“For 26 years France would wonder and waver under the spell of the Revolution and Napoleon - the greatest romance and greatest romantic of all; and half the world would be frightened or inspired by that event-full quarter century in which an exalted and suffering nation touched such heights and depths as history had rarely known before, and has never known since.”

-Will Durant (The Age of Napoleon)

Bonjour boys and girls - and welcome to all our new subscribers!

As I shared last week, I’m in France to celebrate my successful entry into Club 33 🎂.

I know Americans have a love/hate with this country but let’s just say I got an offer I couldn’t refuse…

Backstroke Overseas 🗺️

A bit of alpha: Norse Atlantic Airways offers unreal rates to Europe from major US hubs.

Our roundtrip direct flights from Los Angeles to Paris were $500/person.

From my POV, you’re losing money if you don’t take that deal. Parlay that with credit card points on a hotel room and you’ve got enough euro’s left over for the desert cheese cart. Si bon!

Our Hotel: Le Grand Mazarin

This might as well be the Grand Budapest Hotel (my all-time favorite movie).

TBH - I was a bit worried the whimsical decor would be too much, but they stuck the landing. I love it here. Colorful & eclectic vibes in a prime corner of the Marais (Paris’s West Village). RP WEEKLY approved - Would recommend!

Strike Mission: In a rather psychotic move, we decided to take a 2.5 hour train ride at 7am (after landing at 6pm the night before) to the fairytale land of Alsace on the French/German border.

This was a pilgrimage to the home of dry riesling. Yes, my friends, riesling can be bone - dry and absolutely bangin'!

Food & Drink: We spent most our time in Kaysersberg, which is home to Le Chambard (the hotel where Bourdain died) and Domaine Weinbach (a family run winery founded in 1612).

Lunch at the hotel was 6 types of sausage over homemade sauerkraut and mustard (wow). From there, we stumbled down to the vineyard and did our best. Since I had 6 sausages I figured it only right to purchase 6 bottles. Support small businesses!

After the deed was done we caught the last train home.

Musique 📀

One of the best iphone apps in the world is Shazam. And that is never more true than when traveling.

This week, Bruce Lee’s Bedtime Stories is 10 songs overheard in Paris, featuring: Myd, Sade & more…

Sports Roundup 🏆

Shedeur: I know I said before the draft that I was selling his stock, but nobody saw this coming. What we did see coming? His jersey sales are currently #3 amongst all incoming rookies. I think he’ll take the top spot soon.

New Logo: In an age where practically every athlete has a logo, Wolves rookie Rob Dillingham dropped the heat with this one.

Wrexham: The Welsh club has now been promoted in three consecutive seasons, a legendary run. They’re one step away from the Premier League.

RP WEEKLY!!!!!