Newsletter #99: May 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 If you were looking for the latest issue, click here.
IN THIS ISSUE:
* New Henri IV Website for History Buffs
* Old Paris Museum Passes Expire Next Month
* Cursed Catacombes
* Free Concerts with Le Mouv’ at Paris Comedy Club
* Nightlife News
* Open Mic Sessions in Paris
* Sex & the City Café
* Carla Bruni in the next Woody Allen Film
* Gangs of Paris Website
* The Historic Arab Quarter of Paris
* French Film Industry Contacts
* Art Classes at Les Frigos
* Paris Taxi in English
* Bring Out Your Junk!
* French Driver’s Exam Gets Easier
* Secrets of Paris #100!
* The Secrets of Paris Blog
* Secrets of Paris Calendar & Tweets
* Are you on the list?
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* New Henri IV Website for History Buffs *
On May 14th, the 400th anniversary of the assassination of King Henri IV, I attended a memorial mass at the Basilica St Denis and then visited the exposition on his life and death at Les Archives Nationales (through May 31). Some truly fascinating documents, including letters to his mistresses, the notes from his assassin’s trial, and even a commemorative book from the coronation of Queen Marie de Medici given to Marie Antoinette as a gift. If you can’t get to any of the events or expositions taking place all over France this year, visit the newly launched website, http://www.henri-iv.culture.fr. It’s very well done, with great imagery and timeline of events. It will soon be in English (see button at bottom of the menu bar).
* Old Paris Museum Passes Expire Next Month *
Paris Museum Passes used to be good forever (or rather, there was no expiration date). But that’s all coming to an end now, with passes good for one year. All formerly purchased tickets without an expiration date need to be used before June 30th, 2010. www.parismuseumpass.com
* Cursed Catacombes *
After finally being reopened after damage from vandals in the fall, the catacombs are once again closed until further notice due to flooding. In the meantime, see them on this little video on Paris Catacombes (in French, but you’ll get the idea).
* Free Concerts with Le Mouv’ at Paris Comedy Club *
When I listen to French radio I tend to listen to Le Mouv’, a Radio France station (therefore no commercials) playing mostly rock music. Every Wednesday at 6pm they record a live show at the Paris Comedy Club, with recent musical guests such as Wax Tailor and Lily Wood & the Prick. If you’d like to attend the recording free (it’s rebroadcast the following Monday), just sign up for the show you want here.
* Nightlife News *
In Paris nightlife news, the Chacha Club finally reopened on May 20th, Chez Moune in Pigalle reopened the end of last month, and Rasmus Michau (of Bagatelle party fame) opened an upscale karaoke bar near the Centre Pompidou called Le Renard. And despite the death of one partygoer at Le 1515 (he fell down the stairs), it’s still open…for now. The famous Dîner en Blanc takes place somewhere in Paris June 10th…even those who have been invited will only find out the moment they’re dropped off at the secret (and usually very public) location. Photos from the 2008 Dîner en Blanc.
* Open Mic Sessions in Paris *
Want to try your hand at performing before a live audience? There are several venues in Paris with regular open mic nights (strangely, most of them are expat bars), including the Highlander, Lizard Lounge, and the Tennessee Bar. Find more and details online at Spoken Word Paris and at www.bamboosessions.com
To celebrate the launch of the Sex & the City 2 film in Paris, the Café Etienne Marcel (34 rue Etienne Marcel, 2nd) has become the Sex & the City Café through June 6. Every day there will be events & workshops inspired by Sex & the City including SATC2 cocktail lessons, cupcake classes, makeovers, and nail and hair bar. There will also be nine American authors for six sexy debates, Q&A sessions and book signings at the Café, including yours truly with the Naughty Paris Guide on Friday, May 28 from 5-7pm with David Lebovitz and Alec Lobrano. See the full schedule here.
* Carla Bruni in the next Woody Allen Film *
It has been confirmed that First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will be appearing as herself in the 2011 Woody Allen film, “Midnight in Paris” starring Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Marion Cotillard and Adrian Brody.
* Gangs of Paris Website *
I only recently found Ilan Moss’s site, “Gangs of Paris: Subcultures, countercultures and ethno-exotica in Paris”. He really gets deep into Parisian culture that few visitors and even residents are familiar with. My favorite recent posting is titled “Lesser-Known Languages of Paris – Insults in Judeo-Arabic” with actual videos of people cursing in this ancient language. I love how the wife of “G” is in the background telling him to stop “des conneries”.
* The Historic Arab Quarter of Paris *
Did you know that the Latin Quarter is also the historic Arab district of Paris? Guides from the Institut du Monde Arabe host monthly walking tours (in French) which reveal the earliest Arab schools, the oldest Christian Arab church, the location of the first Arabic printing presses and bookstores, a visit of the Paris Mosque, and finally ends at the Institut du Monde Arabe. The 2.5hr tours cost €15 and depart every Saturday at 3pm across from the Collège de France (Rue des Ecoles).
