The New Paris

by Lindsey Tramuta, Charissa Fay (Photographer)

The city long-adored for its medieval beauty, old-timey brasseries, and corner cafés has even more to offer today. In the last few years, a flood of new ideas and creative locals has infused a once-static, traditional city with a new open-minded sensibility and energy. Journalist Lindsey Tramuta offers detailed insight into the rapidly evolving worlds of food, wine, pastry, coffee, beer, fashion, and design in the delightful city of Paris. Tramuta puts the spotlight on the new trends and people that are making France’s capital a more whimsical, creative, vibrant, and curious place to explore than its classical reputation might suggest. With hundreds of striking photographs that capture this fresh, animated spirit, The New Paris shows us the storied City of Light as never before.

Genres: France, Travel, Nonfiction, Lifestyle

271 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2017

Reviews

[Samantha Verant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coupled with Fay’s stunning photography, Tramuta’s The New Paris brings one of the oldest and beautiful cities– the city of light– into a new light. A beautiful, well-researched book, this is more than a travel guide or a list of things to do; it’s almost as if the heart of Paris is beating right in your hands.

[Kristen Beddard · Rating 5 out of 5]

With inspiring stories, interesting profiles, insider tips and stunning photos, The New Paris is Lindsey Tramuta's love letter to her home, proving that Paris is no longer a city stuck in the past but once again at the forefront of culture. She will leave you eager to book the next flight out.

[Patrick Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by Paris, but originally this was mainly from a historic and architectural perspective. Having been lucky enough to re-visit the city many times, I found myself drawn more frequently to the 3rd and 4th arrondisements and then further into the 9th, 10th and 11th without fully knowing why. This book explains and expands on what it was that seemed to be beckoning to me from this part of the city - the sense of experimentation and new things happening on nearly every corner.

The New Paris can be read as a guidebook but it works equally well for anyone curious about the people and forces that have absorbed traditional French culture and adapted it, added to it and sometimes defied it to create new restaurants, shops, bars, hotels, etc., infusing the city with a renewed sense of vigor.

The writing is clear and always interesting - I found myself reading the section on shopping (not one of my interests) even more intently than the cocktail section (definitely an interest).

Enjoy.

[D Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Paris is an ambitious, exhilarating book that goes far beyond a charming collection of hidden treasures. With an astute mind, a discerning eye and a huge heart, Lindsey Tramuta adeptly explores the exciting movement happening in Paris right now and brings it to the forefront, with beautiful imagery by Charissa Fay that feels like the Paris we already know, but a fresh and forward thinking version. I have just returned from my sixth trip to the city and really wish I'd had this book to inform my visit and take it to a level I have not yet experienced, but have found myself longing for - one that until this book I didn't know existed to this extent. But there will be a next time and thanks to The New Paris I cannot wait to meet my new Paris.

[Netts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the "New Paris" in the sense of a narrow niche that appeals (and caters) to wealthy, upwardly mobile expats. It's "OMG, single origin coffee!" replacing "OMG, macarons!". Which is not a bad development - I very much appreciate the better coffee - but it's a selective, superficial and white-washed version of the real city for American tourists.

[Sophie – on semi-hiatus✌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and beautifully layouted book that paints a portrait of a vibrant 'new' Paris. As amazing and beautiful a city that Paris is, there has perhaps also been an air of staidness and storied tradition to, in particular, its restaurant scene. This book profiles some of the people bringing a breath of fresh air to in particular Paris' food, bar and café scene by - amongst other things - looking for inspiration from outside of France and not being afraid to think beyond the traditional.

I will definitely be trying some of these places on my next trip to Paris.

[Riegs · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received my finished copy through Goodreads Giveaways.***

This book is beautifully put together. The colors and photography are amazing. As for the content, it describes how Paris as a global city continues to change and influence the realms of food, politics, and social movements in Europe - while still maintaining its own distinct culture. A good gift for a Francophile or a person interested in Global Culture.

