes (or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars)
2 litres of wine
1 litre of spirits
50g of perfume
one-quarter-liter of eau de toilette
100g of tea
500g of coffee
As you can see from the information below, starting your own little war or becoming a drug salesman is ill-advised for tourists travelling to France. Customs agents frown upon such things. I noticed there is a form that one can fill out to get the guns permanently imported. But, for your short trip with the wife and kids...you're just plain out of luck, Rambo.

Here are a few items you'll clearly want to leave at home:
machine guns and submachineguns; all automatic, semiautomatic and repeating rifles intended for use as military weapons; all semiautomatic rifles firing more than 3 shots, repeating rifles firing more than 10 shots and air or gas rifles whose magazines hold more than 5 cartridges; practically all handguns (pistols and revolvers), except starter guns and alarm pistols - provided they are not intended to fire bullets or shot; the ammunition thereof. In addition: narcotics such as opium, morphine, codeine, thebaine, heroin, methadone and related drugs and substances; depressants such as barbiturates, methaqualone, meprobamate, benzodiazepines; stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines, anorectic drugs, and related substances; cannabis (marijuana, herbal cannabis, cannabis resin, hashish, or hashish oil); hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline and peyote, STP, DOB, MDA, MDMA, phencyclidine (PCP) and related drugs. (If you have a prescription, some of these items are allowed.)

(sources: parisinfo.com and embassy of france)

Bruno Julliard: French unions and students return to the streets on Tuesday

2006-04-11T02:33:00.000+02:00

"We are calling for the pressure to be kept up until parliament votes the repeal of the CPE, including by blocking universities if necessary," Bruno Julliard, head of the UNEF students' union, told Reuters.

PM Dominique de Villepan regrets his legislation was misunderstood

2006-04-11T02:24:00.000+02:00

The following is an excerpt from Martin Arnold's article in the The Financial Times.

Looking tired and downcast, the prime minister [Dominique de Villepin] on Monday sounded almost apologetic for his part in a two-month crisis, which drove millions of protesters into the streets, split his party and sparked calls for reform of France’s political institutions.

"I wanted to propose a strong solution, because I had the conviction that… only a better balance between more flexibility for companies and more security for workers would allow us to break with unemployment in this country," he said. "This was not understood by everyone, which I regret."

The government’s U-turn, agreeing to replace his contentious youth labour reform with a collection of extra subsidies for companies employing unqualified youths, is a stinging blow for the prime minister’s authority. Some pundits were asking why he did not resign.

Inline skaters converge on Paris streets every Friday night, accompanied by skating Police and safety monitors

2006-04-10T06:41:00.000+02:00

Driver of Renault Twingo plows into crowd on Boulevard Saint Germain, protestors injured

2006-04-10T06:08:00.000+02:00

A motorist, angry with demonstrators blocking a street in Paris' Left Bank drove into the crowd of students protesting a jobs law on Friday, injuring 10 people. Furious demonstrators overturned the car and tried to drag the driver out before police intervened. -- Associated Press (photo:AFP)

See more photos by clicking on the link below, from Le Monde

A Paris, un chauffard sème la panique dans un "pique-nique pacifique"
LEMONDE.FR | 07.04.06

Paris Metro: Art is everywhere...pay attention.

2006-04-06T04:45:00.000+02:00

Sure, this Metro entrance at Palais Royal looks fabulous. It's been bejeweled by a talented artist. But, its fabulousness causes confusion. If you were to stand near this colorful canopy for more three minutes somebody inevitably would approach you and ask, "how do I get to the Metro?" (in any number of languages.)

The tourists see it listed on their metro map, but this particular Metro entrance is just too fabulous to be recognized. I've helped more than a few tourists with directions when I was in this area on the way to my alternate bus stop. Their faces would always light up when they realized it was not just a lavish piece of sculpture before them. It was their destination. Perhaps if it were doused in urine it would be more recognizable.

Here are links to a few of the other photos I've taken - au même endroit.
city workers, columns & cafe and a street scene.

Vespa in Paris

2006-04-06T01:55:00.000+02:00

Daniel Cohn-Bendit (1968) & Bruno Julliard (2006)

2006-04-06T01:25:00.000+02:00

Excerpt from The Independent Online (UK)

Daniel Cohn-Bendit will be forever the face of the French student revolt of May 1968. Bruno Julliard will probably go down as the face of the "events of March 2006".

Critics say M. Julliard is a pure product of the centre- left, mainstream, "statist" establishment in France. He is the son of a Socialist mayor and the stepson of a Communist-leaning senior civil servant. He is accused by extremists of being a "bourgeois careerist" and by moderates of being a stooge for the anti-market left wing of the main French opposition party, the Parti Socialiste.

The differences between M. Julliard and M. Cohn-Bendit sum up the differences between the two "revolts". Cohn-Bendit, was a classic outsider, who wanted to change everything, an impish, ill-dressed, anarchic figure with a shock of red hair and a funny and provocative turn of phrase.

Bruno Julliard is smartly dressed, and talks the language of mainstream politics. He is fighting a defensive battle to save France's strong, employment protections for the new generation.

