Archive for April, 2012

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April 21, 2012

Some news from France LXVIII

Well here I am just getting ready to go back to Versailles and then Paris for a conference of 2 days. My twin boys arrive just now on TGV from Montparnasse Paris,and were so lucky as has been raining here on and off with golf balls of ice!!! then the sun came out; great ;we have the power lol!!!!

The going back  got me my Paris bugs flying so here is another episode of Paris and France for you.

The Désert de Retz, popular with artists for many years, then closed for several years,and now its officially open ( I told you was going to open on previous news)  238 years of history comes back, 20 hectares of land bordering the golf course of Joyenval,just by the town of Chambourcy (dept 78 Yvelines) . the visits will be until October with two Saturdays per month and only with reservation. Complete information as  visits the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the months of April to October. Time to be prepared to spent is about 2 hrs  obligatory reservation by calling +33  (0) 1.39.22.31.37 or at the tourist office of  Poissy, tél. +33  (0) 1.30.74.60.65, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, tél. +33 (0) 1.30.87.20.63 or Marly-le-Roi, tél. +33 (0) 1.30.61.61.35. admission is  10 € adults and 5 € enfants from 8 yrs up .  You have the webpage for the towns tourist office as well here

http://www.poissy-tourisme.fr/fr/

http://www.ot-saintgermainenlaye.fr/

http://www.marlyleroi-tourisme.fr/

Some ideas in Paris Matisse au Centre Pompidou , enjoy the night days from Thursdays to Mondays until 23h (closed Tuesdays, and at 21h Wednesdays). Place Georges-Pompidou ,webpage  http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Manifs.nsf/AllExpositions/74951096E37F5FB0C125795F00364512?OpenDocument&sessionM=2.2.1&L=1

“Degas et le nu ” at  Orsay . Edgar Degas  shows  nudity in paintings présenting  170 paintings, posters and designs as well as sculptures of the artist. Every day except Mondays from 9h30-18h (21h45 on Thursdays). Admission is 9€ adults and 6,50 € children. webpage  http://www.musee-orsay.fr/fr/evenements/expositions/au-musee-dorsay/presentation-generale/article/degas-et-le-nu-30632.html?tx_ttnews[backPid]=254&cHash=9cb3345b8a

A new renovated Palais de Tokyo is open,  showing the work of contemporary artists with a huge opening exposition call « la Triennale ». Every day excepts Tuesdays from mid day to mid night .Admission is 8€ and 6€ ; 13, avenue du Président-Wilson webpage  http://www.palaisdetokyo.com/

then to to the Grand Palais where Helmut Newton will show its big photos of mannequins ,erotism, and the violence in the fashion world. Especially see the photos on Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Marie Le Pen. From wednesdays to Mondays and 10h-22h Admission are 11€ and 8€ . Avenue Winston-Churchill  webpage  http://www.grandpalais.fr/grandformat/helmut-newton/

Go to the Cité des sciences and see the latest discoveries by the inhabitant the Gaulois,and their  agriculture…From Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 10h-18h, Sundays until 19h. Admission 11€ and 8€ . 30, avenue Corentin-Cariou , webpage http://www.cite-sciences.fr/francais/ala_cite/expositions/gaulois/

Tropicomania,see the social life of plants tracing their journey from tropics such as the banana, pineapple,etc to your supermarket. Free admission from Tuesdays to Saturday and hours 11h-19h . see it at 9 esplanade Pierre Vidal-Naquet Halle aux Farines 75013 nearest metro  Bibliothèque François Mitterrand (line 14) webpage  www.betonsalon.net

The jazz joint is back in operation again, newly renovated, Le Trabendo, 211 avenue Jean Jaurès  Parc de la Villette. so if you like Jazz check it out, webpage http://www.letrabendo.net/  hey hey who doesn’t like jazz ?

