In Paris by Jeanne Damas and Lauren Bastide: inspiring portraits of Parisian women and their Parisian lives

Summary

The perfect book for anyone who has ever dreamed of living in Paris

Profiles of twenty real-life women of Paris – artists, activists, booksellers, and filmmakers, aged fourteen to seventy, living in tiny attic studios, grand apartments, or houseboats – are accompanied by more than 100 full-colour photographs by French it-girl and fashion designer Jeanne Damas, as well as tips on secret Parisian hideaways and the French art de vivre: from the five types of red wine to order depending on the occasion, and the coolest bars to drink them in, to the best red lipsticks, and places to be kissed.

In Paris dispels the myth that there is only one type of Parisian woman, and offers a rare glimpse of the city that real Parisiennes live in – taking us into their homes, their careers, their style – and what being Parisian means to them.

Witty, elegant, and modern, In Paris reveals the secret to living like a Parisian, wherever and whoever you are.

Taken from the publisher’s website: https://www.penguin.co.uk/

Why should you read this book?

Well, I have always been completely obsessed with Paris. My father lived there in the 80s and he met Serge Gainsbourg in the metro. He used to tell me his stories of the French capital and I began to dream about it, about living there one day myself. It was my fantasy!

Then, I started learning French and watching French movies and being inspired by French women! I decided to move to Paris on a whim in 2017! I had just finished my Master’s degree and I didn’t really know if I wanted to pursue a PhD or start working right away. I was lost. So, I thought there was no better place to find myself. I left to Paris. I worked as a babysitter because my French was still very bad but that gave me enough time to visit many bookstores, to walk in the parks, to lose myself over and over again in the Cimitière du Père-Lachaise and to just enjoy the city! I spent three months there and I decided to come back and do a PhD in literature. Right now, I am studying Artistic Migration and Identity in the works of Henry Miller and Nuno Bragança. Both left to Paris to create, to write, to find themselves. Once again, I am completely immersed in Paris.

This personal introduction is just a way of assuring you that I am crazy about Paris and I was super excited about this book! My expectations were so high that I feared being disappointed. But, to my satisfaction, I was happily surprised by In Paris by Jeanne Damas and Lauren Bastide. Wait, have I told you that Jeanne is also one of my muses? Oh yes, she absolutely is!!

Bastide and Damas interviewed several fascinating women from different backgrounds and age range. What do they have in common? They live in Paris and they lead a very Parisian life. These two inspiring women also included some tips for when you visit the French capital like where you can have a nice dinner, buy your flowers or even shop vintage clothes! Sylvia Whitman was naturally one of my favorite features. She runs Shakespeare and Company that she inherited from her father. It was lovely to hear her thoughts on Paris and the Parisian life.

If you’re looking for inspiration, this book is for you. These women were all so different from each other yet so incredible and empowering! Go get your copy!

I’d like to thank Penguin Random House for the free copy. You can buy it here.

Book Details:
Publisher: Viking Books
Published on: September 2018
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Price: £16,99