Life's A Beach and other Paris, France Local Custom Tips

For the past few summers, the banks of the Seine in Paris have been transformed into a beach-- Paris Plage. This offers Parisians and tourists a rather surprising plot twist when strolling along the river.

For several weeks, the roads along the Seine are closed, and a "beach" is created. Tons of sand are crated in, potted palm trees are placed, beach chairs and umbrellas are arranged. The typical Paris dress code is reduced substantially.

This year, the plage visits Paris for a month, from 21 July to 21 August 2008. Don't forget your bathing suit!

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is often used in advertising in France. Nudity is much more frequent. I remember being surprised the first time I saw a naked woman in a yogurt commercial on TV! Yves Saint Laurent pushed new boundaries by featuring male nudity in his campaign for M7, a cologne for men-- "full frontal,' as the expression goes.

I have altered the image here for those who might be offended. But in France, people don't giggle, snicker, react in the puerile "American Pie" way about sex. Sex, and the human body, are natural, and good-- a part of life and love. I prefer that attitude to the typical US approach to these aspects of life.

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Website: http://www.ysl-m7.com/

One thing I have observed about the French-- especially Parisians-- nobody is overweight. It is a bit paradoxical; a country that delights in eating has very few overweight people (compared to the US, where more than half the population is considered medically "overweight.") Several theories: genetics, red wine, more exercise (walking around Paris). I lost 15 kilos in the first year I lived here, without trying. Is it the exercise? The wine? The air? Who knows?

P.S. Since moving back to the US, I've gained all the lost weight back. Bummer.

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Lavazza coffee, of course! This poster, displayed everywhere around Paris some time ago, certainly catches the eye.

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Liane Foly is my favorite French singer, and easily hold a spot in my list of top five favorite singers ever. Great music transcends language, and this is great music. You can fully appreciate the drama, emotion, range, spirit, and power of these songs without speaking a word of French. If you do know some French, you will be touched and moved by the words as well.

The song "DOUCEMENT" is simply gorgeous. You will note a Brazilian flavor in some songs, thanks in large part to the amazing background vocals of Trio Esperanca, three lovely and talented Brazilian women (whose acapella CD's are woth checking out). “Au Fur Et à Mesure” is another marvelous, mellow song.

Liane Foly's greatest hits CD gives a retrospective of her career so far. This CD is called “Au Fur Et à Mesure: Best Of.” Surprisingly, my favorite song, "LES PETITES NOTES" is not included on the greatest hits CD. I recommend the CD titled “Les Petites Notes” which contains this song plus a lot of Brazilian flavor songs.

I had the pleasure of seeing Liane Foly perform in Paris at the Olympia. She is one of those rare talents who sounds even better live. Backed by a tight jazz band, she sparkled and soared that evening.

For a delicious taste of French music, try Liane Foly. You can find her CDs on Amazon.

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Website: http://www.rfimusique.com/siteEn/biographie/biographie_6304.asp

Literally, this means "the corks"-- figuratively, it is the word for "traffic jam." A local Parisian custom is sitting in hideous traffic.

This is a view from my morning commute. Cars to the right of me want to cross and turn left-- and cars to the left of me want to cross and go straight. Forget any manners and politeness. Pretend that no one else exists. Continually play "chicken."

A note to Americans: forget just about everything you learned about driving laws. On the circles, the cars entering the circle have the right of way-- not the cars already on the circle (unless there is a sign advising you to the contrary). The same holds true on many major highways-- the car entering on the entrance ramp has priority over the cars already on the highway. Because many tourists drive and do not realize this, things can get a bit hairy at times.

There is also a law "priorite a droite"-- if there are no stop or yield signs at an intersection, the car to your right has priority. This is relatively rare in Paris, but there are still a few surprise intersections where this is the case. Don't be surprised when a car shoots out in front of you from your right.

I guess the best advice is "Don't be surprised by anything."

Even better advice: Take public transportation.

