The Paris Blog: Paris, France Expat Tips & Resources » The French

19th Century Paris

Invisible Paris — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:27:41 +0000

“Le Peuple de Paris” running at the Musée Carnavaet until February 26, 2012. It is a sociological investigation into the lives of the working classes in Paris in the 19th century, looking particularly at how these people and their lifestyles, were portrayed by artists and the media at the time, and provides an intruiging and original insight into an era that continues to fascinate us today.
I asked Miriam Simon, Chief Curator of the exhibition, about how the idea for the exhibition came about and what messages it is seeking to get across about a population and a period which is much misunderstood.

How did this exhibition originate?
The project stems from the fascinating graphic art collection we have at the Musée Carnavalet, particularly the fascinating and important set of caricature lithographs of the people of Paris. French historiography had, certainly until the 1970s, mainly studied the ‘people’ through the labour movement, so it seemed there was room for a more sociological investigation of this socio-economic category, which – taken in its widest sense – represented over two thirds of the population of Paris in the 19th century.

How different was life in Paris in the 19th century for the proletariat compared with earlier centuries?

Paris was confronted by many fundamental changes in the nineteenth century, including the industrial revolution, the extension and transformation of the city, and a population explosion, all of which substantially changed the lives of the people – their rhythms, their working conditions, their housing, the way they moved around, how they were looked after by philanthropic societies or governments, not to mention the beginnings of mass culture and the consumer society. However, some features remained from previous centuries, or in fact became things to fight for, in resistance to what was often becoming a very brutal way of life.
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Cat Woman

The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:55:20 +0000

I was walking in a park the other day and noticed a woman with her cat on a leash. I had to laugh (and take a picture) when she tossed the cat up onto the branch of a tree and tried to play with it. Enforced playtime was obviously not working for the cat, and they were once again on their way.

France: Always Behind the US?

Rue Rude — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:38:40 +0000

It’s a strange thing how trends work in France. Many things here become fashionable only after the Americans have started the fashion. Offhand I can think of: blue jeans, living in former industrial spaces, and the riots of 1968. Sometimes this is a good thing; but there are certainly American trends I would not like to see arrive in France, like Crocs, obesity and tasteless tomatoes. But as for sexual harassment being treated seriously, most Frenchwomen, I suspect, think it’s about time.
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What’s Missing in the DSK Debate

Margie Rynn — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:56:41 +0000

While there is no end of soul searching going on over here over DSK, the voice that is consistently missing from the discussion is a female one. A few brave women have managed to make themselves heard, but I find it appalling that most of the panel discussions are exclusively male, and that there isn’t more talk about the Dark Side of male-female relations in France. Because it is doubtful that this scandal would have ever broken had it happened in France. I ask you: would a black, immigrant cleaning lady press charges against a powerful man in France? And if she did, would anyone have believed her?

Rape isn’t just about sex — it’s about power. What does it say about a society when a powerful man thinks that he has every right to force a woman to satisfy his needs? And here’s another question that needs some answers: why is it so difficult for some men to see the line between seduction and harassment? We are not talking Clinton here, or even Mitterand. We are talking violence. Why was a man as intelligent and “good” as DSK incapable of seeing the difference?

Sigh. I think I’ll go read about Carla’s baby.

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The Country Explained

Laurie — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:21:46 +0000

Making its way around the Internet right now is a primer on France, perhaps useful for people planning a first-time visit:

THE NATION
France is a medium-sized country situated in the continent of Europe.

It is an important member of the world community, though not nearly as important as it thinks.

It is bordered by Germany, Spain, Switzerland and smaller nations of no particular importance and with not very good shopping.

France is a very old country with many treasures, such as the Louvre and Euro Disney.

Among its contributions to western civilization are champagne, Camembert cheese and the guillotine.

Although France likes to think of itself as a modern nation, air conditioning is little used and it is next to impossible for Americans to get decent Mexican food there.

One continuing exasperation for American visitors is that local people insist on speaking in French, though many will speak English if shouted at.

THE PEOPLE
France has a population of 65 million people. 60 million of these drink and smoke (the other 5 million are small children).

All French people drive like lunatics, are dangerously over sexed, and have no concept of standing patiently in line.

French people are in general gloomy, temperamental, proud, arrogant, aloof and disciplined; those are their good points.

Most French citizens are Roman Catholic, though you would hardly guess it from their behavior.

Many French are communists.

Men sometimes have girls’ names like Marie or Michel, and they kiss each other when they meet.

American travelers are advised to travel in groups and wear baseball caps and colorful trousers for easy recognition.

SAFETY
In general, France is a safe destination, although travelers must be aware that from time to time it is invaded by Germany.

Traditionally, the French surrender immediately.

A tunnel connecting France to Britain beneath the English Channel has been opened in recent years to make it easier for the French government to flee to London during future German invasions.

HISTORY
Charlemagne discovered France in the Dark Ages.

Other important historical figures are Louis XIV, the Huguenots, Joan of Arc, Jacques Cousteau and Charles de Gaulle, who was President for many years and is now an airport.

CUISINE
No matter how much garlic you put on it, a snail is just a slug with a shell on its back.

Croissants, on the other hand, are excellent, although it is impossible for Americans to pronounce this word.

In general, travelers are advised to stick to cheeseburgers.

ECONOMY
France has a large and diversified economy, second only to Germany’s in Europe, which is surprising because the French hardly work at all.

If they are not spending four hours dawdling over lunch, the French are on strike, blocking roads with their trucks and tractors.

