In This Issue of The Paris Love Letter

• Personal Update: Beautiful Office View, Postcards, and a Majestic Dog

• Unusual History: Slow Steps Through Time: Turtles and the Art of Flânerie in 19th Century Paris

• A Peek Into History: From Gravel to Grandeur: The Evolution of Place de Grève into the Heart of Parisian Life

• Featured French Song: Inès Desorages & Presque Oui - Mistral Gagnant

FOUND IN PARIS
Fun & Useful Links

➡️ Complimentary Stopover in Paris on Air France / KLM - You can include a stopover of 24 hours or more during a connection between 2 flights operated by Air France, KLM, or our airline partners. One of our readers sent this to me. Thanks, Daniel!

➡️  Paris Real Estate is Hot - From Robb Report: The City of Lights continues to be a hot prime property market in a post-Brexit world; financial institutions like Citigroup, Bank of America, and BlackRock have all announced plans to expand into the capital, and excitement ahead of the 2024 Olympics is adding to […]

➡️ Nine Iconic Sites in Paris Where Olympic Events Will be Held - From BBC: Many Olympic events will take place at the city's most legendary venues. Here's how to see the Games – with or without a ticket – near some of Paris' world-famous monuments.

PERSONAL UPDATE
My New Office View!

Greetings from Paris!

I’ve finally decided to shake things up and escape my home office more often, and guess what? I’ve found an office space that’s nothing short of incredible. Even on a gloomy day, the view is absolutely magical. The moody skies cast a spell over the Sacré-Cœur and those quintessentially Parisian rooftops. Who needs sunshine when you've got Paris draped in mystery right outside your window?

Postcards for Tour Guests

I've been channeling my creativity into designing postcards featuring my Paris photography. Below, you can peek at a few of them. Planning a trip to Paris? Drop me a line! I'd love to take you on a bike tour with Bike About Tours around the city's hidden gems. My guests receive a special "thank you" postcard as a token of my appreciation.

Nashville is Feeling Royal

I enjoyed a delightful walk with our pup, Nashville, to the Palais-Royal, where he eagerly struck a majestic pose in the Court of Honor. Initially, I planned to meander back home through the charming passages. Unfortunately, our path was cut short by the pet policy of Passage Vivienne, the closest passage to the Palais-Royal, which restricts four-legged friends from entering. Sigh. We still had a lovely walk!

UNUSUAL HISTORY
Slow Steps Through Time: Turtles and the Art of Flânerie in 19th Century Paris

I discovered this gem following a chat with my friend, the enigmatic Mystery Parisian, who you might remember from a previous edition of this newsletter. Somehow, he never ceases to amaze me with his treasury of obscure historical tales. Initially, I suspected he was pulling my leg with this story, but to my astonishment, it proved entirely factual!

In the mid-19th century, as Paris underwent transformative urban developments under Baron Haussmann, the city's boulevards blossomed into vibrant hubs of social life and artistic inspiration. Around this period, a whimsical trend emerged among the Parisian flâneurs—a class of urban wanderers celebrated by poets and philosophers alike for their leisurely approach to city life. These individuals, often depicted as connoisseurs of the urban spectacle, found a novel way to indulge in their surroundings by sauntering through the newly laid arcades and boulevards with turtles as their companions.

This peculiar practice was more than a mere eccentricity; it was a symbolic reflection of the flâneurs' philosophy. In an era accelerating towards modernity, where the pace of life quickened with the steam of industry and commerce, these leisurely strollers rebelled by embracing the slow rhythms of their shelled companions. The turtles, with their deliberate and unhurried pace, became living metaphors for the flâneurs' desire to observe, reflect, and immerse themselves fully in the textures of urban life. They allowed the bustle of the city to unfold around them at a leisurely pace, turning their walks into a poetic act of resistance against the accelerating tempo of the industrial age.

As the flâneurs let these charming creatures set their meandering pace, their strolls through Paris's heart became a canvas for observing the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, the fleeting expressions of a passerby, and the architectural marvels that framed their perambulations. This trend, though brief, underscored a profound engagement with the city—a slow-moving dialogue with its spaces and stories and an emblem of the era's broader artistic and cultural currents.

In embracing the turtle's pace, the flâneurs of Paris not only crafted a unique chapter in the city's rich social and cultural history but also offered a timeless meditation on the art of living, the value of observation, and the profound beauty found in the simple act of taking one's time.

PEEK INTO HISTORY
From Gravel to Grandeur: The Evolution of Place de Grève into the Heart of Parisian Life

The Place de Grève, now known as the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, is significant in Parisian history. Situated on the right bank of the Seine River, Place de Grève has been a focal point of Parisian life. It has witnessed and contributed to the city's evolution from a medieval commercial hub to a vibrant, present-day metropolis.

Early Beginnings: A Port of Paris

The Place de Grève began its story in the Middle Ages as a flat bank (grève) on the Seine River. Its name, "Grève," referred to the gravelly shore where boats could easily dock, making it an ideal location for commerce. This natural geography allowed for the development of one of Paris's earliest ports, serving as a bustling marketplace where goods were traded and information exchanged. Fishermen, merchants, and artisans frequented the port, contributing to the vibrant economic life that would define Paris for centuries.

The Place de Grève was a commercial center and a place for communal gatherings. Parisians convened here for public announcements, celebrations, and, notably, executions. Its role as a venue for both commerce and spectacle highlights the multifaceted nature of public spaces in medieval Paris.

Evolution Through the Centuries

As Paris grew, the Place de Grève evolved. By the 16th century, it had become apparent that the city required a more formal administrative center. The Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), a Renaissance masterpiece, was constructed on the site of the Place de Grève between 1533 and 1628. This transformation symbolized the area's transition from a predominantly commercial and judicial space to the political heart of Paris.

Over the centuries, the Hôtel de Ville became the stage for many pivotal moments in French history. It was here that revolutionaries rallied during the French Revolution, and it served as a backdrop to the liberation celebrations at the end of World War II. Each of these events reaffirmed the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville's role as a symbol of the city's resilience and capacity for renewal.

Today, the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville serves as the center of Paris's civic life. This iconic square, located before the majestic Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), pulsates with the energy of Parisians and visitors alike. It hosts many cultural, social, and political events, from art exhibitions and festive markets to significant public gatherings and demonstrations. Beyond its role as a gathering space, the Hôtel de Ville itself houses the offices of the Mayor of Paris and the city's administrative functions, making it a central hub for the governance and planning of one of the world's most celebrated cities.

Paris, Unscripted: Snaps of Daily Wanderings

Carrying my Canon camera can be cumbersome, but the cameras in our pockets are more than adequate for capturing the city’s beauty while on the fly. Here are a few places I ventured through the city this week!

1. 42 Rue des Francs Bourgeois

2. Rue du Trésor

3. Pont Neuf

4. 1 Pl. des Petits Pères

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
Inès Desorages & Presque Oui - Mistral Gagnant

"Mistral Gagnant," a collaboration between Inès Desorages and Presque Oui, is a delicate and emotive reinterpretation of a beloved classic. This version retains the original's poetic depth and emotional resonance while introducing a fresh, contemporary twist. Desorages' angelic vocals blend seamlessly with Presque Oui's nuanced, atmospheric production, breathing new life into the timeless narrative. The song, known for its lyrical beauty and evocative imagery, explores themes of nostalgia, love, and the fleeting nature of time. In this rendition, listeners are invited to embark on a nostalgic journey, revisiting cherished memories through a modern lens.