* French Film Industry Contacts *
I’ve had many requests for information on casting calls, jobs, equipment, venues and how to make contacts with others in the Parisian filmmaking industry. One of the sites friends in the industry have recommended is www.cineaste.org. It’s mostly in French, but free to post or read the ads and announcement boards (you must sign up for access).
* Art Classes at Les Frigos *
After touring the Portes Ouvertes at Les Frigos (May 29-30), you may feel inspired to take up the brush yourself. Sign up for Art Free Go, every Tuesday night at Les Frigos from 4-10pm. The sign up fee is €30, with 5 classes for €150, all materials provided, so all you have to do is show up (reserve at least a week in advance).
* Paris Taxi in English *
Taxis G7 has a dedicated line for requests in English (handy for your visiting guests, if you live in Paris): 01 41 27 66 99
* Bring Out Your Junk! *
It’s the season for informal neighborhood “empty your attic” sales, estate sales, and smaller flea markets, great places to find all sorts of cheap junk and hidden treasures (or to sell yours, if your neighborhood is having one). Usually these are signposted in their own neighborhood, but there are a few websites that list most of the ones happening on any given week throughout France:
- http://www.info-brocantes.com/
- http://www.pointsdechine.com/
* French Driver’s Exam Gets Easier *
On April 19 the new French written driver’s exam was adopted to remove 60 ambiguous questions, with over 100 confusing ones rewritten to be clearer. The written exam has 40 questions that come from a base of 638 possible questions. Candidates must get 35 correct answers to pass. I got one wrong when I took it ten years ago, but most of the younger French teens failed multiple times, probably because they watch the way their parents drive instead of reading the actual Code de la Route book. ;-) The state has also hired more inspectors to cut down on the four-five month waiting time to take the on-the-road exam. Great news for all of you who have been putting it off. It may be a huge PITA, but once you get your French driver’s permit, it’s for life and never has to be renewed. Be sure you submit a good photo! If your French isn’t up to par, check out Jeff Steiner’s English study guide for the French driving exam.
* Secrets of Paris #100! *
The very first official Secrets of Paris Newsletter was sent out to about one hundred readers in January 2001. That was so long ago that the prices were still in French Francs! Despite the fact that I’ve skipped a few months between 2001 and 2010, the 100th edition is certainly coming this summer, and unlike the super-organized ladies of the K&K Podcast, I have absolutely nothing planned yet to celebrate (secretly, I want to go to Disneyland, but something tells me that may be a solo run). But stay tuned, dear readers, because I will think of something fitting for the momentous occasion, and you will all be invited. In case I don’t say it enough, the support and loyalty of the Secrets of Paris readers, old and new, has carried me through many of life’s ups and downs over the past ten years. Merci beaucoup!!!
*The Secrets of Paris Blog *
I’m actually not much of a blogger, I prefer to provide useful information rather than simply musing about my day in Paris (because that could go on forever, and I have deadlines). But the blog does allow me to share what’s going on around town between newsletters. If you haven’t stopped by lately, here are some of the posts you’ve missed:
- The Sound of Notre Dame’s historic bell, Emmanuel.
- Events and videos for the 400th anniversary of Henri IV’s Assassination.
- A Book Review of "The Discovery of France" by Graham Robb
- An Explanation of the Fête du Travail (and its bloody American origins)
- And of course the N’Importe Quoi Photo of the Week (this is just one of many)
* Secrets of Paris Calendar & Tweets *
Don’t forget to have a peek at the Secrets of Paris calendar for upcoming events, including art fairs, Les Miserables, author readings, chocolate tastings, fireworks shows, and all of the major music concerts coming to Paris through July (www.secretsofparis.com/paris-calendar). As always, check out my Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/ParisHeather) to find out about last-minute events and news in Paris…I promise I won’t tell you what I had for breakfast unless it’s *really* interesting. ;)
* Are you on the list? *
If you’ve been getting this newsletter forwarded from a friend, please consider subscribing yourself. It’s free, and all you have to do is enter your e-mail address in the box at: http://www.secretsofparis.com/subscribe.htm. The benefit? You’ll get your own copy sent directly to your inbox every month, and I’ll have a better idea of how many of you are actually reading. Thanks! –Heather
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Secrets of Paris Newsletter is written and maintained by Heather Stimmler-Hall, copyright 2010, and may only be reproduced with written permission.
Reader Comments (2)
What to not miss? How to get there?How to get a schedule? how to get tickets ahead?
checked main website and not much information on the event thanks