No one has enriched my love or knowledge of Paris more than John Baxter. The Australian who made a few stops around the world before landing in Paris has written over 40 books and he keeps on going. His books on Paris are filled with the stories of the figures that made Paris what it is today. I’m not even sure how I first came across his books, but they led me to one of his tours, and now has become a mentor and a friend. Many books on Paris are filled with half facts or at times even wrong info. John does a lot of exhausting research to make sure he has accurate info and one of the few I trust explicitly. Every single one of his books is wonderful but I will try to limit my gushing to just a handful.
Chronicles of Old Paris is a fantastic book for those who want to learn more about the historical figures of France. From Saint-Denis to Ernest Hemingway and the Opera Garnier to Notre Dame, this book gives you a short but detailed history of some of the greatest stories of Paris. Each chapter is complete with sites to search out in Paris tied to the subject and the back includes a few walking tours.
The Golden Moment of Paris, a guide to the Paris of the 1920s that found the Lost Generation wandering the streets. Paris was much more than the days described by Fitzgerald, Hem, and Gertrude Stein. Cheap living and even cheaper booze was the ideal place for Americans escaping the Prohibition years. Matisse vs. Picasso, Landru the French Bluebeard, and even the unknown woman of the Seine will become familiar to anyone who has ever taken a CPR class.
Eating Eternity Food, Art and Literature in France Food and wine go with France, well better than anything. A country that has more cheeses than days of the year, amazing wine you can get with pocket change, and let’s not even get started on the bread. One of my favorite chapters is Absinthe, the Green Fairy, the green liquor that drove Oscar Wilde mad and was captured in art over and over again. The love of food transcends far from the plate and this book is for everyone who loves a good slow meal. Read it while eating some French fromage and a glass of Vouvray Sec on a sunny day.
A Year in Paris, Season by Season in the City of Light. Stories of Paris from each season of the year including the years when the weeks stretched to ten days. Ten-day weeks in Paris sounds great! Even holding the book is a moment to treasure. The French flaps and the deckled pages are so lovely. John’s books are fantastic any way you can get them, but even better when you can hold the pages in your hands.
We all have our favorite corner of Paris, there is always a conversation between left bankers and the right bankers, clearly the left bank is the best. Then there is the die-hard Saint-Germain-des-Prés fans vs. the Montmartre fans. Monsieur Baxter has you all covered. Three separate books that dive deeper into the Great Parisian Neighborhoods, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Montmartre, and Montparnasse. There is so much more to all of John’s books. These aren’t the Rick Steeves guidebooks that give you a short glance of a neighborhood hitting the highlights and moving you to the next box to check. These books give you an idea of the people that formed them. Drunken nights of the artists in Montparnasse. The Jazz Age of Saint Germain and the romantic, poor artists of Montmartre. Every one of my Baxter books is filled with bookmarks of treasures to track down and to find out even more.
Hot off the press is John's newest book, Of Love and Paris. Given an early copy, I couldn't wait to dig into this gem. Paris is known for being the city of love because of the many great love stories fueled by ancient cobblestones. Napoleon & Josephine, Colette & Willy, and Modigliani & Jeanne Hébuterne are just a few of the great stories, and 29 more. You will surely love it.
He has written many more on Paris and can be found on my La Boutique page and I recommend each one. The Most Beautiful Walk in Paris is just what the grounded Paris lover needs right now.
Another favorite Paris author is David Downie and two of his books I have read over and over many times. Paris, Paris, Journey Into the City of Light a favorite chapter is devoted to spending an entire day in the Jardin du Luxembourg can send any deprived Paris lover straight to one of the green Luxembourg chairs.
A Passion for Paris, Romanticism, and Romance in the City of Light. One of my favorite periods in French history is the Romantic Movement. The days of Delacroix, Baudelaire, and the love triangle of Victor Hugo. The City of Love comes alive in this book and is one you will love.
So many wonderful stories in all these books I have mentioned. As I pull them out to write this newsletter I want to read every single one of them again, gah Give me a few of those ten-day weeks.