🇫🇷 💌 The Paris Love Letter

FOUND IN PARIS
Fun & Useful Links

➡️ Will France's unseasonably warm weather last into October? An article by Connection France for anyone traveling to Paris soon.

➡️ Take a virtual tour around the first level of the Eiffel Tower. Just as with Google Maps, virtually stroll around the Eiffel Tower's first level and immerse yourself in a breathtaking aerial panorama of Paris.

READER POLL
Help Us Build a Better Newsletter

Bonjour Readers,

Your journey through our Parisian tales means the world to us. To ensure we keep bringing you content that warms your heart and sparks your wanderlust, we'd love to hear from you. Which section of our newsletter inspires you the most? Cast your vote and help shape our future editions!

CAFÉ CULTURE
Terrace Talk: The Chronicles of Parisian Pavements

The Birth of Terraces: The origin of Parisian terraces traces back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. With the rapid urbanization of Paris and the spread of cafés, many establishments began placing chairs and tables outside to cater to the increasing number of Parisians who wanted to enjoy their drinks on the street. The wide boulevards, which were a part of Baron Haussmann's urban renewal of Paris in the mid-19th century, further facilitated the expansion of outdoor terraces.

The Design Perspective: Traditional Parisian terraces have a distinct design. Chairs are usually arranged in rows, all facing the street. This serves a dual purpose. On a practical level, it maximizes space on narrow pavements. On a social level, it emphasizes the Parisian love for observing street life. Rattan chairs, usually made in the traditional two-tone weave, became the de facto choice due to their resilience against weather and ease of stacking.

The Intellectual Terraces: During the 20th century, some terraces became associated with intellectualism and artistic movements. Cafés like Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés were frequented by figures like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus, turning terraces into hubs of existentialist thought.

Conflicts & Controversies: The terrace culture hasn't been without its controversies. Over time, as rent in Paris skyrocketed, some cafés expanded their terraces to accommodate more patrons, occasionally encroaching on public space or blocking pedestrian pathways. This has led to conflicts with city authorities and sparked debates about the privatization of public spaces. In recent years, the city has implemented stricter regulations to ensure that terraces don't obstruct public movement.

The Modern Twist: Today's terraces are also evolving to meet modern needs. With the global emphasis on sustainable practices, many Parisian cafés are introducing green terraces adorned with plants, aiming for a more eco-friendly appeal. Additionally, post-pandemic, terraces gained even more prominence, with many Parisians preferring open-air settings for their safety and well-being.

HIDDEN GEMS
The Ballrooms of the Élysée Montmartre: Paris' Underground Grandeur

Stepping into the ballrooms of the Élysée Montmartre is like embarking on a temporal voyage, with the rich tapestries and gilded ornaments acting as portals to a bygone era. Nestled beneath the bustling streets of Montmartre, this 19th-century marvel stands as a testament to Parisian artistry and elegance.

Origins:
The Élysée Montmartre was originally built in the 1800s as a ballroom and soon became one of the city's premier venues for dance and entertainment. Over the years, it played host to iconic performers and was a nucleus for the bohemian spirit of the time.

Architectural Splendor:
The ballroom is an embodiment of the Belle Époque aesthetic. Ornate chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden hue. Adorned with intricate motifs, the walls and arches whisper tales of glamorous soirées and cultural rendezvous.

A Journey Through Time:
Though the upper layers of the Élysée Montmartre have undergone transformations, the underground ballrooms remain relatively untouched. Here, one can envision couples waltzing, feathers fluttering, and champagne glasses clinking under the radiant lights.

Present Day:
While the ballrooms are not regularly open to the public, they spring to life during special events or select tours. These occasions offer visitors a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of opulence and history.

A Hidden Treasure:
In a city dotted with renowned landmarks, the ballrooms of the Élysée Montmartre offer a unique, subterranean experience. For those fortunate enough to step inside, it's a dance with history, wrapped in the romance and allure of Paris.

ART & LITERATURE
Literary Lanes: Navigating Paris Through Its Iconic Novels

Paris isn’t just the City of Lights; it’s also a city of stories. Each corner, boulevard, and cobblestone lane has been immortalized in literature. Let’s take a literary journey and discover Paris as penned by the greats:

1. "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo:

• Location: Notre-Dame Cathedral.

• Synopsis: Dive into medieval Paris with Quasimodo, the bell-ringer of Notre-Dame, Esmeralda, the captivating gypsy dancer, and other memorable characters, all set against the backdrop of the majestic cathedral.

2. "A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway:

• Location: The Latin Quarter, including the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

• Synopsis: Hemingway reminisces about his days as a young writer in 1920s Paris, hobnobbing with other literary legends like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.

