Flâneur: The Art of Wandering the Streets of Paris

THE BIBLE OF FLÂNEURS. A MUST-READ FOR TRAVELERS AND PARIS LOVERS.

A man walks the streets of Paris, alone and without a destination. He travels long avenues of great buildings, loses himself in the crowds at the Grands Magasins. Wrapped up in a black overcoat, he wanders the city restlessly. But what is he looking for? Where is he going? This book teaches you how lose yourself in the city: it contains stories of promenades and urban adventures, stories of dandies and flâneurs… It contains information regarding characters, authors and artists who have wandered the streets of Paris. By reading these pages you will discover the secrets of flânerie, the noble art of wandering without a destination.

About the Author. Federico Castigliano holds a PhD in Comparative Literature (University of Turin) and is Associate Professor of Italian Studies. Having worked for several years in France, he currently teaches at Beijing International Studies University. His writing combines nonfiction and fiction and centers on the relationship between the individual and urban spaces, thus exploring the possibilities of today’s city.

Website: federicocastigliano.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Itineraries of flânerie (map)

1. Instructions for reading this book
2. Prologue – Into the street 
3. How to be a true flâneur
4. A day in the life of a flâneur 
5. Once there was the flâneur
6. Getting lost 
7. Where to wander in Paris 
8. Drifting along the boulevards 
9. The ruins of Paris
10. A dangerous game 
11. The city of tomorrow 
12. Shopping as one of the fine arts 
13. Paris spleen 
14. Epilogue – At the gate 

Memorandum for flâneurs

Bibliography