Sorbonne president: student protestors are "ignorant and stupid"

2006-04-04T22:51:00.000+02:00

The president of the world-renowned Sorbonne University has branded French students protesting about the country's new employment law "ignorant and stupid"...Jean-Robert Pitte said the youngsters had no dreams but believed everything was due to them as a right without having to work for it..."Today's youth don't have dreams, they have illusions." -- Guardian Unlimited (photo: unknown)

An Easter Bunny in Paris

2006-04-03T10:26:00.000+02:00

Jesus rises from the dead and we celebrate by eating chocolate rabbits. OK, maybe that's an unfair analysis of an Easter Day tradition. Parisians and visitors in search of Easter treats can find them (and more) at Lafayette Gourmet. The store is an oasis of epicurean delight and is inside the Galleries Lafayette. This offers a good excuse to drop in for some bon-bons and then take a detour once inside.

LAFAYETTE GOURMET
40, boulevard Haussmann 75009
Metro : Chaussée d'Antin La Fayette
tel: 01 42 82 34 56

Travel to France could be hampered by protests, says U.S. Department of State

2006-04-03T09:59:00.000+02:00

From: U.S. Department of State
March 27, 2006
Public Announcement (not listed as "travel warning")

This Public Announcement is issued to alert Americans to ongoing security concerns in France. Demonstrations, sometimes involving violence, have occurred and continue to occur in Paris and other large cities in France in opposition to a new law concerning employment contracts for young workers. This Public Announcement will expire on April 30, 2006.

Recent demonstrations have occurred at times in areas frequented by tourists. Some of the demonstrations may be announced, while others may be spontaneous. Police have responded by using tear gas. U.S. Embassy personnel have been advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in France to avoid areas where crowds are expected to gather, to exercise caution, particularly during evening and nighttime hours, and to closely follow media reports.

Travelers in France who need assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy at tel. 33-1-43-12-22-22 or (in France) 01-43-12-22-22; fax 33-1-42-61-61-40, or by email at: citizeninfo@state.gov. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Paris is located at 2 Rue St. Florentin, 75001 Paris (Place de La Concorde, Metro Stop Concorde). Further information can be obtained at the U.S. Embassy's web site at http://france.usembassy.gov/.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Cautions, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747.

France / Tourism: "...we'd have to take some measures"

2006-04-03T09:43:00.000+02:00

From the International Herald Tribune:

Protests in France against the new labor law, and the worldwide coverage they are receiving, are worrying the country's tourism authorities, who fear that travelers will stay away if the disturbances persist.

"If the events were to continue, we'd have to take some measures," Tourism Minister Léon Bertrand said in a telephone interview.

"Two more weeks and we're going to have problems," he said.

Paris, the world's No. 1 tourist destination, with 26 million visitors a year, is already regarded by various foreign countries as a potential danger zone.

The embassies of the United States, Britain and Japan warned their citizens to steer clear of parts of the city after hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the employment plan. More protests are expected next week.

Bruno Julliard: "We haven't been heard"

2006-04-02T09:28:00.000+02:00

"Bruno Julliard (on left), the president of the UNEF student union, rejected the notion of negotiating improvements to a contract that devalued young people." -- Telegraph.co.uk

mobilisation, France, CPE, l'UNEF, Bruno Julliard, students,protest

Paris for the realist: not as expensive as you might think

2006-04-02T06:12:00.000+02:00

Living in Paris is expensive. But, tourists and short-term visitors may be surprised to find that one can still enjoy the City of Light without going broke. In most big cities it is expensive to be a tourist and to entertain yourself. People who don't have a shopping spree on their itinerary and those who won't mind eating in one and two star restaurants can enjoy Paris while making their euros last a little longer.

If you are the type of person who likes to shop, even when you don't need to, or who cannot bypass the gift shop on your way out of a museum -- or if you think you need to bring a gift home for anyone beyond your immediate family -- you better plan on spending a few hundred euros on such things. If you live simply and have friends who would be pleased with a small gift or who would be happy enough that you had a chance to travel and expand your horizons, you can visit Paris for a reasonable sum.

Below are common expenses one might incur while in Paris. Prices are listed in euros. Click the currency converter to compare with your country's currency. The asterisk (*) is my addition. I've placed an asterisk on the items that, in my opinion, will probably cost more than indicated in the source material. Depending on the area, type of establishment and time of day, meals can vary. Again, simplicity and realistic expectations will keep costs down.
entrance to museum €7 to €9.
sandwich €5.*
pizza €8 to €10*
small coffee €1 to €2
full meal €15 to €20*
baguette €0.80
beer in café €2 to €4*
movie ticket €9
(data source: parisinfo.com)
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tourist, France, Paris, currency converter, travel, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

Jacques Chirac et "la construction abracadabrantesque"

2006-04-01T08:58:00.000+02:00

C'est texte d'un article de Le Monde.

Les modifications que Jacques Chirac a proposées pour sortir de la crise vont être faites "rapidement", a promis Jean-Louis Debré, le président de l'Assemblée nationale, sur TF1. La droite s'est félicitée de l'intervention du chef de l'Etat, Nicolas Sarkozy en tête. Jacques Chirac a pris "une décision sage, conforme à ce que l'immense majorité des parlementaires UMP souhaitait", a estimé le ministre de l'intérieur, soulignant qu'il avait lui-même plaidé pour le "compromis" dans le CPE.

