Author Archives: Parisian Fields

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About Parisian Fields

Parisian Fields is the blog of two Toronto writers who love Paris. When we can't be there, we can write about it. We're interested in everything from its history and architecture to its graffiti and street furniture. We welcome comments, suggestions, corrections, and musings from all readers.

The 37 Steps

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Parisian Fields

It’s January, and the papers are full of recommended diets to deal with the extra pounds we all gained over Christmas. Oh, phooey. I’ve got a great book on French food that is making me hungry just reading about it … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris food, Paris markets | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Renault assembly line worker designs world’s fastest ocean liner

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Parisian Fields

On its maiden voyage to New York City in 1935, the French luxury liner Normandie, owned by the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, astonished everyone who saw it. It was the longest ship in the world and yet, with its long tapered … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris history, Paris postcards | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Discovery in a dairy shed

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Parisian Fields

Some movie reviewers are saying that Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, a 3D fantasy set in Paris, is the best film of 2011. It certainly gets our vote. We loved the story, the characters, and the special effects (well done without being … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris film, Paris history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Merry Christmas and don’t forget the bûche de béton

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Parisian Fields

I hope some of you enjoyed the traditional French Christmas treat, the bûche de Noël (Christmas log), as we did. But let’s not forget another great French tradition: the bûche de béton. Or as some would call it: faux bois. … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris parks, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A closer look at Parisian streets

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Parisian Fields

Over the past week, I have been pondering a comment made by Adam Roberts, the author of Invisible Paris (one of our favourite blogs), about our post on courtyards. He confessed to having mixed feelings about these interior spaces and … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris architecture, Paris history, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The hidden city

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Parisian Fields

One of the distinct pleasures to be had in Paris is the feeling you get when you open a door into a private space. Enter a digicode and hear the satisfying click-thunk sound, or simply push open a closed but … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris architecture, Paris gardens | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Missing Christmas in Paris

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Parisian Fields

Everything had been arranged for another Christmas in Paris—plane tickets, flat rental, friends to see—and then we had to cancel. We will spend Christmas in Toronto and will have a good time of it. But what will we miss about … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris nostalgia, Paris shops, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

The story behind the sculpture

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Parisian Fields

The Rodin Museum is one of the most popular tourist sites in Paris. It encompasses a lovely old house surrounded by a huge garden, with several of Rodin’s bronze sculptures positioned here and there in the grounds. One sculpture in … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris art, Paris history, Paris museums | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sitting on books in Paris

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Parisian Fields

The libraries, bookshops, and bouquinistes’ stalls of Paris are justly famous. So, too, are places to sit, alone or with someone else. The city offers many spots for quiet contemplation and conversation. So why not combine them? Sit on some … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris bookstores, Paris parks | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Eyes on the street

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Parisian Fields

One hears a lot about the use of surveillance cameras in England. Indeed, when we returned from Greenwich, I spotted a few lurking in photographs I had taken. Can you spot the camera in the picture below? (There may even … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris art, Paris history, Paris streets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments