18 February 2014

A GOOD BOOK // Paris: Portrait of a City


Packing my bags for our return trip – did I mention we've been to Paris? Yes? Ok i'll stop rubbing it in – I reached for the few books I took with me in the hope that I'd manage to find a moment to sit, sip coffee, read and take in the vibe. What better way for me to understand the city of light than with this good book.

Now in the new Piccolo format, this compact gem distills the best of the heavy hardback and allows you to carry the history of this great city in your back pocket. Paris: Portrait of a City captures the century and a half through the powerful portrayal of the lens. Never has a love affair been so great between the camera and the capital, ranging from Daguerre's early incunabula to the recent fashion shoots of Vogue.

This beautiful collection of pressed memories seen from others eyes captures the heart of the city, history oozing from every street corner, giving a flirtatious glimpse of the cool, chic, romantic, sultry and underground. It shows a historical portrait of Paris, with empty frames sitting in the Louvre during WWII and the titillating striptease dancers of the 50's. I particularly love the black & white snapshot of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin taken by an anonymous photographer.

"but Paris is as immense as an ocean.
Drop in your sounding line and it will never reach 
the bottom"
Henore de Balzac, Le Pere Goroit, 1835

This book would make the perfect gift for those dreaming of Paris, visiting in Paris or just a lover of all things French. 

I was sent this book  for review purposes but all words and thoughts are my own.


SHARE:

32 comments

  1. loving the look of this! i WILL go to paris someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a beautiful little book to have at home. x

      Delete
  2. wah!! I so want to go to Paris ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooh there are some gorgeous images in that book! I would love to go one day, preferably without the kids who would inevitably want to make it all about Disney!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has so many beautiful photos in it capturing the city. i hope you make it to Paris, side stepping Disney if you can ;) x

      Delete
  4. Gorgeous - it's been too long since I've been to Paris!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Taschen are doing some great city books right now. x

      Delete
  5. This looks like a great little book.

    ReplyDelete
  6. There really is no place like Paris. I lived there for a year in my early twenties and have not been back since. I would love to go back, twenty years later, I am sure I would see it through very different eyes. I take it you had a good time?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! I would loved to have lived there when I was younger, or now even. you should definitely go back and see what you think now. x

      Delete
  7. I don't suppose you've been to Paris have you? ;)
    I went on a collage trip years back and really enjoyed it

    ReplyDelete
  8. Would love to go to Paris one day!!!

    Enjoy your trip!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh what a beautiful book, I just want to climb into the pages!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh I love Paris and that book does indeed look fab x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd like to get a few of the other ones too. :) x

      Delete
  11. I havent been to Paris for about 10 years but I loved it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you had a great time when you went, would you revisit? x

      Delete
  12. Hope you had an amazing week in Paris - cannot wait to read more about your trip - this book looks lovely and inspiring :)

    Laura x

    ReplyDelete
  13. amazing, so jealous of your time away! Book looks fab too x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is such a cool book, would like to get some of the others too. x

      Delete
  14. This book is lovely. I really want to go to Paris but it will have to wait until I'm a British citizen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope yo get your British Citizenship soon! x

      Delete

© WILD & GRIZZLY

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services - Click here for information.

Blogger Template Created by pipdig