And a sweet news, last March 5th was born  Loango, a male Mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus),in the infirmery of the Jardin des Plantes . He was rejected by the mother and the jardin keepers took care of him.. You can come to see how he is fed with biberons (fruits and veggy cook) every day from 12h-16h. webpage  http://www.jardindesplantes.net/rencontres-avec-les-soigneurs-de-la-menagerie-6

 The tourist office of Versailles is full of activities, too numerous to mention in my little blog but I will put the webpage there and it is in English (we are so good ::)) http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/en/whats-on.html  You have the wars of Napoleon as well as horse shows in the ecuries, and the water musical events as well as Jazz ::)
One in Amboise in the castle laden Loire, my favorite one and city, we do a promenade gourmande into the vinyards tasting local goodies and their wine including my house wine Domaine Dutertre. The proceeds go to the Lions International of the Loire, Amboise les 2 Vallées. Good food ,great wine, and a good cause in beautiful territory, it is one day on a Sunday July 1st and now thru my blog you are all invited. webpage http://promenadegourmande.free.fr/
Closer to me now, the Tonnerre de Brest boat show:race is coming July 13-19 2012. More than 2500 boats from all over the world. Done every four years now its that time again at Brest . About 30 countries are invited to each festival and for one week Brest is transformed into the biggest port in the world. Over 7 kilometres, the quaysides roll out the red carpet to hundred-year-old sailing boats and other remarkable vessels. An invincible armada, with around 20,000 sailors parading their uniforms to the tune of dozens of musical performances and the backdrop of villages draped in the colours of the world. the Brest Maritime Festival a global exhibition of the maritime world. webpage http://www.lestonnerresdebrest2012.fr/en
Have a great rest of weekend everyone ,cheers.

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April 11, 2012

Some news from France LXVII

Hello this is the midweek interlude of things to tell and whisper. France is on the move and so am I.

Accor just announced will opened 45 hotels in India from now to 2015 to become the first foreign hotel operator there, read in French at my favorite Le Figaro, http://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2012/04/04/20005-20120404ARTFIG00680-accor-veut-ouvrir-45-hotels-en-inde-d-ici-a-2015.php

The Galerie Lafayette again goes thru a renovation period to make them prettier, if like they are not already lol!! My favorite, I am a customer and online newsletter from them.  They are going to invest 800 millions Euros over five years. The objective is to give more space to the big brands on the lines of bags, shoes, watches and jewerly. The «shop in shop» Vuitton, Cartier , and Chanel  will be in two floors with each its own private stairs. The lines ready to wear or prêt-à-porter women, now on five levels will be regroup in three levels ,the lines of records cd will close and the spaces left for cosmetics and toys will be reduce. However, the fifth floor will be entirely dedicated to children clothing.  The tourist in force here, they account for  60 % of sales at the store at blvd Haussmann. The renovations will allow to double the area for welcoming tourists with three spaces dedicated to them. One for the Japanese, and Americans on the basement or sous-sol, another to the Chinese at street level or rez-de chaussée, and the last one especially for Brazilians that are up and coming force of tourism here. All in French again at the fabulous Le Figaro, http://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2012/04/10/20005-20120410ARTFIG00617-les-galeries-lafayette-de-nouveau-en-travaux.php

Same source, the best sandwiches in Paris, nice to know for those on the budget coming to the city of LIghts, not all but some of my favorites for a lunch on the run are  Le Petit Vendôme, 8, rue des Capucines, IIe. Tél.: 01 42 61 05 88. open everyday except Saturdays and Sundays  sandwichs between  4 and 6 €. webpage from my French resto avis or tips which I have as a link here on my blog below page, http://www.cityvox.fr/restaurants_paris/le-petit-vendome_68691/Profil-Lieu*

L’Avant Comptoir , 3, carrefour de l’Odéon, VIe. Tél.: 01 44 27 07 97. open everyday from 12h-23h. menu  6-8 € (sandwich + drink). One of my favorite places in Paris for just more than a sandwich, webpage  http://www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com/

Cosi, 54, rue de Seine, VIe. Tél.: 01 46 33 35 36. open everyday from  12h-23h. menu at 10 €. Sandwich at 6,50 € and a nice bench by Jardin du Luxembourg lol!. Flottes and Go 2, rue Cambon, Ier. Tél.: 01 42 60 00 84. open everyday  Formule:about. 17,40 € with the plat du jour + 1 dessert + 1 drink.CARTE: env. 10 €. Sandwichs from 5,50 € (le Parisien) to the great Cocorico at  8,50 €  part of the empire Flottes all good, webpage http://www.brasserie-flottes.fr/flottesandgo/.

