Tags
bal des debutantes, books, France, french culture, Life in Paris, lifestyle, Paris, Travel, wine, wine salon
Yesterday was one of those crisp, sapphire-blue days that winter often offers to us here in Paris. I spent the afternoon at the Salon du Livre at the Mairie du 16ème. As you know, Paris is broken into 20 smaller towns (called arrondissements), each with their own city hall and local government. I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with 60+ French authors including the French translator of the Harry Potter series, Jean-François Ménard, which was an enlightening experience.
The French are a literary people. Reading and discussing are a part of their culture much like sports or cinema is a part of ours. I remember being taken aback when I first arrived in Paris by all the people reading on the metro or bus. The plethora of book shops dotting the streets was a warm reminder that I had entered a society of high-cultural, much like I felt as a young woman of 20 studying in Cambridge, Mass – something about that intellectual feel in the air, some unnamed sense of bookishness that enchanted me. I found it again here in Paris.
Even more than books, an intrinsic part of French culture is their wine, as we’ve discussed a great lengths on this blog. Last weekend, while I was in Angers, Paris hosted the Independent Wine Producers Salon. I always, save for this year, make a point of going to this event. It was one of the first dates my husband ever took me on, when he introduced me to the representatives of his family’s vineyard near Saint Emilion. I remember being a little overwhelmed sipping of a wine produced on the land of someone I knew, someone I’d just begun to date. That was the debut of my love for wine, more than love, really; admiration is a better word for how I feel about wine. I used to drink wine what my mom liked, or whatever someone else ordered at dinner. Since moving to France, you can hardly help not becoming an amateur connoisseur, especially living among the family I married into.
The Salon is great fun if you ever find yourself in Paris at the end of November. It is an expo of Independent Producers, which means those who do not belong to a winery group or enterprise, the traditional wine makers who, in many cases, have been producing their wine as a family for generations. You pay a small entrance fee and then you can taste, participer à une degustation, as many of the wines as you like. Remember to take a taxi or the metro, because it can get a little fuzzy if you don’t do as the pros and spit the wine out after tasting.
Last weekend also played host to the annual Bal des Débutantes in Paris. Last year, we saw Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah and Andy MacDowell’s youngest daughter parading in their haute couture gowns. This year, we had Sylvester Stallone’s daughter, Sophie, Rosanna Arquette’s daughter, Zoe, and Celine Bucken, the young actress from Spielberg’s film War Horses. For the last twenty years at the gilded venue of the Hotel Crillon, le Bal des débutantes has entertained a select group of daughters from the noble houses of Europe and Hollywood stars in a fashion we haven’t seen since the days of the 19th century’s Coming Out Balls. The young ladies learn how to make their entrance, dance and mingle with other young persons of note who this year included Brownen Carter, daughter of the editor in chief of Vanity Fair and Lily Rivikin, daughter of the current US Ambassador. The young ladies are escorted by handpicked young men of notable rank. It’s all very reminiscent of the Royal Presentation of British aristocrats’ daughters before Queen Elizabeth put a stop to the tradition in the 1960s. Interesting, it’s France, the one European monarchy that guillotined their King and Queen, that has kept up such a tradition. The organizer of the Ball, Ophélie Renouard, has recently announced she has plan to export her idea to Moscow and Beijing in the coming year.
So that’s a touch of Parisian life for the last two weeks. This past weekend ended for me with an afternoon tea (very British idea for France, really) to introduce the newest member of my French family, a baby boy named Joseph (two months today!).
Have the French much taken to reading on devices, such as the Kindle?
That’s an interesting question. I don’t see them nearly as much as here as I do back in the States, at the airports, for instance. But I’m really not sure. I don’t know anyone with one, if that is any indication. But I’m a real book person, so it might be a biased samples too. I’ll see if there are any stats on it. Take care.
What a glittering lifestyle!
Best wishes,
Nancy
If only I was 18 again and could sneak a peek into the world of a debutante…
xoxo
I knew one, but she didn’t talk about her deb experience. There was a lot of media coverage of debs and their parties in the 60s, and the main thing I remember is how tiring the “season” was. These days, we think 18 is far too young to find your husband, but it’s a great excuse to buy beautiful dresses!
lovely piece, crisply written. Enjoyed it, although I also felt the sting of self-reproach on the issue of books and literature, I used to be a very good reader but have become very complacent recently. Looking forward to being in Paris. -Arran.
Thank you kindly! I was, of course, speaking generally about our culture being less literary than the French. I, for one, have definitely been re-acquainted with my Bibliophilia since moving here. I hope you have an excellent vacation. Check out the post on used English book stores while you’re here. They are a treat! All the Christmas lights are now up, so you’re just in time for the festivies.
All my best, Arran.
So interesting to see another snippet of French life. Now I just need to arrange to get there to see it for myself!
The Hungarians have a Ball called the Helicon Ball, not to miss out on all the pomp and circumstance!
Thanks for the peek into this lovely life in Paris.
That’s interesting. I had no idea. I think the Japanese do too, but for their own upper classes. I’ve heard something about it, but I’m not sure of the details.
Two of my favourite things- books and wine! This is why I love that beautiful French land so much. I went back to Angers recently (I taught there for 7 months) have you been to Le Boudoir owned by Olivier Piat? I highly recommend it!
Me too! Wine and books, my like is complete.
We didn’t go to Le Boudoir, I’ll have to see if my sister-in-law knows of it, and next time we’re over there to visit, we’ll definitely check it out! Thanks for the tip!!
You do not have to repost my comment(but you are welcome to), but I feel you have the situation wrong with the Bal de Debutates… There is too much misinformation out there about this bogus event… a little research is needed by reporters. Morals… Virtues… character… are really at a loss in this event and I do not think we should pretend about it and elevate immorality as if its somethig to aspire to… here is something I just commented on another blog about it…
I feel you really got your story wrong about the Le Bal de Debutantes. Any person is able to see online that your story is just trying to be some sort of feel good social article, and in the same comment act as if a person should be proud to have triad mafia invited. Furthermore, of head of state has ever attended. This is blatantly false. Berlusconi did not attend… he was not head of state at the time, and his ‘born out of wedlock’ daughter went alone. Eastwood also specifically boycotted the event… his estranged daughter went using his name. How unfortunate to be presented to society at that event which turns out to be so bogus. The Ambani inheritors of the monopoly may have lots of money but their staff let them down by not researching the event background… The media also misses the obvious and or never reports it… the truth in which every person is trying to improve their image through the paid services of the organizer. Yes- its a bogus paid event i which the participants hope to use celebrity status i order to look more important and more charitable. The event has never managed to report any substantial charity… and in this case, the celebrity is the Italian Stallion (1970) adult film star Sylvester Stallone. How embarrassing for the Ambani clan to have their daughter presented to the honored guest of an adult film star?! Will she ever find a husband with a reputation like that?!
Who else needed to improve their reputation? Well the Italian girls that are trying to claim Aristocratic status when the titles were banned by constitution 1960… and more importantly Henry Fok… grandfather of one of the debutantes and well established Triad gang member. Indeed a deeper review of the guest lists from various years reveals a sordid and notorious list of wealthy but socially ‘untouchable’ persons.
An interesting point of view. I think you’ll notice that my post is much more general than you give me credit for – a what’s on in Paris article, nothing more. Anyway, you make some interesting points about which I leave our readers to draw their own conclusions. Take care.
My husband and I stopped attending movies in theaters (here in the U.S.) because the sound is excruciating loud. The same goes for sporting events. At least with reading, you can control the volume — pun intended.
Meant to say excruciatingly… couldn’t hear myself think.