Exclusive interview with author Olivier Magny and review of his new book that gives an insider’s look at the delights of Paris, Stuff Parisians Like: Discovering the Quoi in the Je Ne Sais Quoi
Rating: 4 Stars
By Gabrielle Pantera
“The idea was to put a bit of truth in all the Paris talk that was going on,” says Stuff Parisians Like author Olivier Magny. His book reveals how to be native Parisian.
To be mistaken for a Parisian, buy the newspaper Le Monde, fold it, and walk. Then sit at a café and make phone calls. Be sure to order San Pellegrino, not any other kind of fizzy water. You shouldn’t be surprised when a waiter brings out two spoons after you order le moelleux au chocolat. It is understood that the dessert is too sinfully delicious not to share.
This book is perfect reading before your trip to Paris or whenever you want to imagine being there. You’ll learn a lot and laugh in the process. This charming little book gives insight into the Parisian lifestyle and is an easy read with vignettes about a many different topics. The French version of this book, Dessine Moi un Parisien, was a best-seller in France last year.
Magny was born and raised in Paris and understands Parisians as a native. The book is full of insight on and witty descriptions of French culture and mores. “Both my parents were born in Paris and lived all their lives in Paris. After 30+ years of immersion, I get things that most people who did not grow up here don’t. Stuff Parisians Like is just me sharing these insights, interpreting them with a tongue-in-cheek perspective. I wanted to share my perspective as a true Parisian on what life here looked like. And if I could, dispel a few myths or a clichés in the process.””
Magny’s tips include visiting l’île Saint-Louis. All Parisians are irredeemably in love with that island. Feel free to boldly cross the street whenever the impulse strikes. Pedestrian crosswalks are too dangerous.
When you take a cruise on the Seine, you want to stand outside, preferably with your collar popped up. To truly be cool in Paris, own an iPhone, wear Converse sneakers, and order sushi. When decorating, use the photographs of Robert Doisneau. For fashion you can’t go wrong wearing black, especially when strolling through the Luxembourg Gardens.
Mangy is currently working on a TV show. “It’s a very exciting project,” he says. “The series is basically about going to explore regions of France but with a food and wine angle. I’m the host of this show so I try to share my passion with people., try to pass on some helpful wine info while also learning great recipes from local chefs. The show is a mix between a travel show, a wine show and a cooking show. I’m in the process of filming season one. It is a whole new adventure for me but I’m loving every second of it.”
Magny runs O Chateau, a wine bar in Paris that’s a six-minute walk from the Louvre. “We offer wine tasting classes in English,” says Magny. “Our wine bar recently got elected Best Wine Bar in Paris. I invited readers to come out to O Chateau on a Tuesday night. And we all got completely drunk. Very un-Parisian!”
Stuff Parisians Like: Discovering the Quoi in the Je Ne Sais Quoi. Author: Olivier Magny. Trade Paperback, 288 pages, Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (July 5, 2011). Language: English, ISBN: 9780425241189 $15.00
[adrotate group=”8″]
