Paris1972-Versailles2003

Hi, here is Friday, weekend coming, and end of month March is gone !!! and temps are sunny but cool now at 11C or about 55F in my neck of the Morbihan Breton.

Let’t talk about some of the museums and galleries and nice events coming up that in my opinion are worth seeing if around the Belle France.

First, you might have read here, the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in the village of Maincy , Seine et Marne dept 77 is going thru a vast renovation project even if still remains open.For example, the ceiling painting “Le Triomphe de la Fidelité” in the room or chambre de Muses is going for a nice redo ,first one after 250 years! This room is famous because in 1661 it held the presentation of the work of Moliére “L’école des Maris” in the presence of the King and Queen Louis XIV ,and Marie-Thérese. The painting ceiling  fabrics weights 150 kg (about 331 lbs) and it is 4×4 meters (about 13 x 13 feet); the ceiling has about 175 M2 or about 1883 Sq Feet).  And this is a castle that only gets 150K euros from the State and the rest is by the partner family of Vogûé and donations! This costs can go to 1M € per season! Great private enterprise at its best to preserve a beauty of France and the World. More here: http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/

If you are in Paris on May 30 at 9h45 go to the newspaper kiosque à journaux , 35 avenue de Suffren and get a ticket to a guided tour of the Tour Eiffel and lunch at the restaurant Jules Verne all by a guide for 275€ per person. You read it here first…

Also, at the Salle Gaveau, 45-47 rue La Boétie 8eme for 25€ you will be able to listen to Jean-Christophe Rufin on April 12 at 20h. This is the adventurer, writer, and diplomat descendant of Chateaubriand. More here: http://www.sallegaveau.com/la-saison/1169/rufin-12-avril

At the Musée d’Orsay running on June 22,23,28, all at 14h15, and 29 (18h15); you will see an exhibition of Portraits de Cézanne. He painted about 200 paintings in his lifetime with 26 self-portraits and 29 of his wife ,Hortense Fiquet. More here: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/events/exhibitions/in-the-musee-dorsay/exhibitions-in-the-musee-dorsay/article/portraits-de-cezanne-46126.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=254&cHash=fa1a7b3abd

Then, you have the wonderful exhibition at the Grand Palais, “Des Grands Moghols aux Maharandjas-Joyaux de la collection Al Thani”.  This is on from April 14 to June 1 on certain dates and hours each day. You will see 230 pieces of the collection Al Thani telling you about the history of Indian jewelry from the Mogols time to today. More details here: http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/event/great-mughals-maharajas

At the Musée de l’Orangerie on April 5 to August 21, you will see the works of art of the collection from the Museum Bridgestone coming from the dynasty of Ishibashi. As their museum is undergoing renovation the entire collection will be shown at the Orangerie, that will give you the chance to see their collection of impressionists paintings. More here: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en/event/tokyo-paris-masterpieces-bridgestone-museum-art-collection-ishibashi-foundation

You can see the exhibition on the clothing of famous French singer Dalida on the 30th anniversary of her passing.  More than 50 dresses will be on display going from names like Carven,Loris Azzaro, Balmain, and YSL etc. April 27 to August 13 2017 and 12€ admission ,this will be at the fashion museum Palais Galliera, 10 avenue Pierre-1er-de-Serbie 16eme. More here: http://palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/dalida-une-garde-robe-de-la-ville-la-scene

See something different, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, 11 avenue du Président Wilson 16eme; you will see three artists on their best time: Derain, Balthus, and Giacometti.  Almost 100 paintings, graphic arts, sculptures from the 20’s to the 60’s; from June 2 to October 29, nice, and more here: http://www.mam.paris.fr/fr/expositions/exposition-derain-balthus-Giacometti

A tour around the cemetery Pére-Lachaise showing you the works of art of Sculptures there. The dates are in May 11 ,18 , June 15 ,22, at 13h50, at the principal entrance on 8,boulevard de Ménilmontant 20éme. Cost is 30€ for the guided tour of this great cementary created in 1804 by Napoléon.  More here on all details by calling ahead here :cimetière du Père-Lachaise, Direction des espaces verts, telephone +33 (0) 1 49 57 94 37. More in French on description on the Mayor’s office of the 20eme here: http://www.mairie20.paris.fr/mairie20/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=926

To see Art Déco in Paris, head for the Palais de la Porte Dorée at 293 avenue Daumesnil 12eme. Here from April 28 you will the best works. The palace was done for the 1931 Universal exposition to serve as a permanent museum of the Colonies. See the entrance in stone, hall d’honneur with a huge mosaique, the iron grill door, the rooms of Lyautey and Reynaud, and paintings of the civilisations of Africa, and Asia. more on the visit here: http://www.palais-portedoree.fr/fr/le-palais-de-la-porte-doree

And come to one of my favorites seldom mention but worth a visit, La Cité Universitaire, 17 boulevard Jourdan 14eme , coming out from the exit of the RER B Cité Universitaire. This complex of building was created after WWI to welcome students from 130 nationalities, to contribute to world peace and knowledge. It has 37 resident buildings which are an open air architectural museums. Of course, my favorites that I have visited are Collége d’Espagne (Spain), and the Fondation Abreu de Grancher (Cuba). More here on the house residents: http://www.ciup.fr/maisons/

We move away from Paris, first to Compiegne to see the Imperial Palace, done in 1751 under king Louis XV,and the wonderful carriage museum there now and the wonderful restaurant, of course,see the apartments of the emperor and emperatrice, prince and king of Rome, and the Theater Louis-Philippe. More on this wonderful place that you need to see not far from Paris out from Gare du Nord train station, and then 10 minutes walking to the palace or take the bus line 1 or 2 stop at Saint Jacques, run from Monday to Saturday. More info here: http://en.palaisdecompiegne.fr/

Come closer to my old hangout and visit the famous and wonderful Chateau de Monte Cristo of the Camelias and Dumas fame at Le Port Marly ,Yvelines dept 78. Alexandre Dumas died here in 1847 and it is as he did it, very nice castle. More here: http://www.chateau-monte-cristo.com/main/en/

And of course, in my beloved Yvelines dept 78, do stop by to this literary gem, the Chateau de Médan, open after many years of restoration. You see the views as seen by Paul Cézanne,and the souvenirs of Ronsard, as well as the poets of the Pléiade.  More here: http://www.chateau-de-medan.fr/

You do take the road as I do or the train from Paris,and visit wonderful Auxerre at the entrance to Burgundy/Bourgogne. Do see the wonderful  Saint Germain abbey , and St Etienne Cathedral (St Stephen, and the clock district. You can come from gare de Lyon or gare de Bercy in Paris to Auxerre St Gervais train station. More on this nice town and worth a visit here on the tourist office on monuments: http://www.ot-auxerre.fr/auxerre-and-its-prestigious-monuments_en_9.html

Go to the Centre Pompidou but not in Paris, see it at Metz in Lorraine , see the exposition on Fernand Léger and the contemporary arts movement, September 28-30 2017. You can come to Metz from Paris Gare de l’Est (Paris Est) train station.  This can be seen on a guided tour so inquire at the centre Pompidou email: contact@centrepompidou-metz.fr . More on the center here: http://www.centrepompidou-metz.fr/en/opening-hours

And do go south to Lyon to see the wonderful Musée des Confluences (at the joining of two river Rhône and Saône) and see the vineyards from October 5-17 2017 on a special guided tour. Contact ahead for more info here: http://www.museedesconfluences.fr/fr/visit-museum

And closer to my heart, from May 30 to September 24 at the Chateau de Versailles-Grand Trianon, see the expo on Peter the Great tsar of Russia on the collection of his visit here in 1717. More here: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/exhibitions/peter-great-tsar-france-1717#practical-informations

At the Chateau de Versailles  from October 24 2017 to February 25, 2018 ,you can come to see the exposition on the visitors and guests of yesteryear to the Chateau de Versailles. From the ambassador of Siam in 1686 to the ambassador of Mysore, India in 1788 many have come to pay tribute to the kings of France here. With more than 300 works of art,this expo ,the first of its kind will showcase all the visitors of the second half of the 17C until the French revolution. It will show paintings and sculptures, costumes of the times, travel guides, tapestries, porcelains of Sévres and Meissen, parade weapons, and show what was expected of them upon arrival here. The gifts and souvenirs left to the king as well.  More here: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/patronage-news/visitors-versailles-1682-1789

France is a state of mind, la vie est belle, the joie de vivre, and a lot of cachet ::) Cheers

Hello folks, here I am again on a Tuesday found out will be in Paris early April ::) Here temps are mild but breezy feels cooler at 16C or 61F no rain so good.  For those going to Paris the temps there are the same, and tomorrow will be higher at 67F and no rain cloudy thus.

There is always something happening in my belle France and eternal Paris is the biggest light on Earth!

