Paris: Mon Amour

by Jean-Claude Gautrand (Editor)

Le Flaneur, the turn-of-the-century French term for the urban stroller, the street wanderer -- an intellectual with plenty of leisure time to idly traverse the byways of the city, drifting from one quarter to another, making discoveries, meeting old acquaintances, making new ones. It remains the best way to see Paris. This volume of photography is a memoir of numerous walks through the French capital by some great photographers, who set out, like le flaneur, to capture by chance something they had never seen before. These images map and re-map the desired paths and favourite landmarks of one of the most photographed cities in the world, reprinting classic shots from the last two hundred years -- right up to the present day. They poignantly evoke the bars, the cafes, the architecture, the parks and, of course, the vibrancy of the people. Turning the pages is like taking a walk through the history of the city, noting the changes and those elements that are forever Paris -- the tree-lined boulevards, the dimly lit bistros, the narrow passages, and the banks of the River Seine.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, France, Travel, Art Design, Reference

267 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Ely Gocce di Rugiada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una bella raccolta di fotografie sulla vita vera di Parigi.Per intenditori e amanti della fotografia intesa come cogliere l' attimo per capire il cambiamento della storia.

[Pedro Alhinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breve história da fotografia, e de Paris como capital mundial da fotografia, com selecção de imagens icónicas.
Pena que 8 imagens do capítulo "parques e jardins" dispensem a presença humana, quebrando a unidade de leitura visual.

[Avedon Arcadio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book filled with incredible snapshots of a city and it’s people across a long time period. There’s some background context to the history of photography and France but it’s a bit dry and long winded. Regardless if that the pictures here are beautiful and eye opening. As a street photographer myself I appreciate capturing everyday folks out and about living their lives.

I do wish that they were maybe assembled in a more chronological order but overall good book!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rounding up from 3.75 stars. The photographs were beautiful but I found the organization a bit disjointed and the essay prior to the photos was very dry. I did appreciate that the photos were reflective more of the parts of Paris that we don't often see represented and the people who make up the heart of the city.

[Mike Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some lovely, evocative photographs, many showing how much Paris has changed and many others showing how little it has altered. All show affection for thus great city, its people, its culture and its history.
A lovely record.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title in english says it all... "Paris, My Love" and that is what this collection of photographs is all about. The book features a bevy of photos by some of the giants in photography as they present their images of the Paris they loved.
Pictures date from 1836 to late 1960's.

[Aurora Shele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting pictures.. mostly related to people and fugitive nature rather than architecture and history.

[Algernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big format collection of black and white prints from the most famous French photographers: vintage photos, arhitecture, street scenes, night life, famous people, etc. Personally, I prefer "noir et blanc" to colour photography, and I glad I got this book on offer in a small boutique in the Marais. An added bonus is the familiarity of the places, like the one on the cover : Cafe Flores on Boulevard St. Germain, a great spot to have the morning coffee and watch the world pass by.

[The Reading Room at Hamilton House]

Rosalind Harvey

[Stephanie (Stepping Out Of The Page) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of diverse photographs from the city of love.