15.38 - From Tabacs to Art: Your Weekly French Cultural Compass
In this FREE le Bulletin our exploration takes us from Parisian bistros to artistic treasures-let's head go & experience what makes France truly magnifique. PLUS our BookClub is active again!!
Today at a Glance: Your FREE weekly newsletter
Bonjour mes amis !
It’s wonderful to have you back here with me today! Bienvenue !
In this newsletter, you’ll find fresh articles, “From Tabacs to Art: Your Weekly French Cultural Compass.”
Watch out for and don’t miss the PAID subscriber edition of le Bulletin on Saturday this weekend: “15.38.a - France's Social Secret: The Community Networks Everyone Else Misses - It’s not too late to subscribe←
AND IMPORTANTLY, our MyFrenchLife French BookClub is active again. Please let us know if you’d like to read with us in English or in French and share the word - invite your friends - the more the merrier!
BookClub Announcement: #Mona'sEyes
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Since 'Mona's Eyes' (Les Yeux de Mona) by Thomas Schlesser was first published in France on 31 January 2024, I have been posting about it elsewhere in this BookClub group because I was certain such a special (and acclaimed) novel would eventually be translated.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE FOR YOU, yes, all of you.
Bonjour mes amis,
In case you haven’t already had a look, our new community Zine MyFrenchLife.org is looking better every day - Have a peep :)
À bientôt !
Warmly,
Judy - 20.09.2025
1. MyFrenchLife™Magazine new articles
“There are many talented contributors to MyFrenchLife Magazine and I thank all of you for sharing your experiences with us in such an engaging manner.
You take us right across France & deep into many worm-holes. We delight in discovering
and learning more about France beyond the cliché”
Merci
Judy
a) Le tabac: a French national treasure
by Jenn Bragg
Recently, I was talking to my friend Sara here in Paris, and we got on the topic of the tabac in France. A tabac is a one-stop shop for many seemingly unrelated tasks that one may need to accomplish. I can’t compare it to anything I’ve seen in other countries because there’s nothing quite like it, writes Jenn Bragg.
b) Restaurant review: Panurge, 24 rue du Sentier, Paris 2
by Claude Kolm
Panurge, which opened about three weeks ago (at the time of writing), is the bistrot sister of Pantagruel. The latter started at this same location, and over the years, chef Jason Gouzy evolved Pantagruel more in a gastronomic direction. “
With Panurge taking over the location, Pantagruel will soon reopen on the rue de Richelieu in the space once occupied by Zébulon, among other restaurants. If you loved Pantagruel, which opened in December 2019, you will love its successor, Panurge,” writes Claude Kolm.
c) Calder's "Spirale" sculpture and its best friend, the Eiffel Tower
by Kelsey Rose
Alexander Calder’s most breathtaking Parisian sculpture shares the grey-toned sky of the country’s capital with the Frenchest woman: La Tour Eiffel.”
I absolutely love seeing this picture of Calder near Spirale because it immediately makes me think of what I’ve read about his spirt and self. He’s always described first as being very American. To give a little context, he was born and raised in Pennsylvania to artist parents, then moved alongside Europeans and those from other continents as he explored, created, displayed, circus-ed, and sculpted,” writes Kelsey Rose.
2. Merci mille fois
“Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’, the newsletter of MyFrenchLife Magazine.”
Judy MacMahon
Chers amis (dear friends)
As I reflect on this week's treasures, I'm filled with gratitude for the remarkable writers who make this newsletter possible… all of whom are sharing their lives and French adventures with us from France. I’m in love with the MyFrenchLife Contributors, and I imagine that you are too!
- Jenn Bragg's genuine curiosity about French culture - evident in her exploration of tabacs - reminds us why we fell in love with France's delightful contradictions in the first place.
- Claude Kolm's dedication to sharing the evolution of Paris's dining scene, from Pantagruel to Panurge, shows us how tradition and innovation dance together in French cuisine.
- And Kelsey Rose's artistic vision, connecting Calder's American spirit with Parisian skies, perfectly embodies the international love affair with France that brings us all together in this community.
These contributors aren't just writers - they're cultural ambassadors, each offering their unique lens through which we can view and appreciate the multifaceted beauty of French life. They remind me daily why I'm so passionate about curating these experiences for you, our cherished francophile family.
As we close another chapter of our weekly French escapade, I'm grateful you're part of this wonderful community that celebrates not just France, but the diverse voices that help us understand it better. Until next week and more French secrets to unveil, garde le sourire ( keep smiling) and remember - every contributor makes our French journey richer!
Tendrement vôtre,
A bientôt
Judy 20.09.2025 🇫🇷
judy@myfrenchlife.org
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