Remembrance of Trips Past
On returning to Paris.
It is a good thing to go to Paris for a few days.
— Muriel Spark
The most memorable school trip of my life took place in November 2015. I realised yesterday that it’s the 10th anniversary of the Paris attacks. Paris Photo 2015 was remarkable in so many ways. I’m eternally grateful to the wonderful Chris Francis (@artpedagogy) and his talented students for the experience.
My previous school visit to Paris had been in 1999. That was memorable for entirely different reasons. My partner and I decided to take our 6 month old son with us. What were we thinking? I don’t think it would be allowed these days, for obvious reasons. I do have very fond memories of pushing him around the streets near the Place d’Italie at 5 o’clock in the morning, although I suspect the concierge I disturbed felt less positive about our excursions.
I’ve recently dug out some pictures of that trip, having scanned some old slides. I’m in Paris now, with my daughter, waiting for the Eurostar back home after three days of Paris Photo 2025. I’m attempting to write this on my phone. Who says you can’t teach a vieux chien new tricks?
A Bientôt.
