paris

The Times (London) writes about Volume 3: "...takes you through Haussmann's Paris, bringing its history to life in a wealth of detail, just as the author did for her earlier books. This volume leads you to many of the "secret places" of Paris, from the old vineyards of Vaugirard to the couscous restaurants of Belleville."

"These guides have all the virtues of the best Baedekers plus a modern lively approach that makes them extremely readable... And it is a fascinating work... aimed at the serious visitor keen to absorb the history and culture of Paris... In addition to an encyclopaedic knowledge of minutiae of Paris day by day Thirza Vallois reveals a lively manner and a delightful style. Entertaining at all times and full of erudition and historical anecdote she out-Baedekers Baedeker even at his best. Alan Smalley/Officier des Palmes Académiques Francophonie, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK

"Thirza Vallois has written an exceptional 'streetwise guide' to Paris, one of the most exciting, enlightening, yet intimate books on Paris it has been my pleasure to read."
David Worley, President, Association Inter-communautaire de Conseil d'Echanges de Formation et d'Etudes.

"Apparently the book is a walker's guidebook, loaded with information on history, art, culture, geography, topography, and divided into arrondissements with walks in each. But, in point of fact, it is devoted to the meticulous deconstructing of clichés which have clung to the city for the last 1,000 years. The reader is required to confront a text which demands close attention and a wide cultural background.
Until I delved into this book I would have staked my head on my conviction that I knew Paris pretty well. Today I stand dumbfounded by the wealth of knowledge showered on me and I blame myself for all that my eyes have failed to see in this city. "
Beni Ziffer, Haaretz, Culture and Literature, 1 December 1995

"Serous Parisophiles will welcome Thirza Vallois's Around and About Paris. The author's exceptional eye for detail and an encyclopedic knowledge of history, folklore, art and architecture are like having your own guide at every turn."
Lucy Miller, The Jewish Chronicle 18 August 1995

"Vallois gives a detailed account of the city's historical development and of its individual quartiers (…) The reader can sit back and enjoy her enlightening account of the city. She brings alive its sights, walks and gastronomic tradition and punctuates her guide with anecdotes of famous residents."
Lucy Yoeman, The European 15 October 1995

Simon Bates who interviewed the author on Radio London said, he "loved the book [...] It's a read."

The Interviewer on Spectrum Radio qualified it as "the definitive cultural companion to Paris."

The Times Literary Supplement, "This is the second of three guides to Paris; it covers the 8th to the 12th arroniddements. (...) Thirza Vallois introduces each of these arrondissements with a chapter on its history and character (...). This is followed by guided tours for interesting spots, their historical asociations, their present appearance and how to locate them. The modern city is constantly peeled back to reveal layer upon layer underneath (...). For anyone wholoves Paris and would like to know more about its historical and literary associations, this is a well-written and astonishingly informative companion."

Eurostar Magazine says about Volume 2, "This book, as much a historical portrait as a guidebook, destroys many of the myths about French history and in exchange gives us an insight into its past cultural and political life - as seen by a British writer."

Geoff Andrew writing in TimeOut on the second volume: "It's in no way a directory for tourists (get the TO Paris guide for that), but with its wit, erudition and lively writing, it knocks most books on the City of Light for six." 10-17 July 1996.

"These guides are different. They take you on specific walks with the aid of little maps (sometimes too little) and open almost every door you pass, bringing you the stories behind them. As histories, their wealth of information, from architecture to folklore, is staggering... Walking with Vallois will make this lovely but often standoffish city seem so much more accessible and even friendly." Meir Ronnen, The Jerusalem Post, June 1996 on Volume 1 and Volume 2.

"For in-depth coverage of the sights, sounds and smells of Paris, nothing tops Thirza Vallois' "Around and About Paris" books... You can wear out your feet before you get through these two volumes, but you would be so entertained you wouldn't even notice." Janet Delong, The Paris Free Voice July & August 1996.