Paul Auster: four years in Paris and high-wire reflections

Paul Auster: four years in Paris and high-wire reflections. American author Paul Auster lived in Paris for four years from 1970 to 1974. He wrote an article about it in an introduction to French aerial artiste Philippe Petit’s 1985 book On the High Wire which was reprinted in The Paris Review on 3 June 2019. Although most noted forContinue reading “Paul Auster: four years in Paris and high-wire reflections”

Rue du Fouarre – from illustrious to dirtiest to unknown but interesting

Rue du Fouarre – from illustrious to dirtiest to unknown but interesting. Rue du Fouarre in the 5th arrondissement of the Sorbonne district of Paris has a changeable history, but remains a location for education. In the 13th century, it was called ‘the most illustrious street in Paris’ but by the 19th century, it was called ‘one ofContinue reading “Rue du Fouarre – from illustrious to dirtiest to unknown but interesting”

The construction of Paris – building works block tourists’ views of city sites

The Construction of Paris – building works block tourists’ views of city sites. It is mid-2022 and summer is here – and so is the return of tourists to Paris after two or more years of the Coronavirus pandemic.  But, it is true that tourists cannot hide their disappointment that construction and renovations in theContinue reading “The construction of Paris – building works block tourists’ views of city sites”

Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.  In the Victor Hugo museum is an exhibition, from 10 June to 21 November 2021, called Dans L’Intimité du Genie – In the Intimacy of Genius – with Hugo’s paintings, drawings, engravings, and artwork. Hence, it’s time to re-read Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) is set inContinue reading “Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”

The Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Madeleine Church in Paris

The Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Madeleine Church in Paris. Today I am comparing the architectural features of the Notre-Dame Cathedral with the Church of the Saint Mary Magdalene, generally known as the Madeline Church, in Paris.  This is what James Joyce was doing when he was in Paris. His Irish friend Arthur Power visited JoyceContinue reading “The Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Madeleine Church in Paris”