The Paris Chapter: 12 - 18 Feb
Personalised love rituals, filmmaker chats, opera, translation slam, non-violent communication, culture talks, an art concert, book club, comedy show and more.
A big welcome to all the subscribers who’ve recently joined - it’s lovely to have you with us! And an ongoing appreciation for those who’ve been here since the early days (you know who you are).
Below, you’ll find a recommendation for where to wander to, along with my curation of the most interesting events in Paris.
In lieu of my standard question & quote, I’m sharing the love this week, with a curation of other Substacks I’m currently enjoying (and musing on):
50 lessons I learned the hard way from half a century spinning in Earth's embrace from fellow Aussie in Paris
Some of my favourites from her selection: “Date people who are good for your nervous system / I’m currently doing excitement / Don’t bother trying to stop the mental chatter / Go to your edge”
In The Right Place, At The Right Time by
“I’ve always mapped a lot of emotions onto places… Maybe because no place stays the same… Maybe because every place seems forever until it’s a passing thought now and then”.
Good conversations have lots of doorknobs by
“What matters most is not how much we give or take, but whether we offer and accept affordances… Some questions have doorknobs (“Why do you think you and your brother turned out so different?”) and some don’t (“How many of your grandparents are still living?”)”
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The inimitable Brit has joined the fray, with delicious voice recordings in tow.
“I think it is probably true that most people… at some point wonder aloud to each other how it can be that the mass of humanity seems so monstrous when the average person you meet is pretty much ok”.
Go Visit
Each week, a place to pop into or base a little exploration around
La Compagnie Française des Poivres et Épices (6e)
Tucked away in charming Place Furstemberg, this apothecary-style store presents a delectable selection of eco-spices that are ethically sourced from all round the world. The tiny tins are perfect for gifts (for others or for self).
Just nearby: Buci News has the best selection of international magazines on the Left Bank, or pop into Taschen for a coffee-table book fix.
Events
My goal is to help you have the richest, deepest possible experience of Paris and all its intellectual and artistic treasures.
Free subscribers receive my mini selection of events each week, with the full list available to premium subscribers.
Mon 12
Barbara de Mathieu Amalric, 5.15 - 7pm
The acclaimed French actor is also behind the lens of this film-within-a-film about the 50s cabaret singer, Barbara.
(FR) Free, Sciences Po (7e)
Tues 13
Così Fan Tutte, 7.30pm (through 22 Feb)
Mozart’s famous theatre-within-a-theatre (mise en abyme being a theme for the week).
(FR/EN/IT) from 15€, Théâtre du Châtelet (1e)
Wed 14
A Love Ritual for Every Heart, 2 - 7pm
Receive a personalised ritual (chosen from the words of Shakespeare, no less), from artist, anthropologist and therapist Adela Coman.
(FR/EN) Free, Shakespeare & Co (5e)
» Want more? The full event line-up is only available for premium subscribers, whose support makes this curation possible. You can upgrade now to access this week’s events. «
There’s now a referral program in place for premium memberships, aka get your subscription for free (while kindly helping expand this community).