I notice these big plaques whenever we are in Paris, denoting some important event, person etc. My high school french isn't good enough to translate them. Does anyone know of a good book that I could carry with me and read as I pass them on the street?
Thanks.

A French English dictionary.

The "Blue Book" guides are a wonderful bridge between the history of a place and what you will see when there. You won't get the most up-to-date info on what bus to take, or what hours a museum is open, or where to eat -- but you WILL understand why a particular spot has a plaque.

One plaque that always amused is the one for the 1783 Treaty of Paris, at 27 Saint Jacques (I think). This event was the official recognition of the split between Great Britain and the USA -- one of the most important events in the history of English speaking peoples. Its importance for French speakers is almost nil. Yet the sign is written in French only!

An addition to the post above. The Treaty of Paris, 1783, plaque is at 56, rue Jacob, in the 6th. The French were very much involved in the outcome, having been early allies of the American colonies supplying both troops and funds (in the form of loans). Without French aid, the outcome of the American Revolution might have been quite different.

A separate treaty between England and France was signed the same day at Versailles.

I don't know of any book (or websites for that matter) that have an English translation - there should be! - but I find the Michelin Green Guide to be chock full of historical goodies, great for self-guided walking tour or just a quick reference.

I know that Thirza Valois' books where she talks about the history of each arrondissement, followed by a walking tour with stops at different buildings,etc would be a good one to look for.

You can always translate them ahead of time after seeing them here: http://parisplaques.wikia.com/wiki/Special:Categories

>>This event was the official recognition of the split between Great Britain and the USA -- one of the most important events in the history of English speaking peoples. Its importance for French speakers is almost nil. <<

Apart from the fact that it enables them to feel a bit superior to both parts of "les anglo-saxones"...?!

I've never seen a book translating them all, if I had to search it out, I'd go to the HOtel de Ville as they have some brochures on the history of Paris and I believe the Mayor's office is the one who decides to put them up. Their website mentions a few brochures on history, but nothing on that. I suspect they don't have one. I did see a map of the Left Bank ones, there are about a dozen.

That plaque section on Wikipedia isn't the same thing. Those are for people, such as the stone ones on buildings, not the "Histoire de Paris" ones erected by the city. There is actually a website about the commemorative ones to people, which may be where Wikipedia got its info. This is it, but it's not the ones about historic places or events

http://www.plaques-commemoratives.org/

I would think a basic dictionary would do most of them.

The ones we saw most frequently were those commemorating WWII resistance fighters killed by the nazis before/during the liberation of Paris. They all seem to read

Ici est tombe (Here fell)

with the date
and the name(s) of those killed

Hello BKP

I have just begun a new series of books doing just what you ask! The first book has just been published. It covers Montmartre, and offers translations of all the plaques in that area, as well as three planned walks so you can visit each one, and lots of images to help illustrate the stories. Each plaque has a chapter which explains the sometimes rather obscure references in the plaques. It has taken quite a lot of research to discover what some of them mean! I have tried to demystify the translations and make them accessible to a wide audience, and included some really lovely rare images from local historians living in Montmartre. The stories on the plaques are wonderful - tales of scandals and political intrigue, lots of artists and writers of course, and many little details which I hope people enjoy. I think there is something for everyone. Writing it has really deepened my love of Paris, and my understanding of its history.

The book series is called Paris by Plaque. I am working on the Left Bank currently, but Paris by Plaque - Montmartre is out now, hot off the press!

If you would like a copy just email me at [email protected] and I will get a copy to you - you get a free copy for being the first person I have seen to ask such a pertinent question! The book is available through our website, which is at parisbyplaque dot com. There you can see lots of sample pages and pictures and me too!

Hope this helps. It would be great if you contacted me! I'd love to send you a copy.

Best wishes

Anna Meakin

Ms Meakin! You are a wonder! I can read the French, but I want to know where many as possible are located.

Kerouac, once more you come through! Brilliant!

The Marais is, of course, full of memorials to those who were deported to concentration camps. The saddest to me is the one near L'As du Felafel that memorializes the grade school children and their teacher shipped from their school to death. Man's inhumanity to man.

well, but as I said, that site Kerouac gave is only for people, not the history ones.

This post was just raised for someone to advertise their book. I guess some people were looking for it -- a couple years ago. There are too many of these to carry around a book in Paris, the book would be too big.

Yes, I came through in 2007, but I am always willing to beat a dead horse (it hurts them less).

A book would be nice. If you have access of a mobile phone with broadband service, you can download Google Goggles. It's an app that will identify monuments, logos and, if it can recognize the writing, translate for you. We had trouble with the quality of the picture on some things, but generally worked very well to translate. Really a cool app.

Anna -- thank you for your offer. I just sent you an email.

Unfortunately, my high school french hasn't improved enough in the last four years to make the plaques any less a mystery!

Darn, someone 'stole' a good idea for a retirement project in Paris.

Ah, I am so glad others think it is a good idea - and sorry Michel_Paris! Perhaps you can help me with the third one!

It was not my intention to advertise the book, I was just ridiculously pleased to be able to answer BKP's question! As anyone will tell you, there is no money to be made from writing these days - it has to be a labour of love, and enhancing my knowledge and love of Paris has been reward enough in many ways. It's a great way to do a 'treasure trail' around the city, seeing places you never thought of visiting before.

One of the best moments for me was bumping into a charming young man who spotted me reading the plaque describing Steinlen's Cat's Cottage, which is in the former Maquis area on rue Caulaincourt. I was completely baffled by it as the building the plaque stands outside is a huge set of flats, stone-fronted and extremely un-cottagey. The young man asked me to follow him, which I did, somewhat uneasily. He took me through the communal doorway and into a tiny area behind the building. There, in a beautiful green oasis, was Steinlen's cottage! He had bought it from the Bavarian Pavilion at the 1900 Exhibition, and transported it to where it now stands. Goodness knows how. But there it still is, hidden from view, a little Bavarian cottage, with tiny windows and medieval style beams exposed on the outside. That is where he lived with his famous cats. I took some photos and thanked the man, so grateful for his help. One of many happy memories of the help I have received from Parisians over the last year. I did not get his name and he vanished as suddenly as he appeared. I have included the photo in the book. I wonder how many Parisians know it is there! I found out a great deal about Steinlen subsequently. A deeply compassionate political man, he devoted most of his life to depicting the lives of the very poor in Paris at that time. Yet he is mainly known for his cats.

As I get more deeply into Left Bank history, I may well be calling on this forum for help and suggestions - there is a wealth of expertise here I see. I am hoping to get access to some secret places inside the Sorbonne through a friend who lectures there, so I will share that with you all if and when it happens.

BKP, your book is on the way! Thank you for your lovely email.

Anna

p.s Christina - I had nothing to do with originating this thread, just ask BKP, who will confirm same!

apersuader65 - great idea, and one that is in development. I decided that publishing a book containing all of them (there are 675!) would create logistical problems with the size of the book. An app is the obvious solution but one that requires a huge amount of research time. In the meantime there are several books planned, which will form a series, covering the main arrondissements. That way the books will be of a manageable size and the walks not too onerous. The important thing I have discovered is that the translations are less of an issue than the context and references. One could translate them oneself (although they are written in 'museum French' which is not the easiest!) but still not understand them because of the references and names mentioned. Some of the plaques make almost no sense at all without a context.

P-b-P have you considered creating an app? I'd love to have it handy on my Iphone! I will go to your site and get a book - what a great idea - the plaques have stumpped my meager French for years - thanks!!!!!