François Maspero, who died last weekend, was a celebrated publisher, author, journalist and translator, but for me he will always be known...

Given the ubiquitous nature of the name today – on airports and train stations, avenues and public buildings – it may be assumed that Char...

Last week I was invited to take part in the first of the ‘visites mystères’ organised by the tourism office of the Seine Saint-Denis depar...

A photographic promenade in the south-western suburb of Vélizy, a transitory territory of anonymous destinations and invisible architectur...

A winter’s day at the Saint Ouen flea market inspired writer and amateur anthropologist Blyth Brentnall to ask herself an important questi...