Apr 27 2010
“Blame it on Paris” promotional giveaway!
A few years ago I bought a trade sized copy of Laura Florand’s first book, “Blame it on Paris.” In it, she describes her year long stay in the City of Light as she studied French Literature, met a handsome Frenchman and began to fall in love. Then comes the hilarious recounting of what they did next after her return to the States, the endless expensive long distance phone calls, her relocation back to Paris, disappointing attempts to find a good job then eventual translocation of both of them to the American South followed by their four weddings. Yes, their four weddings.
As I thought back on my reading experience of the book, I remembered the bus driver charged by her friends with making sure she didn’t skip out of meeting Sebastien for their first date, her trial by salad stirring to prove her worthiness after meeting her future in-laws, Sebastien’s cat and their tiny, one room broom closet Parisian apartment, how he managed to win over his future gun loving brothers in law, his friend’s comments about the “Welcome to Georgia” road sign, Laura’s in-laws’ introduction to an American swamp – with alligators! and Walmart, the correct size to cut tomatoes for the perfect kabob – “no, no those are too big” followed by “why are you cutting them so small?”, and the importance of knowing the Lord’s Prayer in French before attempting a wedding with a cantankerous French priest.
When she contacted me about the mass market release of the book, complete with a new cover which both of us dislike – dolman sleeves on a Frenchman?, I readily agreed to a giveaway promotion. What we need from you is a comment on your favorite, or least favorite, personal experience in Paris or specific details on why you would want to visit there. Think beyond a simple travelogue of sights to see. Three random posters will win their own copy (you can pick either edition) of Laura’s real life description of how she met and married her own handsome (I’ve seen pictures of him!) Frenchman. The giveway is limited to US readers due to cost of postage.
~Jayne
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Apr 27, 2010 @ 10:44:22
I’ve never been to Paris, but would love to go. Of course, I would love to visit all the famous tourist spots. However, it would be great to get “off the beaten path” and find some local “hot spots” and explore their cuisine. It is also neat to hit the local universities.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 11:13:26
I’ve never been to Paris but hopefully one day I will. There are so many sites that I want to see, like the Eiffel Tower. I want to walk the streets, go to restaurants and experience Paris life.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 11:28:45
I visited Paris three times while working for NATO. Thus, I could stay at the Cercle National des Armees – La Maison des Officiers de France (French version of an Officers' Club). It is an elegant hotel on St. Augustine Square. Although a Metro Station is near by, it is walking distance to the Église de la Madeleine, Place de la Concorde, Jardin des Tuileries, Musée du Louvre, Moulin Rouge, butte Montmartre, and Basilique du Sacré-CÅ“ur
The hotel offered comfortable rooms at reasonable rates. Plus they delivered hot chocolate and croissant to your room for breakfast in bed! But like most European hotels, they do not provide washcloths.
Oh, I miss Paris!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 11:36:22
I spent a week in Paris when I was 16. It was with a group of female American exchange students who were all spending the year in Sweden.
My favorite memories of that week involve the German handball team staying on our floor in the youth hostel. One of them, while extremely drunk, came into our room and climbed into the bed of one of the girls. She got quite the shock when she came to bed later and found a naked drunk German guy there.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 11:45:19
When I was about 12 years old my family went to Europe for six weeks during the summer. My parents were teachers so they didn’t really have much to do in the summer. This was in the 1970s when teachers weren’t making the big $$$s that they do now so we stayed in quaint pensions and small hotels. It was basically Europe on $5 a day. It was me, my older brother who was 13 and my younger brother who was 8. At the time none of us had any appreciation for French cuisine so we would order the most “normal” thing on the menu. In Paris we went to the same restaurant for three nights in a row. My younger brother ordered the ravioli (which was the French equivalent of chef Boyardee). My parents not wanting not to appear the “ugly Americans” allowed us wine at dinner. I guess they weren’t paying too much attention because my baby brother “Ralphie” (name changed to protect his identity) may have had a little too much wine. Needless to say after an evening of fun sibling rivalry consisting of teasing punching and kicking we settled down to sleep in romantic Paris. It was then that the ravioli and white wine started working it’s magic on poor Ralphie. It was non stop puking on every thing for about four hours straight. It was so gross. The smell was unbearable. I wonder if the the hotel maids appreciated my parents attempt not to be the Ugly Americans. I would love to go back to Paris just to have a plate of ravioli.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 11:45:41
I’ve been to Paris once, at the end of my first trip to Europe. I was almost out of money and therefore subsisting on a bunch of carrots and a large container of yogurt; I had a miserable cold; and the hostel I stayed in was pretty dismal. The Louvre was awesome, though.
