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.

Hiding in plain sight

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Parisian Fields

When we rented an apartment near the Val-de-Grâce, the lady who owned the flat told us that the church and buildings there were very beautiful, but the only way to see inside was to go for mass on Sunday morning. … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris art, Paris churches, Paris gardens, Paris history, Paris hospitals | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Are these the souvenirs I left behind?

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Parisian Fields

Last week’s blog talked about some of the things we have brought home from Paris. But I have also left behind many fascinating and varied things. I have photos of some, but even when I don’t, their memories are still … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris bookstores, Paris flea markets, Paris popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bringing home a taste of Paris

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Parisian Fields

Remember that old grade-school assignment, “What did you do on your summer vacation?” The mind tends to go blank. Similarly, when the customs officer at the airport us, “What did you buy in Paris?” our minds go blank. What did … Continue reading →

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

Life in a quiet Paris quartier

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Parisian Fields

We are back in Canada, but still enjoying our memories of Paris. We stayed in a comfortable apartment in an area of the city we had never before explored, not far from the intersection of the Boulevard Port-Royal and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris gardens, Paris history, Paris hospitals, Paris quartiers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Child’s Play

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Parisian Fields

We never cease to be amazed at the persistence of traditional children’s pastimes in Paris. Merry-go-rounds (known as manèges) are found throughout the city. Some offer children the added enjoyment of spearing brass rings as they go around the circle. … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Rudolf-free Noel

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Parisian Fields

We’ve been asked many times why we decided to spend Christmas in Paris this year, and we have all kinds of answers. “We didn’t want to do another turkey.” “We thought it would be fun to spend Christmas just the … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris food, Paris hospitals, Paris music, Paris popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Keeping warm in a wintry Paris

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Parisian Fields

Last week snow was falling, snow on snow, in Paris. The international press (when it hits the Toronto papers you know it is Major News) even reported that the Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed because of it. Unimaginable! Well, actually, … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris art, Paris food, Paris history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Memento mori

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Parisian Fields

The past is ever-present in Paris, and so are the dead. I don’t know of another city in which so many of the top tourist sites are in some way memorials to those who have gone before. There is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris history, Paris popular culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Parisian Fields playlist

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Parisian Fields

The pile of CDs beside the CD player is threatening to topple. No, we aren’t iPod people with everything neatly packaged in a little white contraption – at least not yet. We have CDs and we listen to the radio, … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Englishwomen abroad

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Parisian Fields

I recently came across two oddly similar stories about Englishwomen in Paris. Both women came to the city to work, both became pregnant with men they met in Paris, both had baby girls while living with these men. But the … Continue reading →

Posted in Paris history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments