Napoleon and Paris at the Musée Carnavalet

The decisive transformation of Paris in the mid-nineteenth century took place under Napoleon III. But his uncle Napoleon, who held power over France and a broad swath of Europe several decades earlier, had his own notable role in the evolution of the city. In an exhibition now in its final days, the Musėe Carnavalet retraces the impact of Napoleon on the city of Paris.

Continue reading Napoleon and Paris at the Musée Carnavalet

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc: Visions of an Architect

Eugène Viollet-le-Duc was a passionate, iconoclastic man who became one of the most influential architects of the nineteenth century. Generations have read his writings, followed his teachings and admired his buildings. Paris’s Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine has recently opened a new show that retraces the work of this inimitable and unparalleled figure.

Continue reading Eugène Viollet-le-Duc: Visions of an Architect

Paris Reborn in Chinese

Paris Reborn has been published in simplified Chinese by SSAP, Beijing.

I am delighted that the book is now available to Chinese readers, who are showing great interest in urban issues and to the teachings of Paris’s history.

The Chinese edition contains a new introduction by the author and special illustrations.

I have added a page to this web site with information in Chinese.

More information is available at the book page on the publisher’s web site.

The book can be purchased at dangdang.com.

Marseille’s Friche Belle de Mai

Marseille’s year as European capital of culture has come and gone. But in the north of the city, an extraordinary cultural and urban experiment begun more than twenty years ago continues.

Friche Belle de Mai is far from the Vieux Port, the historic Panier district that draws tourists from around the world, and the spanking new cultural facilities designed by famous architects. But if you are visiting Marseille and are interested in seeing a living place that reflects the true pulse of the city, this should be your first priority.

Continue reading Marseille’s Friche Belle de Mai

Place de la République – An interview with TVK

Eight months after the opening of the new Place de la République, I sat down with Pierre-Alain Trévelo, one of the two partners of TVK, the up-and-coming Paris-based firm responsible for the square’s design, for an inside take on the insights and learnings from this emblematic project.

Continue reading Place de la République – An interview with TVK

Auguste Perret at the Palais d’Iéna

Auguste Perret was a founding father of modern architecture in Europe. An exhibition at the Palais d’Iéna, one of Perret’s own buildings, presents eight of his masterpieces in a highly didactic and well-presented exhibition.

Continue reading Auguste Perret at the Palais d’Iéna