I suppose I might go again someday to see if it’s better seen healthy and with money, but there’s a lot of other places in Europe I want to revisit or visit for the first time, so it’s not high on my list.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 12:00:16
I went to Paris when I was 6 months pregnant. The whole trip I spent looking for the closest bathroom. I picked exibits in the Louvre according to how close a bathroom was. The most memorable moment was having to go into a bar to use the bathroom and finding a tiled room with a hole in the floor for me to use. I had to balance my very large belly, a winter coat and a large purse while trying to manage my tights while not touching anything in the room.
The food was amazing. I gained 15 pounds in 6 days. I was eating for two.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 12:35:59
@Karen: LOL, Laura talks about using a similar bathroom to write a party invitation to her now husband.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 13:26:28
I love love love love Blame it on Paris. I think my copy has lost it’s cover from re-reads so I look forward to the re-publication!!
My most memorable experience in Paris was wandering around late late at night after a bit too much fun looking for the pont neuf. only nobody could understand me and thought i was asking for trente-neuf, which made no sense to me. This went on for about 20 minutes and ended with me writing it on paper because my accent was so horrible.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 13:35:05
I’d love to visit the City of Lights, for all the typical tourist reasons, but also to just be in France for a while, and let my French roots “grow.”
Apr 27, 2010 @ 14:01:35
Laura told me that there is also an ebook version of “Blame it On Paris” in the works.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 14:19:28
Jayne, you made me laugh with your list of all those little incidents! Funny how I can forget some of the things I myself lived and wrote. Thanks for bringing them back to mind!
The ebook should be available as of today, via Amazon. 4/27 is the official release date for both.
Thanks for the kind praise!
Karen–I also have very vivid memories of Paris toilets. :) I feel for you, 6 months pregnant! I can definitely remember some I would not have fit into at 6 months.
Hot Like Sauce, THANK you!
Maria, I’m not sure how you can eat ravioli in Paris after that story. Maybe have a delicious chocolate réligieuse instead? :)
I love reading everyone’s Paris experiences and dreams (or nightmares, as it may be!). Thank you for sharing!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 15:06:58
I’ve never been to Europe and would love to go to Paris someday.
I could say I’d like to go for the architecture, art, and food. But the main reason would be the political summits of course. Kidding.
The best reason would be hunky men with sexy accents.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 16:37:21
Sounds like a great book!
I have been to Paris 3 times – once doing the college backpacking thing, once with a boyfriend and once on a business trip to Euro Disney (yeesh). All were filled with wonderful and unintentionally hilarious moments.
I would have to say my most memorable moment was getting kicked out of Notre Dame by an angry monk. Sometimes you just don’t really need to speak the same language to get the point.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 17:02:09
I spent a year studying abroad in Paris and what always made me laugh (and sometimes cry is frustration) is how different the cultures truly are. One thing I hated was that you can’t buy medicine at the convenience store (or say a Target or CVS) like you can in the US. They keep all the medicine in the “Pharmacies,” and when you go in you have to describe your symptoms to a Pharmacist in order to get the medication. I don’t know about you, but sometimes you’d rather keep to yourself exactly WHY you need that Pepto Bismol…
Apr 27, 2010 @ 17:22:56
I have not yet been to Paris, but I plan to in the future. I think it would be cool to spend a month immersed in the culture. Not to mention the yummy food!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 17:41:25
When I visited Paris with my brother 30 years ago, we stayed at a cheap hostel. This was pre-internet, before you could read reviews online. As we walked to and from the hostel I marveled at the skimpy clothes the women wore (it was May and I was *cold*) and the improbable color of their hair. My brother looked at me pityingly and said: They’re prostitutes.
