Nobody Sits Like the French

by Charles Pappas

Paris is the physical memory of seven World Expos that took place in the city from 1855 to 1937. These Expos left behind monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, the Grand and Petit Palais... But many traces are more subtle: your suitcase today is an evolution of the trunk Louis Vuitton won a gold medal with at Paris’ Exposition Universelle in 1867, and the typical Parisian bistro chairs were designed during those years when a multitude of cafés and restaurants flourished because of the Expos, including icons like Le Procope.

A cocktail of travel guide and history book, Nobody Sits Like the French tells these stories and many more, pointing out the marks the Expos left behind. From now on, you’ll know that every time you sip a glass of burgundy, drink from Baccarat crystal, admire a Manet or a Gauguin, and even enjoy the benefits of a working sewer system in Paris, you owe it to a World Expo there.

Genres: History

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Geralyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody Sits Like the French is a history focused pleasure trip through Paris that doubles as a companion travel guide. The author traces an intriguing mix of historical information back to the Worlds Fairs (1855-1937) and credits those expositions for the overall evolution of Paris.

Nobody sits like the French reads like a labor of love. Pappas shares historical content in a unique style that is as equally informative as it is entertaining. The author enhances well-researched content with firsthand experiences and humorous opinions. This book covers a wide array of interests including art history, roquefort cheese, architecture, champagne, bistros (including those chairs the French sit in), and so much more.

I plan to return to Paris (with this book) as a much more well-informed tourist. If you are a fan of quirky history and all things Paris, you will love this book.

[Maarten Buser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informatief, maar deze kerel zijn woordspelingen zijn nog erger dan de mijne.

[Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s handy the book is organised in short chapters. You can pick what you want. But the metaphors, the wordplays and exaggerations are so annoying it really pulls this book down.