Two new books about Paris and the release of an existing bestseller in paperback and in French head up the fall and winter reading list.
Saint Germain des Pres: Paris’s Rebel Quarter by John Baxter
Following up on his popular book The Most Beautiful Walk in the World, John Baxter is writing a new series of books about the great neighborhoods of Paris. The first in the series is about Saint Germain des Pres, one of the most beloved areas of Paris. Part history and part guide book, Baxter infuses the book with entertaining and fascinating stories including the bizarre account of a garden behind Saint Germain church memorializing poet Guillaume Apollinaire involving Jean Cocteau and Picasso, the juicy details of legal brothels in Paris in the late 1800s including two gay ones with Proust as an investor and one on rue Saint Sulpice catering almost exclusively to priests from the church, the history of chocolate including the first chocolatier in Paris Debauve et Gallais and the Beat hotel where Burroughs, Ginsberg and Corso resided. The easy to read book also contains a map with key points of interest, addresses, photos and drawings. In the introduction chapter Baxter fondly recounts his first visit to Paris in 1969 and falling for the village of Saint Germain des Pres.
The Mistress of Paris: The 19th-Century Courtesan Who Built an Empire on a Secret by Catherine Hewitt
Painted by Manet and also the inspiration for Emile Zola for his scandalous novel Nana, Comtesse Valtesse de la Bigne never the less had a dark secret from her past: she was not a comtesse. In fact she was born in extreme poverty and raised on the infested dark streets of Paris. The lady of mystery did what she could to hide her secret and went on to attain a small fortune, which afforded her three mansions and opulent carriages. Her rumored affairs with Napoleon and future King Edward VII kept the press buzzing. Hewitt’s chronicle of a woman who scaled the heights of French society in spite of her dubious background richly depicts one of the most extravagant and decadent periods in French history, the mid to late 1800s.
http://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250120663
Saint Martins publishing has generously offered a free copy of the book. The first person to post a comment on the bottom the this posting will receive a copy of the book. Applicants must live in the U.S. to participate. Subscribers, you need to go to http://www.ipreferparis.net to leave a comment.
The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs by Elaine Sciolino
One of my favorite books of last year, The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs is now out in paperback and also in French, La Dernière rue de Paris : Enquête sur la rue des Martyrs with additional new photos. Click here to read my review.
Paperback version https://www.amazon.com/Only-Street-Paris-Life-Martyrs/dp/0393353400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479301572&sr=8-1&keywords=the+only+street+in+paris
Eye Prefer Paris Postcards
I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.
Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.
Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or
Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or
$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)
Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store
Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store
Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store
Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more. In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.
Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 195 euros per person (about $210)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
"The Mistress of Paris" sounds like a wonderful book. Would to give it to my own "mistress" LOL. Thanks for the heads up on these books!
Posted by: Rowan Morrigan | November 17, 2016 at 01:43 PM
I guess I wasn't first. Thanks for the list anyway.
Posted by: Diane Carter | November 17, 2016 at 02:14 PM
Didn't know John Baxter had a new (?) book. I passed him in Paris in April, and (quietly) said "Mr. Baxter?" -- too quietly. Will grab this new one and probably "The only Street in Paris"! Merci!
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 17, 2016 at 02:38 PM
Bonjour from Chicago!
Posted by: Susan Metropolis | November 17, 2016 at 02:45 PM
Hope I'm the first to comment. I could use a good read!!!
Posted by: Vicki Hofstetter | November 17, 2016 at 04:08 PM
What great books! I got Baxter's first book based on your comments -- and, well, I must get the second now. The Hewett book sounds good as well. Perfect for reading over the holidays.
As always, I thoroughly enjoy your posts. Keep'em coming!
Posted by: De Murr | November 17, 2016 at 06:35 PM