Talk again on the Grand Paris Express, where is we? On the side of the Metro the project has started even from 2014 when the line 14 was extended and will become the vertebral line of the Grand Paris project. By September 2015 the first tunnel in the direction of Mairie de saint-Ouen was started. The line 15 is on preparatory work, and started digging in early 2017, and by 2016 the works had begun in the Gare de Fort d’Issy-Vanves-Clamart and engineering work in the gare of Noisy-Champs; by 2018 all the station on the line will be in construction.

The lines 14 south and 16 works continue as I write. The line 18 the paperwork requirement has been met, and the line 4 extension south towards Bagneux had begun in 2015, the line will be ready by 2020. The line 12 will, also, be extended towards the north to Aubervilliers by end 2019, and the line 11 towards Rosny-Bois Perrier by end 2022. The work has begun also on lines 11 extension and line 12

On the side of the RER; the line extending the RER E Eole will soon begin and the work should be done by 2022. There is already a new station baptized Rosa Parks opened in December 2015 in Paris that will serve the line between Magenta and Pantin. The work of improvements continues on the lines RER A, B, C and D.

Over the Tramways, the line T5 between Saint-Denis and Sarcelles has opened since 2013, the T6 between Châtillon and Vélizy opened in 2014 (again extended to Viroflay in 2016). The real estate land acquisition is ongoing for the extension of line T1 towards Colombes and the T7 towards Juvisy. The financing of the line T9 between Choisy and Orly are in process of feasibility study.

More info in French here: https://www.societedugrandparis.fr/projet

And the wine Muscadet costing between 15 and 20 US Dollars or about half the cost of an imported wine in the USA has made a comeback. For its size, the USA is the major drinking wine country in the world! This wine from the Loire not far from me made from white grapes of the melon de Bourgogne variety. Again, the USA remains the biggest market for this type of wine with an export value of 7M€ according to the Fédération des vins de Nantes, and where it represent 17% of the export values of Muscadet. The wine is sold there twice more expensive than here; And 3 States such as Illinois, New York, and California represent 80% of sales. The UK is the first market, Canada the 3^rd while the USA is 2^nd; more here in French at the Federation site: https://info.vinsdenantes.com/le-nouveau-souffle-du-muscadet-%C3%A0-lexport-484087f1b27b

The company Protourisme did its survey again of what are the favorite spots for vacation of the French for 2017. First about 42 million of us will go on vacation this year! And of course, we tend to stay in France, bien sûr when you have it oh well (not me I go to Spain lol! The areas of vacation are the Vendée to Pays Basque on the Atlantic coast, all the sud-ouest or southwest; as far as towns Bordeaux is on top follow by the La Rochelle, Carcassonne, and Toulouse. Also, Corsica as far as region with my own Bretagne and the Pyrénées; the basin d’Arcachon as well. As far as beaches the most research are Biarritz, Arcachon, Saint Jean de Luz , Collioure, Saint Tropez, and Cannes.

For a brunch in the 9eme de Paris, try the Café Marlette, 51, rue des Martyrs. Tél. +33(0) 1 48 74 89 73. More here: http://www.cafemarlette.fr/

For the sweets and things try the all-time favorite Rose Bakery, 46, rue des Martyrs (9eme). Tél +33 (0) 1 42 82 12 80. More here: http://www.rosebakery.fr/

For a wonderful pizzas try the Le Bookie 15, rue de Trévise (9eme). Tél +33 (0) 1 47 70 53 38. More here: http://lebookie.com/

And why not a bit of comedy while in the area, at the Le Comedy Club, 42, bd de Bonne-Nouvelle (10eme). Tél. +33(0) 1 73 54 17 00. More here: https://www.lecomedyclub.com/

The jubilee of “Demoiselles de Rochefort” at the biggest cinema in Europe, the Grand Rex celebrating 50 years of the coming out of the work by Jacques Demy and a concert by Michel Legrand. Grand Rex, (2eme) September 30^th and October 1^st 2017; 20h and 16h admissions from 39, 50€. More here: http://www.legrandrex.com/

And during the month of April come to the Le Crazy Horse for a selection of great shows of 65 years of glamour in 90 minutes with works by Decouflé, Louboutin, Chantal Thomass, Dita Von Teese, and more. Crazy Horse (8eme) all April 2017. More here: http://www.lecrazyhorseparis.com/

