Around and About Paris
I am convinced that this guide will constitute from now on, for the British lovers of Paris, a reference book which will have the success it deserves.
French Ambassador to the UK.
Your book amazes me. You paint such a picture of Paris in words, that even one who has never been there, would experience the city, in all its detail, from a visual perspective. Thank you for the pleasure and knowledge that I am receiving from your work.
Jay K. Stern, San Francisco.
I am more indebted to Vallois's superb,three-volume walking guide to Paris than this reference indicates. I suspect that about three-quarters of the factual information in this essay about Paris and its history comes either from Vallois or from following up on things seen during the countless walks I took with her volumes in hand.
Brenda Machosky.
One of the best historical and cultural guides to this Left Bank area (and the rest of the city) is Thirza Vallois' Around and About Paris book series. Her insider's view of all the arrondissements transforms walking -- which is the only way to get around the heart of Paris -- into an educated adventure.
www.womantraveler.info.
Thirza Vallois wrote a marvelous set of books that capture these sights, Around and About Paris. Not true guide books, they describe “how to see the real Paris on foot,” spilling details that give depth and meaning to the monuments and mix of ancient and modern history in Paris. A must for understanding the unique flavor of each arrondissement. She even reveals where to find the red brick office of the Objets Trouvés (lost property) where a grateful heroine might impulsively kiss the man who returns her stolen purse with her passport.
Adele Parker.
Much gratitude and admiration to Thirza Vallois for her inspiring writings of Paris. Her books are excellent and I recommend them highly to any Paris-lover.
Virtual Tourist.
Thirza brings a richness and sense of historical continuity to her "walks" around Paris - something I don't see in other writers. Although I visit Paris often, it is only through Thirza's works that I find , each time, something new about otherwise familiar places. I never arrive in Paris without one of her books!
Michele Kurlander, Chicago.
I absolutely adore the Around and About Paris volumes, and Ms. Vallois has my deep respect for writing such comprehensive and informational works on Paris. Truly a masterwork. She has really helped me learn about and embrace my "foster home," as I am coming to think about it. I hope one day to hear her speak at such an event -- I'd love to meet the woman behind the books! (And apparently, my fiancé has. The third volume is signed to him and his ex- wife, lol. Maybe I need to get some signed volumes of my own. :) )
Karin Bates Snyder.
I am unable to adequately express my level of appreciation for your three volumes on Paris, for your superb writing, thoughts, humor, insight, love of Paris.
I appreciate the time you took to respond to me as I imagine you must be bombarded with people praising these priceless volumes.
Darlene Arsanis, San Francisco.
You have done one of the best things anyone could do for Parisphiles. I love your books and am so amazed by the
research you did.
Kermit Horn, an American in Paris.
Many thanks for all the joy you have given me with your wonderful books about Paris, they are just great, fantastic, the
very best. Keep writing please!!!!!
Dante Barrios, Uruguay.
Your book is amazing, so far I am onto the 4th arrond. I loved the first three!
I am a history buff so it is really a great read for me, I will recommend them to my clients also. You have such a rich knowledge of the city, it’s fantastic.
Susie Bonapart, Paris.
Thank you so much for this excellent work. This is by far the best guide about Paris I have seen. I mean it! I bought three volumes of your Around and about Paris about 3 months ago and since then practically never walk around Paris without your wonderful books.
Alexander Smoljanski.
Thirza Vallois has lived for the better part of half a century in Paris. She holds a doctor's level at Sorbonne and her knowledge about Paris, both its history and present appears to be inexhaustible. But she is a writer of stories, much more than of history - and you read her books as if they consisted of 20 fascinating short stories. Each chapter starts with a stroll back in time for this particular arrondissement, followed by suggestions for walks, with an incredible richness in detail. Thirza Vallois's 3 volumes are the basic must haves on your travelbook shelf. To me, they are the "bread and potatoes" of my Paris database.
Gitte Bjergskov Kjaerulff, Denmark.
For a fascinating book filled with in-depth historical details, and several walking tours for each Paris arrondissement, look for Thirza Vallois' books.
Colleen X.
I was finally able to track down a copy of your Around and About Paris, the 13th - 20th arrondissements, and I am really loving it. It is so fascinating and clearly written with such a love of Paris, I am really learning a lot.
Rosemary Flannery.
I bought a copy of Volume I at Village Voice and am almost finished with the 6th. I am enjoying it immensely. I am both familiar with every site you describe, but learn something new in every sentence. It is incredible. I don't think there is a fact in the book that I already knew. Thank you for writing it.
Elayne Dauber, US.
Simply Beautiful! This is a must-have book for all lovers of Paris. Thirza Vallois (Around & About Paris) has excelled with this stunning guide to the charms of Paris--some famous, some lesser-known, all sensual and charming. Along with practical information, Ms. Vallois provides reviews of the most romantic places to shop, dine and sleep, plus tales of the city's famous lovers and detailed walks (because the best way to dicover Paris is definitely on foot!) Juliana Spear's photography captures this fabulous city at its best and will have you packing your bags so you can see it for yourself.
You don't need to go to Paris with a lover to enjoy this book although, with all the sensual treats described within, you're certainly going to want one :-)
Gabrielle Luthy, Austalia/Paris.
I ordered your three books last week and was amazed to have them delivered yesterday! Even better, I browsed through them and was really delighted with what I found. The critics are right; they are absolutely splendid, really informative and entertaining, too. I shall not only enjoy using them in our explorations of Paris, I shall also enjoy just reading them. Then, just to top off what was already a good buy, I discovered that you had signed them as well!
Keith Hunt, UK.
I want to thank you very much for the wonderful help your guide has been to me in my visits throughout Paris in the past days. Never has any travel book given me the feeling of being accompanied by a true human guide. I already look forward to the next visits on my program.
Philippe Piessens, Belgium.
"I have read all three volumes, but being on site made a huge and vivid difference. One of our French friends asked me which guide to Paris I liked the best. There was no contest - yours is the winner by far!
Erica Roberts, Berkeley, CA, USA.
I've just received the books. What can I say, they're simply outstanding and a terrific "helping hand" to all those wishing to spend a couple of weeks in Paris. I've already started browsing through the book and I'm sure I'll get the most out of it.
Eduardo Etcheverry, Brazil .
Let me mention that each time I put your piece together I am simply astounded by the amount of information you have brought together in these books. How did you do this?
Norman Barth, The Paris Pages.
I love your books, have them all, give them as gifts and refer to them often. Thank you,
Suzanne Justen.
Mrs Vallois is a queen - Feel as her invitee in Paris
Reviewer: Nantes from Chateau-Bois-Briand, Nantes Pays de la Loire, France Because Mrs Vallois has a love affair with Paris; because she devoted part of her life to this "cause", she is totally convincing.
When you read her descriptions of hidden details on houses nobody noticed before, you understand that Mrs Vallois deserves the right to consider herself as co-owner of "the spirit of Paris". Because this "spirit" is something that was invented by the French to be shared with others, feel free to become a "courtisan". Mrs Vallois books are well documented (no need to say).
It's like reading an architectural manual plus an history encyclopedia. All this while walking in charming places. I hope the next books will keep this knowledge embedded in a living style and that Thirza will add more illustrations. Buy this book. It will never look old-fashioned!