Oxford's biggest student newspaper, produced by and for members of the University of Oxford, since 1991.
Image description: Picasso’s portrait of Gertrude Stein Right now it’s hard to imagine Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce and Henri Matisse sitting in a room together, yet this was a common occurrence at 27 rue de Fleurus, Paris, in the 1920s and 1930s. They were united by Gertrude Stein, whose weekly […]
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Image description: A lineup of Gucci’s fall 2020 clothing range The past two weeks have seen men’s fashion shows in both Milan and Paris with standout brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior making bold statements that challenge archetypal masculinity and style in men’s fashion, while others like Dolce and Gabbana produced a sartorial twist […]
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If I’d heard the word “Paris” before July this year, I’d have thought of the Eiffel Tower, croissants, nice coffee, cultured, attractive people, and enough cheese, bread and wine to make any Tesco aisle look poorly and scarcely stocked. Or maybe world-renowned art galleries with original masterpieces dating back centuries. Or King Louis XIV’s monumental […]
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The trademark image of the Française lives on to this day. And we Brits have been fascinated for decades, ever since the heyday of the (non-)Parisienne par excellence: Jane Birkin. The French have a joke: how do you spot an English girl? By the length of her skirt. Or her level of intoxication. Their wit […]
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As a Brit in Paris, I often find myself resorting to meteorological metaphor as a means of expression. And fashion is no exception. Was I not blessed, then, when Tuesday’s flurry of snow, a rendez-vous of British atmospheric disturbance and cold Scandi air, left Paris a veritable melting pot of cool, in more senses than […]
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The City of Paris Museums voted on 15th November 2018 that photos of the works belonging to their collection would become free for all to look at and use. The museums that form part of this group include the Palais Galliera Museum of Fashion, the City of Paris Museum of Modern Art and the Petit […]
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Image credit: Gresa Rustemi. Description: a wide variety of colourful French chocolates and desserts on display. Pierre Marcolini, five different locations Pierre Marcolini is the sheer embodiment of luxury. Often one finds they have trouble reviewing a whole chocolate box, even if it’s only twelve or so, because they’re just so large and rich. Here […]
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The city of lights can feel a little overwhelming, and (unless, like me, you’re more than content to aimlessly wander for hours on end) it can be good to have a goal to give your exploring some structure. You could aim to visit all of the most famous art galleries or museums, or to get […]
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In the 2012 World Cities Culture Report – an international survey examining the cultural offerings of twelve cities – it was revealed that Paris had the highest number of cinemas in the world at 302; almost three times that of London. This hardly comes as a surprise – France is widely considered the birthplace of […]
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When asked, “What is art?” Baudelaire answered —“Prostitution.” When walking along the Seine, it is easy to see how Baudelaire may have thought art was prostitution. A myriad of vendors sell identical sketches and paintings of prostitutes lounging in the nude, smoking cigarettes and laughing amongst fellow prostitutes and clients. These images, created by artists […]
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The University of Oxford has denied that it intends to set up a satellite campus in France. The denial came after the Telegraph reported that Oxford, along with at least one other Russell Group university, had been in talks with French officials about possible ways of retaining their European links post-Brexit. Jean-Michel Blanquer, a former […]
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The Paris November terrorist attacks have left the French political class in a state of turmoil. Since the suicide bombings and mass shootings at cafés, restaurants and the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris, the French have been divided as to how the government should react to protect its people without trampling on their fundamental […]
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It has become a somewhat worn-out stereotype that the French, and especially the Parisians, dress well. However questionable this cliché is, it is interesting to see what it tells us about French culture and social behaviour. I was born and went to school in Paris, and I remember that in our English class we were […]
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At the Paris Climate Conference Cameron declared “we should be taking action against climate change today”, but this virtue is not reflected in his domestic policy. In the eight months since their election the Tories have made drastic changes to the energy sector with far-reaching consequences. These changes are troubling for any hopes of a […]
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Nothing like attempting a little slice of the impossible, but if you have the option, why not try? The best and most efficient way to travel, like most metropolitan cities, is the very thing that takes its name from ‘metropolitan’: the metro. In Paris, the older metro stations have beautiful art-deco signage designed by Hector […]
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It has been a month of vigils and prayers. Among the countless countries struck by disaster, France, Russia and Mali have suffered terrorist attacks, drawing sympathy from across the globe. In an ever more connected world, social media means that it has never been easier to show solidarity with those affected. The sea of French […]
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So, the dates for Euro 2016 have been set, qualification has been complete, and we are all ready for a great tournament. However, a lot can change between now and 10th June when the tournament commecnces. Ahead of the draw on 10th December, let’s consider some of the biggest storylines heading into the Euros and […]
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The French village of Segré, a small town the Loire where I am teaching this year, is in mourning. Outside the town hall, the French and EU flags fly at half-mast, each tied by a black ribbon. The mood is still and sombre: we give each other sad smiles in the street; newspapers are emblazoned […]
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What can be said of the attacks on Paris? It is a horror beyond words. What can we offer but our total solidarity, our love? Friday night, as the tragedy unfolded in gruesome, gutting real-time before our eyes, Parisians offered their homes to those who needed shelter. The morning after they lined up outside hospitals […]
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