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Our roots explain our difference
The reasons for the number and variety of our proposals, and for their relatively modest cost
- There's a widespread belief that in France doors are resolutely shut ...
- But they do open through personal contact...
that began when a marquise welcomed us into her salon with its 16th-century tapestries and invited her friends to a soirée by our recently-created "Club culturel Franco-Américain ("Franco-American Cultural Club").
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That evening led to relationships with Parisians of many different origins, which developed over 20 years. They offered their talents, their suggestions and even their homes. That explains the variety of our suggestions.
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- Working with and for Parisians was excellent training
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 - Our events for Parisian members were elegant yet convivial. We promote that combination.
• Our competition: the 270 plays, 140 concerts, 200 movies (...) that Paris hosts each week, not counting what takes place through networks or outside the city proper. Or subscriptions to the opera, the many long weekends, the generous vacations and the constraints that come with strong families.
• Many members had high-profile professions, and standards to match. One mistake could be tolerated, two would not be. And we could not renew our public, as organizations whose audience is anonymous can.
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• Parisians spend little on their home ground
We had to work within the budgets that modest dues and participation fees allowed.
Many events took place in private salons, where we could receive about 30 participants, possibly 60 if large. The house's inhabitants, the musicians who performed for us, the people making dinner, etc. were invited in exchange for their efforts. So budgets were extremely limited.
We learned to cut costs.
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Credits: Horseman / Joan Nascimbene ;"Club" / Harald Wolff
 - Unexpected Paris guided tours
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