Chez les anti-CPE, l'allocution de Jacques Chirac n'a pas convaincu : le président "a fait compliqué là où il devait faire simple", a estimé François Hollande, premier secrétaire du PS, pendant que le président du groupe PS dénonçait la "construction abracadabrantesque" des annonces présidentielles. Surtout, les syndicats ont réitéré en chœur leur appel à une journée de grève et de manifestations le mardi 4 avril.

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CPE, France, Paris, Chirac, abracadabrantesque, 40 Days in Paris

Paris: A trip to Monoprix can solve most problems

2006-03-30T09:24:00.000+02:00

Monoprix is one of the primary grocery stores in Paris. It's often called a Citymarché and there are about 50 of them scattered around Paris.

There is also another store called ED. I don't know why it's named ED, but I assume there is a good reason. ED sells groceries. No frills, just groceries.

Monoprix has a diverse selection of goods. It is a bit like the U.S. store called SuperTarget, but only a fraction of the size. At Monoprix, one can buy an iron and laundry soap upstairs, then go to the street level for a bathing suit and some toothpaste (la pate dentifrice). Then it's down to the basement for groceries. The cashiers are usually inefficient or, at best, indifferent. Nothing can be done about it and we move on, bagging our own groceries so as not to disrupt the status quo.

Everything you could possibly need can be found at Monoprix. Dairy products are plentiful. The meat selection is marginal, but the meat case is clean and seemingly free of contaminates. I like that. The meat is packaged in small quantities, often with two small pieces in each film-wrapped package. This is better than making the investment in a seven-pound "Value Pack" that would never fit in a tiny fridge.

Downstairs, you can buy a round loaf of bread, but if you want bread in baguette form you have to go upstairs where the prepared foods are sold – closer to the street. Should you need frozen escargot, there are eight varieties. For the most part, I recognize all of the food groups, and most of the foods. They're all there. But, I read the labels carefully...just in case.

When it comes to prepared foods, there are always surprises. I love butter. I love salami. But, I wouldn’t have dreamt these ingredients could join between two slices of bread and be called a sandwich. Salads (other than green salads) are problematic. I tend to buy the salad if I like at least two of the ingredients. There is always a superfluous ingredient that I don’t care for, or would not have thought to include. I had a nice carrot and broccoli salad with a light dressing, but I had to eat the corn that was mixed in. Things are always a bit off-the-mark. Eggs are often to blame.

A visit to Monoprix can solve many of life's problems at a reasonable price. If all else fails, you can stop there for a couple of bottles of wine en route to your friends' apartment or the Tour Eifel.
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monoprix, tourist, France, Paris, travel, 40 Days in Paris

When does the Mona Lisa look like Dick Cheney?

2006-03-29T07:54:00.000+02:00

You don't need to brave the crowds at Musee Louvre to have some fun with the Mona Lisa. Click on the link below and use an interactive menu to give "Mona" some unusual facial expressions. This interactive feature can be found on the Web site of the
Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.
30, avenue Corentin-Cariou
F-75930 Paris cedex 19
Tel: 01 40 05 70 00
Open Tues to Sat 10-6
and until 7 p.m. on Sun.
Click here for interactive Mona Lisa.
To make her look like Dick Cheney, click the button labeled "disdain."

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tourist, France, Paris, travel, Mona Lisa, 40 Days in Paris

HDTV in France: Let them watch high-def

2006-03-29T04:07:00.000+02:00

"France's Canal+ Group has announced that its premium channel Canal+ will be available in HDTV from next month, while its DTH platform CanalSat will debut National Geographic Channel HD. The news follows rival DTH platform TPS starting the marketing of its own HDTV offering to subscribers last month." -- Marie-Agnès Bruneau, C21 Media

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technology, France, Paris, HDTV, Canal+, CanalSat, 40 Days in Paris

Sociologist: "It is a collective failure of the French system"

2006-03-29T03:50:00.000+02:00

From The New York Times:

Opinion polls indicate that the French see globalization as a threat, not an opportunity. A sweeping survey of people in 22 countries released in January found that France was alone in disagreeing with the premise that that the best economic model is "the free enterprise system and free market economy."

In the poll, conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, only 36 percent of French respondents replied yes, compared with 59 percent in Italy, 65 percent in Germany, 66 percent in Britain, 71 percent in the United States and 74 percent in China.

"It is a collective failure of the French system," said Louis Chauvel, a sociologist who studies generational change. "You earn more doing nothing in retirement at the age of 60 to 65 than working full-time at the age of 35. And we have organized society so there is no room for new entrants."

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CPE, France, Paris, globalization, Villepin

Paris: il fait trop chaud pour travailler

2006-03-29T03:26:00.000+02:00

There are some people in France who oppose strikes and blockades against CPE legislation. Given the number of people in the streets and the results of national surveys, those in favor of CPE are a minority. But, I heard one group refer to themselves as the "silent majority." They want to graduate from school and go to work, they say. Such a group operates a Web site called "stop la greve."

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protests, France, Paris, la greve, Villepin, CPE

Paris Manga - 2 Avril a Espace Champerret

2006-03-28T07:25:00.000+02:00

Are you from the Manga generation? I don't know exactly what it is, so I can safely assume that I am not part of it. However, it looks like fun.

