How Parisian Women Do It Differently

WHAT IS ITabout the way Parisian women do things that makes us so fascinating to the rest of the world?

I’m French, but I don’t find myself that fascinating – and, as a feminist, I struggle with anything that ‘essentialises’ women in general.

First, let’s dispel some myths. Some French women do get fat. (When I was pregnant, I put on four-and-a-half stone.) Some French women do comb their hair. Some French women have spoilt kids who don’t eat spinach (I do. They are still very lovable, though). Some French women don’t own ballet pumps or a trench coat… OK, no, I’m lying. All French women own ballet pumps and a chic trench.

But all Parisian women are different. When researching our book, In Paris, even though we smashed all the clichés, the 20 amazing women my co-writer Jeanne Damas and I met did seem to excel in certain fields. Here’s what we learned…

1. WE DO LOCAL BETTER