by Ric Erickson

Number 1.42:- Metropole Paris - Monday, 9. December 1996:- In addition to reading little snatches of history about specific streets in Paris, for articles that I write from time to time, I am also reading more about the general history of France.

The reason for doing this is quite simple. For example I have learned that in 1572 the Florentine, Cosmo Ruggieri, after reading a 'famous' horoscope, predicted to Queen Catherine de Médicis that she would die near Saint-Germain, so she moved out of the - begun in 1564, but unfinished château des Tuleries - which was in both of the parishes of St. Germain-l'Auxerrois and St. Germain-en-Laye and moved into the Hôtel d'Orléans after evicting the tenants.

She lived in this hôtel in Paris for 14 years. But she died in Blois while on a PR tour to drum up support to put her son, Henri III, on the throne. As she lay dying, she asked the attending priest for his name and he replied, "Madame, je m'appelle Julien de Saint-Germain." She was 71 and the date was 5. January 1589.

Catherine de Médicis did a lot of things, some of them nasty - but that is the way things operated in those days. The little trick fate played on her was a lot less than she deserved.

With what I have here, I have been unable to find a clear idea of this 'château des Tuleries.' It was eventually finished, it was inhabited - first by Louis XV, and I have found its location indicated on maps - it was apparently between the Pavillon de Flore and the Pavillon de Marsan, and these two were apparently part of it, the first built under Henri IV and the second under Louis XIV.

But with all the other building and re-building that went on over the centuries, it is all so vague. Is this 'château des Tuleries' the same as the one set on fire by the Captain Boudin, Colonel Bénot and General Beregeret of the Paris Commune on the night of 23. to 24. May 1871, or was it some other?

There must be plans, so I am looking forward to the opening of the new 'Grand Bibliothèque' at Tolbiac later this month, although the plans themselves should be at the still very active site of Richelieu.

Meanwhile, there is Catherine de Médicis - queen, queen-mother and multiple king-maker - to contend with and that means all of France, both before and after her.

And the point of all this is, I hope it will lead to an plausible explanation of why terrorists think putting a bomb in a crowded commuter train on a rainy December evening in 1996, is a way of sending a 'message' to the people of France.

It will also be interesting to find out if this 'message' has any content, and if so, whether it has any relevance to the 21st century - or is merely a late letter from the 16th, delivered to the wrong address.

Reminder: Sign Up for the Paris Marathon

The Marathon International de Paris - to be run on Sunday, 6. April 1997 - is now taking registrations. Registrations made before 31. December 1996 cost 150 francs for residents and 220 francs or US$45 or 70 DM. After this date the rates rise to 250 francs for residents and to 370 francs - US$75, 115 DM - for visitors. There are rates for registering on the day, but entries are limited to 22,000, and if the quota is full on race day you'll be out of luck.

For information or to request an official entry form, fax to
(33-1) 53 17 03 13 from outside France.
In France the fax number is 01 53 17 03 13. Otherwise write to:
Inscriptions A.M.S.P., 8. Rue Crozatier, 75012 Paris

Payment must accompany the registration. Elite or Preferential runners - the fastest people - must provide some sort of proof of a win less than two years old.

Starting time is 9:00, someplace on the avenue des Champs Elysées.

4th Salon de Livre Ancien

Friday and Saturday, 13-14. December, from 11:00 to 19:00, and Sunday, 15. December, from 11:00 to 18:00.
Maison de Radio-France, 1e etage
116. Avenue du President Kennedy, Paris 16.
RER station line C1 or C3, station Maison de Radio-France / avenue du President Kennedy - there is no really close métro station.
Bus: 70 or 72, from the Hôtel de Ville.