"While aficionados rediscover their favourite comic strip characters, newbies will get the opportunity to learn about the different styles of manga. Browse manga merchandising, toys and games and enjoy film screenings over an area of more than 2,000 sq.m. Guests and events will liven up a fun-filled day tailored especially for the manga generation." -- parisinfo.com

Click here to see the Paris Manga television commercial (publicite)

ESPACE CHAMPERRET
6, rue Jean-Oestreicher 75017 PARIS
Metro : Porte de Champerret
RER : C : Porte Maillot
Bus : 84, 92, 163, 164, 165
Information : 01 49 70 27 27
10h00 - 19h00
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tourist, France, Paris, Paris Manga, Espace Champerret, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

New York Times: "Four Ways to Fire a Frenchman"

2006-03-28T02:48:00.000+02:00

Christoph Kienzle's illustration (left) was part of a March 26 article in The New York Times. The article, by Craig S. Smith, is called "Four Ways to Fire a Frenchman."

The four methods are:
(1) Prove you can't afford the job
(2) Prove he did a bad, bad thing
(3) Pay him to scram
(4) Put him in the cupboard.

"The French government wants to make it easy to fire young workers. Easier firing, easier hiring, the logic goes. Who wants to add people to the permanent payroll if it's painful and costly to undo a mistake? The laws on 'licensement,' as firing in France is called, are complex enough to fill a book, but in the end there are essentially four ways for an employer to deliver a pink slip. All involve time or money or both, because employees who don't want to go quietly can file a complaint with the Conseil des Prud'hommes, the court that rules on terminations." -- New York Times

You can register and read the full article.

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mobilisation, France, Paris, labor, Villepin, CPE

Condoleezza Rice in Paris on Thursday

2006-03-28T01:24:00.000+02:00

Three days before a visit to Paris by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the State Department warned Americans of violent protests in France and advised travelers to avoid city crowds. The security alert Monday advised Americans traveling or living in France to "avoid areas where crowds are expected to gather" and use caution because of sometimes violent demonstrations in Paris and other large cities over a divisive youth jobs law.

Rice will be in Paris on Thursday for talks with President Jacques Chirac on the Iranian nuclear standoff and other topics. She will only be in the city for a few hours and will not stay overnight.

"Recent demonstrations have occurred at times in areas frequented by tourists," the U.S. announcement said. "Some of the demonstrations may be announced, while others may be spontaneous. Police have responded by using tear gas. U.S. Embassy personnel have been advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings." -- Associated Press

Team France: Premat & Lapierre head to Shanghai

2006-03-28T00:36:00.000+02:00

Nicolas Lapierre, A1 Team France

A1 Team France heads to the final round of the new A1 Grand Prix Series at Shanghai aiming to round off its winning season with another victory in Shanghai. The team clinched the inaugural A1 Grand Prix championship in the last race at Laguna Seca having taken thirteen wins from twenty races, drivers Prémat and Lapierre taking seven and six wins respectively.

Alexandre Prémat adds: “Shanghai is another new track for me. I have some idea of what the track looks like with a good mixture of challenging corner and long straights. It’s quite twisty in some areas and the back straight leads into a corner where you can overtake under the right circumstances. I’m really looking forward to this, the last race of the year. Hopefully we can close the season with another good result for the team.” -- Auto Racing Daily

CPE / en greve: Getting around Paris on Tuesday

2006-03-27T07:29:00.000+02:00

"A general strike in France tomorrow to protest against an employment law will disrupt air, domestic rail and metro traffic, but not Eurostar services. Half of all metro trains are expected to run, while some air travellers could be stranded as many Air France services will be cancelled. About 200 demonstrations are planned across the country, with the largest in Paris. Tuesday's protest will be the sixth in about two weeks in Paris, some of which have turned violent."
-- Guardian Unlimited

Wheelchairs in Paris?

2006-03-27T06:54:00.000+02:00

This appeared in the San Jose Mercury News:

Question. Is there anywhere in Paris to rent a wheelchair for a parent who is unable to walk long distances?

Answer. The French Government Tourist Office told us that some pharmacies in the Paris area rent wheelchairs. Try Pharmacie Thoraval, 264 Boulevard Voltaire. You can send e-mail to pharmacie.thoraval@wanadoo.fr or call 011-33-1-43-73-51-73 to reserve one before your arrival.

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tourist, France, Paris, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

Paris on two wheels

2006-03-24T16:35:00.000+01:00

Paris and beyond: Students continue to mobilise

2006-03-23T19:49:00.000+01:00

Thursday 23 March
"As we speak..."
News about the anti-CPE mobilisation 18h47
Teargas fired and arrests made as police clear Angers train station by force.
18h33
Situation in Paris appears to have calmed substantially.
18h28
Sky news footage now showing Riot police charging protesters by the Seine. One protestor appeared to fall from a 40 foot wall to the side of the Seine. We cannot confirm this at this moment in time.
18h20
Riot now being shown live on SKY news- hundreds fighting CRS riot police.
18h05
Violent confrontations between hundreds of youths and the CRS riot police in the Boulevard d’Invalides according the tf1.
17h50
Between 104,000 (police figure) and 210,000 (organisers figures) marching in Paris, where the demonstration has arrived at its finishing point of the Esplanade d’Invalides. This figure is up from last Thursdays students dmeonstration, which was estimated at being between 33,000 - 120,000 strong.
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mobilisation, France, Paris, l'UNEF, Villepin, CPE

Crocodile tears in Paris -- and beyond

2006-03-23T02:20:00.000+01:00

OK everyone, it's time to call your favorite "Preppy" friend and console him. The founder of Lacoste has passed away. Those polo shirt collars that every prepster likes to snap, will be at half-staff today in honor of Monsieur Lacoste. Among other places, the news broke today on Inc. magazine's Web site.

