Lisa

Jim’s Paris Kiosk

Jim's Paris Kiosk Jim Howarth, the only Englishman amongst the 409 kiosquiers in Paris, was born in Nottingham and has been in Paris since the mid 70s. He carries 1500 titles from the French dailies to specialized magazine press, including titles in English such as the British newspapers, Time, Newsweek, Vogue and of course FUSAC's LOOFE. The best selling items are the gossip magazines also TV, satire and news weeklies. Cultural history magazines come and go too. Back in 2009 when we first met Jim his kiosk was one of the larger Paris Kiosk spaces on the streets of Paris when open onto the square in front of it. This gave plenty of browsing room for customers. In 2017 his spot was selected to be the guinea pig for the prototype of the new modern (and controversial) kiosk brought out by the city of Paris with a budget of 52.4 million euros. The new structure brings better insulation and keeps the weather out. There is also a closet for Jim's personal items and the display…

Hogtied in the Hexagon? Understanding France part 3 of 3

Hogtied in the Hexagon? Understanding France Part 3 Our choice of 15 Books to help better understand France. Part 1 of this article Part 2 of this article First of all what is "hogtied"? To hogtie is an Americanism that goes back to about 1890 literally meaning to tie an animal, in particular a hog, with all four feet together. Figuratively the phrase mean to thwart or hamper. So here is part 3 of our list of 15 books that'll help you feel less bewildered and understand France. What is the Hexagon? The Hexagon is a nickname for France! (due to the mainland's nearly hexagonal shape) La puce à l’oreille: anthologie des expressions populaires avec leur origine Claude Duneton Fistfuls of everyday expressions are analyzed in their social and historical contexts. A marvel of curiosity, this book will teach you a great number of things about popular expressions. Tomber en quenouille, avoir la poisse, la veuve poignet, être un pigeon, rouler une pelle, pas piqué des…

To be honored in France

Have you ever noticed a tiny ribbon or rosette on someone's left lapel? This is a distinction worn by those who have been officially honored in France. There are several different orders. The Legion d'Honneur is the oldest, most prestigious, best known and highest award, but there is also the National Order of Merit, then ministerial order for academia, agriculture and culture. Each of the orders has a different color: red for the Legion of Honor, blue for Merit, purple for Academic, green and red for Agriculture, green and white for Culture, and blue and green for Maritime. Three times a year, 1 January, Easter and 14 July, a new list is published of those honored in France with induction into or promotion within the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor is the highest French decoration and one of the most famous in the world. Napoléon Bonaparte, First Consul of the First Republic, established the French Legion of Honor in 1802. As a leader Napoleon knew he had to honor tho…

David Lively, An American with rhythm in Paris

His name is Lively, David Lively. With a name like that he's got to have rhythm, so much so that he's put out an album called I Got Rhythm (La Musica). David Lively is a French concert pianist with origins in the United States. He was born within spitting distance of the Ohio River in Ironton, Ohio, then grew up near Chicago, Milwaukee, and finally in Saint-Louis. When he was 16 his piano teacher in pulled some [piano] strings and got David a university scholarship to study in France even though he hadn't finished high school. He spent the next couple years in the late sixties getting an education in life and piano in the land of Debussy and Ravel. Then he stayed. And stayed. He's been in France ever since and is called the most American of French pianists. But, as we all are, he's still hard wired to his roots even after nearly 50 years abroad and although he performs many different composer's music he has an attachment to American piano music. The album I Got Rhythm is a r…

Paul Landowski? who’s he?

Here's a famous sculpture that everyone recognizes, Christ the Redeemer in Rio, but do you know who created it? Here's a bridge in the center of Paris with a sculpture of the patron saint of Paris, Genevieve, and a little girl holding a boat representing the city of Paris, we've seen it many times, but do we know who created it? This well-known statue of Michel de Montaigne on the rue des Ecoles, you've walked past it many times and enjoyed his benevolent gaze, but who is the sculptor? This is the Porte de Saint Cloud in Paris 16th which we at FUSAC see every day on the way to the office. It has been just renovated. But do we know who designed these fountains covered with bas-reliefs which depict Paris, the Seine and all the goodness of Ile de France? How about the magnificent bronze doors on the Faculté de médecine in the 6th arrondissement or the monument to the fallen at Trocadéro? The answer to all these is Paul Landowski. No one knows his nam…

John Vanden Bos de FUSAC, le Boulonnais du mois!

