Around and About Paris, Volume 3: New Horizons: Haussmann's Annexation (Arrondissements 13 - 20) [Paperback]

Thirza Vallois (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Vallois, a 30-year resident of Paris, has written three wonderful volumes about her favorite city. She has spent seven of those years walking down every one of its streets, reading every available book written about it, interviewing old-timers, and then compiling all her research into these three extraordinary books. As each chapter unfolds, the reader walks with Vallois district by district along the streets of Paris, sharing in the art, literature, music, history, politics, science, religion, economics, entertainment, crime, passion, and local color of each unique arrondissement. The scenery changes from the past to the present, bringing Paris alive with tales from lifelong residents. Vallois's in-depth knowledge of the city and her acute attention to detail, delivered with fast-moving style, will be intriguing for both travelers and scholars. Recommended for larger libraries.AStephanie Papa, Baltimore Cty. Circuit Court Law Lib., Towson, MD
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"With its wit, erudition and lively writing, it knocks most books on the City of Light for six."

Time Out, London

"There are guides to every aspect of Paris, from museums and bars to sex and shopping -- and then there are Thirza Vallois's extraordinary Around and About Paris."

Anthony Sattins, The Sunday Times, London

"An astonishingly informative companion,"

The Times Literary Companion, London

"This is a book for those who think of Paris as an urban paradise [...].Vallois captures -- and opens up for all to taste -- the incomparable sense of the past one experiences walking the streets of Paris. Here's to Around and About Paris. On your next flight to Paris, don't leave home without it."

Patsy Baudoin, The Boston Book Review

"I think we can safely toss all other Paris guides aside [...]

Paris is made for walking and Thirza Vallois's guides are made for Paris [...]. They should soon achieve legendary status."

William Boyd, The Spectator, London

Product Details

• Paperback: 315 pages
• Publisher: Illiad Press; 1 edition (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0952537826
• ISBN-13: 978-0952537823
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #542,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thirza Vallois is an expert on all things Parisian. She has lived in Paris most of her life and holds the most prestigious doctoral-level Agrégation degree from the Sorbonne. Her "Around and About Paris" books have been universally acclaimed as the best travel books ever written on Paris, her "Romantic Paris" as the most exquisite. Her latest book, about the last hidden corner of France, "Aveyron, A Bridge to French Arcadia" was hailed as a revelation. She is also the author of the Paris entry to the Encarta Encyclopaedia.

Thirza Vallois lectures on Paris and France worldwide. Her audience includes museums, arts clubs, universities, libraries and various cultural institutions.She contributes regularly to television, radio and the international press. She has appeared on BBC, PBS, the Travel Channel, CNN, Discovery, the French Cultural Channel, has been aired on scores of radio stations in the US and Britain and has contributed articles to The Financial Times, United Airlines' Hemispheres, Condé Nast Traveller, among others. Her "Three Perfect Days in Paris" for Hemispheres Magazine has won her the NATJA (the North American Travel Journalists' Association) award. It was aired as a film on all United Airlines international flights and on television throughout the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quite simply the best, October 30, 2007

By 

Part-time Parisienne - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around and About Paris, Volume 3: New Horizons: Haussmann's Annexation (Arrondissements 13 - 20) (Paperback)

'As someone who has haunted Paris for decades, I can say that there is no more wonderful companion than Thirza Vallois. Her three volumes of Around and About Paris, covering every arrondissement with both erudition and joy, are almost as deep and rich and rewarding as the city itself. They are to be carried about for consulting on foot, and read in your armchair for pleasure and information you will not find in the run-of-the-mill "guide." These books are for explorers and dreamers, scholars and lovers. If you want to know Paris, you can not do better.

5.0 out of 5 stars simply wonderful books, December 16, 2011

By 

Helen "hw" (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around and About Paris, Volume 3: New Horizons: Haussmann's Annexation (Arrondissements 13 - 20) (Paperback)

Quite the best travel books I've ever read. If you have any interest in Paris, these books will make you even more interested. I asked Ms Vallois if she'd write next about the suburbs outside the peripherique which we've driven through, stopped off to look around, and sometimes stayed in, as they are fascinating too, but she said she was exhausted with the 20 arrondissements and not doing any more quite like that. I couldn't blame her as after reading these 3 books you'll realise she's done heaven knows how many marathon walks.

I found the books unputdownable. A valuable purchase!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thirza Vallois 2, June 14, 2009

By 

Jeffrey Barnouw "Jeff" (Del Mar, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Around and About Paris, Volume 3: New Horizons: Haussmann's Annexation (Arrondissements 13 - 20) (Paperback)

Former library copy, cleaned up pretty well. I did some more scraping. I'm very happy with the purchase. I'm taking it with me to Paris tomorrow. So I am happy about the promptness too.