Tag Archives: Paris
French Architecture – The Louvre Pyramid Posted by Tim Hildreth on Aug 6, 2019
In previous posts, I’ve alluded to the fact that not everyone was originally happy about plans to build a giant glass-and-steel pyramid in the heart of one of Paris’s most treasured buildings. This week we look at a historical document that illustrates the different opinions of the time. Des Racines et des Ailes / Of roots…
French Culture – Current(ish) Events Posted by Tim Hildreth on Jun 25, 2019
As you know, I had the great privilege of studying in France au lycée (in high school). I also enjoyed returning during my junior year (3rd year) à l’université (in college*). Reading a recent New York Times article, I learned that that was just one thing I shared with the late Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Une…
France and le Grand Paris Posted by Tim Hildreth on Mar 26, 2019
A few weeks ago as I was exploring the public opinion research from IFOP, one of the studies that caught my attention was an examination from last December of public perceptions of the ensemble d’initiatives connues sous le terme du Grand Paris (group of initiatives known as the Great / the Big Paris). Le Grand…
French Politics – A voting debate Posted by Tim Hildreth on Feb 6, 2019
In an earlier post on the protests in France by les Gilets Jaunes (the Yellow Vests), I talked about President Emmanuel Macron’s plans for a grand débat national (a great national debate) to uncover what is driving the ongoing unrest. One of the topics that has emerged from those discussions caught my attention. Le vote…
French Travel – Montmartre Posted by Tim Hildreth on Oct 23, 2018
Even after all these years and all the many trips I’ve made to Paris, I’m always delighted when I go back to find that there is still more to see, to learn, and to do. On this most recent trip, I took my son William up to the Sacré Coeur de Montmartre and was enchanté…
French Culture – Don’t lose that ticket Posted by Tim Hildreth on Oct 2, 2018
As I recently shared, there are more ways to get around Paris these days than ever. With all the choices though, the metro, buses, trains, and RER remain the most common and convenient*. In fact, riders make almost 3 billion** … yes, billion! … trips a year on the various lignes de trains, de RER…
Strange French Sites: Who Was Nicholas Flamel? Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Apr 5, 2018
If you happen to be in Paris, you might want to check out the oldest stone home in the city. Located at 51, rue de Montmerencey, it dates to 1407. But that’s not the only special thing about this house: it was built by Nicholas Flamel, the most famous French alchemist of all time. For…