"Bernard Lacoste, who turned a small family sportswear firm best known for its crocodile logo into a global clothing empire, died Tuesday in Paris at age 74." -- Inc.com

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Lacoste, France, Paris, fashion, Preppy, 40 Days in Paris

Gospel in Paris: Can I get an Amen?

2006-03-21T06:47:00.000+01:00

Gospel Dream - Paris
31 mars à 20h30
The American Cathedral in Paris
23 Av Georges V
75008 Paris
Métro: Georges V

Créée en 1990, la formation est aujourd'hui la plus active d'un chant liturgique en plein essor depuis la fin des années 90. Ensemble mixte et cosmopolite de chanteurs et musiciens noirs, Gospel Dream réunit cinq ténors, six voix féminines, soprano et contralto, deux chanteurs dans le registre basse, ainsi qu'un pianiste et un trompettiste.

Vintage photo memoir exposes a secret Paris

2006-03-21T06:15:00.000+01:00

"In Brassai's photography we have a textbook example of candid photography being used as a tool for cultural investigation at the beginning of its golden age." -- New Republic

Publisher's comments:
The Secret Paris of the '30s

Alone, or in the company of friends, Brassai discovered and recorded the forbidden Paris of the 1930s--the sordid yet fascinating bas-monde where high society mingled with the underworld. The Secret Paris of the '30s is one of the most remarkable photographic memoirs ever published. 150 photos. This volume contains many photographs taken by Brassai which have never had wide circulation before because of their daring nature. His subject is the forbidden Paris of the 1930s, its opium dens, its brothels and its whores, where high society mingled with the underworld.

ISBN: 0500271089
Author: Brassai
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Publication Date: June 2001
Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.26 x .70 inches
paperback/english

Getting home before dawn: the Paris bus system after hours

2006-03-20T06:49:00.000+01:00

With Noctilien, you can travel throughout Ile-de-France all night long. It operates every night from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. If you waste all of your money in the clubs or your wallet is pinched by one of Paris's talented pick-pockets, you can still make your way home on the Noctilien if you can find some coins. For details in English, click here.

Carte Orange, Intégrale, Imagine R and Mobilis can be used on the Noctilien Network. Sans these types of passes, one can use a single T-ticket and travel within zones one and two for EUR 1,40.

Buy your bus tickets ahead of time. It is not as easy as one would think to board the bus using cash. Drivers don't always have the time or patience to school you on the intricacies of public transport. The passengers will also start making "tsk tsk" noises - and you'll hear some heavy sighs - if your confusion keeps the bus from rolling promptly toward their French homes.

If you're staying for a month or more, buy a Carte Orange. You'll thank me later. Tourists can buy a carnet of ten T-Tickets for just under 11-euros. Once again, be prepared! Have a couple of tickets on you at all times.

If you need to travel to les banlieues, consult an itinerary Web site to calculate your total fare.
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travel, France, Paris, Noctilien, Paris Metro, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

Le Printemps du Cinema

2006-03-20T06:34:00.000+01:00

When was the last time you went to the cinema and paid less than four euros? Le Printemps du Cinema offers you the opportunity to save money and watch some popular films. Click here for more details.

Ina Garten's "Barefoot in Paris" is not a new release, but it's still worthy of attention.

2006-03-20T05:48:00.000+01:00

"Barefoot in Paris is suffused with Ina's love of the city, of the bustling outdoor markets and alluring little shops, of the bakeries and fromageries and charcuteries — of the wonderful celebration of food that you find on every street corner, in every neighborhood. So take a trip to Paris with the perfect guide — the Barefoot Contessa herself — in her most personal book yet."

The Food Network has been running a series of biography programs about its chefs and program hosts. Ina Garten, known as the Barefoot Contessa, is by far the most down to earth and intelligent of all the Food Network hosts. That she loves Paris makes her even more wonderful. Her book, Barefoot in Paris, can be purchased from Amazon France and Powell's Books -- among other places.

CPE mobilisation: citizen journalism in Paris

2006-03-20T04:10:00.000+01:00

Citizen Journalism is alive and -- for the moment -- well. This 27-second clip from Paris shows the potential danger in standing too close to the police while protestors rage in the streets. I'm sure there is also footage out there that captures police throwing teargas canisters. One group throws rocks, the other throws teargas. Mobilisation is hell.

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mobilisation, France, Paris, l'UNEF, Villepin, CPE

Mon Bon Chien: A dog bakery for Paris

2006-03-19T09:09:00.000+01:00

From the International Herald Tribune:

Mon Bon Chien, a tiled purple-and- white storefront on a tranquil street, is an innovation in a city renowned for pampering its population of 200,000 pooches by welcoming them in bistros and, occasionally, five-star hotels.