France’s principal exports, in order of importance to the economy, are wine, nuclear weapons, perfume, guided missiles, champagne, guns, grenade launchers, land mines, tanks, attack aircraft, miscellaneous armaments and cheese.

HOLIDAYS
France has more holidays than any other nation in the world. Among its 361 national holidays are:

197 Saints’ days
37 National Liberation Days
16 Declaration of Various Republic Days
54 Return of Charles de Gaulle-in-triumph-as-if-he-won-the-war-single-handedly Days
18 Napoleon-sent-into-exile-Days
17 Napoleon-called-back-from-exile Days
and
2 “France is Great and the Rest of the World Stinks” days.

Neurosis-Free “Fooding”

Laurie — Mon, 16 May 2011 13:33:49 +0000

Often it’s a first-time visitor to France who observes something that a seasoned expat misses. A foodie friend of mine, when asked upon his return to the US how he enjoyed his first trip to France, responded that he loved the lack of obsessiveness the French have with food. The French love food, of course, and know how to raise it, grow it, harvest it, and prepare it to be eaten. What they don’t do, or at least not to the degree in the US, is obsess on a large scale over some “new” idea-such as farm-to-table cuisine or nose-to-tail use of an animal (both, in fact, standard practices in France)–until it devolves into a bourgeois neurosis. Food obsessions being trend-based, the “new” ideas are eventually rejected for the next big thing–luxury comfort food or food trucks or cupcakes. “The French simply do a lot of things very well and don’t go on all the time about it,” my friend explained. I couldn’t have put it better myself.

Are the French Really Rude?

Just Another American in Paris — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:06:11 +0000

In my view, no. Yes, they maintain a certain distance when relating to strangers, a coolness that an outgoing American can find off putting. And yes, they are insistent on adhering to a set of formalized manners. And true, they have a concept of personal space that can make you feel uncomfortable if you are used to a world in which the 15 inches surrounding your body are inviolable. But rude in the sense that they lack consideration for others? Not at all.

"Jean-Luc has a name. So there's no need to call him by anything else."

On the other hand, it seems to me that maintaining a certain level of decorum in interpersonal relationships requires a pretty much constant stream of reminders about what’s proper. This notice, with its tut tut tut instructions to treat the bus driver with respect, is part of a campaign to keep bus riders in line. Other notices in the series admonish riders not to ask the driver to stop between stops, to give up their seats to persons who are older or infirm, to fold up their strollers, and to keep their voices down. There’s even a series of borderline ridiculous YouTube videos to reinforce the messages.

Wowzy Woo Woo

Je Ne Sais Quoi — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:14:48 +0000

News flash: The French are not optimists.

Did your head explode yet? No? Didn’t think so. And the survey says:out of 53 countries, France has the most prophets of doom when it comes to 2011. Seriously? We needed a poll to unearth this shocking tid bit? People were actually paid money to conclude that when you ask a French person how they feel about the future, the consensus will be something like, “I might try to shoot myself in the face if I can work up the motivation to leave the couch.” Oy.

It has definitely joined the ranks of Cap’n Obvious’ Best hits list. Of course, someone had to take 1st prize in the Grumpy pageant, and, OF COURSE, it’s our beloved Frenchies. I mean, come on, they’re against resolutions?! Might as well be against joy, double-rainbows, unicorn snuggles, and purring, calico kittens. What’s interesting to me is not that we needed someone to tell us the French are a bunch of “glass-isn’t-half-empty-it’s-fucking-dryer-than-a-bone” types. It’s that now we have a benchmark according to which we may compare just how cynical this nation is compared to other nations that are FAR worse off. What does this say about the French? What does it say about the other countries? Could it be that France feels like it’s peaked, and can only go down hill from here? Has Sarko infringed so on the birth rights of French citizens that they feel 2011 is just another stepping stone to a molten hell on earth? Are the other countries in such a bad place, that things can only get better? Context plays a role, no doubt.
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Move It

Just Another American in Paris — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:29:51 +0000

Even the French are worried these days about putting on weight. Although obesity isn’t the problem here that it is in the States, the indicators are all moving in the wrong direction. A new social marketing campaign seems to be everywhere, urging folks to make sure they get 30 minutes of exercise a day without even working up a sweat. Three minutes here, ten minutes there, it all adds up. Since sports aren’t really a French thing (except for maybe tennis and fencing), this campaign seems to me to be hitting the right note. Whether anyone will change their behavior — well, that’s a different story altogether.

Those Amorous French!

Souffle Days — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:31:07 +0000

My best friend asked me if I believed Paris was the “City of Love” as people often say. I think I replied to the negative, laughable as it was that this city full of aggressive French men coming at you in every direction could ever hold the keys to my heart. After all, this is a city where it is hard to walk out of a restaurant without a waiter’s number, where we have bartenders who have never charged us and take us out to questionable places after they close up the bar. A boring Tuesday night might include bringing home two red roses, my crepe vendor keeps requesting my email so that I can send pictures from America but I keep going back because I swear they’re the best crepes in town. I have now finally learned to avoid eye contact after being followed through several metro changes. One of my very first days here I was shoved into a wall in broad daylight on a busy sidewalk by a guy who wanted to kiss my face, you can hardly walk down the street without having to say, “Désolée, je n’ai pas de numéro de téléphone.” I have sat in smoky bars at night, wishing only for 5:30 to come so the metro would start running again and I could escape the griminess of men sitting uncomfortably close to me.

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