My Paris: Interview with Adventurer Joel Stratte-McClure

Joel Stratte-McClure, an inquisitive, charming, talented American journalist/adventurer has lived and loved in the hexagon for over five decades. Since the 1970’s JSM’s written reams about his global trekking, eating and hiking adventures. This passion has taken him to over 110 countries and his articles on a variety of subjects have featured in The International Herald Tribune, Time Magazine, The Times of London, People Magazine, Who Weekly, Fast Thinking and scores of other international publications. You’ve probably read, “The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking The Mediterranean”

Joel’s currently based, “wherever he is in the world!” Follow him from Paris’s left bank, where he just dived into the Seine, walking throughout France, zig-zagging the Mediterranean gathering anecdotes for future publications. Here’s some favourite Paris addresses.

Where were you born? 

Grand Forks, North Dakota, a state smack in the middle of the USA bordered by Canada, Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota. I’m proud that North Dakota just instituted age restrictions on political candidates over 81.

Why did you come to Paris? 

I’d visited once, on a foreign exchange program to Germany, in 1965. Subsequently I flew over in 1970 to see a college girlfriend whose father, for reasons known only to him, made her fly back to Stanford University in California on the day I arrived! I spoke no French and knew nobody but that visit launched a lifelong love affair with Paris that’s continuing today. After living on Ile-Saint-Louis and in the Marais in the ‘70s and ‘80s, I currently have a pied-a-terre in Montparnasse. I spend a considerable amount of time here because my son, previously an actor in Hollywood, moved to Montmartre with my grandchildren who still consider me a demi-god (I’d be a full god if I didn’t still speak French with a pronounced American accent).

What do you like most about the city? 

Every time I take a walk, and I average about 11 kilometers (7 miles) that’s 15,000-20,000 every day, I inevitably and serendipitously stumble onto something new. Every walk is a banquet, every corner a feast. 

I recently discovered a previously unknown toilet in the 15th to add to my upcoming book Where To Go In Paris. 

What do you loathe most…? 

I left Paris in 1973 (for Cape Town) and again in 1984 (for the south of France) because, back then, I loathed the winter weather, the continual grey days, the constant rain and the fact that my own kids were frequently sick because of it. Now the weather doesn’t bother me – I loathe nothing.

How do you feel about the Olympics? 

Ecstatic. I enjoyed watching all the preparation during the past few years and, though I think the ticket prices are scandalous, look forward to enjoying the vibe if not all of the competitions. One highpoint for me, a member of the Stanford Club of France, will be a gathering with participating Stanford athletes on August 6. I’m also going to slowly (7.5 kilometers a day) walk the new 50-kilometer GR75 marked hiking trail around Paris, created for the games during the games.

Your favourite quartier? 

There’s not one part of Paris that’s not been, at some time or another, my favourite. Each has a special something that attracts me, from the Asian influence in the 13th and the Indian presence around Gare du Nord via the revamped Chinese pagoda in the 7th and the fantastic tramway that makes me feel I’m in Disneyland USA.

Favourite town outside Paris? 

Valbonne in the south of France where I lived for over twenty years (1984-2004).

A museum you cherish? 

I have annual museum and monuments passes that enable me to frequently and casually enjoy most of the monuments and museums in Paris. The Montmartre Museum, near my grandkids house near Sacré-Coeur, and the Rodin Museum are my summer faves because of the location and the gardens.

Will you be watching Olympic Breakdancing?  

I’m actually competing!

Are you looking forward to swimming in the Seine again?  

When I was on the cover of a magazine when I swam in the Seine in 1976 the title of the story was:  

“Our Man In The Seine: Gets To The Bottom Of The Dirty River And Comes Back Alive.”  

I wanted to personally evaluate whether the much-touted river clean-up was successful and, even if it failed and swimming is not allowed in the river during the Olympics, symbolically applaud the improved water. I’ve invited the Mayor, Mme Hidalgo, to join me in a dip on July 4 and will, if I deem the water clean enough, be leading a guided 7.5-kilometer swim on July 31st, my 76th birthday. Join me?

Who would you most like to save from drowning in the Seine? 

I’d try to save anyone from drowning in the Seine except for…

A local personality you admire? 

Every street sweeper in town.

A favourite Paris address? 

La Tour d’Argent on 15 Quai de la Tournelle where I’ll be at a private party for the opening of the Olympics.

https://followtheidiot.com/about-the-idiot/