Zhanna Agalakova

EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PARIS

To my husband Giorgio, who showed me Paris

To my daughter Alice, who will know him better than me

To my brother Mikhail, who managed to never visit it

Instead of a preface

Slavka, my colleague, is terribly lucky. This is his first time in Paris, just for a day. Covers the European tour of the Foreign Minister. But as it turned out, there is no need to shoot anything today, Slava has an unexpected day off, and she can sit in Montmartre and drink beer. It's a record-breaking warm October, and Slavka expounds on his theory of cities:

As the city greets you for the first time, that’s how it will go. In Yekaterinburg, for example, on my first visit I was terribly unlucky. And since then, the most prepared filming has been disrupted, the most “iron” interviews have been cancelled, no matter how much you crack. And Paris, I feel, is my city.

In three years, Slavka will come to Paris for the second time, again on a business trip. He will arrive for some completely innocent reason, but will find himself in the thick of a farmer protest, filming a luxurious stand-up against the backdrop of a massive fight with the police (batons, blood on the asphalt, twisted arms, the clanging of handcuffs and Slavka with a microphone - all in one shot! - die of envy, what a stand-up). He will spend about three hours on everything and still have time to stop by my place and have a glass of I don’t remember what.

But we don't know that yet. I just arrived in Paris, having replaced the chair of Channel One presenter with that of my own correspondent, and have not yet managed to film a single report. We are sitting in Montmartre, drinking beer, and I remember how Paris once greeted me.

I think it was '94. There was no money, I got to Paris by bus - it was cheaper. For two days I watched how the cows in the fields floating outside the window became more purebred and fatter, and the houses became richer and more flowery. In Paris, at Notre Dame, Giorgio was waiting for me, who traveled to the City of All Lovers from Rome in much the same way. We settled on Rue Mouffetard, the same one where the wonderful film “Window to Paris” was filmed. It was a cramped room in a hotel for poor students, where even bed linen was provided for a fee. And on the very first night, all our money was stolen.

I don't even know why we didn't lock the room for the night. Someone just quietly came in and carefully emptied his pockets. There are only pennies left. Fortunately, we managed to pay for a hotel with breakfast for 8 days in advance and purchased a museum subscription, which was very profitable if you visit 2-3 museums a day. We lived like this for more than a week. A quarter of a baguette, butter, jam and a coffee drink in the morning - that's all the food is. Sometimes we managed to steal the remains of a roll from neighboring tables, and then we had dinner. And in the evenings, sitting by the window in a wretched hotel, we could much more calmly endure the proximity of a Greek restaurant, from which came the unbearable smell of garlic, tomato, and meat. Towards the end of the Parisian holidays, our ribs began to bulge.

We ate mainly spiritual food: 17 museums in 8 days! What a feast it was! Our legs were bleeding (there was no money left for the metro either), we were collapsing from fatigue and impressions. And they were absolutely happy. Paris is the only city in the world where you can suffer without being unhappy. I don’t remember which of the classics said this...

... Slavka likes my story. We take another glass. It’s a magnificent golden October, and I don’t yet know that in a week there will be unrest in the Parisian suburbs. The death of two teenagers while being chased by police will spark unprecedented unrest that will ultimately have a significant impact on the course of the presidential election. People from emigrant families will burn cars, destroy stores, and I won’t sleep for 3 weeks in a row, I’ll shoot 29 reports, which will set a record, I’ll be completely exhausted, I’ll fall out of all my jeans, but I’ll be satisfied: the baptism of fire seems to have passed...

And I will also understand that Paris will always test my strength.

And give more than I expect from him.

In full view

Paris can be seen in some detail on the Internet:

.

There are more than 2000 photos, connected seamlessly. They form the largest panorama of the French capital ever completed. Here is a summary of the 20 most important attractions - from Notre Dame Cathedral to the business district of La Défense.

Elysee Palace

Anyone who looks for the Elysee Palace right on the Champs Elysees will be wasting their time. The residence of the President of the French Republic stands to the side, its official address is 55 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement. But even when you reach this place, you will not see the palace. It is surrounded on three sides by a four-meter stone wall, and the fourth side is decorated with blind gates. When they are opened to let a car in, you can see the courtyard (just a little): a little pavement and a lot of pebbles. It's terribly uncomfortable for heels.

There is another gate in the Elysee Palace. They face Avenue Gabriel from the Champs-Élysées. This is the so-called ceremonial “Rooster Gate”, which is opened only in one case - the ceremonial entry of the newly elected president.

They say that out of all the Parisian palaces, this one, not the most outstanding, was chosen as the residence of the head of state precisely because it is hidden from view. To confuse the hot-tempered people, who almost immediately organize a revolution and storm the royal residence. Remember Versailles, or better yet the Tuileries, which the rebel Communards burned to the ground. Now in its place is a garden of the same name.

The Elysee Palace was built for Count Evreux at the beginning of the 18th century, practically on a vacant lot. In documents then it was referred to as a “mansion”. It became a “palace” much later, after the count’s death in 1753, when Louis XV bought it for his official favorite, the Marquise de Pompadour. And she ordered an underground passage to be dug so that one could enter and exit the mansion unnoticed, which she and her highest patron repeatedly used.

Yes, the residence of the French presidents was a love nest! And more than once...

Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew Louis Napoleon (in 1848 he became the first president of France, but then, in 1852, he was unexpectedly crowned emperor) made the Elysee the main palace of France. He often used the secret loophole for completely non-state purposes. History even preserves the names of his lovely visitors. The passage was then walled up, but for a long time it haunted the first ladies of the republic. They say that Madame de Gaulle, upon entering the palace, first asked about this underground passage.

But the most remarkable story happened with the 7th President of the Republic, Felix Faure (1841–1899). Faure was a great lover of women, but caring for the country took a lot of energy, so he had to resort to increasingly powerful aphrodisiacs and stimulants. On February 16, 1899, he took this drug in the morning in anticipation of a meeting with one of the most daring and extravagant Parisians of that time - Marguerite Stenel (there is a version that the date was with another lady - actress Cecile Sorel). However, important visits dragged on one after another, pushing the sweet moment further and further away. When Faure was finally freed and retired to his chambers with Madame Stenel, his excitement reached such a limit that the 58-year-old man’s body could not stand it. The guards came running to the beauty's scream. The President lay on the floor, his clothes, like those of his guest, in great disarray. Marguerite tried to cover him. She was hastily led out through the gate at the Rooster Gate. Faure died the same day. They tried to keep silent about the circumstances of the death, but someone organized a leak of information. Despite the mourning, opposition newspapers published caustic cartoons.

A nude statue of Madame Stenel stands in one of the halls of the Elysee Palace. She was not a beauty by today's standards, but there was nothing wrong with marble.

In the spring of 1814, when Russian Cossacks were visiting the sights of Paris and getting acquainted with the local population, predominantly female, Alexander the First, the Russian Emperor, was quartered in the Elysee Palace. Interestingly, on the eve of his arrival, the Parisian police received an anonymous message that the palace was mined. Detectives searched every corner, but did not find a bomb.

In the summer of 1815, after the famous Battle of Waterloo, which put an end to Napoleon, Alexander the First again lived in the Elysee Palace and even - curiously - hosted Louis XVIII there in a businesslike manner. The Russian Tsar was waiting for the French King, who was hurrying to him with an honorary award - the Order of the Holy Spirit for services to France - on the porch or, as the French say, on the platform of the Elysee Palace. This started a tradition. In the same way, the French president is now standing there, awaiting the most important guests. A red carpet stretches from the door through the steps and further along the pebbles. On both sides of it stand honor guards with swords and shiny helmets with long horse tails. And only upon closer examination it is clear that there are women among the guards. But they are practically indistinguishable from men.

