For anyone ~ Parisian or French native, first-time vistor, avid Francophile and lover of Paris ~ who ever wondered how the métro stations got their fascinating names, this book is for you!  From the detailed history lessons provided to explain métro stop Crimée (named for the war involving the British, French and Russians and involving the Caucasus and the Turkish possession of Romania) to the simple explanation for station Maisons Alfort-Stade ("Stade refers to the municipality's' stadium"), the book covers it all.

The 'chapters' of this little (7 3/4" x 4 1/4"' x 5/8" thick book) are based upon the 14 lines of Paris' Métropolitan transportation system, one of the easiest to use in the world.  The author, who has resided with his family in Paris since 1991, has provided some basic statistics of interest as well:  there are 296 stations (58 of which serve two or more lines); there are stations above ground on lines 1, 2, 5 and 6; there are 211,300 kilometers of track; the system carries 1.2 billion people per year; the busiest stations are St Lazare, Gare du Nord and Gare de Montparnasse; and there are more than 3,500 métro carriages.

An up-to-date métro map is in the front of the book along with the author's choice of 25 places to visit in Paris with their métro stops and a short note highlighting something about the site.  An example that caught our eye was "Madeleine /  Lines 8 and 14 / Station Madeleine / The century-old coffee shop Ladurée is on the rue Royale not far from the church of la Madeleine", since our last newsletter featured the art of Jill Butler who began her illustrating career at Ladurée!

No doubt a great deal of research went into the compilation of the information for this guide book, but we don't view it as a heavy  historic work.  It is, instead, a handy guide to the Paris métro system peppered with historic information, providing interesting notes about the stations ~ probably as much as anyone visiting the city for a few days or even a few weeks would want to know.  Because it is well-organized and easy reading, we suggest that you get a copy before your next visit to Paris.  It will certainly be of help in getting around Paris and provide insight into what is behind grand station names such as La Courneuve-8 mai 1945 or Aubervilliers-Pantin-Quatre Chemins or Bobigny-Pablo Picasso.

LETTERS FROM OCCUPIED FRANCE    ~  1940 : Some Eyewitness Glimpses 

                                                                                                                             presented by Arthur Gillette

Invader Moves In

By four o'clock a stream of swift vehicles, lead-colored, solid-tired, was purring and rumbling toward XYZ, our nearest port; slender-nosed artillery, trailed by trucks of ammunition; motorcycles with sidecars, plastered with spare wheels; three-seated open cars, four soldiers to a seat, each with a short rifle between his knees. Many of the men, armed folded and sitting erect, were sunk in a sleep of exhaustion...

An officer's car pulled into the alley behind the pork store. While the officer made his rounds, the driver slipped into the store, bought a boudin (blood sausage), concealed it under his arm, retired to the closed court in the rear. I was in the back room…and watched him through a crack in the door. Throwing a glance to right and left, to make sure he was not observed, he tore into the dripping meat like a wild animal, swallowed the whole two pounds without apparent mastication, wiped his lips on his sleeve, and regained his chauffeur's seat...

It is obvious that the invaders wish to accomplish their task with a minimum of friction. To date they are pulling their punches… They are treading French soil with velvet-shod boots…

As to the future, our village is holding its breath, with its fingers crossed. Now and again there is a stray straw in the wind. The soldiers who occupy our pink guest room find the color effeminate. They say that if I will buy the paint and wallpaper they themselves will do the manual work of redecoration… 

“But, do you think it will be worth the trouble for so short a time?” I question. 

“Oh yes, they say that we are to be with you for five years.”

                                                                                 Paris   29  Dec. 1940 

                                                           we are all  in good health       tired
                                                                                                      slightly, seriously sick, wounded
                                                                                                      killed, prisoner, deceased
                                                                                                      expecting news from Papa impatiently.
                                                                                                          The whole  family is well.
                                                                                                      needs supplies ... money 
                                                           baggage Jacques' briefcase was picked up by Jean
                                                         works at ... will enter school ... passed ... go to 

This comment from Arthur Gillette accompanied his translation: