One of the books I first read when I moved to Paris in 2005 that’s made a lasting impression on me is The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart. A memoir, it tells the poignant story of how Carhart lived in Fontainebleau as a child, studying piano, only to be traumatized by his fear of performing at a piano recital. Vowing never to play again, he moves to Paris in the 1990s as an adult with his own family and gets in touch again with his love of piano by buying a used piano at a shop near his home on the Left Bank.
In Carhart’s latest book, Finding Fontainebleau: An American Boy, he relates the story in a similar way to The Piano Shop on the Left Bank. When he lived in France in the 1950s, the immense Chateau Fontainebleau served as a playground and a fantasy castle, where he played hide and seek and other kids games. When Carhart moves back to Paris he begins to appreciate Fontainebleau for its rich cultural heritage, history and its impact on French style, taste, art, and architecture. During his frequent and enriching visits to the chateau, he encounters Patrick Ponsot, the head of the château’s restoration. Ponsot goes on to become his unofficial guide, revealing the secrets of the chateau.
Todd Carhart was my Parisian of the Month in 2009. Click here to read the interview.
Please click on link below to order.
Finding Fontainebleau: An American Boy in France
I am very excited to announce the launch of my new video series A Bite of Paris, on my You Tube channel, Eye Prefer Paris.
The format of the series is every week I visit either a restaurant, food shop or food market to taste my favorite French foods.
Click here to watch the latest episode about creme brulee and please hit the red subscribe button when you watch it.
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
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