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

A FEW MEMORIES FROM PAST EVENTS:

Zoom Conference with Vincent Huguet - June 10th, 2020:

A special thank you Vincent Huguet who ventured into unchartered territory with us during our first-ever Zoom conference, speaking about his life as a stage director and his latest experience staging Massenet's Manon at the Opera de Paris before confinement forced it to close its curtain.

June Happy Hour - June 23rd, 2020:

Our first in-person get-together since February! How we missed seeing our friends again for an evening of laughter and joy at our monthly Happy Hour at Gatsby's !

Zoom Conference with Delphine Horvilleur - June 25th, 2020:

We welcomed Delphine Horvilleur, rabbi, author and editor of the Jewish quarterly Tenou'a as she shared with us her reflections on the question of antisemitism. 

Annual La Rentrée Cocktail - September 9th, 2020:

On a warm summer evening we kicked off the new Club season on the beautiful terrace of the Cercle de l'Union Interalliée, bringing together over 70 members and friends for an unforgettable evening of fun, laughter, catching up, and celebration of simply being together again.

Zoom Conference US Presidential Election Debate - October 22nd, 2020:

A captivating and very civilized debate ahead of the US presidential election featuring Ada Shen, National Chair of Democrats Abroad and George Yates, Vice-President of Republicans Overseas, moderated by Jessica Feldman, Assistant Professor in Global Communications at the American University of Paris.

Virtual Happy Hour - October 27th, 2020:

Even confinement cannot keep us from the cherished tradition of our monthly Happy Hour so we turned it into a Zoom and enjoyed seeing new and old (unmasked) friends for an evening of uplifting conversations and virtual clinking of glasses.

Luncheon with Anne-Elisabeth Moutet - October 29th, 2020:

A mere five days before the long anticipated US presidential election, "We Got the Red Blues" listening to author and journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet share her European point of view on the election, the probable outcome and its impact on Europe and the world.

Thanksgiving Partnership with "Zia" - November 26th, 2020:

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. 

Zoom Event with Maris & Thomas Bonnefon of Château Le Noble - December 2nd, 2020:

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.

Zoom Discussion with Victor Mallet - December 9th, 2020:

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!