Then some events coming up are Bob Dylan, l’explosion rock,Musée de La Musique  ,to July 1st 2012.From Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12h-18h,and Sundays from 10h-18h.webpage http://www.citedelamusique.fr/francais/Default.aspx

And ,Chick Corea & Gary Burton, great combi piano and vibraphone at Salle Pleyel, the 17 of April 2012, webpage http://www.sallepleyel.fr/francais/concert/11733-chick-corea-gary-burton-duo

Dont forget the best market flea or no flea in the world ,the marchés aux puces de St Ouen, webpage http://marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/1.aspx with the renovated and vibrants Paul-Bert (founded in 1945, 250 stands, dedicated to a mixing of styles from the 19 and 20 centuries, and the  Serpette (open in 1977, 150 stands), occupied by the antiquearies or antique shops, with a new resto Ma Puce with deco by Philippe Starck , a cantine chic and branché with 300 seats, and half in the terrace.

Closing with a nice webpage on what was Paris at the time of Philippe Auguste circa 1200 lol it was still beautiful, ::) http://www.philippe-auguste.com/ville/index.html in French of course, but you can read portions of it and then have google or other site translated for you. Sorry but its long.

This just in so no need to wait for another post, the Lenotre at Champs-Elysées fully renovated and enchanting as always, at the Pavillon Elysées done in 1900 for the Universal Expo.. Also great for reception and business meetings ,this is whre I have been in, great, webpage http://www.lenotre.com/FR/Sections/Lieux/presentation-lieux-receptions-pavillon-elysee?IdTis=XTC-FK1A-D0CPB8-DD-DUQ4C-WPS

Cheers

 

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April 5, 2012

Some news from France LXVI

Well here I am preparing the gang to go back to Versailles/Paris this weekend of Easter. We will leave tom night after my work day is over.

In the meantime, here are some updates on things happening in Parisland.

The latest film of Alain Chabat  « Sur les traces du Marsupilami. » or in the paths of Marsupilami, were done in the botanical gardens of Conflans-Saint-Honorine!! This trim trees gardens from the 10C in an isolated place match exactly those of the château du parc du Prieuré.

Another secret coming out with new traces, the death of painter Vincent Van Gogh, really killed himself n the wheat fields around Anvers on July 27  1890? Alain Rohan,the VP of the tourist office of Auvers-sur-Oise just wrote a book after 3 years of study on the subject.  This is right after Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith,two Americans who developed the thesis that a firearm was shot accidentally and killed the painter where the brothers Secrétan were involved. Counting on the fact that the weapon was never found.  Its not easy to prove that the revolver has been found, but this is left to the reader to decide in the new book by Rohan.

Then the National Library of Paris is finally going to be open to the public online! Almost a million books on the 15 millions available that the  Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF), all this thanks to a project in numeration done under the name of  Dem@t-Factory and financially supported by the conseil régional d’Ile-de-France, and other general councils such as those of Seine-et-Marne as well as the region Cap Digital.

This is gathered from Le Parisien ,the local Paris newspaper who is a wealth of local information in French. http://www.leparisien.fr/  of which I am subscribe at home.

Recently I have read and been ask, many people asking for nightlife in Paris,well it has been a while for me, but having 3 high teens to low 20 kids boys, I am gathering very good update information. Some of these places change with the time and the mode, but in essence it offer all the same. Here are some making extra noise lately

Le Nano ,12, rue Sainte-Anne (75002). L’Inconnu17, rue de Mazagran (75010 ), Le Scarlette,24, rue Vavin (V75006) ,Le Ballroom du Beef Club,52, rue Jean-Jacques- Rousseau (75001), Le BC (previous BlackCalvados in my times) ,25, avenue Pierre-Ier-de-Serbie (75016) , La Bellevilloise 19–21, rue Boyer, (75020), Le Piano Vache 8, rue Laplace,(75005), Le  Fanfaron 6, rue de la Main d’Or, (75011) ,and one my boys have gone lately is rock n  roll Circus, by Pigalle ::) http://www.bar-rocknroll-circus.com/ I am sure you can find the webpages.

And last but not least,while in Paris see something unique, perhaps for those seeking something new, and magical and historical in Maxim’s by Pierre Cardin museum and cabaret, 3 Rue Royale, just of the place de la Concorde, webpage http://www.maxims-musee-artnouveau.com/

A bientôt sur Paris,::)

 

 

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