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  • 28 Apr 2021 10:00 AM | The American (Administrator)

    We continue our ACP Confinement Chronicles by asking our members how they are getting through periods of confinement. 

    For our second installment, meet author and ACP member Bill Pearl.


    Bill, what feelings come up when you think back to your confinement in the US?    

    A tale of two cities, redux. It was the best of times (I was writing a novel at home). It was the worst of times (I wanted to write it in Paris). It was the age of Wisdom for some (who masked and mitigated). It was the age of Foolishness for others who did not. It was the epoch of the Virus, an epoch of incredulity that a tiny germ could turn a massive planet upside down.  It was the season of Light as science created vaccines almost overnight. It was the season of Darkness as governments struggled to inoculate fast enough to save lives - three million lost. It was the spring of Hope as I pounded out a novel amid chaos. It was the winter of despair as I postponed my flight to Paris again and again.

    longed for the inspiration of the City of Light, but I could not come. So, I zoomed to France, to Rotary and the American Club. Where they still had Paris before them, but in lockdown, had nothing before them. The Gaulic heaven all around tarnished, feeling more like that place in the other direction – in short, the period has been so far from normal, that even the most optimistic voices, skilled at ferreting good from cauldrons of evil might only grimace and say, this too shall pass.

    And by the way, I finished the novel, published it, and gave it the title “Mission in Paris 1990”.

    For an extract from "Mission in Paris 1990" please visit The Bookshop

    And for more on Bill Pearl please visit billpearl.net.



  • 07 Apr 2021 6:00 PM | The American (Administrator)

    It is with profound sadness that I announce that former American Club of Paris President Stephanie Simonard passed away on Easter Sunday, April 4th.

    Stephanie was the quintessential, dedicated and committed American expat in France.  I had the immense pleasure of getting to know Stephanie shortly after my arrival in Paris in 1990 and could not imagine expat life without her presence.  She came to Paris to study back in 1971 and like so many college girls fell for a charming French man.  After graduation from Sweet Briar College, she made her way back to Paris to get married and to launch a 20-year career at KPMG Peat Marwick. As soon as she was admitted to the Paris bar, she opened her own firm, specializing in International Tax Law.  This was professional Stephanie, but it was personal Stephanie whom I admired so.

    Not content with simply advising clients on tax issues, she saw the importance of advocacy and thus became not just involved with AARO (Association of American Residents Overseas) but was President from 1981-1987.  The list of clubs and associations that Stephanie not only supported but chaired is long: member and former Regent of the Rochambeau Chapter of DAR (1993-1996), DAR State Regent France, American Chamber of Commerce France (AmCham) Board Member, The American Cathedral Vestry (1982-1992), World Federation of Americans Overseas (founding co-chair 1991).  Stephanie was the American Club of Paris’s first female President (1989-1991).  She was also my sponsor when I joined in 2000. I poignantly remember her expressing some concern that I might not be able to afford some of the events but approved my application nonetheless and encouraged me to get involved in the Club.  I think she would be proud of how involved I became just as I am proud to carry the torch she lit.

    All of us long term expats owe Stephanie a debt of gratitude for all she did for the community.

    Our hearts go out to her husband of 48 years, Baudoin Simonard, their three daughters as well as their grandchildren.  A service will be held at the American Cathedral in the near future, and we will advise you of the details.

    To our dear friend, we say Adieu. Rest in peace. You will be long remembered.


    To our dear friend, we say Adieu. Rest in peace. You will be long remembered

  • 22 Jan 2021 8:00 PM | The American (Administrator)

    The idea here was to ask our members how they got through confinement. What did they discover about themselves, about Paris, about their surroundings while locked down?

    Our first installment is about our ACP Treasurer, Christophe Korfer.

    Christophe, what did you discover during Covid?

    “When we packed up to move to our confinement home, I decided at the last minute to throw in a sketch pad and some old pencils. Figured why not, they didn’t take much space. For years I would simply doodle while on the phone, simple sketches of horses in my spare time but the first confinement gave me “guilt-free” time to try different subjects. I spent my brief periods of one hour in the neighborhood searching out interesting architecture and landscapes. I always took great pleasure walking through Paris with my eyes aimed up but I started looking for good angles and the right light. Even the rooftop views out over Saint-Germain-des-Prés were fair game.

    I started posting my sketches on Facebook and Instagram and have developed a small but faithful following. I have even done some commissions for friends and even total strangers.”

    And do you continue your sketches now that you are less confined?

    “Not only do I continue the pencil and ink sketches, but I am slowly expanding into watercolors. The work is peaceful yet challenging. Sketching brings me the same benefits as meditation or yoga. It keeps me calm and I love it.”

    American Club of Paris office at Reid Hall, rue de Chevreuse.

    You can follow Christophe on Instagram by clicking here


  • 19 Jan 2021 10:00 PM | The American (Administrator)

    Zoom fatigue? Not with this group. Thanks to everyone who joined us on Zoom for our first Happy Hour of 2021 - what great fun it was. Looking forward to the next one on Tuesday, February 16th!

  • 12 Jan 2021 9:12 PM | The American (Administrator)

    Renowned French pianist Jean-Marc Luisada took us on a musical journey, treating us to beautiful renditions of Bach, Mozart, Brahms and Chopin!



  • 16 Dec 2020 3:00 PM | The American (Administrator)

    While being socially distant but nevertheless in our sparkly cocktail attire, we raised a glass and toasted the joyous holiday season, to the end of a turbulent year and to being reunited again in 2021!

  • 10 Dec 2020 2:55 PM | The American (Administrator)

    Our special guest Victor Mallet, Paris bureau Chief of the Financial Times, in discussion with our member and Parisian lawyer Joydeep Sengupta, captivated guests as he opened up about his experience with freedom of expression as a financial journalist in Hong Kong, his time in India (which led to the writing of an award-winning book), life in France and his own English take on Brexit!


  • 03 Dec 2020 2:53 PM | The American (Administrator)

    Taking us on a virtual tour through the stunning Entre-Deux-Mers region to their Château Le Noble vineyard, Maria and Thomas Bonnefon shared their unique story of following ones dreams and passions, from banking to award-winning organic winemaking.


  • 26 Nov 2020 2:45 PM | The American (Administrator)

    While nothing could ever replace our famous Thanksgiving Gala at the Musée de la Chasse, we were delighted to partner with American chef Justin Kent, at the helm of two restaurants in the 7th arrondissement, Zia and Milagro. We delivered over 60 delicious Thanksgiving dinners to our members and friends. 



  • 18 Nov 2020 2:49 PM | The American (Administrator)

    In November we turned our monthly Happy Hour into "Cocktail Hour": Specially selected cocktail creations were shared ahead of the event, we then raised our tumblers, flutes and martini glasses to old and new friends and the simple pleasures of life: sharing a moment together!


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