And there you have it the burger is won by a Parisian! The sandwich with the flavors of Japan can be tasted from April 1 at Goku Asian Canteen (3eme) and W for Wok (10eme) all done with bread on vegetable carbon and white sesame, sauce BBQ with Whisky, mayonnaise, spicy yuzu and Japanese herbs; this is the Black O.G. of Vincent Boccara, winner of the Cup of France of burgers in 2017!. More on the above on culinary sites here:

https://www.lafourchette.com/restaurant/goku-asian-canteen/276671

http://www.restoaparis.com/fiche-restaurant-paris/w-for-wok.html

And the works at the Hôtel de la Marine in the place de la Concorde (8eme) continues. On the 12000 M2 available, half will be preserve for office space and the other half will be open to the public. The building opened in 1774 before a furniture keeper of the crown and for 226 years the site of the French navy HQ. The rooms in renovation will be from the 19C and especially those from the 18C housing the cabinet of mirrors and makeup room of Marie Antoinette never before seen by the general public. A café will open in rdc or street level presenting products of the times such as coffee, tea, chocolates, and wines. At the same level, a restaurant with average prices showcasing the recipes of the French cuisine of the times. On the 1^st level or 2^nd it will have a room or salon de thé with pastries from the 18C. It is schedule to be open by end 2019. More here: http://www.hotel-de-la-marine.paris/en/

And too bad for the times we live in but it is catching up to the Tour Eiffel which will be protected. A wall will be installed by the 2^nd trimester of 2018 with a bullet proof glass on the two sides given to the Seine River and the avenue Gustave Eiffel. The other two sides where the entries to the tower will be will be dotted with metallic grills doors reproducing the image of the tower and high security. There will be a high security protection with heavy military vehicles on the side of the quai Branly and the avenue Gustave-Eiffel as well as a video protection eyes on the parvis and inside the tower. Info from the mayor’s office of Paris. More here on le Parisian newspaper of Paris just hot off the press: http://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75007/paris-le-mur-de-protection-de-la-tour-eiffel-adopte-par-le-conseil-de-paris-27-03-2017-6801333.php

A personal library of Marcelle Benoît specialist on the French music of the 17C and 18C has given her personal collection of a thousand books to the city of Versailles! The collection will now be house in the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles (CMBV), that is in charge of keeping and teach the musical heritage of the 17C and 18C.  It, also, include a rare Pleyel piano from 1908 completely restored; and a music dictionary by Sébastien de Brossard from 1705 another find, as well as one from Jean-Jacques Rousseau from 1768. Wonderful. It is at this building that the estates generals of France met to write the French constitution, a hugely historical building many times missed by visitors just going to the palace. More here: http://www.cmbv.fr/

And the history of the building Hôtel des Menus Plaisirs is told here in French: http://www.cmbv.fr/lhotel-des-menus-plaisirs/

A nice attraction my boys enjoyed while younger is reopening again this season. This is the Attraction park of Mer de Sable (sea of sands). You do well to start your visit by the « Willy West show », the newest spectacle of the park. Admission 22€ this weekend instead of 25€ and less for kids open April 1^st to October 31^st, more info at official site here: www.merdesable.fr

One nice one that needs to be seen in the chic city by the Seine; the Musée de la Grenouillère – Espace Chanorier, 12 Grande Rue, Croissy sur Seine tel +33 (0) 1 30 53 61 02. Admission 4€ adults. Until December 2017 you see the exposition, ” La Grenouillére aux temps des Impressionnistes” . More on the building   that traces the period of La Grenouillére a floating boat today gone that was in the island or îlot du Camembert. Very popular in the 19C with an countryside, festive ambiance ; it had un guinguette on water or dancing, café, games and cold baths. The artists like Monet and Renoir came here to relax and paint. Today you see engraving, paintings, and object of arts of the period. The boat burned in 1889 and was reopened in 1928. You can take a promenade on the island that has been restored in 1999. More info here: http://www.grenouillere-museum.com/grenouillere/

To end, I almost lived in Croissy sur Seine, had an apartment approved but settle for Versailles instead to be closer to the Royals and the Palace lol! Enjoy the week, yours, mine, ours, end March. Cheers.

Hi y’all, here I am back. Today was cloudy windy and cool at low of 8C or about 44F, the rest of the week looks to be the same or worse. And this is Spring time already lol!!!

So I got good news of my international travels as going back to Spain next month and May will be in Poland and Brazil. Now for some news going on in the Belle France!

The return of night racing at the Vincenne racecourse or Vincennes Hippodrome de Paris are back each Tuesdays and Fridays evenings starting today. You will be able to have a dinner at the restaurant Le Panoramique. You can, also, get a tour of the racecourse. More info here : http://www.vincennes-hippodrome.com/en/

Shhh from the advise of chef Yves Camdeborge according to interview in the le Figaro newspaper. The chef started at Crillon, then Régalade, and now has around the Odeon that are tops like the Comptoir du Relais.

For a coffee L’Express Bar, 23, rue du Roule (Ieme). Tél.: 01 45  08 11 41. https://www.yelp.fr/biz/l-express-bar-paris

For a breakfast by the hands Le Servan,  32, rue Saint Maur (11eme). Tél.: 01 55 28 51 82. https://www.yelp.fr/biz/le-servan-paris-2

For a dinner for two ; Saturne, 17, rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires (2eme). Tél.: 01 42 60 31 90. http://www.saturne-paris.fr/

For a last glass of the night Castel, 15, rue Princesse (6eme). Tél.: 01 40  51 52 80. https://www.yelp.fr/biz/castel-paris

For an exceptional dinner  Le Clarence. 31, av. Franklin-Roosevelt (8eme). Tél.: 01 82 82 10 10. http://www.le-clarence.paris/

To do your market shopping Place d’Aligre (12eme), http://en.parisinfo.com/shopping-paris/93225/Marche-Beauvau-Marche-d-Aligre

To buy your bread, baguette La Pointe du Grouin, 8, rue de Belzunce (10eme). Tlj. Pas de tél. http://www.lapointedugrouin.com/

To indulge on a sweet dessert Sébastien Dégardin 200, rue Saint-Jacques (5eme). Tél.: 01 43  07 77 59. http://www.sebastien-degardin.com/

Bosquets of the gardens of the Château de Versailles will have several contemporary arts exhibits this year instead of just one as in the past. The work exposed will be in cooperation with the Palais de Tokyo in Paris this coming summer. Stay tune here: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/gardens

One of the biggest hotels in Paris is undergoing renovation that will keep it minimum load until December 2017. The hotel is visible in the Porte Maillot with its 34 floors and 995 rooms. It was known for a long time under the name of Concorde La Fayette, and it is now under the name Hyatt Regency Paris-Etoile since 2013. Only 193 rooms will be available for reservation and the entry lobby will be located at 62, boulevard Gouvion Saint-Cyr (17eme). OF course the great panoramic bar in the 34st floor will be totally redone as well. See it here: https://parisetoile.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Initiatives-Coeur , the innovators of the long sailing boat with red and white colors will be at the 1st level of the Tour Eiffel from today. This monocoque of nearly 8 tons and 18 meters long was carried here by a huge towing system of 300 tons capaciy. The sailing boat is dedicated to the campaign for donation and awareness of the association Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, that allows lesser able children suffering from cardiac problems to be operated in the best condition for free. The boat will be here until May 10. It wil be exposed on the lawn of the Champ-de-Mars to be able to be accessable to all as well taken pictures. There are photos and film on the job done by this boat inside/ A great way to see something nice and do something good for all Children. More here in French; http://www.initiatives-coeur.fr/

The porte de Montmartre (18eme), as the local saying goes when you leave Paris by this gate you dont said we passed the péripherique or beltway but rather you say we pass by the Passage-miroir or mirror passage. This is the way to the flea market of Saint Ouen and for many years hosted a clandestine market with about 400-500 biffins or chiffonier ( second hand merchants). From 2009, the mayor’s office of Paris has authorized about 200 of them at this location. They are there Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. They are supervised by the Aurora Association to help the poor. More in French from the Mayor’s office of the 18 arrondissement (district) of Paris here: http://www.mairie18.paris.fr/mairie18/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?page_id=825

world water day, the metro area of Paris or Grand Paris will have ready for bathing the river Marne in 2022 and the Seine in 2024.  There will be a section of about 700 meters on the river Bièvre ,that runs from Antony to Paris and completely covered early in the 20C because of the pollution. It will be clean up by the area near the Parc du Coteau,in the cities of Arcueil and Gentilly by 2020. Bit more here: https://www.valdemarne.fr/vivre-en-val-de-marne/le-parc-du-coteau-de-bievre

The work of the Grand Paris transports hubs is coming along with the Grand Paris Express. It envisions four new stations of automatic metro by 2030 such as lines 15,16,17,and 18 , and four lines will be extended such as line 4 by 2020, Line 11 by 2022, Line 12 by 2019, and line 14 between 2019 and 2024. Are you lost already lol!!! A great interactive map by Les Echos business journal here/ https://www.lesechos.fr/infographie/20170313_FuturMetro_GrandParisOK/20170313_FuturMetro_GrandParis.html

