Letter from Paris: October 14, 2020 News Digest

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Letter from Paris: October 14, 2020 News Digest

The rain has been relentless. It seems like it’s been weeks of nonstop rain. Stuck under a bridge during a downpour, huddled together with other mask-wearing walkers next to the Seine, we tried to channel Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris (2011), gazing out at the rain-washed cobblestones and the wall of water camouflaging Notre Dame. (Remember the last scene? “Actually Paris is the most beautiful in the rain,” Léa Seydoux’s character says to Gil Pender, played by Owen Wilson, who can only agree…) For a fun reminder of the fan-favorite film, see the trailer below.

Meanwhile critics can’t seem to agree about Emily in Paris, recently released by Netflix, which is still generating all kinds of buzz on social media, with fans and haters alike giving it lots of attention. Have you watched Darren Star’s new series yet? Love it or hate it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

And if you’re hankering for another kind of video, what about skateboarding and classical dance at the Louvre and Orsay museums?

Two young French directors, Tristan Helias and Marin Troude, received special permission from the Orsay and the Centre des Monuments Nationaux to film in exceptional city landmarks, empty of visitors, and the three-minute video is a lovely showcase of French heritage.

 

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The rain was on and off for most of Roland Garros (the French Open) and the tennis matches were a welcome distraction from the worsening pandemic news. Rafael Nadal won his 13th French Open, tying Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Nineteen-year-old Iga Swiatek became the first Pole to win a Grand Slam singles title as she beat Sofia Kenin in the women’s competition. In particular, two young French players grabbed our attention. Hugo Gaston and Fiona Ferro had outstanding performances against some of the sport’s biggest stars and we can’t wait to see what’s next in their careers.

The Jardin du Luxembourg in autumn. Photo credit: Bonjour Paris

And the sun has poked out from behind the clouds for a few glorious moments. Autumn is in full swing and the changing foliage is beautiful to behold in the city’s parks and gardens. Check out this allée of trees in vibrant yellow in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Last but not least: President Emmanuel Macron tonight announced that a curfew will soon go into effect in nine major cities across France, in order to stem the tide of COVID-19 cases. Starting Saturday and lasting for at least four weeks, the curfew (9 pm- 6 am) is a targeted effort at controlling the social gatherings that result in the transmission of the virus, rather than subjecting the country to another full lockdown. Restaurants and cultural venues will be fully assisted by the government during this difficult time.

Lead photo credit : Photo © Nicolas Vigier, Flickr

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BP's expert editorial team includes some of the city's top English-language journalists.

Comments

  • Richard Duran
    2020-11-16 11:03:07
    Richard Duran
    It’s simple why I enjoy Emily in Paris...with all the conflict in the U.S. at this time, it’s refreshing to mentally get lost in the city I love. Emily has arrived when most needed.

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  • Anne-Marie Simons
    2020-10-30 09:27:49
    Anne-Marie Simons
    Dear Editors, I have received your plea for financial support or at least a paid subscription. I enjoy reading Bonjour Paris, but as a former contributor I received it for free and hope you will continue that. If you check "articles by Anne-Marie Simons" you should find a number of my articles (from around 2011). Last time I checked (years ago) there were still 19 (at the time of Karen Fawcett). I look forward to hearing from you. Anne-Marie Simons

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  • Manceau Simone
    2020-10-20 09:59:37
    Manceau Simone
    I just rad you blog letter. What films you see, what books you read...Will I receive your "blogletter", then ?

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  • C Steve Sexton
    2020-10-18 07:57:41
    C Steve Sexton
    'Emily in Paris' should be seen, we should never miss a chance to see how pretty this city is and the camera work here is first class. The script and dialogue are mediocre at best, the outdoor fashion show in the final episode is awful, can't see a French girl wearing those clothes, much less the rest of the world. But Emily is going to be ok, she'll mature in time and Paris will make her even more beautiful, I envy her career move, she's a lucky girl,

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  • dennis smith
    2020-10-16 12:35:01
    dennis smith
    loved sharing paris again with Emily..all a bit of fun and great seeing Paris again in these times

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  • Jennifer Keeler
    2020-10-16 11:49:46
    Jennifer Keeler
    Love both Emily and Midnight in Paris. Different as they are, they both offer a taste of Paris, the wonderful scenery to remind us of our visits there, and the essence of what awaits when we’re able to return. Paris is like no other!

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  • Patricia Schneider
    2020-10-16 09:29:13
    Patricia Schneider
    Reading this column makes me miss my second home even more...we were scheduled to leave for our apt. in Paris in two weeks (after postponing our May trip due to the Pandemic). Now I've got to reschedule once more because of this awful virus...we're looking forward to our yearly several week sejour come Avril-Mai, hopefully...LOATHE the cliche clogged "Emily in Paris"-as do most Parisians...awful. But "Midnight in Paris" is a special fav.

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  • Patricia Berry
    2020-10-16 09:13:59
    Patricia Berry
    I loved seeing Paris again in Emily in Paris and to hear some of the differences between French and American ways and cultures, other than that I found it a bit uninteresting. Nothing will beat Midnight in Paris which I loved.

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  • Marie-Colombe
    2020-10-16 04:01:45
    Marie-Colombe
    I so miss Paris.....didnt get my yearly trip this year because of Covid!

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  • Theresa Lapin
    2020-10-16 03:12:53
    Theresa Lapin
    Thank you for this. Missing Paris; stuck in the US with cooties. Love "Midnight" and hate "Emily". If the French didn't hate us before, they will after watching that one!

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  • Ruta Jusys
    2020-10-15 09:24:19
    Ruta Jusys
    Love Emily in Paris! It reminds me of when I went to Paris for the first time when I was 16 in 1971. Stayed at the Hotel Palais d'Orsay because it was the cheapest most run down hotel in Paris. Today it's Musee d'Orsay! Missing France soooo much. Was suppose to spend a month there for my 65th on March 18. Hopefully next Birthday!

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  • Elaine Parker
    2020-10-15 08:18:31
    Elaine Parker
    Love and Hate! Emily’s character is truly cringeworthy, but I will endure all the nasty stereotypical snipes just for the chance to pretend to be in Paris. I love seeing the Place d’Estrapade where her apartment is, and it was great to see the Van Gogh scenes again at the Atelier des Lumiéres.

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  • LAURENT FOX
    2020-10-15 07:45:48
    LAURENT FOX
    Watched Emily in Paris with my mother (who is staying with me in Languedoc while her Paris apartment purchase paperwork goes through). We both loved it, the humor well done and the Paris scenery superb. Not normally my style but I highly recommend it.

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  • Suzie
    2020-10-15 07:03:56
    Suzie
    Loved Emily in Paris. So so missing this beautiful city.

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  • Dee Kay
    2020-10-15 06:32:22
    Dee Kay
    I loved Emily in Paris. Sure, it may have featured French cliches, but for those of us starved for anything Parisian, it was a delight!!

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  • Jean England
    2020-10-15 05:45:05
    Jean England
    I’ve watched Emily in Paris three times. Loved it and makes me want to go back when things open up. Was supposed to be there this December 2020 for New Years.

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