A big part of how I keep up with all the latest developments in my adopted country is, of course, living here. I organize almost a dozen monthly business and social events and am always learning how to integrate more deeply into my life here. I suspect I’ll always be learning, even as the end of my sixth year in France approaches.
But another part of how I learn about France in general and Paris in particular is through great email newsletters. Now, I am a person who hits “unsubscribe” pretty regularly, so I’m not idly sending you these recommendations. These are newsletters I read regularly and tell people about who want consistent sources of valuable information. I don’t think you’ll be unsubscribing to any of them soon, and like me, you’ll probably tell others about them.
Jean Taquet
I’ve mentioned his name numerous times on this site and he’s permanently featured in my sidebar. Jean has been a mentor and friend in my immigration journey and I would not be here without him. But before I ever met him in person I started reading his newsletter about a year after I arrived. It comes out once a month and is primarily oriented to those who are seeking to immigrate or maintain a life in France, but is also full of insights into how the French think, work, and relax and is almost always headlined by a musical song Jean uses as his muse for that particular issue. You can find many archives as well as subscribe to the newsletter by going to his website.
Heather Stimmler
Heather runs the very well-known (but now ironically named) Secrets of Paris newsletter. I say ironically because it’s no secret to those in the know that Heather saves us a lot of time. She keeps up on the latest cultural news, but also the “oh this just opened” happenings. A perfect example? The newly opened “Liberation of Paris” Museum, which she visited, gave useful tips for, and documented for us here. You can subscribe to her newsletter and get these and other treasures each month.
Adrian Leeds
If Jean Taquet shares some of his personal life, and Heather Stimmler a few more details, Adrian Leeds shares everything with you. Adrian’s style is not for everyone, but when it comes to property and property trends in Paris, she’s really made a name for herself and has been very helpful in helping me understand leases, rights, and the rental market here in Paris. I told her the last time we corresponded that the best piece she shared with us last year was a précis of an insightful presentation she was asked to give to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the subject of making Americans feel more welcome at the 2024 Olympics. Adrian has not one, but two newsletters, and you can find them on her home page under “publications.”
Parisian Fields
As someone who will often mention “architecture” as one of the reasons I love living here (something at least partially attributable to studying abroad in Rome as an undergrad), Parisian Fields is an absolute jewel of leisurely long-form writing. It features photos and commentary from Philippa Campsie, and is a no-holds-barred deep dive into urban design, history, and life here and now in Paris. Check out this recent article which talks all about the different styles of benches we have in the city and how they evolved in relation to gardens in France. Or how about this one, which as you can tell by its title, sheds no tears about the loss of the Trocadero Palace many years ago. She’s only recently back after a hiatus from blogging, so become a (free) subscriber and encourage her to keep at it!
The Local
I saved The Local for last because I thought…doesn’t everyone know about The Local? They do an excellent job of promoting their pieces through social media, but in case you don’t know, they also have a newsletter. The Local is all about providing “on the ground” news and information by scanning the French magazines and newspapers and providing what is relevant to English speakers who cannot easily do the same, be it through time or language barriers. Subscribe to their newsletter here.
Any favorites of yours that should have made this list? Please share in the comments!
Photo courtesy of Webaroo
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Thank you for this — and Oh, my goodness, Adrian was a good friend of my father and step-mother — she assisted them with their annual stays in Paris — and went on to become a dear friend. My father has since deceased and my step-mother certainly misses Paris. I’ve only had the pleasure of meeting Adrian once, but I’m delighted to know that she continues to do well. I’ll definitely check out her latest newsletter. As for me, I just returned from a glorious week in Brittany… dreaming of the day I will be able to spend extensive time in France… 🙂
Thanks for sharing Mari!
…as a matter of fact, I now recall photos and mentions of my Dad in early editions of ParlerParis. Doux souvenirs!
Hello Stephen,
Thanks for this list. I already read three of these regularly and I will start with the others. If you are a fan of the development of Paris from around 1850 to the 1980’s or so, you might want to look at the FaceBook page of John d’Orbigny Immobilier. Every Sunday he (and I think this is a fictitious name) publishes numerous photos and commentary on a historical event, a neighborhood, a social issue, etc., in Paris during that time. The photos are fascinating, the commentary quite clever.
I could not agree more. The John d’Orbigny page is fascinating, entertaining, and well-researched. (I keep hoping to spy photos of my Parisian relatives…!)
Thanks Craig!
Many thanks for your kind words and for introducing me to some interesting new sites I hadn’t seen before.
How about FUSAC’s newsletter?
I’ll look into it Lucy. What do you like about it?