Why a Booktrail?
1930s, 1940s: It is Christmas in Paris, but beneath the sparkling lights and glittering decorations lie sinister deeds and dark secrets…
A Maigret Christmas
What you need to know before your trail
Three of Simenon’s most enjoyable Christmas tales, newly translated, featuring Inspector Maigret and other characters from the Maigret novels.
In ‘A Maigret Christmas’, the Inspector receives two unexpected visitors on Christmas Day, who lead him on the trail of a mysterious intruder dressed in red and white. In ‘Seven Small Crosses in a Notebook’, the sound of alarms over Paris send the police on a cat and mouse chase across the city. And ‘The Little Restaurant in Les Ternes (A Christmas Story for Grown-Ups)’ tells of a cynical woman who is moved to an unexpected act of festive charity in a nightclub – one that surprises even her…
Locations
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Paris
Who doesn’t love the thought of Christmas in Paris?
Now’s your chance. This is a stroll, a wander and a police chase across the city from one location to another, with of course the Quai d’Orfevres at the centre of Maigret’s world. This is a treat for Psris fans as the city comes to life in many ways, not just due to the noisy streets and traders but also the shops, the restaurants and the je ne sais quoi.
The Place des Ternes for example is where “the broad, brilliantly illuminated swathe that runs down from the Arc de Triomphe comes to an end.”
“The cinemas, the theatres, the restaurants were al lit up. In the windows printed pennants advertised the prices and menus of Christmas evening suppers”
A Maigret Christmas’ – Maigret is on the trail of a mysterious intruder dressed in red and white.
‘Seven Small Crosses in a Notebook’ – There’s a bit of a cat and mouse chase across the city.
‘The Little Restaurant in Les Ternes – a nice restaurant – well you can’t go to France without going to a restaurant can you?
Of course, the Quai d’Orfevres, so familiar to Maigret fans that is the central location from which all Maigret fans should flock.
Streetview Maps
D) Paris - Place des Ternes
E) Paris - Quai d'Orfevres,
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
What a perfect read for the first French Friday here on The BookTrail! Ah I’ve read these stories in French but now they’re in a lovely little collection which is perfect for Christmas and any time you want to be transported to Paris really.
Maigret is an iconic French character and it’s a treat to have him in bite size here so to speak. The three stories are nicely chosen and very smoothly translated whilst encompassing all the French flourishes Maigret is so well known for. I found the stories so different yet they complemented each other well. No spoilers here but a good collection and there might only be three but three is the magic Maigret number in this case.
Maigret and Paris At Christmas. What’s not to like?
Booktrail Boarding Pass: A Maigret Christmas
Destination: Paris Author/Guide: Georges Simenon Departure Time: 1930s, 1940s
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