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Mneka, Ry Cooder, Marianne Faithfull, Sally Nyolo, Jane Birkin, Goldfrapp, Toufic Farroukh, Queen, Mr Scruff, Mozart, Jimmy Scott, Mickey 3D, Neal Casal, Souad Massi, Norah Jones, The Psychedelic Guitar Circus, Eminem, Les Rita Mitsouko, Beverly Jo Scott, Louis Armstrong, Redbone, Wes Montgomery, Tom Waits, Pergolese, Fenetik Music, Toma, Zuco 103, Le Hammono Inferno, Placebo, Jean Louis Murat, Kathryn Williams, Steve Shehan & Baly Othmani, Ben Harper, Bernard Lavilliers, Beethoven, Taj Mahal, Stan Getz, Bryan Ferry, Luigi Boccherini, David Bowie, Isaac Hayes, Sven Van Hees, Patti Smith, Os Originais Do Samba, Julien Clerc, The Turtles, The Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Amy Winehouse, Israel Kamakawiwo Ole, The Holmes Brothers, Christian McBride, Massive Attack, The Temptations, Ukulele Club de Paris, King Crimson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yves Montand, U2, Quincy Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, Serge Gainsbourg, Bjork, Billie Holliday, Chris Rea, Eva Cassidy, Kent, Ras, Gabin, The Roots, Pulp, John Hammond, Buddy Guy, Sapho, Orquesta Aragon, Susheela Raman, Death In Vegas, Santana, Count Basie, The Tab Two, Joe Sample, Bobby Womack, Tala, Astrud Gilberto, Peter Sellers/Sophia Loren, Anna Maria Jopek, Mongo Santamaria, Paolo Conte, Petula Clark, Moby, Carla Bruni, Ruben Gonzales, War, Billy Branch, Stanley Clarke, Enya, Gigi, Al Cohn, Pink Martini, and Tiny Tim.

What do these artists/composers have in common? All are featured on the playlist on FIP, a remarkable French radio station.

Why I love it: 1. The breadth of their play list is incredible. It spans hundreds of years, and every musical genre imaginable. The mix is full of surprises, flowing seamlessly across genre and era. 2. No commercials. 3. No annoying DJ's, just infrequent, brief talk between the music. 4. You can listen to it, free, on the internet.

When in Paris, tune to FM 105.1

Right now: Go to the web site, then click on écouter

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Website: hhttp://www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/fip/endirect/

Here is a photo of a gift being prepared, in Paris, to send to the US.

For the story of this gift, see the Travelogue in my Colmar, France page. Colmar is the home town of the sculptor (and a beautiful town to visit).

And in return, the US congress changes the name of two menu items... "freedom" fries and "freedom" toast. Go figure.

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The Olympia Music Hall is to Paris what Carnegie Hall is to New York City-- a mythical, almost mystical venue for outstanding artists. Since 1889 Parisians have thrilled to top musical telent at this location. Like Carnegie Hall or Radio City Music Hall, the Olympia had a near dance with a wrecking ball, but saner minds prevailed.

I've had the pleasure of seeing two performers here, Liane Foly some time ago and Lara Fabian a few weeks ago. Lara was superb, stellar, outstanding, breath-taking, superior, soul-shaking... a true peak experience. Her voice, stage presence, beauty, and great band made for a truly remarkable evening. All this was enhanced by the musical ghosts wandering the Olympia Hall. I know I caught a glimpse of Edith Piaf, and was that Josephine Baker in the corner of my eye?

On the stage in the coming months: Van Morrison, Art Garfunkel, Roch Voisine, the Scissor Sisters, Madeleine Peyroux, Lynda Lemay, Laurent Voulzy, Pat Metheny, Eddy Mitchell, Zucchero, and Patti Smith! Visit the website for a complete schedule.

28, boulevard des Capucines - 75009

Photo by Anthony Atkielski

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Website: http://www.olympiahall.com/