[Kiki Tsakalakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sublime view of Paris through its locals. The interviews and photography keep you turning the page jotting down what you should go visit next when in Paris. A wonderful gift or indulgence for yourself. Curl up in your most comfortable chair and escape is the best sentiment in enjoying this book! Truly elegant!

[Laura | What's Hot? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like author Lindsey Tramuta, I studied French language and literature at university. However after being forcibly swamped in the works of the French Greats: Molière, Racine, Flaubert, Stendhal & more, I'd fallen out of love with the subject I had dedicated four years of my life to. Then I picked up The New Paris, and three pages in i was already remembering why I love France, why I love Paris, why I love French. Lindsey writes of the Paris that I discovered in 2015 when I was on my year abroad, a Paris I had forgotten in the mad rush towards finals. Highly recommended for Francophiles.

[Mister Moose · Rating 2 out of 5]

God forbid that anyone 'fuel a movement' that makes Paris anything but Paris. This book reminds me of the horribly facetious story about the Pigalle quarter in the NY Times a year or so ago--it's fatuous, vain, and unknowing. I read the author on a lot of the cameos in this book in bits and bobs she's done for various U.S. magazines and newspapers, and so I can't quite fathom the interest of the same plain-vanilla reporting in long format.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting to read about hidden gems in Paris. Instead this book is focused on the movement to create a New Paris, or as I see it an American Hipster in Paris. When I visit Paris, I don't want to feel like I'm in Chicago, LA, or New York. Many of the restaurants featured are excellent but this book was too "BoBo" for me.

[Katrina Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book: so thoroughly researched, engagingly and eloquently written, and beautifully photographed and designed. It has already inspired me to head back to Paris (book in hand, pages tagged) and venture beyond my usual happy places of the 1st and 6th arrondissements to the 3rd and beyond. I highly recommend it.

[Heidi Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this was going to be more of a travel guide... It might be if I wasn't planning my first trip...

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must when visiting Paris.

[NancyS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book which would have been nicer with less emphasis on food and drink and more on other aspects of the city.

[Katya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up in hopes of it being less a travel guide, more a treatise on Paris in recent years, and in that it didn't disappoint. It's clear that Tramuta loves her adopted city, and is deeply passionate and informed about the young boundary-pushing creatives lighting up Paris. Her reach and connections make for interesting insight into these makers' stories.

Still, I had a very difficult time with her writing style; it wasn't bad, or boring, or offensive, and yet completely failed to hold my attention. I read the entire 300-page book and I couldn't tell you much of what it said. It didn't help that every chapter is some variation of 'young [possibly expat] chef/baker/bartender/jeweler tries something ostensibly new, succeeds' the repetitiveness of which I began to tune out after a time. Thankfully, the photography is gorgeous.

It's a worthwhile book to pick up if you are curious about the newer, more modern aspects of this city rather than the historic recommendations you'll find in traditional guidebooks. The book is beautifully designed (although the font is irritatingly tiny) and has plenty of recommendations.

[Brad Azevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great love story to a city that most definitely needed a kick in the pants. I've visited Paris almost annually for the past 15 years and with each visit I have been thrilled to see the changes highlighted by Lindsey. As she points out, despite its reputation, I've often found eating and drinking well in Paris to be something of a chore—save pastries and baked goods. This book is a terrific resource for return visitors like me (and newbies alike) who are seeking to go beyond the storied buildings and monuments to experience the new wave in food, drink and craft. It is great to see France embracing the future and returning to craft and it never ceases to amaze me when I walk into these new-style establishments where English is very often the lingua franca—possibly the most radical change I've seen in France over the years.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot tell who is the intended audience for this book. It is a blend of anecdotal travel guide and political science/historical analysis, complete with footnotes. The places and people described are appealing, and the pictures are lovely. The writing is oddly repetitive - there are so many explanations of “bistronomy” that I wondered if the editor just missed sections.
Good, not great. Could have been much shorter with the same info. Not particularly useful as a guidebook, as there are no maps,the vendor listings are organized by type and not location, and there is no contact info given for places other than their physical addresses. If you want to be able to find these places, just go online and skip the book - the author’s site is lostincheeseland.com
If you want the analysis of how Parisian society is changing with the generations, well, this might be your jam.

