🇫🇷 💌 The Paris Love Letter

FOUND IN PARIS
Fun & Useful Links

➡️ Send My Bag - We have used this service several times to ship suitcases across the Atlantic. Most recently, we shipped a few suitcases full of books. They have a decent weight limit of 66 pounds, excellent customer service, and have always delivered our packages on time.

Tip: Consider buying used suitcases at a second-hand store like Goodwill instead of shipping cardboard boxes. We picked up a few for less than $10 each. They feel sturdier than boxes when carrying significant weight, and we can reuse them in the future.

➡️  28 Best Luxury Hotels in Paris - This is a recent article from Condé Nast Traveler. Check it out if you’re in the market for a luxury Paris experience on an upcoming trip.

CAFÉ CULTURE
Rediscovering Le Tournon: An Emblem of Artistic Heritage and Cultural Exchange

Le Tournon, a Parisian café, stands as a symbol of artistic heritage and cultural exchange. Located opposite the Palais du Luxembourg, its modest exterior hides a rich history of intellectual and creative gatherings. Since the mid-20th century, Le Tournon has been a critical venue for African-American expatriates, artists, musicians, and writers, fostering discussions and collaborations that have significantly impacted art and literature.

The 1950s and 1960s saw the café become the heart of the "Tournon Crowd," a group of African-American intellectuals and creatives, including notable figures like Richard Wright and James Baldwin. These individuals sought refuge and expression in Paris, away from the racial prejudices of the United States. Le Tournon offered a space for vibrant discussions, literary feuds, and artistic innovation, contributing to significant shifts in African-American literature and beyond.

Music, particularly jazz, played a crucial role in defining Le Tournon's atmosphere. Legendary musicians such as Duke Ellington performed there, intertwining jazz's rhythmic complexities with the café's intellectual vibrancy. This musical legacy highlighted Le Tournon's commitment to cultural exchange and served as a medium for expressing the African-American expatriate community's experiences.

Le Tournon still attracts visitors today with its rustic charm and historical allure. It hosts events and gatherings fostering community and creativity, maintaining its role as a cultural and intellectual exchange hub. The café is a living tribute to the artistic and intellectual figures who frequented its premises, embodying the transformative power of art and culture.

Le Tournon's legacy is a reminder of the importance of spaces that nurture creativity and dialogue. It stands as a beacon of artistic innovation and intellectual freedom, inspiring future generations to continue its tradition of cultural exchange.

HIDDEN GEMS
Abbey Bookshop: A Haven for Book Lovers in Paris

Nestled in Paris' Latin Quarter, the Abbey Bookshop is a haven for English-language literature enthusiasts. Founded by Canadian expatriate Brian Spence, the bookshop offers a cozy retreat from the bustling city. The shelves are adorned with a diverse collection of second-hand books, ranging from classics to rare finds, creating an inviting and immersive environment for book lovers.

The bookshop's allure lies in its labyrinthine layout, where visitors can meander through towering stacks of books, each corner offering the promise of literary exploration. Beyond its role as a purveyor of books, the Abbey Bookshop serves as a focal point for the literary community, hosting events, readings, and gatherings that bring together expatriates and locals to celebrate literature.

Amidst an era dominated by digital content, the Abbey Bookshop stands as a bastion of print, preserving the tactile experience of reading. Its existence exemplifies the lasting allure of physical books, cultivating a collective passion for literary immersion.

ART & LITERATURE
Journey Through Time: Unveiling the Splendors of Ancient Egypt at Atelier des Lumières

In our continuous exploration of Paris's vibrant art scene, we return to a venue that has captivated our imaginations: Atelier des Lumières. While we've previously written about the wonders this digital art museum offers, this season introduces an exciting new exhibition: "The Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Khufu to Amesses II." We have yet to see this latest exhibition, but we look forward to a visit soon.

Running from February 9, 2024, to January 5, 2025, this exhibition promises to transport visitors back to the awe-inspiring world of Ancient Egypt. Unlike anything we've showcased before, "The Egypt of the Pharaohs" offers a comprehensive journey through the civilization's grandeur, from its monumental architecture and intricate gods to its complex politics and bustling commerce. The museum's signature video-mapping technology brings this immersive experience to life, enveloping viewers in a golden spectacle that revives the ancient civilization right before their eyes.