Zhanna Agalakova EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT PARIS

To my husband Giorgio, who showed me Paris

To my daughter Alice, who will know him better than me

To my brother Mikhail, who managed to never visit it

Instead of a preface

Slavka, my colleague, is terribly lucky. This is his first time in Paris, just for a day. Covers the European tour of the Foreign Minister. But as it turned out, there is no need to shoot anything today, Slava has an unexpected day off, and she can sit in Montmartre and drink beer. It's a record-breaking warm October, and Slavka expounds on his theory of cities:

As the city greets you for the first time, that’s how it will go. In Yekaterinburg, for example, on my first visit I was terribly unlucky. And since then, the most prepared filming has been disrupted, the most “iron” interviews have been cancelled, no matter how much you crack. And Paris, I feel, is my city.

In three years, Slavka will come to Paris for the second time, again on a business trip. He will arrive for some completely innocent reason, but will find himself in the thick of a farmer protest, filming a luxurious stand-up against the backdrop of a massive fight with the police (batons, blood on the asphalt, twisted arms, the clanging of handcuffs and Slavka with a microphone - all in one shot! - die of envy, what a stand-up). He will spend about three hours on everything and still have time to stop by my place and have a glass of I don’t remember what.

But we don't know that yet. I just arrived in Paris, having replaced the chair of Channel One presenter with that of my own correspondent, and have not yet managed to film a single report. We are sitting in Montmartre, drinking beer, and I remember how Paris once greeted me.

I think it was '94. There was no money, I got to Paris by bus - it was cheaper. For two days I watched how the cows in the fields floating outside the window became more purebred and fatter, and the houses became richer and more flowery. In Paris, at Notre Dame, Giorgio was waiting for me, who traveled to the City of All Lovers from Rome in much the same way. We settled on Rue Mouffetard, the same one where the wonderful film “Window to Paris” was filmed. It was a cramped room in a hotel for poor students, where even bed linen was provided for a fee. And on the very first night, all our money was stolen.

I don't even know why we didn't lock the room for the night. Someone just quietly came in and carefully emptied his pockets. There are only pennies left. Fortunately, we managed to pay for a hotel with breakfast for 8 days in advance and purchased a museum subscription, which was very profitable if you visit 2-3 museums a day. We lived like this for more than a week. A quarter of a baguette, butter, jam and a coffee drink in the morning - that's all the food is. Sometimes we managed to steal the remains of a roll from neighboring tables, and then we had dinner. And in the evenings, sitting by the window in a wretched hotel, we could much more calmly endure the proximity of a Greek restaurant, from which came the unbearable smell of garlic, tomato, and meat. Towards the end of the Parisian holidays, our ribs began to bulge.

We ate mainly spiritual food: 17 museums in 8 days! What a feast it was! Our legs were bleeding (there was no money left for the metro either), we were collapsing from fatigue and impressions. And they were absolutely happy. Paris is the only city in the world where you can suffer without being unhappy. I don’t remember which of the classics said this...

... Slavka likes my story. We take another glass. It’s a magnificent golden October, and I don’t yet know that in a week there will be unrest in the Parisian suburbs. The death of two teenagers while being chased by police will spark unprecedented unrest that will ultimately have a significant impact on the course of the presidential election. People from emigrant families will burn cars, destroy stores, and I won’t sleep for 3 weeks in a row, I’ll shoot 29 reports, which will set a record, I’ll be completely exhausted, I’ll fall out of all my jeans, but I’ll be satisfied: the baptism of fire seems to have passed...

And I will also understand that Paris will always test my strength.

And give more than I expect from him.

In full view

Paris can be seen in some detail on the Internet:

.

There are more than 2000 photos, connected seamlessly. They form the largest panorama of the French capital ever completed. Here is a summary of the 20 most important attractions - from Notre Dame Cathedral to the business district of La Défense.

