Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light

Another of my travel preparation reads, this book is an absolute delight, as well as an invaluable guide to the people, places and phenomena of Paris. It’s far more than a guide however. It unlocks the secret soul of Paris in a way that only a true lover of the city could. Downie is certainly that, having lived there with his wife since the 1980s. He has the gift of capturing places that allows you to see them in a new and intriguing light, and to arouse your curiosity so immediately that you are compelled to find out more. There are some outstanding chapters on Parisian haunts that lots of people may think they know well, such as the Luxembourg Gardens, the Père Lachaise Cemetery, the old Les Halles area, the Marais and so on. In show more Downie’s book you’ll be taken on such a lively and vivid tour, complete with history, little known facts and quirky details that, like me, you won’t rest until you can experience it all for yourself. show less

This is not a travel guide and it's not a history book and it's not really a memoir. So what is it?

It's a pleasant stroll along the Seine with a friend pointing out things you would not have noticed by yourself. It's an American ex-pat familiar with the city taking you to the hidden places and giving you the background on who built it, who lived there, and why. It's a morning in the park or cafe watching people and smelling the flowers. It's a rambly collection of essays about Paris, its history, its people and its personality.

I quite enjoyed most of the essays. I'd recommend it to someone planning a trip to the City of Light.

Part history book, part travelogue, part mesmerizing, part yawn-inducing. Mostly interesting - although I confess that two separate sections on cemeteries tried my patience. I will likely refer back to this book when planning a trip to The City of Light. Overall worth the time invested.

This is part history, part social commentary, part memoir. It is good like the curate's egg, in parts and meanders a little at other times.

Words by Don George in National Geographic Traveler (he says it all): “… evocative and moving… Downie’s quest is unconventional in tone and spirit as well as route. A lively wordsmith… Downie brings a deep and impassioned knowledge of French history, culture, and language to this pilgrimage. He also brings something more, a longing that he himself can’t pin down at the beginning… they encounter a memorable succession of taciturn, deep-rooted local farmers and gregarious, transplanted-from-Paris innkeepers. They also encounter the multi-layered, interweaving pathways of French history, commerce, religion, and spirituality—and manage to tuck in a few sumptuous celebrations of French food and wine, too. The result is an show more extraordinary account that illuminates France past and present and casts a light on something even greater: the truth that, however we choose to label our journey, we are all pilgrims on a common quest, to answer why we wander life’s question-paved path.” show less

My favorite book of Paris essays, no question.

Note to self: Edit bucket list.