From March 24 to the 26, you will have the occassion to taste many different brews of black coffees that will be offered by the merchants coffeegrinders of the region of Ile-de-France ,and the Oise. There are 42 that will open their doors in the day dedicated to coffees organizing tastings ,shops, and training on coffee grinding with hors d’ouvres.  One of the participant I know from my days in the Yvelines dept 78; this Joris Pfaff, best coffeegrinder of France in 2014 , and Champion of the Expresso black coffee in  2013, that will be there during the event of the  Comité français du café (French Coffee Committee). The business is located in Triel-sur-Seine since 1930.  Today in France there are about  more than 1000  of this artists of the coffee grinding each year becoming better at the trade.  The best or the « Rolls » of this preparations by Pfaff, is the  100 % Geisha  of Colombia, very floral, and cost about  25,90€ , the 250 grams (about 9 ounces).  The cheapest blend he has goes for about  3,90€ for the same quantity ; but we can have pleasure on nice ones from 5-8€. More here:  http://cafe.cafes-pfaff.com/

Places to have a great lunch outdoors in Paris/ Some of my favorites are :

The jardin de l’Arsenal by the water with shade and sunny spots linking to the Canal Saint-Martin to the Seine river. Always great to have an apéro drink on the banks of the canal Saint-Martin and Canal de l’Ourq. There are plenty of bars and restos very nice there such as the Okay Café, Point Éphémère, Marcel, etc etc.

We can taste the oysters on the lawn by the level of the bridge or pont Louis-Philippe on the road voie Georges Pompidou, it is now pedestrian and cost 14€ for 12 oysters not bad for the location ! You can sit at the end of the island or île Saint-Louis, under the quai de Bourbon facing the Hôtel de Ville.

At the end of the rue de l’Abreuvoir and the rue Girardon, next to the château des Brouillards,few steps from the house of Dalida in the rue d’Orchampt, place Dalida has a nice bust of her with a view towards the Sacré-Cœur to drop for sublime. !

In the heights of the parc de Belleville you have a great view of all Paris. Regular musical events are organize there on Saturdays, and a great bakery up the steps!

In the parc de la Villette at the end of the Canal de l’Ourcq this is quiet sublime and nice spots hidden sometimes and layout gardens along it without getting wet. Also at the Vignes Montmartre, a little square facing the vines very nice and cute ,good for a date ,romantic interlude at the Rue des Saules. The jardin des Rosiers in the square des Francs Bourgeois a little haven of peace and calm right between three mansions, and a garden here to see Paris. Not the closest to inner Paris but less frequented as well with nice architecture of the bridges and stairs you see it by the Allée des Cygnes 15eme.

This is Paris always eternal, and it is in la belle France, where else ! Cheers

And update do not want to wait for next time so here are the latest from la Belle France, and thanks for stopping by.

Welcome to the Duty Free of Galeries Lafayette recently opened at 21 , boulevard Haussmann (9eme). It is located at the old stores of Surcouf and the la Halle, and the façade is typical of the department store with the name « Shopping & Welcome Center ». A complete center dedicated to the Chinese visitors that represent about 25% of total sales of the store or about 2B€., with an average purchase of 1400€ per visitor.  This shopping space of 4 200 m² will be in two levels renovated by the Architect Ora-ïto. It offers the articles preferred by the Chinese from leather goods jewelry, sun glasses, deluxe pens all on the street level, and on the basement beauty, parapharmacy, groceries, tea, caviar, wine and liquors, kitchen accessories, and gifts

The spectacles hall of the Bal Blomet (ex-bal nègre), mythical place of the folly years will re-open this week at 33, rue Blomet  (15eme). The name will simply be the Bal de la rue Blomet. Every Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays you will have shows on cabaret, musical comedy, jazz, and classical music. A space for 70 tables will be available for dining. The shows will cost between 10-20€. More information at Tel +33 (0) 1 44 93 00 27 or  www.balblomet.fr

And taking from my coffee talk above, where to drink a good black express coffee in Paris, here are some nice ones :

Araku Coffee : 14 rue de Bretagne ,3eme, from 11,50€ the 200 grams or about 7 ounces

Belleville Brûlerie : 10 rue Pradier ,19eme, from 13,50€ the 300 grams or about 11 ounces

Les cafés Pfaff (see previous post in my blog) 6 rue Sauval ,1eme , from 3,90€ the 250 grams or about 9 ounces

Télescope café : 5 rue Villedo, 1eme from 2,50^€ expressos

If you want to know where to find flea markets and garage sales etc, the best sit that I use is  www.vide-greniers.org) , with dates of events a month in advance.

