Art theft robs us all: The Louvre heist

Napoleon's jewels, Louvre, Paris / Kimberly Sullivan

In a normal world, it would go without saying that theft is bad. But today, with the insane “reimagine justice” movements, I realize we can’t take anything for granted. But museum thefts have always struck me as particularly pernicious. Well-known art works and priceless objects are, by their very nature, impossible to resell. They are…

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Enjoying a performance at Paris’ Opéra Bastille

Opéra Bastille, Paris / Kimberly Sullivan

I’ve already written about Paris’ stunning Opéra Garnier. But when I was in Paris earlier this year, I did attend an opera, but at Paris’ much larger, and more modern, opera house at the Bastille. Opéra Bastille is – not surprisingly – located on Place de la Bastille. It was commissioned in 1981 by then…

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The glamour of Paris’ Opera Garnier

Opera Garnier, Paris, France/ Kimberly Sullivan

I was in Paris a few months ago, and I decided to stop off to visit the Opera Garnier – a place I hadn’t visited in years (decades?). Musical afficionados will know the Palais Garnier as the inspitration for The Phantom of The Opera. And the self-guided audiotour does speak about the tales of the…

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Paris is always a good idea…

Louvre, Paris, France / Kimberly Sullivan

I was in Paris for a weekend last month. Although I’ve been many times to Paris, it’s always a pleasure to get back. I left early on a Friday, and had three days in the City of Lights, and I was eager to get in as much as I could – great walks, music, art,…

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When in Paris … Shakespeare and Company

Shakespeare and Company, Paris / Kimberly Sullivan

When a writer and avid reader finds herself in Paris, it is almost sacrilege not to pay a visit to Shakespeare and Company. It was also close to my hotel, so made for an easy trip. The original bookstore opened in Paris in 1919 (in a different location in the Left Bank) by Sylvia Beach.…

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Book review: The Last Collection

Last Collection cover

I picked up this novel last summer because I was curious about one of the historical figures. This is the tale of two rival fashion designers that unfolds in pre- and post-World War II Paris. One of the designers was quite well known to me (and perhaps everyone): Coco Chanel. But the focus of the…

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Book review: Paris Time Capsule

In Paris Time Capsule, by Ella Carey, New-York photographer Cat Jordan is stunned to learn she has inherited an apartment in Paris from Isabelle  de Florian, a woman she’s never heard of. She leaves behind her society boyfriend and travels to France to handle the practicalities. There she learns that Isabelle de Florian and her…

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Paris from Quasimodo’s perspective

Admittedly, it’s an obsession when I travel: I always want to see a city from up high. I love to get the feel for a place, understand the layout and geography. When I understand the blueprint of a city from high above, I start to feel more like a local than a tourist glued to…

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I love Paris in the springtime…

… and all the time! I was just back in Paris for a long weekend. It’s a city I’ve adored ever since I was a girl and first visited it, falling hopelessly in love with the City of Lights. Since then, I’ve been back many times – including a long-ago semester abroad living with a…

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