“An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris” is a short experimental work by Georges Perec, translated by Marc Lowenthal and published by Wakefield Press in 2010. Originally written in French as “Tentative d’épuisement d’un lieu parisien,” the book was first published in 1975.
In this unique text, Perec undertakes a project to exhaustively document a specific location in Paris—the Saint-Sulpice square—by observing and recording everything that happens there over a period of three days. The result is a detailed and meticulous account of the sights, sounds, and activities that occur in the square, presented in a fragmented and observational style.
“An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris” is considered a seminal work of experimental literature, exploring themes of urban life, perception, and the act of writing itself. Perec’s attention to detail and his commitment to capturing the minutiae of everyday existence create a rich and immersive reading experience, inviting readers to reconsider their own relationship to the spaces they inhabit.