Americans in Paris

The release of David McCullough's The Greater Journey brings us a lovely essay by Charles Rearick on the history of Americans in Paris.  It's always a popular topic, and perfect if you have a French vacation in your future.  From the article:

"But the French capital as the Ville lumière is just one of a handful of identities of Paris that have flourished in the last century and a half.  One big secret about Paris, I concluded years ago, is how the several different Parises have emerged and contributed to the appeal and mystique of the modern city.  Alongside the shining city of cultural modernity / Ville lumière there’s the historic Old Paris, studded with architectural gems and “monuments”— from the medieval era (or even further back, Roman times) to recent centuries, “old” being redefined periodically. And in counterpoint to the Paris of elegance and refinement, there’s the city of earthy “pleasures” and rollicking “high times,” symbolized by nightly scenes at the Moulin Rouge and Maxim’s. "

Click here for the rest of the essay.

Click here to check out the audiobook of The Greater Journey.