(Had a similar experience in Amsterdam. I marveled at the skimpily clad women in the windows and asked my brother: “Don’t they realize people can *see* them?? They need to put on some clothes.”)
Apr 27, 2010 @ 18:15:21
Walking down Paris streets at twilight with a light snow falling. Hot chocolate at Angelina. All day at Musee’ d’Orsay. Fending off sparrows while eating a crepe.
I’m going back in 42 days! Taking my 18 year old niece as her graduation present. I told her we could go anywhere in the world, and she picked Paris. Smart kid!
Apr 27, 2010 @ 18:42:03
Hunky men with sexy accents are a definite draw. :) It’s not why I went in the first place, but it’s why I went back. :)
I have a vision of the angry monk, Dawn. I think I met an angry priest…
Too funny about Amsterdam. :) And the pharmacy ordeal! My sister has a story about trying to get bandages from a pharmacy that still traumatizes her.
Have a wonderful trip with your niece, LauraD! What a wonderful present.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 18:53:28
Once upon a time, long, long ago, my boyfriend and I were both foreigners working in London. He decided to surpise me with tickets to Paris for a long weekend. We had a tiny hotel room there. The first night of my trip was my favorite. We had eaten a lovely dinner and were walking in the Champ de Mars (if I am remembering the name correctly) and looking up at the beautifully lit Eiffel Tower while spinning dreams of our future together. Afterwards we ducked into a cafe for espresso, pastis and handholding while watching people walking outside past the window. I also adored the cheese shops with all of their rich displays.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 20:47:00
Never been to Paris, but would love to go. Yes to see all the culture, but also more importantly?
The food. Everyone always raves about French food. I want to taste the authentic thing.
Apr 27, 2010 @ 21:15:40
I’ve been to Paris once, and it was not auspicious. I was with my college boyfriend and we were passing through from Holland to Spain. We had a very short amount of time between trains, so where did we go? He made a point of taking me to what I remember as a dodgy neighborhood (I grew up in big cities, so I know the difference between urban and dodgy) to get falafel. However, the French people were lovely, one man in particular helping up navigate the Metro and even giving us a little money so we could get to said lovely neighborhood.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 01:50:20
I went to Paris for the first time about ten years ago with my mother and my little sister. We did all of the tourist things you are supposed to do on vacation. As part of our tour, the company offered everyone a romantic dinner to experience Paris. This dinner turned out to be at a Cabaret where the ladies were topless and food was not great.
I fell in love with the city apart from that experience. Spent my honeymoon there too. Although the iconic cultural milestones are a part of the ambiance, its the people, their way of life and their food that I go back for.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 02:29:39
I have never been to Paris but would love the chance to travel there. I would like to go and have my picture taken in the photo booths like in the movie Amelie. And sit outside and eat bread and cheese.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 04:09:20
I’m in the UK, so I can’t win the book, but I thought I’d share anyway!
My housemates (one guy, one girl) went to Paris a few years ago. I’m not sure what my favourite bit of the story is: the fact they managed to rent a hotel in the red light district, that they spent a whole day trying to find comfortable shoes for the girl, or that the guy showered with his underwear on because the bathroom door didn’t shut? Oh, I know. It was spending three days playing hostess to a Greek woman who spoke no English, or rather, to the mother of the girl who went to Paris. And they didn’t even bring me back a bottle of wine!
(I’ve been to France four times, though never to Paris – on a school trip to Nice where I got my cheek stroked by an old man who attempted to give me 10c, to the Alps with a friend who wanted someone her own age to go skiing with, on another school trip to the south where I got sunburnt so badly you can see the lines when I tan even now, and to EuroDisney where I got drunk for the first time ever and learned the very important fact that one rollercoaster ride cures a hangover, but two don’t. To be honest, me and Fracne don’t really mix…)
Apr 28, 2010 @ 05:58:26
The two things I remember most about my visit to Paris, now over 25 years ago: the incredible stink of the Metro system and Sacre Coeur.