In addition to the main show, the Atelier des Lumières complements the Egyptian narrative with a shorter exhibition focused on the Orientalists. This pairing offers a nuanced exploration of Egypt's influence on Western art, providing a deeper understanding of the cultural exchanges that have shaped artistic expression across centuries.

For those who've enjoyed our previous recommendations to Atelier des Lumières, "The Egypt of the Pharaohs" promises a fresh and enthralling perspective on one of history's most fascinating eras. This show highlights the venue's unparalleled ability to fuse historical depth with cutting-edge presentation, making it a must-visit for locals and tourists.

Check out the promo video on YouTube:

A PEEK INTO HISTORY
Stone Chronicles: The Arc de Triomphe as a Canvas of French Valor and Artistic Innovation

French artisans etched the prowess of French artistry in high relief on the Arc de Triomphe's facade, marrying stone and narrative for the world to witness. The participation of artists such as François Rude, whose masterpiece "La Marseillaise" breathes the ardor of revolutionary fervor into the monument's very stone and reflects a tradition of combining architecture with storytelling. This piece, intricately depicting "The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792," has come to symbolize not just the Arc but the unyielding spirit of the French people.

These sculptures are more than just decorative elements; they serve as chapters in France's martial legacy. Each of the following aspects contribute to the Arc's artistry:

• Sculptural Narratives: Adorning the Arc's pillar facades, the high-relief sculptures by Jean-Pierre Cortot and Antoine Etex complement Rude's work, recounting military victories and commemorating the patriotic zeal of the Revolution and the First Empire.

• Inscription of Heroes: Beyond the visual, the artistry extends to the written word with the names of generals and significant battles inscribed on the attics, adding a didactic element to the monument.

In 2021, Christo and Jeanne-Claude transformed the structure into a canvas for a dramatic installation, blending heritage and contemporary art as the Arc's artistic journey extended beyond the past. Wrapped in a shimmering fabric, the Arc took on a temporary new identity that invited public interaction in an unprecedented manner. Over 16 days, this installation:

• Reimagined Public Space: Allowed pedestrians to experience the monument's immense scale up close. Place de l'Étoile was transformed into a pedestrian-only area, emphasizing the project's democratization of public art.

• Interplay of Materials: Utilized silvery blue recyclable polypropylene fabric juxtaposed with red rope, adding a layer of texture and color to the Arc's neoclassical contours.

Encapsulating Christo's vision of "total irrational freedom," this temporary transformation of the Arc de Triomphe was not only an intersection of art and architectural legacy but a statement on the vitality of public spaces and the liberty to reimagine them. The accompanying book, "Christo and Jeanne-Claude. L'Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped," stands as a tribute to the behind-the-scenes endeavors and philosophy that propelled this metamorphosis, guaranteeing that the artistry of the Arc perseveres to inspire and adapt with each succeeding generation.

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
"Dangereuse" by Christophe

"Dangereuse" is a live performance by Christophe, featuring the title track from his album "Les vestiges du chaos." The song was performed in Le Grand Studio RTL and was presented by Eric Jean Jean.

Christophe Maé: A Multi-Talented French Pop Singer

Christophe Maé, born Christophe Martichon on October 16, 1975, is a well-known French pop singer who has significantly contributed to the music industry. Here are some intriguing facts about him:

1. Early Life and Career Beginnings:

   • Before his music career, Christophe worked as a baker in his parents' bakery before transitioning to performing in resort bars.

   • He rose to fame after participating in the French TV program "Graines de star" and opening for artists like Seal and Cher.

2. Personal Life:

   • Maé has two sons with his longtime girlfriend Nadège Sarron, whom he later married in 2017.

3. Musical Journey:

   • From a young age, he learned to play various musical instruments, including the violin, guitar, and harmonica.

   • His studio albums "Mon paradis," "On trace la route," "Je veux du bonheur," and "L'attrape-rêves" have achieved significant commercial success.

4. Accolades:

   • Maé won the NRJ Music Award for Revelation of the Year in 2006.

   • His album "Mon Paradis" was one of France's best-selling albums in 2007.

5. Diverse Musical Style:

   • Known for blending various genres such as pop, reggae, soul, jazz, and blues, Christophe Maé showcases his versatility as a musician.

6. Achievements:

   • He has won multiple awards, including the Victoires de la Musique for Group or Artist Popular Revelation of the Year.

Christophe Maé's journey from a young artist honing his skills to a celebrated pop singer demonstrates his remarkable talent and enduring appeal in the music industry.