John Vanden Bos de FUSAC, le Boulonnais du mois! (Paru dans Boulogne Magazine mars-avril 2018) John Vanden Bos, l'éditeur qui rendait service au Tout-Paris anglophone Qui ne se souvient pas de FUSAC? Dans les années 90 et 2000, ce magazine de petites annonces était disponible un peu partout dans la capitale, comme feu Paris Paname. La particularité de FUSAC, c'est qu'il s'adressait à tous les anglophones de la capitale, principalement des expats et des étudiants, mais aussi à des francophones désireux d'améliorer leur maîtrise de la langue de Shakespeare. C'est la Génération FUSAC. Aujourd'hui, FUSAC n'existe plus qu'en ligne. Son papa étant voisin, nous l' avons rencontré. Retour sur une formidable aventure et les nombreux défis qu'a dû affronter John Vanden Bos, le Boulonnais du mois. John Vanden Bos, vous êtes le Boulonnais (d'adoption, nos lecteurs l'auront compris) qui a fondé FUSAC, le magazine des petites annonces pour anglophones de Paris et sa région. Les hab…

Clubs Associations of Expat Paris

Paris Clubs Associations of Expats Joining the social fabric in your new home is part of settling in. Of course you want to integrate into France and meet French people, but it is always pleasant, and some would say important, to join fellow expats or folks from your own country to pursue your favorite activities as well. Just like sometimes you need comfort food you also need comfort time in your own language, activities and customs. Churches and synagogues in Paris are great resources providing community, study and discussions, lunches, youth groups, fairs, choirs and volunteer opportunities just like at home. Many schools and universities have alumni clubs in Paris. Here below is a non-exhaustive list of clubs associations of all types in the expat community in the Paris area. Index : British Scottish Welsh Norwegian Finnish Swedish Polish Danish German Irish Canadian Australian American Worship in your own language Paris Churches Other ideas and act…

Hogtied in the Hexagon? understand France part 2 of 3

Hogtied in the Hexagon? understand France Part 2 Our choice of 15 Books to help you better understand France. Part 1 of this article Part 3 of this article First of all what is "hogtied"? To hogtie is an Americanism that goes back to about 1890 literally meaning to tie an animal, in particular a hog, with all four feet together. Figuratively the phrase mean to thwart or hamper. So here is part 2 of our list of 15 books that'll help you feel less bewildered and understand France. What is the Hexagon? The Hexagon is a nickname for France! (due to the mainland's nearly hexagonal shape) Memoirs of Hadrian Marguerite Yourcenar Memoirs of Hadrian is a novel by the Belgian-born French writer Marguerite Yourcenar, the first woman ever elected to the Académie française (1980). It is about the life and death of Roman Emperor Hadrian. The book takes the form of a letter to Hadrian’s cousin and eventual successor «Mark» (Marcus Aurelius). The emperor meditates on militar…

All about the FUSAC brand

All about the FUSAC brand The FUSAC brand began with a magazine containing classified ads and advertisements in 1988. In 1998 we created our first website. Today FUSAC's classified ads are all online and we continue to serve the English-speaking communities (Americans, Brits, Canadians, Irish, Australians, New Zealanders, and many other nationalities who speak English as a second language) of Paris and the surrounding area. In 25 years FUSAC produced and distributed 523 issues of the magazine for over 20 million copies. Since 2013 all the classified ads are online. 40,000 page views on our website each month plus a monthly newsletter to about 5000 recipients. We have also published the annual magazine LOOFE (Light and Lively Observations on France Extraordinaire). FUSAC is well-known for ads offering employment, childcare and housing. In addition, the FUSAC site contains ads and articles for all aspects of the English-speaking community: services, music, dance, theatre, cours…

Speak Easy – Etre marteau

Time to do a Speak Easy puzzle! The Speak Easy Puzzle is available in a collection of 68 puzzles, order on Boutique FUSAC