Things FUSAC likes

Tea is considered a British thing. But tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world, 1000 billion (is that a trillion?) cups a year! And tea time is the best example of British "art de vivre". Since the French thrive on "art de vivre" they too have found a love for tea and tea time. Things have changed since the 1980s when my landlady Mme Cahierre made one pot of tea per week, left the single tea bag in it all week and simply diluted and warmed a tiny bit of her brew with hot water each day. Tea consumption has tripled in France in the last 20 years, but it is still small 230g per person per year compared to the British 2.3kg per person. Just look at these lovely spots for tea in Paris. Some of our favorite places for tea in Paris (and beyond) Thé-ritoires in St Germain des Prés, Paris Imagined as a family home where you just drop in, like a house where you set down your bags and stay as long as you want. A place to spend time reading, writing and telling …

Pershing Hall an informal American embassy in Paris. Past, present, future. Pershing Hall Past When the rue Pierre Charron was created in 1864, Napoleon III by Imperial Decree ceded the land to Duc Galliera. In 1878, the land at number 49 was given to the Comte and Comtesse de Paris by the Duchesse Galliera. In 1878 the land was sold to the Vicomte de Paris, and between 1879-1882 the original building and stables were constructed by the Vicomte.  The building remained a private residence through WWI when it served as General Pershing's American Expeditionary Force's headquarters during the war.

Today the rue Pierre Charron runs from Avenue George V to the Champs-Elysées. Created in 1864 (under Haussmann's reorganization?) the street had two prior names and was longer. In 1879, it was divided into 2 separately named streets Pierre 1er de Serbie and Pierre Charron (16th century theologian and philosopher), hence the building numbers start at 44!…

Small Is Good: Les Petits Plaisirs

by Harriet Welty Rochefort

A minuscule espresso, a petit piece of chocolate, a morsel of sharp cheese, a half-filled glass of wine: the French prefer tasting and sipping to gorging and guzzling. Small is good.

Small Size, Large

When I came to France, I discovered small. It seemed that everything was diminutive, and the word petit was everywhere. I go on a petit tour around the block to drink a petit café. Then I may do a few petites courses (small errands) before I wend my way back to my definitely petite home sweet home. On the way I might sample a piece of fromage, but it won’t ruin my appetite, samples being petit (as in thumbnail). Time for dinner? The meat or fish and accompanying vegetables barely fill, and certainly don’t overlap, the plate. My wineglass is not filled to the brim.

Do you wonder why the French aren’t fat? Here’s the answer: portions are petites.

In Ame…

  Sing C’est la Vie This priceless song by Sonny and Cher from 1965 was the flip side of a 45 rpm single titled Just You. Sing C’est la vie is a great pick-me-up and a motto for life and will certainly bring a smile to anyone you share it with today. Happy New Year from FUSAC ! We love the interjected comments with a great French accent by Sonny. Who knew! This rare video has 1960s vintage sound and image which adds to the charm. During 1965, five of their songs were on the US Billboard Top 20, a record surpassed only by Elvis Presley. Sing C’est La Vie was number 1 in Belgium in November 1965 for 24 weeks. It was recorded along with I Got You Babe on their second album Look at Us. In the decade they spent together, Sonny and Cher sold over 40 million records worldwide. Here are the words to Sing C’est la Vie because you'll want to sing along and because the best verse is not in the video. Sing C'est La Vie And soon you will see Your cares will be…