Hello again here just waiting to be over lunch and head back to Paris/Versailles area from lovely Morbihan in Bretagne. The temps are wonderful 24°C and sunny, just gorgeous sights. It might rain next week a bit but you know the weather men is not human ::)
From May 6 to September 4, 2011 at Musée Rodin, an expo putting the work of Monsieur Rodin alongside his disciples and followers ! First time done at his place. Some of the invited artists’s work are Jean Arp, Marcel Duchamp, Joan Miro, Jean Fautrier, Lucio Fontana, Jean Dubuffet, Alberto Giacometti, Willem de Kooning, Joseph Beuys, Marcel Broodthaers, Eduardo Paolozzi, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Eric Cameron, Richard Serra, Bruce Nauman, Haim Steinbach, Sophie Ristelhueber, Ugo Rondinone, Douglas Gordon, and Urs Fischer. Webpage at http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm
Next May 14 is the La Nuit des Musées in all over Paris as well as places in France, and Europe. Many events for free with wonderful museums open to the public on special hours. The whole is explain at the Culture France webpage here http://nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/
and this is the pdf file for all the programming in the Ile de France region that includes my department Yvelines no 78 (Versailles) and Paris no 75. http://nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IDF.pdf
At le Zenith de Paris, the Italian singer Zuccherowill have a concert on May 12. He is one of my favorites and if you dont know who he is, then here is a synopsis of his career; first album 1983 call “un po di Zucchero” ,1987 next album “Blue’s” has an inmense success in Italy with over one million copies sold. He starts touring in Italy and he does a duo with Joe Cocker. The rest of Europe catches up with him in 1989 with the album “Oro Incenso E Birra’. He makes an European concert tour with Eric Clapton. In 1993, he is named the best Italian singer at the “World Music Awards”. In 1995, he wins the prize for the best worldwide sales by an Italian artist with the album “Spirito di vino”, selling more than 2 millions copies. In 1998, he brings out his latest album “Blue sugar”, that talks about his life and the road follow by the artist. I am looking forward to this concert in Paris.
A nice place to be and needs more notice by visitors is the Bois de Vincennes, Fauna, Flora, at will all around you. Around the lake or lac Daumesnil is nice at any hour, the morning for the running ,the afternoon along or with friends to relax on the grassy parts, and a bit later to enjoy the tranquility of the place. You can rent small boats for 11-12€ . The main webpage is here http://www.boisdevincennes.com/site/index.php3 ;these are the maps of the place,a nd the No 2 shows the lac Daumesnil , here http://www.boisdevincennes.com/site/plans.php3
The oldest remaining combattant of WWI has passed away in Australia, may he rest in peace, and Thank you very much. Claude Choules, known as «Chuckles», born at Wyre Piddle , Midlands, UK on March 3, 1901. He lied about his age to enrolled in the Army at age 14 ,and joined the Royal Navy in 1916. He ,also, participated in WWII, around the area of Fremantle in Australia, and was not too keen of wars. In 1926 in Australia he met a young nurse Ethel, Scottish, and came to lived in Perth ,Australia. The couple was married for 80 years !!! until her death; they had 3 children, 13 grandchildren, and 26 great grand children, 2 great great grandchildren !!! RIP.
And from that how about riding a bike in free France ? the fancy stores to buy are En Selle Marcel, 40, rue Tiquetonne (75002), tél.+33 01 44 54 06 46, open from tuesdays to saturdays from 11 h – 19 h. webpage blog ,http://ensellemarcel.over-blog.com/ and Les Vélos Parisiens, 3, rue de l’Abbé-Grégoire (75004 ), tél. +33 01 45 44 72 97, tuesdays to saturdays from 10 h – 13 h and 14 h 30 – 19 h, wednesdays from 10 h – 18 h. http://www.lesvelosparisiens.com/ To rent other than the now famous Vélibs you can do so at Gepetto et Vélos, 59, rue du Cardinal-Lemoine (75005 ). Tél. +33 01 43 54 19 95. closed Mondays.http://www.gepetto-velos.com/ Holland Bikes, 77, bd Lefebvre (75015 ). Tél. +33 01 42 50 42 40. Closed Sundays and Mondays.http://www.hollandbikes.com/ Paris Cycles, rond-point du Jardin d’Acclimatation, bois de Boulogne (75016 ). Tél.+33 01 47 47 76 50. http://www.pariscycles.fr/ Paris Bike Tour, 38, rue de Saintonge (75003). Tél. +33 01 42 74 22 14. http://www.parisbiketour.net/ Vélo Paris, reservation by internet only.http://www.veloparis.com/
If you like to do a ride in groups then Paris Rando Vélo is for you, webpage herehttp://www.parisrandovelo.com/ . And if you need to have your bike fixed same day, come to Au Reparateur de Bicyclettes ,52 bd de Sebastopol, 75003.webpage http://www.aureparateurdebicyclettes.com/
If you want to go to a different library then try L’escale littéraire 120, bd du Montparnasse (75014). Tél.+33 01 42 18 04 27. It is near the FNAC and the librairie Tschann, where Diane and Olivier do many things to be original and different. The personal advices, the new finds, lecture club, Literary evening with a nice gâteau basque delivered by nearby restaurant Oyez Paxoa(No 118) ,and a very lively nice internet user friendly. Their webpage/blog is at http://lescalelitteraire.over-blog.com/ ; and why not go in for a ful meal at the Basque resto Oyez Paxoa ,webpage http://www.restobasque.com/accueil.htm recommended by one of France best TV cuisine presenter Jean Luc Petit Renaud. Very nice indeed.
And the new sensation in Paris the Italian milanese of Grom, 81, rue de Seine (75006). Tél. +33 01 40 46 92 60. Two italians started it in 2003 and within 3 years in Paris they have a great clientele that includes yours truly, for a great Italian ice cream. The ice cream are light and good for you, that is diet consious all of us. webpage http://www.grom.fr/
Just came in and saw an article on Le Figaro, they have chosen the best ” palaces” hotels in France, they are 8 and some of the heavy hitters are not there, creating lots of buzz words around Paris; the 8 at the highest category are the Bristol, Meurice, Plaza Athénée, Park Hyatt Vendome,hotel de Palais at Biarritz, hotel Les Airelles at Courchevel, Cheval Blanc at Courchevel, Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat at Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, the others like the Crillon ,Ritz,and George V were left out lol!!!
And until next time as I need to hit the road going back home, and my desire to taste the ice cream is big ::) Cheers
Paris1972-Versailles2003 