The 2017 edition of the faire of trones or Foire du Trône will start on March 31^st at 18h30. You paid 25€ and can use all the rides inside. The proceeds will be renverse on the association Petits Princes. It will be on the lawn of Reuilly at the entrance to the Bois de Vincennes (11eme). They will have about 350 rides ,stands and restaurants. The star attraction will be the  «sky fall»  that can give you a free fall from 80 meters. Many more on site you can see on the webpage below.  The fair will then be open every day from midday to midnight (1h am on Saturdays and eve of Holidays) until May 28 2017. More here: http://www.foiredutrone.com/  Tickets and deals on entrance can be had here in French:  http://www.mestickets.com/Foire-du-trone-paris-vente-pass-tickets.html

See you around ::)

Finished Sunday and nice mild weather of 12C or about 55F in Breton lands and about the same in Paris with no rain in sight. Just picking up some nice things to see and do coming up in France and especially in Paris.

At the route de Suresnes (16éme),my previous passing route into the town of Suresnes and Paris by the Bois de Boulogne you find the domaine de Longchamp, a white castle building that many people would ask what is it? Well ,it does not matter, the truth is it has become after a long renovation the home of the fondation GoodPlanet.  Led by  Yann Arthus-Bertrand, from May 13-14 all the weekends they will have talks and exhibits on ecology, environment, and generosity with the great photographer. On its first exposition it will be presented the inedict images of Human, a video portrait of humanity done in 60 countries. More here in English: https://www.goodplanet.org/en/who-we-are/taking-action-builds-happiness/domaine-de-longchamp/

Already since today Sunday 19 March, the department store le Bon Marché (and its Grande Epicerie) will open 7/7 ! After doing so the BHV ,and the Galeries Lafayette,it’s the turn of the le Bon Marché. This ,already has created 150 jobs both permanent and temporary!! Good going; see the stores here:

http://www.lebonmarche.com/en.html

http://www.bhv.fr/en/

http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/

The recently designated “ ZTI” zones or  zones touristiques internationals in Paris. They are in 12 areas such as the Champs-Elysées Montaigne, Haussmann, Le Marais, les Halles, Maillot-Ternes, Montmartre, Olympiades, Rennes/Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Emilion-Bibliothèque, Saint-Honoré/Vendôme, Saint-Germain, and Beaugrenelle.  Also, they are in Cannes, Nice, and Deauville. More here in French from govt source ; where it says “Cartes des 12 ZTI à Paris, you can click and a map of the areas will show.  http://www.economie.gouv.fr/vous-orienter/entreprise/commerce/creation-des-zones-touristiques-internationales-a-paris

The famous passe Navigo is evolving a lot since I used to use it while working in Paris. Already from January you can use the navette on the river Seine, such as Batobus: http://www.batobus.com/en.html

Also, from mid April you will be able to use the Navigo Pass for auto rental libre service as  Autolib’ at : https://www.autolib.eu/faq/

It ,also, will serve to use on the Vélib bike service and on the electronic tickets for the train Thalys. http://en.velib.paris.fr/    ; and https://www.thalys.com/fr/en/

The impressionist painter Camille Pissarro has a nice museum that has recently been renovated in Pontoise. After 6 months of work, it has reopened with new rooms of exposition in the street level floor to allow works of arts to be shown in 250 sq meters of space.  The museum was opened in 1980, and now it is more accessable and practical.  You are , also, able to see works from his sons  Lucien, Georges ,and Ludovic-Rodo, but ,also, of Daubigny, Guillaumin, Signac, Hayet, Piette, Cézanne, Caillebotte, Goenette, and Luce. From today to June 11 you will be able to see an exposition on Camille Pissarro of old and new works shown.  The location is 17, rue du Château, 95300 Pontoise . From Paris you can take the RER C to Pontoise and the museum is walking distance from the station,also in regular trains from Gare du Nord and Saint Lazare stations. More here: http://www.valdoise-tourisme.com/diffusio/en/to-see-and-to-do/culture/pontoise/musee-camille-pissarro_TFO105893370800.php?tfo%5BgC%5D=|MoCulturePatrimoine|CulturePatrimoine|ComPlusAlpha||-TT&tfo[page]=54#.WM7bFVU1_IU

For something unique and historical of France, go see the Société Faure at La  Croix-Saint-Ouen to see the horseshoe making history of the only remaining maker in France today. The firm was established in 1910, and you can reach it by train from Paris Gare du Nord station to Compiegne station than taxi to the firm only about 5 kms. More here: http://www.fers-faure.com/cavalnet/p/65/directement/