The innovator is an American pastry chef, Harriet Sternstein, who met with incredulity when she opened the store in June but has apparently succeeded in selling her high concept of a peanut butter "plat du jour" to French dog owners and their beloved "toutous."

It took her five months to obtain a commercial license; this involved formal presentations to French officials. (She pressed them to taste the carob pupcakes; they said they had already lunched.)

12, rue Mademoiselle - 15eme - M. Commerce - Tél/Fax 01 48 28 40 12

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chien, France, Paris, travel, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

Navigating Paris:Don't be in the dark when you get to the City of Light

2006-03-17T07:28:00.000+01:00

You might be brimming with confidence before you step out of your hotel and into the streets of Paris for the first time. What you don't know is that within minutes Paris will begin to challenge you.

Don't take offense, she does this to everyone. The important thing is to be prepared and relax. You will not conquer Paris, you will experience Paris. If you think you're in charge, Paris will quickly set you straight. In the timeless words of the Boy Scouts of America, "Be prepared."

One indispensable tool I have used to decipher Paris is TimeOut Paris. A newspaper critic said the TimeOut city guide is "the most hip and culturally savvy I’ve used." And hip it is. It’s written in a casual tone that gives readers credit for having a brain and a sense of curiosity.

TimeOut Paris includes loads of sidebars and ancillary information that other guides omit. With its brief history lessons and invaluable information about the inner-workings of the City of Light. This book has saved the day on numerous occasions.

I once had to tear a page out of my TimeOut Paris guide and head out in search of a hospital. TimeOut and a taxi driver led me to the American Hospital of Paris. I only had a kidney stone, but these are the types of situations one does not anticipate while on holiday. Had I gone to the nearest hospital, I might have encountered a more complicated situation.

TimeOut magazines cover happenings in a dozen cities, including London and New York. In depth information is available in a series of annual travel guides written about cities from Budapest to Boston. I'd suggest you buy the most recent version of the city guide you need. If your local bookseller doesn’t have a current copy, try the TimeOut New York Web site, or the TimeOut Web site in the UK.

Check publication dates. Information changes and you might prefer to wait until mid-spring to buy the most current Paris guide.

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tourist, France, Paris, travel, travel guides, 40 Days in Paris

You should know Lauren B. Davis

2006-03-16T09:23:00.000+01:00

On 4 April - from 13h30 to 16h30 - Lauren B. Davis, author of THE RADIANT CITY will teach an afternoon workshop at WICE. It is limited to 12 students. You must be a member of WICE to register. 01.45.66.75.50.

On 6 April - at 19:00 - Lauren will be reading from THE RADIANT CITY at the Canadian Cultural Center at 5, rue de Constantine, in the 7th Arrondissement.

THE PARIS VOICE SAYS: "In her beautiful new novel, The Radiant City, Canadian writer Lauren B. Davis evokes a Paris that is decidedly on the edge ... a cohesive, beautiful, and stunningly realistic portrait of life on the fringes of the City of Light, far away from the haute couture and tourist destinations that fiction about Paris is known for.

Renaissance: le film du Christian Volckman (Paris 2054)

2006-03-16T06:25:00.000+01:00

RENAISSANCE"2054. Dans un Paris labyrinthique où chaque fait et geste est contrôlé et filmé, Ilona Tasuiev, une jeune scientifique jalousée par tous pour sa beauté et son intelligence, est kidnappée. Avalon, l'entreprise qui emploie Ilona, fait pression sur Karas, un policier controversé, spécialisé dans les affaires d'enlèvement, pour retrouver au plus vite la disparue. Karas sent rapidement une présence dans son sillage. Il n'est pas seul sur les traces d'Ilona et ses poursuivants semblent prêts à tout pour le devancer. Retrouver Ilona devient vital : la jeune femme est l'enjeu d'une guerre occulte qui la dépasse. Elle est la clef d'un protocole mettant en cause le futur du genre humain. Le protocole Renaissance..."
band-annonce / trailer

Nuit de la Saint Patrick: Paris goes green

2006-03-15T08:05:00.000+01:00

On 18 March The Palais Omnisports at Paris Bercy will host the Lorient Interceltic Festival in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
Visit the online billeterie (or FNAC) for tickets. General information and details about parking and transportation can be found at La Nuit de la Saint Patrick. The evening will feature 150 musicians and dancers, including the Irish traditional band TEADA (pictured). Le grand fest noz begins at 18h00 and continues into the early morning hours.

Sixty-three universities on strike; 50 occupied by students, says UNEF

2006-03-15T01:33:00.000+01:00

March 14 (Bloomberg) -- Most French universities were blockaded today as thousands of students protested against Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's new labor law. Unions and student organisations, including Unef, the country's largest, say the law, which allows companies to fire workers under 26 within the first two years of employment with little notice or severance, encourages the replacement of staff and is hard on the young.

In one of the biggest challenges faced by de Villepin in his 10 months as the head of the government, universities in Marseille, Bordeaux, Grenoble and Rennes joined Paris to intensify pressure on him to revoke the law. De Villepin introduced the ``first employment contract,'' known by its French acronym CPE, to loosen labor laws, arguing it would increase flexibility and cut unemployment, which is 9.6 percent nationwide and 22.8 percent among the young. Labor unions plan more protests on March 16 and March 18.

