Into A Paris Quartier: Reine Margot's Chapel & Other Haunts of St.-Germain

By Diane Johnson

Modern St.-Germain is lively and prosperous, and fifty years ago its heady mix of jazz and existentialism defined urbane cool, but Johnson takes a longer view. "Beside the shades of Jean-Paul Sartre and Edith Piaf", she writes, "there is another crowd of resident ghosts, misty figures in plumed hats whose fortunes and passions were enacted among these beautiful, imposing buildings". From her kitchen window, she looks out on a chapel begun by Reine Margot, wife of Henri IV; nearby streets are haunted by the shades of two sinister cardinals, Mazarin and Richelieu, as well as four famed queens and at least five kings. Delacroix, Corot, Ingres, David, and Manet all lived in St.-Germain; Oscar Wilde died there; and everybody who was anybody visited sooner or later.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Jun 12, 2007
• ISBN: 9781426201837

Reviews for Into A Paris Quartier

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I ordered Into a Paris Quartier on abe.com, thinking it was another light and funny Diane Johnson novel.Instead, it turned out to be a non-fiction detailed tour of the Quartier St.-Germain, including the buildingthat Johnson and her husband live in for most of the year. Though too much time is spent on the wall outsidetheir kitchen and the bricked in arch, there are many intriguing descriptions which travelers to Paris will enjoy,as well as contrasts between American and French perceptions of life, possessions, and history.For the rest of us, it would be good to expand the book with many, many more photographs.

[carolynschroeder · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I bought this for a trip to Paris next month ~ mostly to learn about the fascinating Sixth Arrondissement (or district) called St. Germain Des Pres. The books was fascinating, especially regarding the history of people in the area, both historically and "fictionally" - from The Musketeer D'Artagnan to Queen Margot and even Hemmingway (who are obviously real people, but much is folklore and fiction at this point). Johnson also focuses much on the artitecture of the area and things that at first glance, are hidden from view. The reviews on this little book are really mediocre and I'm not sure why. I suppose the privileged (name dropping?) life of the author might be off-putting to some. That said, I rather liked it for a precursor to travel to the area. What I like is the author doesn't spoon feed you specific areas to go, restaurants or shop, although she mentions a few. She gives you some basic information to start your own "American in Paris" journey. Recommended if you are travelling to Paris, or just like to read about it.

[carlym_35 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is essentially a long essay on the history, architecture, and life of St.-Germain-des-Pres, the author's neighborhood in Paris. I thought the historical background was interesting, and I liked the descriptions of how remnants of buildings from different time periods are cobbled together. However, the book rambles all over the place, and Johnson is a decided name-dropper.