aixcentric

Paris is a much-loved and well-known city, well documented too, but increasingly visitors are seeking out new quartiers to explore, whether through neighbourhood guided tours or staying in Airbnb accommodation.

Writer Susan Cahill has tapped into this vibe with her guide to Paris following in the footsteps of famous Parisians.

She includes medieval lovers Héloïse and Abelard, King Henri IV, scientist Madame Curie,  chanteuse Edith Piaf, and the writer Colette. We are told the life-stories of twenty-two famous Parisians and then taken to the quartiers where they lived and worked. Every tour begins with a Metro stop and ends with a list of “Nearbys”―points of interest along the way, including cafes, gardens, squares, museums, bookstores, churches, and, of course, patisseries.

To follow artist Alberto Giacometti for instance, the visitor must go to the district of Pernety in the 14th arondissement to find his studio.  It was a rural area back then but now artists have colonised the old stables.  Susan Cahill describes the area: ‘It’s scenic and charming like a movie set of a secret Paris though it feels – it is – lived in’.  The chapter tells us lots about the artist and his years living there. Bordering Montparnasse, he visited all the artistic haunts – La Coupole, Le Select and Le Dome – often walking miles at night with Samuel Beckett.   After the walk through the neighbourhood, the author directs us to Place Flora Tristan to join the locals at this terrace-café.

It’s a great idea for a book with loads of ideas for exploring Paris – lots of photos too.

For some reason, it is currently only available to order through http://www.amazon.com which means a dispatch here in France from the US.  Here’s the link:https://www.amazon.com/Streets-Paris-Following-Footsteps-Throughout/dp/1250074320