``We'll go on until the government gives in,'' said Nadjet Boubekeur, a 25-year-old history student in Paris, and Unef spokeswoman. ``If protests continue long enough, the easiest way out for them will be to repeal the law.''

Click here for ongoing reports in English (the source is libcom.org - I can't vouch for their objectivity, but it appears that reports and photos are being posted frequently.)

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mobilisation, France, Paris, l'UNEF, Villepin, CPE

"Ne restons pas les bras croisés devant les Français"

2006-03-15T00:40:00.000+01:00

From LeMonde.frM. de Villepin a rappelé que le CPE prévoyait "un filet de sécurité", dont il souhaite qu'il "soit étendu avec les partenaires sociaux en cas de rupture" du contrat. "Au bout de quelques mois, les jeunes pourraient avoir un droit à la formation de trois mois, avec un complément de rémunération", a-t-il redit. S'agissant de l'évaluation du dispositif tous les six mois avec les partenaires sociaux, une autre piste avancée dimanche soir sur TF1, le premier ministre a lancé : "Si cette évaluation montre qu'il y a quelque chose à ajuster, qu'il y a des éléments à ajouter, nous le ferons pragmatiquement". "En attendant, essayons, avançons, ne restons pas les bras croisés devant les Français", a-t-il ajouté en demandant à M. Hollande de "descendre dans la vie réelle" et de "faire preuve jour après jour d'esprit de responsabilité".

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mobilisation, France, Paris, l'UNEF, Villepin, CPE

Julliard: "...the street will speak"

2006-03-14T03:06:00.000+01:00

He said that the law will be applied.
My reply is that the street will speak.
-- Bruno Julliard of UNEF, to the AFP news agency.

mobilisation, France, CPE, l'UNEF, Villepin

The young French workforce: precarious job or no job at all

2006-03-14T02:51:00.000+01:00

An excerpt from Peter Ford's Christian Science Monitor story (08.03.06)

"...Youth unemployment in France, among the highest in Europe, stands at 23 percent, more than double the US rate. Joblessness was one of the sparks that lit the fires that young rioters set in Parisian suburbs last November. Five years after finishing their studies, more than a fifth of French twentysomethings still do not have a job.

Yet a government scheme to encourage firms to hire more young people drew hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets of 160 towns and cities in France Tuesday, amid widespread fears that the plan will undermine the country's traditionally high levels of job security.

'Young people are being made to choose between a precarious job and no job at all,' complained Charlotte Basquin, a law student in Paris, as she prepared to join a demonstration against the government."

Teen hostages released: "Sympatique" gunman allowed students to send text messages to parents

2006-03-11T21:57:00.000+01:00

I am convinced that the teacher who took 21 students hostage at a high school where he used to work is not a violent criminal. To the benefit of all, his motives had more to do with being unemployed, despondent and allegedly drunk. He used rubber bullets, vowed not to hurt anybody and allowed students to "text" their parents on cell phones. If he were any more harmless, he might have packed a picnic basket. But, one never knows what goes on in the minds of the mentally ill. It's good news that a bad situation was promptly resolved. Some students returned to school the next day.

I don't mean to negate the severity of this event. As a professional cynic and detached observer of world events I would say this crime was brief and ended well, even for the suspect. Perhaps Monsieur Vilpail will get the help that he needs. In the United States, I fear he would have been obliterated before being given that oppportunity. Situations like this often end violently. Vilpail's consideration for the students and two teachers suggests that his mental state was a major component of his actions.

The AFP had this to say...

"A former teacher who took 23 people hostage in a western French school before surrendering was put in a psychiatric hospital Friday suffering apparent paranoia, a state prosecutor said. Nicolas Vilpail, 33, sparked a five-hour police standoff at the school in Sable-sur-Sarthe on Thursday when he locked himself in a classroom where he taught two years ago with 21 teenaged students and two class supervisors.

He eventually released the hostages unharmed and surrendered without violence after prolonged negotiations. Officials said he had used a pistol that fired rubber bullets to sequester the 23. In custody, Vilpail gave an 'incoherent' explanation for his actions." (source: AFP, photo: AFP)

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Sablé-sur-Sarthe, France, news, Paris, Le Mans, Hostages, Lycée Colbert de Torcy

Les Jeunes Otages : Lycée Colbert de Torcy - à Sablé-sur-Sarthe (Hostages held near Le Mans)

2006-03-09T20:11:00.000+01:00

Excerpt from Associated PressA former teacher armed with a handgun and reportedly suffering from depression took about 20 hostages Thursday, most of them students, in a high school classroom, police said. Police said that 18 of the hostages were students, and LCI television reported that a teacher and another school employee were also taken captive.A school receptionist said the former teacher had promised not to harm the students.
Excerpt from Le FigaroLa prise d'otage a débuté vers 14h30. «La Conseillère principale d'éducation a réussi à sortir du bâtiment pour alerter les gendarmes» explique-t-on au lycée. «Il y a presque une centaine de gendarmes sur les lieux» précise-t-on. «Le contact a été établi» entre le preneur d'otages et le préfet de la Sarthe, qui est sur place, a indiqué son directeur de cabinet, Patrice Hatton, en fin d'après-midi. «Il souhaite exprimer ses difficultés devant la presse», a-t-il ajouté.

L'homme, «une personne sympathique» selon l'employée du lycée interrogée par lefigaro.fr, était entré dans une «grosse déprime» depuis son exclusion du lycée. «Il a affirmé qu'il ne ferait rien aux élèves mais réclame de rencontrer François Fillon». Ancien ministre de l'Education, sénateur UMP de la Sarthe et ancien maire de Sablé, François Fillon était jeudi en déplacement à Londres et devait regagner son département dans la soirée, a-t-on appris dans son entourage.
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Sablé-sur-Sarthe, France, news, Paris, Le Mans, Hostages, Lycée Colbert de Torcy

Bird flu allegations at Disneyland Paris

2006-03-09T15:20:00.000+01:00

This swan was photographed in Switzerland. She had "no comment" about, and claimed complete neutrality on, reports that a dead swan was allegedly found at Disneyland Paris. Bird flu rumours were widely reported, but remain unproven. Park officials blame workers' unions for the allegations. See an excerpt of Adam Sage's report posted below.

"DISNEYLAND PARIS was accused yesterday of hiding a dead swan as panic over bird flu spread across Europe. The allegations, angrily denied by the resort, were made by trade unions who said managers had hushed up the discovery to avoid scaring off visitors. The row came amid what experts are describing as an avian flu psychosis after the arrival of the H5N1 virus.

In France, police officers have been sent to shoot wild ducks, the fire service has been inundated with requests to pick up dead pigeons, and cockerels banned from fighting are allegedly expiring from apoplexy. The scare reached Disneyland when two unions, the French Democratic Workers Confederation and Workers’ Force, said staff has seen a dead swan in the adventure park.

Although there was no suggestion the swan had fallen victim to bird flu — or even proof that it had actually existed — the report featured prominently on the radio news." (London Times)

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Disney, Disneyland, Paris, Bird flu, H5N1 virus, Avain flu, www.timesonline.uk.co, adam sage, Travel, Tourism

Bruno Julliard : "Un grand succès" (la journée de mobilisation)

2006-03-08T01:22:00.000+01:00

Bruno Julliard, president of France's national student union (l'UNEF), called today's massive rallies across France "Un grand succès." L'UNEF said that 1 million people took to the streets in 160 events nationwide to protest new legislation that treats young workers differently than older workers. A public poll says that two-thirds of people in France believe today's rallies were justified. Listen to Monsieur Julliard's comments here.

"Large crowds took part in peaceful rallies in Paris, Rennes, Marseilles, Grenoble and Nantes. Air traffic and transport in 35 cities experienced some disturbances. The government wants to let firms offer job contracts to people under 26 which would make it easier for them to be fired at short notice. Critics warn that the new legislation, which currently only applies to small firms, could be misused by larger employers and make it even harder for young people to find a permanent job." (BBC)

"Près des deux tiers des Français (65 %) jugent 'justifiée' la journée de mobilisation du mardi 7 mars contre le contrat première embauche, selon un sondage BVA pour BFM et Les Echos daté de mardi. Les personnes interrogées estiment à 35 % 'tout à fait justifié', à 30 % 'plutôt justifié' le mouvement du 7 mars, tandis que 17 % considèrent cette journée d'action comme 'pas vraiment justifiée' et 14 % 'pas du tout justifiée'. Le pourcentage de Français favorables aux manifestations de mardi s'élève à 82 % chez les sympathisants de gauche et à 36 % chez les sympathisants de droite. En février, lors d'une précédente enquête, 67 % des Français jugeaient 'justifée' la journée de mobilisation du 7 février contre le CPE, contre 31 % d'un avis contraire." (Le Monde)

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mobilisation, France, Paris, l'UNEF, Villepin

Ségolène Royal, president of France?

2006-03-07T01:58:00.000+01:00

From Kim Willsher, GUARDIAN: Ségolène Royal is a one-woman revolution. Little more than a year from polling day in France and the phénomène Ségo is gathering strength. She is up against centuries of ingrained sexism, but there is a growing sense that this elegant luminary of the Socialist party could become France's first Madame la Présidente. (photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP)

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La France, Paris, Segolene Royal, Nicolas Sarkozy

You CAN fight city hall! Free toilets for all!

2006-02-26T09:56:00.000+01:00

In a true sign of progress, more than 400 "sanisettes" can now be used at no cost. Hoorah. Now, if I could only get back all of the money those dammn things have taken from me.

I've never used one. But, I've attempted to use one many times. Again and again, no luck. 40 centimes, no entry. I once helped a young japanese tourist figure out how much money he needed to get in...and what the coins looked like. I guess it was his first day in town. Of course it didn't work for him, either. He did the potty-dance all the way down the boulevard to the next sanisette.

A new version of the sanisette is coming (not soon) and will have a water faucet on the outside. Nothing like lapping up water outside of a toilet. They will also be wheelchair-friendly.

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Breakfast in America...in Paris

2006-02-26T09:14:00.000+01:00

Breakfast in America has launched a second location. It's in the 4th. Thought you should know. Heinz kethcup for your scrambled eggs? They've got it. The original shop is still open at 17, rue des Ecoles (Metro: Cardinal LeMoine or Jussieu.) The new place is at 4 rue Malher (Metro: St Paul.)
cafe, Paris, travel