Mark Twain Takes a Shave in Paris

08/04/23 • 6 min

We venerate Mark Twain as a foundational American novelist, but for much of his career he paid his bills by traveling the world, writing of his adventures and recounting them from the stage. In fact, Twain spent 12 years abroad--including nearly two years living in Paris. This is Part 1 of the "Mark Twain and France" series, in which we explore Twain's first encounter with Paris as a reporter on a travel excursion in 1867.

This podcast was created by Roger Mummert for www.theparisproject.net.

This podcast was created by Roger Mummert for www.theparisproject.net.

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Reimagining a Green Notre Dame

The area surrounding Notre Dame Cathedral is being reimagined, as part of the vast greening of Paris. In a few years, the 12 million people who visit the cathedral annually will encounter a surrounding space that is far greener, cooler and more amenable to social interactions.

It may also be more Parisian.

See how the landscape architects of Bureau Bas Smets plan to bring Parisians back to the Ile de la Cité to gather in an inviting and refreshing place in the historic middle of a vast city.

This podcast was created by Roger Mummert for www.theparisproject.net.

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"An Afternoon in Paris"

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) was a native of Berlin, but he had deep roots in Paris. In his essay, "A Berlin Chronicle" from Reflections, he reminisces about the role played by people in his life, from childhood on. Here, while seated in the Café Deux Magots in St-Germain-des-Prés, he has a revelation--an illumination, in his words--that encapsulates the way so many feel about Paris as a place of personal insight and inspiration.

This podcast was created by Roger Mummert for www.theparisproject.net.

Paris: "A City of Ideas" - Mark Twain Takes a Shave in Paris

Transcript

Mark Twain Takes a Shave in Paris...

The Evolution of an Accidental Travel Writer

This is a podcast from theparisproject.net

I’m Roger Mummert

In 1867, a young American reporter on assignment stepped off a train and into a place he called “magnificent Paris.”

He was dazzled by the city where people were “wonderfully Frenchy,” and the surroundings “gay and enlivening.” People sat “at little tables on the sidewalk..