Elysee Palace

Anyone who looks for the Elysee Palace right on the Champs Elysees will be wasting their time. The residence of the President of the French Republic stands to the side, its official address is 55 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement. But even when you reach this place, you will not see the palace. It is surrounded on three sides by a four-meter stone wall, and the fourth side is decorated with blind gates. When they are opened to let a car in, you can see the courtyard (just a little): a little pavement and a lot of pebbles. It's terribly uncomfortable for heels.

ATTENTION! There's a lot of text below. I really need to talk
I read the book in one day. I cannot share the delight of other users. I didn't like it. Absolutely. And I can explain why.
+
Yes, there are a lot of useful and necessary tips (addresses, opening hours, places, streets, where to take beautiful photos, how to save money, etc., etc.), which can be useful for both experienced travelers and beginners in this business But that's where the advantages, unfortunately, end.

-
1. I didn’t catch the logic of the story. The “smooth transitions” from one topic to another were especially confusing. In one chapter, the author describes amazing farmers' markets and markets. As a person who has visited this city, you are already starting to remember something, draw something in...
The next chapter immediately begins with the phrase “My toilet is leaking”...
The only question remains: What should I do about it now?
It was not always clear why the author was talking about this or that thing/situation. How can mice who refused to fall for all sorts of cheeses and agreed to Moscow kozinak convey the atmosphere of Paris? And the toilet??? And there are many such examples.
2. Paragraphs where the author tries to subtly mock people or a situation look more like some kind of parody. And the presence of certain stories from life indicated more likely a desire to show off oneself, rather than Paris
3. The constant ellipses used for the “surprise effect” begin to irritate towards the middle of the book.
4. When it comes to Paris, you expect to see a lot of French text (well, that's logical). What does English have to do with it??? What a must, what too much...
5. Last on the list, but, in my opinion, the most important in importance. This point requires a little clarification: I am a translator of French and English. I was in Paris.
Chapter "Our Lady from Paris", first phrase:
“This is how the name “Notre Dame de Paris” is literally translated...NOTHING LIKE THIS!!! Before writing such things, the information should at least be checked! I knew whose book I picked up, so I didn’t expect this at all
Notre Dame is a stable expression meaning Our Lady, Mother of God. And the joke about the literal translation of “our lady from Paris” is an ordinary story, someone’s blunder that has gone viral. Throughout France there are a huge number of cathedrals containing Notre Dame in their name. Well, it’s clearly not about our ladies.

Bottom line.
As a correspondent, I’m sure Agalakova Zh.L. a high-level specialist (awards are not given out just like that). But as a writer...
If you need specific addresses, places and information that really can't always be found in guidebooks, go for it.
If you already have a lot of experience in traveling (especially to Paris) and decide to get nostalgic, don’t waste your time. better look at the photo)

Everything I know about Paris Zhanna Agalakova

(estimates: 1 , average: 5,00 out of 5)

Title: Everything I Know About Paris
Author: Zhanna Agalakova
Year: 2011
Genre: Nonfiction, Journalism: other, Guides

About the book “Everything I Know About Paris” Zhanna Agalakova

The book “Everything I Know About Paris” will give the reader many vivid and amazing impressions about the most romantic city in the world, which is considered to be the capital of France - Paris.

The author of the book “Everything I Know About Paris” is the famous Russian TV presenter and TV journalist Zhanna Agalakova, who, having studied many sights, customs, laws, rules, habits and other features of this wonderful city and its inhabitants, managed to harmoniously reflect this in the form of a rather exciting and useful work.

The TV presenter’s acquisition of such a wonderful experience, which brought great benefit to people interested in Paris in particular and the culture of different nations in general, was facilitated by her long stay in France, connected with her work as a Russian correspondent in this country.

The book "Everything I Know About Paris" provides a wonderful description of many Parisian attractions, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and many others. Also pleasing are the illustrations of famous places described, deliberately made in black and white.

Here you can find a rather conveniently compiled guide to staying in Paris and the intricacies of its laws, thanks to which you can avoid many curious cases and inconveniences.