[Mike Violano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luckily discovered this new book on the New Paris at the library in advance of an upcoming trip with my wife. I've had the good fortune to visit Paris for business and pleasure many times since the early 1990s. Author Lindsey Tramuta, an American expat and superb photographer Charissa Fay have crafted wonderful new twists and insights on food and restaurants, drinks and newfound attractions in arrondissements. Especially enjoyed the chapters on coffee, wine bars and craft cocktails. Populated with new chefs, mostly millennial movers and shakers, bakers and bartenders and shop owners who speak with great enthusiasm and passion. I've already marked a few of Lindsey's favorites, including Holybelly restaurant, as must visit stops on our coming journey.

[Natalie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tramuta transcends the guidebook by creating a hyrbrid of textbook, guidebook, and magazine on the shift of Parisian culture and ultimately, what it means to live there today. I have been so out of touch with the Paris scene in the past decade and her in-depth reporting accompanied by the vibrant photos of Charissa Fay will make you want to book a trip stat and see how Parisians are slowly (always slowly!) embracing the change of entrepeneurship and getting out of their own staunched traditions yet respecting them at the same time.

A must-read if you are a Francophile, need Paris recommendations, or love learning about cities and culture.

[Joe Baur · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a mountain of material on Paris, but I was drawn to Lindsey's book in my search of something more current. As promised by the title, Lindsey's book offers the latest in food, wine, tech, and more in Paris. Following up the read with a tour of her website is highly recommended to better track the various restaurants, for example, that she references in the book. I can say, fresh off my Paris trip, that her recommendations do not disappoint.

[Mid Century Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is Paris on your wish list of places to visit – for its art, fashion, cuisine? As a destination to escape the world, or to experience it more fully? The contradictory nature is noted in this book, which places the city at the crossroads of globalization. Features citizens and their stories, covered with journalistic curiosity and vibrant photography. For full review, see MidCenturyBooks.Net, Paris

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty, drawn-out magazine profile of some attractive people in a beautiful city doing farmer's market and artisan things. There's some attention paid to colonialism, which is cool, and gorgeous photographs, which are also nice. I'd use this as a guidebook more than an in-depth look at how the Parisian cultural and social scenes are changing, and will definitely return to it next time I visit Paris.

[Laura Bradbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book about Paris’ new breed of young artisans. It was written and researched by the wonderful Lindsey Tramuta - the creative mind behind the glorious @lostncheeseland IG account. The is a perfect sit-down-and-savour-a-treat book to pour over. And thanks to THE NEW PARIS I have a new list of places to visit next time I’m in Paris. Recommended, and not just to get you in the right mindset for My Grape Paris.

[Cédric Morel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed diving into TheNewParis, I learned a lot about the city I have been living in for 10 years now, especially about these new places Lindsey describes in the last chapter. I recommend this book for Paris lovers but also for French residents who would definitely rediscover their city with a different angle

[Anne-Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a fun, dreamy read, whisking the reader away to the new sites of Paris. There are a ton of great places I'd love to check out the next time I'm in the City of Light. I'm a bit old school Paris though, and just hope these new, fun places don't turn Paris into Brooklyn. Although I love Brooklyn, when I'm in Paris, I want to BE in Paris.

[Drew Ayling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the book is just a big advertisement to the businesses - there are some great details about the history and context of the restaurants or the shops, but it's very superficial and just name drops business after business. If you're looking for cultural history of Paris, pass - if you want a list of places to check out, skip to her list at the end.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a disservice to call this a guidebook, although it's full of places that inspire me to discover Paris all over again. The absolutely beautiful photography made it even more of a pleasure to read.

[Alaina Sloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical guide to the new trends in food and design in Paris over the last 5-10 years and some of the author's favorite places in categories like coffee, cocktails, and clothing. I'm looking forward to trying some of them.

[Kent District Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixing the old with the new, The New Paris features Parisian innovators that are changing the way food, fashion, and design are paving the way for French culture. If you’ve ever read In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney, you’ll love this. And, it’s gorgeous!