Welcome to the Parisianism blog

Parisianism is the quality of being parisian.

Are you going to stay in Paris ? Then, the more parisian you become, the more you’ll enjoy this city. This blog is here to help you.

My (impossible ?) goal is to try to catch the « spirit » of parisianism and help you grasp it, to make your stay in Paris more exciting and unforgettable.

This blog is called parisianism for a two reasons :

• Parisianist sounds good to me because I am a pianist living in Paris. I have always thought of myself as a parisianist. The term mixes perfectly my two passions.

• But also, « Parisianism » is a vaguely pejorative/mocking adjective used by non parisian french people when they talk about the parisians.

Diving into the heart of France, it’s crucial to grasp a key cultural nuance: the Paris vs. Province dynamic. In France, there’s Paris, the glittering city of lights, and then there’s « La province » – everything else.

The countryside, the big and small cities, the tiniest villages : if it’s not in Paris, then it’s in« la province ». Those living in this « provincial » area are affectionately known as « les provinciaux. »

Watch out : « la province » is the collective term for the rest of France, not to be muddled with « la Provence », a distinct and picturesque region in the south.

Here on this blog, I’m on a mission to infuse your soul with the essence of Parisian life. We’ll meander through my city, meet its vibrant people, unravel its places and customs, and learn to cherish every Parisian moment.

But all the « provinces » have their community in Paris, their restaurants, their traditions, their clubs, their areas… so you’ll have lots of opportunities to  learn about the peculiarities of « La Province » through this blog… from my definitely « parisianist » point of view, even if I was born in the Province myself…

On this journey of words and wonders, I’m also setting out to polish my English, a language I adore for its elegance and rhythm. Think of Sting, the quintessential Englishman in New York. Well, I’m flipping the script – envisioning myself as a Frenchman finding his stride on the streets of London.

And speaking of Sting,  did you know that he penned the classic hit « Roxanne » right here in Paris? Picture him, restless and poor (they had just started) in a miserable hotel in the city’s red-light district near rue Saint-Denis, crafting a song that would change his life and move our souls.

Just a little proof of how Paris, in all its eclectic charm, can stir the soul and inspire art in any language!

So, welcome to Parisianism, whether you are from England, New York, or any other place on earth….