For people who have already visited this romantic city, the book will be an excellent guide to their own memories of the trip, will give sweet moments of the feeling of being in Paris and will restore its magic in memory.
Also, on the pages of the book “Everything I Know About Paris” you can find a description of the daily life of the French, whose traditions and habits are very different from those of Russia. For example, it is not customary for the French to cook lunch at home; they prefer restaurants, cafes and other establishments. An interesting fact is that the French are prone to strikes for any reason; for them this is a natural part of life. In France, it is customary to greet each other always and everywhere, no matter where you find yourself and who surrounds you. Very interesting, Zhanna Agalakova describes the features of French cuisine and shares several of its recipes with readers.

Here we will find a lot of useful information about museums, as well as the “Parisian calendar, or what to do in Paris at every time of the year,” which will be of considerable benefit when choosing places to spend time in Paris.

Zhanna Agalakova was born in 1965. She graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at Moscow State University. She was awarded state awards and prizes for her contribution to the development of domestic television and radio broadcasting.

On our website about books, you can download the site for free without registration or read online the book “Everything I Know About Paris” by Zhanna Agalakova in epub, fb2, txt, rtf, pdf formats for iPad, iPhone, Android and Kindle. The book will give you a lot of pleasant moments and real pleasure from reading. You can buy the full version from our partner. Also, here you will find the latest news from the literary world, learn the biography of your favorite authors. For beginning writers, there is a separate section with useful tips and tricks, interesting articles, thanks to which you yourself can try your hand at literary crafts.

Download the book “Everything I Know About Paris” for free by Zhanna Agalakova

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Someone said that only in Paris can you suffer without being unhappy. Zhanna Agalakova, a special correspondent for Channel One, very subtly, with incredible French charm, talks about the most beautiful city in the world. In any case, it is impossible to argue with this statement when reading the book.

Imagine that somewhere an accordion is playing quietly, the smell of roasted chestnuts, and start reading the most elegant book about Paris...

Instead of a preface

Slavka, my colleague, is terribly lucky. This is his first time in Paris, just for a day. Covers the European tour of the Foreign Minister. But as it turned out, there is no need to shoot anything today, Slava has an unexpected day off, and she can sit in Montmartre and drink beer. It's a record-breaking warm October, and Slavka expounds on his theory of cities:

– As the city greets you for the first time, that’s how it will go. In Yekaterinburg, for example, on my first visit I was terribly unlucky. And since then, the most prepared filming has been disrupted, the most “iron” interviews have been cancelled, no matter how much you crack. And Paris, I feel, is my city.

In three years, Slavka will come to Paris for the second time, again on a business trip. He will arrive for some completely innocent reason, but will find himself in the thick of a farmer protest, filming a luxurious stand-up against the backdrop of a massive fight with the police (batons, blood on the asphalt, twisted arms, the clanging of handcuffs and Slavka with a microphone - all in one shot! – die of envy, what a stand-up). He will spend about three hours on everything and still have time to stop by my place and have a glass of I don’t remember what.

But we don't know that yet. I just arrived in Paris, having replaced the chair of Channel One presenter with that of my own correspondent, and have not yet managed to film a single report. We are sitting in Montmartre, drinking beer, and I remember how Paris once greeted me.

I think it was '94. There was no money, I got to Paris by bus - it was cheaper. For two days I watched how the cows in the fields floating outside the window became more purebred and fatter, and the houses became richer and more flowery. In Paris, at Notre Dame, Giorgio was waiting for me, who traveled to the City of All Lovers from Rome in much the same way. We settled on Rue Mouffetard, the same one where the wonderful film “Window to Paris” was filmed. It was a cramped room in a hotel for poor students, where even bed linen was provided for a fee. And on the very first night, all our money was stolen.

In full view

Paris can be seen in some detail on the Internet: blog.paris-26-gigapixels.com.

There are more than 2000 photos, connected seamlessly. They form the largest panorama of the French capital ever completed. Here is a summary of 20 of the most important attractions - from Notre Dame Cathedral to the business district of La Défense.