I’m totally a- and anti-religious, but I could feel the spirits of the people who had been in that church over the centuries. It was an amazing and chilling feeling and one I’ve only experienced a couple of other times – alone in Scotland on top of the remains of a wooden fort waiting for a storm and in Wales in one of the ruins of a Border castle (complete with bloody white dove falling into my way as I walked through).
Apr 28, 2010 @ 07:45:49
I love all these stories! From the hilariously bad moments to the beautifully poetic…that about sums up my encounter with Paris, too. :)
Apr 28, 2010 @ 08:02:04
I have never been to Paris but have already planned where I would go and what I would visit. This wonderful experience is long overdue and I would spend time in Le Marais, and then walk my feet off everywhere. The food, the culture, the amazing sights and sounds and the delectable cuisine all appeals to me.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 08:07:22
I already have my hero, but when I think of France and Paris I think of romance, and where better to visit with the love of your life than a romantic location like that?
I’ve never been to Paris. Shoot, I’ve never been anywhere that takes a boat or plane to get to. Never had a honeymoon either. Oh the sites and experiences to be had in Paris with my handsome hubby. I can see it now… The memories we could make while there. *big grin*
Apr 28, 2010 @ 08:08:21
Go to Laura’s old blog and scan through all the archived pages to see her scrumptious photos of France. The pics of the artful displays of delicious food in the store windows will have you salivating!
http://www.lauraflorand.com/blog/
Apr 28, 2010 @ 08:50:55
I’ve dreamed of seeing Paris since my first French class in 8th grade. Once, I even set a trip there as a reward for reaching my weight-loss goals, but then that didn’t happen. I want to experience the full travelogue, I want to sample absinthe, I want to gorge on art and artifice, I want to hit every one of Eloisa James’ recommendations, but really, I want to stroll down the Sienne in the shadow of Notre Dame and see if Duncan’s barge (THE HIGHLANDER) might still be there. Because old fantasies die hard.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 09:48:40
When I arrived in Paris, my friends advised me to take a taxi to the youth hostel the first time and then learn the Metro.* We were driving along, I thought ooh, that must be the Bois de Boulogne, oh, looky, the Hotel des Invalides, the tomb of Napoleon, la, la, la. Ohhhhh, looky, the Hotel des Invalides. So I waited it out a bit, yep, third time past the Hotel des Invalides.
So I tapped the driver’s shoulder and told him in French that if I wanted a tour of Paris, I’d be on a bus with a tour guide.
His face fell about a mile, then he said,
“I didn’t know you spoke French!”
“I do speak French, cela va sans dire (obviously).”
“I thought you were American!”
“I am American.”
“No Americans know l’hotel des Invalides!”
“Sauf moi.” Except me.
He accused me hysterically of tricking him. I had to threaten him with the police to get out of the cab at my hostel.
The rest of my stay in France went far, far better. It was one of the happiest times in my life.
*Sorry, I can’t get the French accents and cedillas to work with Mozilla.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 10:57:06
I went to Paris with a group of girls from my high school right after we graduated. We spent two weeks there and got into all sorts of trouble, but my fondest memories are of Roland, the Swiss student who was staying at the same small hotel and with whom I had a whirlwind romance. Lots of walks on the Seine and sharing coffee and decadent desserts at sidewalk cafes, as well as having to speak French with each other the whole time because he didn’t speak much English and I didn’t know any German.
The other thing I remember clearly is getting into an argument with a bunch of artists in Montmartre who refused to believe that a pasty girl like me was from California. I had to show them my driver’s license as proof.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 11:08:01
Never been. It would be great to see. Am hoping to get over to Paris while at Vegas this week. LOL. A nice substitute.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 11:42:33
Must have the book, even if I don’t win it! I love Paris. I studied there for a lovely summer (not telling y’all how long ago that was).
