Sharing Paris Stories All Afternoon

La Pierre du Marais reopened for “La Rentrée” and Parler Paris Après Midi was back in business. Confusion between “Parler Paris Après Midi” and “Parler Parlor” was quickly quelled…Parler Parlor is a French-English conversation group that meets three times a week for those who want to practice speaking French or English in small intimate groups. Parler Paris Après Midi, on the other hand, is the informal meeting of readers of Parler Paris who wish to just come and chat…mostly in English, of course, and mostly about life in Paris and France…finding work, meeting people, buying property .

Yesterday, a few regulars turned up, such as Wynn Jones who was first to arrive and order a beer, Chris Evans who was one of the die-hards who turned up this past August in the worst heat wave Paris has every experienced and Sandy Zayas whose amazing 10 square-meter apartment on the Ile Saint-Louis continues to evoke conversation. Wynn just bought a home in Normandy for 15,000 euros that when completed, will have 200 square meters. Of course, it’s a shell of stone with no running water, but yes, these kinds of bargains DO exist! Sandy’s pied-à-terre is so well designed that I call it a townhouse — it must be seen to be believed!

Long time locals Melinda Herron, author of the Insider Guide to Black Paris and Patricia Laplante-Collins, organizer of the Sunday night Paris Soirées, also made a surprise visit. Melinda’s the expert on where to get African hair coiffed (among many other things) so her guide is a must for those who want great dread locks like hers. Write Patricia to be on her mailing list to be notified about her fun Sunday events where you’ll meet lots of interesting Anglophone Parisians.

Retired New Orleanian Tom Regan told us how he fell into a fab apartment on rue Saint-Paul for a song and we all agreed we’d rather be lucky than smart. Its value has already doubled! Judy Donohue, past real estate broker, moved to Paris two years ago to write a cook book, attended the Cordon Bleu and is now happily installed in a one-bedroom apartment near the Eiffel Tower that has greatly increased in value since she bought it. Everyone seems pleased with their investments.

Dedee Gingeras has a daughter here and dreams of starting a business while trying to master French. Francophile Anne Waldron, is working in London as an au pair with a French Family, but visits France often. Mary and Tom Rolseth are traveling through France and Italy trying to decide which more fits their dream for a future home — I’m betting France will win! Lynelle Bianco, owner of a jewelry store in Portland, has firm plans to purchase an apartment in Paris within a year or two and Emma O’Brien is taking a three-month break from New York to investigate what it takes to make a move here.

Lee Wilson wrote her message in French — obviously keen to practice what she’s learning — every year for about 15 days. At that rate, it may take her a while! Jet lag didn’t stop Ana Escomel from coming to Parler Paris Après Midi (having arrived just the day before), leaving her British husband behind to look into buying a flat here for investment or residence and Lynda Sydney got hooked on France two years ago when she was here for just three months and now is seeking a way to find copy writing work. Am sure she’ll find it.

The next Parler Paris Après Midi is September 23rd, same place, same time. Would love to have you come and share your stories!

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
E-mail: [email protected]

P.S. We’re helping folks like these find their dream homes in France, no easy task without the good old MLS system. If you want to learn more about how we can be of service, write me.

* Further resources:

* Four days in Paris can make your dream a reality.

* Getting a mortgage in France is easier than you think.

* Jean Taquet has all the practical answers to life in France.

* The hottest new book on Paris is strictly Confidential.