In fact, as much as the media likes to put a downer on the quality of broadcasting in the modern age, we all know that without telly, things would get pretty boring pretty quickly. So in the spirit of all good rhyming children’s TV slogans everywhere, let’s celebrate, not denigrate!

The Institute Francais in has taken it upon itself to arrange the UK’s only TV series festival, featuring some of the most beloved shows on our screens. Strange though it is that this televisual celebration is being instigated by our partners across the Channel,  we can only be grateful to our French cousins for the treat in store. Let’s be clear, there will be no showings of My Family, but the comforting familiarity of characters from well-loved sitcoms such as Doctor Who and Skins should be enough to keep any attendee entertained.

The festival kicks off with the world premiere of Flight of the Storks, a mini drama that follows intrepid academic Jonathan Ansolme through a murky world of intrigue, deceit and murder, whilst embarking on a mission through the African jungle, to follow storks on migration. Alternatively, enjoy a comedy marathon, taking in British classics Peep Show and The Thick of It, whilst also getting an introduction to less familiar French comedies Kaboul Kitchen, WorkinGirls and Desperate Parents.

Saving the best ’til last, there’ll be a conversation with Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville on Sunday giving attendees the inside scoop on behind the scenes action, whilst a screening of Labyrinth will be followed by a Q&A featuring actresses from the cast Katie McGrath and Vanessa Kirby, alongside author of the original book Kate Mosse. Come Monday morning, you’ll have serious bragging rights at that watercooler.

Totally Serialized runs at Institut Français du Royaume-Uni, 16-20 January at 17 Queensberry Place
, London SW7 2DT. Ticket prices from £5.
www.institut-francais.org.uk/totallyserialized

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London to Paris, Paris to London. All for £69 with Eurostar.

 A casual Skype chat turned into booking-a-holiday-chat. I was delighted, but fearful. With little cash, could I still have a decent holiday in expensive Paris?

 I relied on Travelzoo’s weekly top twenty email to find me a hotel deal. As much as we wanted cheap, we didn’t want scummy. When Hotel Gat Folies popped up, I was relieved.  It was in a cool area called Opera, way less than half its usual price, far enough from the tourist traps, but close enough to still feel involved.

Free champagne and chocolates every night were thrown in for free too.  Isn’t that a wonderful way to start an evening?

 The all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet conveniently doubled up as lunch.  Bon appetite – yes indeed.  We dined on eggs (anyway you liked), toasted sandwiches, Madeira cake, fruit salad and cereal.  We sneakily stuffed croissants with jambon et fromage and let the warm Parisian day melt the cheese.

We shared our feast at the top of the Le Sacré Coeur (The Sacred Heart)  and joined the crowds to marvel at the view.  Free entertainment was provided by an amazing Ghanaian footballer, who climbed up a very tall street lamp to show off his amazing skills.

Being cheap wasn’t depressing; it was all wonderfully fantastic.

 Transport options were limited to legs and bikes. Walking meant we spent most of our time wondering where we were.  We found gems like Derrière (French for bottom or backside) on Rue des Gravilliers, a beautiful, alternative restaurant beyond our budget. But we oooo’d and aaaah’d, went in for a chat and I left knowing I’d be back.  I figure you can still appreciate the good things without having to have it.

The temporary beach created down by the Seine was a treat.  It gave us the opportunity to stop and watch Paris go by and remind ourselves we were actually here.  In Montmartre, an artist told us about the Paris he knew as he helped us find the man in wall – Marcel Ayme.

We peeped inside vintage shops, resisted buying souvenirs and took a few too many pictures at the love wall where “I love you” is written in hundreds of different languages – nice.

To see the great sights you don’t have to get your wallet out.  Just stroll.  We passed under the Arc de Triomphe and did a happy dance at The Louvre – just to lighten things up. The Eiffel Tower looked better from a distance with a chocolate crepe in hand.  Nutella – not champagne –  seems to be the national treasure so we fitted in fine.  

When we weren’t walking, we cycled. 1 euro for 24 hours. Once you master the system and realise you’re allowed to cycle on the pavements – you can’t help but go downhill and shout whooooopeeee. The bikes come in handy at 2am. We had a magical ride through the streets, weaving in between cars as part of a cycling convoy of newly found friends.  Oberkampf street was the street with some groove.  Some shop windows and doors were left wide open and good tunes hit you as you walked past.  Next stop –  Chez Moune nightclub in Pigalle. Monday to Friday is female only.  At the weekends it’s free for all.  The vibe’s decent and the drink prices remained a mystery, as the cheap bottles of supermarket plonk we’d sipped back at the hotel still danced merrily through our veins.

Our last meal was in sophisticated-looking MacDonalds (What we ate was determined by how much money we had left in our purse). Staring out into the streets we munched on French fries, never wishing we could be anywhere else.

My friend Carolina spent about £55 over 3 days.  I squandered a little more as I couldn’t leave Paris without buying a vintage French frock.  I found a pretty one for a whole 10 Euros (about £8).  I love it now and when someone asks “where did you get that dress from” I smugly reply “oh it’s just a cheap thing from Paris.”

They say money can’t buy you happiness and it certainly didn’t when Carolina and I invaded Paris. But with lack of funds we still managed to create a happy bubble we now seriously miss. (Words: Ena Miller) 

Do you have a lovely holiday experience you’d like to recommend and share with The Cultural Exposé? Email info@theculturalexpose.co.uk – we’d love to hear about it! 

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