Two years ago my husband and I went back for a long visit, his first. He is a planner and I am a meanderer. My favorite part of our visit was that we had enough time to do all that he had on his list and for me to wander down every interesting side street (and into every boulangerie I found!).
My least favorite part–and I really hate to admit this–is the Louvre. The place gives me the hives. It’s too huge, not enough exits, and I get claustrophobic every time I’m there.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 12:28:46
I heart Paris even though it rained Every. Single. Day. the whole time I was there, but I saw a double rainbow for the first time in my life.
Favorite memory among so many great ones was one evening when I was trying to buy some postage stamps. I couldn’t remember the word for stamp and indeed every word of French I knew fled at the first sneer from the proprietor of the little tabac who really was a gifted sneerer.
A tiny little gentleman who looked just like Maurice Chevalier right down to the dignity and derby, said very slowly and carefully and with moustaches trembling with pride, “Excuse me, mademoiselle. I speak English. You are trying to purchase stamps? Perhaps I may be of assistance.”
He explained that alas, tabacs such as the one we were in, do not sell postal stamps. C’est dommage, and dreadfully inconvenient, but c’est la vie.
However, he continued, through an extraordinarily fortuitous and quite miraculous set of circumstances, stamps just happen to be readily available at the post office. Unfortunately the post office was closed at the moment because it was late in the evening, but if I could possibly find my way there the next day during business hours, and if the queue wasn’t too long, and it wasn’t during the lunch hour, undoubtedly some employee of the Republic could be persuaded to sell me some stamps.
M. Chevalier finished his explanation, doffed his hat, and practically clicked his heels. I, of course, was speechless and could barely stammer thanks. Truthfully, I would have hugged him on the spot if I’d thought his dignity could take it. The whole thing was just so cute.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 14:16:48
I would love to go to Paris. I have family there that I’ve never met. My Daddy’s been and told me stories, & hubby was in Andlau. He loved it and swears we’ll go there one day..
The book sounds delightful.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 14:47:13
This book sounds tres interesting. I would love to visit Paris and have cafe au lait at an outdoor cafe.
Love ∧ Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
Apr 28, 2010 @ 15:22:00
I suppose some people might be amazed to hear that my Parisian experience was generally positive.
I was on a high school trip (between Junior and Senior year) and Paris was our last stop on a 10 day tour. We stayed in Paris for 3 days.
While not all of my compatriats attempted to SPEAK French, I was a Francophile at the time and refused to speak English, even though my French wasn’t that great. The Parisians thought I was adorable. While initially snooty and cold, after massacring my way through a few sentences in Franch, they took pity on me and spoke English. They were quite friendly! I did notice that my peers who did not TRY speaking French had an entirely different experience. ;)
Our last day, we took the Metro into Paris for more shopping, eating, meandering. The hostel we were staying at had a curfew of 8pm. At around 5pm we began our trek back. However, the Metro workers decided to strike, which I discovered later was a common event, but which left us stranded in downtown Paris. We had to walk the 5-6 miles to our hostel. It was about 10pm or so before we got there and it had been locked. It took another hour or so before our teachers could explain the situation and convince them to let us all in. While I did enjoy the foot tour of Paris, it was, frankly, a very frustrating and exhausting final day in France.
@Stephanie: The only problem with the Louvre, IMO, is that it could take you a lifetime to see everything. I was so mentally exhausted after trying to get through the place in one day! I was also immensly disappointed with the Mona Lisa. I looked at it and thought: “That’s it!? That’s the big deal?” I didn’t get it. I thought there were so many other, more amazing pictures there.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 15:48:07
I haven’t been to Paris (yet) but I hope to go over for a few days the next time I’m in London. My spouse is a serious amateur photographer who loves gargoyles so we want to go to Notre Dame to shoot. Aside from that, I just want to eat myself silly. The best breakfast places in London are the French patisseries so I can just imagine how good they’d be in Paris.