3. "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain:

• Location: Various jazz-age spots around Montparnasse.

• Synopsis: Dive into the tumultuous relationship between Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley, amidst the glittering Parisian ex-pat scene.

4. "Swann's Way" by Marcel Proust:

• Location: The boulevards of the 8th arrondissement and the Bois de Boulogne.

• Synopsis: The first book of Proust's monumental "In Search of Lost Time" takes readers on a journey through high Parisian society, love, and involuntary memory.

5. "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo:

• Location: Montreuil-sur-Mer, Paris sewers, and the barricades of the 1832 June Rebellion.

• Synopsis: The epic tale of Jean Valjean, his relentless pursuer Javert, and a cast of characters caught in the socio-political upheavals of early 19th-century Paris.

A PEEK INTO HISTORY
Medieval Moments: Tracing the Footprints of Old Paris

Dive deep into the heart of Medieval Paris, where behind the boulevards and bustling avenues lie remnants of a time when knights, monks, and guilds shaped the City of Light. Let's unveil these hidden historical gems:

La Conciergerie:

• Location: Île de la Cité.

• Brief: Originally a royal palace before transitioning into a notorious prison during the Revolution, La Conciergerie remains a prime example of Gothic civil architecture.

2. The Cluny Museum - National Museum of the Middle Ages:

• Location: Latin Quarter.

• Brief: Housed in two historic monuments, the Cluny thermal baths and the townhouse of the abbots of Cluny, the museum showcases a rich collection of medieval artifacts.

3. Sainte-Chapelle:

• Location: Île de la Cité.

• Brief: A Gothic chapel known for its breathtaking stained glass windows, Sainte-Chapelle was initially built to house Christian relics, including Christ's Crown of Thorns.

4. The Medieval Remains at Notre-Dame Cathedral:

• Location: Île de la Cité.

• Brief: Beneath this iconic structure lie archaeological crypts preserving the layout of ancient Paris, showcasing streets, buildings, and artifacts from antiquity and the early Middle Ages.

5. Rue Galande and Rue de la Huchette:

• Location: Latin Quarter.

• Brief: Winding narrow streets that have retained their medieval charm, sprinkled with old-world shops and structures.

6. The Oldest House in Paris:

• Location: 3 Rue Volta, 3rd arrondissement.

• Brief: A medieval, timber-framed house that dates back to the 14th century. It’s amazing how this place stands tall, quietly reminding us of the city's incredible architectural history.

Did You Know?:

• Mystery of the Sorceress: At the corner of Rue de la Ferronnerie, a plaque commemorates the spot where King Henry IV was assassinated in 1610. Legend says that a sorceress predicted the event in eerily accurate detail!

Rediscover Paris through its medieval heart, where every cobblestone and spire has a tale to whisper, echoing the tales of yesteryears.

Fun & Unusual Stuff
Pétanque in Paris: More Than Just a Game, It's a Way of Life!

Imagine a warm summer evening in Paris, the sun casting a golden hue across cobblestoned squares. The clinking sound of metal balls breaks the stillness, punctuated by laughter and occasional spirited debates. This is pétanque in action, an age-old French pastime deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Paris.

Origins: Pétanque, meaning 'feet anchored', traces its roots to ancient times. The modern game, however, was born in Provence in the early 20th century. But it was Paris, with its romantic boulevards and spirited neighborhoods, that truly embraced it, transforming it into a beloved urban pastime.

The Game: At its heart, pétanque is a simple game. Players take turns tossing hollow metal balls, aiming to get them as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball called the 'cochonnet'. But don't be fooled by its simplicity. The game demands precision, strategy, and a good deal of camaraderie.

Pétanque and Parisians: For Parisians, pétanque is more than just a game—it's a social event. It brings together the young and old, locals and tourists, all eager to engage in friendly rivalry. It's common to see impromptu games springing up in parks, beside the Seine, or in hidden courtyards across the city.

Cultural Impact: The game has inspired movies, books, and countless soirées. Annual tournaments, like the 'Mondial la Marseillaise à Pétanque', draw thousands, showcasing the enduring appeal and competitive spirit of pétanque.

Enduring Charm: Pétanque's allure lies in its accessibility. All you need is a set of boules, good company, and a patch of ground. As dusk envelops Paris and the city lights begin to sparkle, there's no better way to immerse oneself in authentic Parisian life than joining a game.

From parks to riverbanks, pétanque is not just played in Paris; it's lived with passion. Join in, and you'll soon find it's not about winning or losing but cherishing the joyous moments in between.

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
ZAZ - Paris sera toujours Paris

We've spotlighted ZAZ in the past, and they certainly deserve an encore. Dive into their delightful jazzy tune paired with an irresistibly entertaining video.