Apr 28, 2010 @ 16:46:56
I am a bigtime anglophile but I have to admit Paris is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited. I’ve been to Paris several times and love it even more now that the bistros are smokefree. In my opinion, women in Paris have a stylishness I’ve never seen duplicated anywhere. Go there and you will understand the meaning of chic!
Apr 28, 2010 @ 19:35:07
Ivy, Andlau? I can’t believe it! Such a tiny place to mention, but I love Andlau. I had the most hilarious “randonnée gastronomique” with some family once. Picture us hiking through hills, forests, and vineyards, wine glass dangling from a cord around our neck, ready to be refilled at every stop.
Jody, I, too, have faced the sneer at the tabac over postage stamps. But did not have Maurice Chevalier to rescue me, sigh.
Randi & Stephanie, I agree with you on the Mona Lisa, but do profoundly love the Louvre, inside and out. There are spots I could just sit for hours with the hair rising on the back of my neck from awe. (And have sat for hours.)
These stories are so much fun! Definitely those who haven’t been, I hope you get a chance to go soon, to have your own things to “Blame on Paris”. (She’s a strong city; she can take it.)
Apr 28, 2010 @ 19:58:31
Well, I’m going back in just over a week. My family is in Paris so it’s a second home to me despite being based in London. Unlike other cities, what makes Paris special is how you can be continually amazed by its sheer beauty, even as a long term resident.
As an Englishwoman and a confirmed tea drinker, my favourite (not so) hidden part of Paris is the tea room at the Musee Jacquemart Andre. Bliss.
Apr 29, 2010 @ 00:15:57
I’ve never been to Paris, but was taught French in school from second grade to fourth, and then again in seventh and eighth. Which by that time meant there was no way I was going to keep up with my more learned schoolmates. Sigh.
But, I still remember the little ditty about Napoleon taught early on, which is basically the American version of B-I-N-G-O.
If I ever travel to Paris, I don’t think it would be the desserts and sauces that would be my downfall. It would be the breads and cheeses. Yeah, a dessert here and there, but give me a hunk of bread and cheese, or bread, butter and cheese, and I’m ALL good. LOL
Apr 29, 2010 @ 07:34:16
@Anon76:
I’m a bread and cheese girl myself, but once I tasted duck confit and profiteroles… Ooh, la la!
Thank goodness for all the walking, or I’d have rolled home.
Apr 30, 2010 @ 16:32:15
My friend and I took a girl’s week-long escape to London and Paris last December. In Paris, they had the Christmas Fair and a giant blue Ferris Wheel. We’d spent the day at Versailles, and enjoyed a lovely dinner and I insisted that we MUST ride the blue wheel before returning to our hotel.
The men running the Ferris Wheel discovered we were from Seattle, and for some reason, they found it hilarious. I tried to flirt in French, and apparently did a good job. Too good.
We found ourselves on the wheel with two French women who didn’t speak English, but the view was lovely and we had a good time. Each time we reached the bottom, the men threw us kisses and waved. I think the French women thought we were American tramps.
We finally reached the end, (or so we thought) of the ride, the other two women got out, and one of the men asked if her could ride around with us. We didn’t really know what to say, then he was inside in the seat and we were off. And off, and off. Around and around.
He told me he was “enchanted”. I told him I was married. Very married. He seemed quite disappointed, but still we rode around and around.
We were getting quite sick of the Ferris Wheel, and couldn’t figure out how to tell him we’d had enough.
Finally, the ride ended — we stumbled off the Ferris wheel and waved good-bye.
And I learned a valuable lesson, DO NOT FLIRT with French men. Ever.
Apr 30, 2010 @ 17:39:03
Wow, what great stories about Paris. It seems like our readers are feelin’ the lurve for the City of Light in spite of rain, language barriers and professional sneerers.
Okay then, ladies. The random winners are
7 – Karen
18 – LauraD
36 – Jody
Please email me at Jayne @ dearauthor.com with your snail mail addresses, which edition you would like (older trade cover or newer mass market) and how you would like Laura to dedicate your book.