I come back to the arts, on American painter Joe Bradley. Since the Biennal of Whitney in 2008, he does not stop breaking prices record reaching sometimes the million USDollars. The Fundacion Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso para el Arte (Faba), will open the château de Boisgeloup for the first time to the public in April and May to invite the painter born in Maine in 1975 to expose his work in the sculpture shops of Picasso!! A great gift to this graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design of Providence. At this place about 100 years after the meeting of Minotaure and the ballerina Olga Khokhlova,celebrated at the Musée Picasso. More info here: http://www.fabarte.org/en/news/

More on the castle of Boisgeloup and Picasso, here: http://www.tourisme-gisors.fr/en/town-walk/

You can reach Gisors from gare Saint Lazare in Paris by train and then taxi to the castle above mentioned or the car of course, but I put public transport as most folks coming here use it instead of the car, which to me is always better but… If you need driving guidance to any of these places let me know.

The wonderful Musée d’Orsay is coming back for the night owls lovers. For the 4th time this old train station will revert on the fall of night into a promenade where paintings, music,and poetry will be mix. You have Thursday March 23 from 18h to 23h to do this. You will be in the middle of the exposition “Au delà des étoiles. Le paysage mystique de Monet à Kandinsky” And ” Curieuse nocturne Au delà des étoiles”.  night owl admission price of 9€ and free for those under 26. Info at tel +33 (0) 1 53 63 04 63 of course the exposition will regularly run to June 11. More general info here:  http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/events/exhibitions/in-the-musee-dorsay/exhibitions-in-the-musee-dorsay/article/au-dela-des-etoiles-44978.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=254&cHash=1e123ff4c4

And a great event , great year on Rodin, his greatest work the Le Penseur in 1906 was put in front of the Panthéon, later transferred in 1922 to the Hôtel Biron that itself was opened in 1919.The majority of his work was shown here. However, walking the streets of Paris you can find many of his work.  Please ,note this event, ” Rodin, l’exposition du centenaire au Grand Palais”, until July 31 2017. Wednesdays to Mondays from 10h to 20h, night times on Wednesdays, Fridays,and Saturdays until 22h. More here: http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/event/rodin-centennial-exhibition

Now, I will tell you where you can find some of his work in Paris.

You come to the Théâtre des Gobelins at 73 avenue des Gobelins (13éme) that now houses the Fondation Jerome Seydoux-Pathé. The bas-reliefs of the théâtre des Champs-Elysées (8éme) were done by Antoine Bourdelle. The group of cariatides in the Théâtre de la Renaissance (10éme) are the work of Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. At the metro station Varenne, line 13 where there is the Musée Rodin, located at 79 rue de Varenne (7éme). The work of the  L’Âge d’Airain at Place Rodin (16éme); the bronze made a scandal in 1877 because Rodin had insinuated the mold was that of his face. Another mold is at the courtyard of the high school or Lycée Rodin (13éme). The work the  Ève, L’Ombre et La Méditation  is at the Jardin des Tuileries all three statues near the Musée de l’Orangerie. The statue of Honoré de Balzac at Boulevard Raspail since 1939, this monument to Balzac is on the spot by boulevard Raspail near the Carrefour Vavin. Another version of it is seen in the garden of the Musée Rodin.  The statue of  Victor Hugo , is at the angle of avenue Henri-Martin and Victor Hugo (16éme), this was initially ordered for the Panthéon. Instead another one was chosen by Rodin where the writer is surrounded by three muses. The stele block of César Franck was done for his grave at the Cementary of Montparnasse, the musician dead in 1890 was honored by Auguste Rodin with a medallion in haut relief.

Some links for the above places here:

Theater of the Gobelins no longer exist but the work is still there: http://www.salles-cinema.com/anciens-cinemas/cinema-rodin

Indeed gorgeous to visit even just for the theater of Champs-Elysées : http://www.theatrechampselysees.fr/en/the-theater/historical-chronicle

The theater of the Renaissance here: http://theatredelarenaissance.com/

metro Varenne and Musée Rodin, http://www.musee-rodin.fr/en/visit/plan-your-visit-paris

high school or Lycée Rodin here : https://www.ac-paris.fr/serail/jcms/s2_111988/accueil

Jardin des Tuileries statues of Rodin, good site: http://www.nella-buscot.com/jardins_paris_tuileries_rodin.php

Rodin of Balzac, https://www.franceculture.fr/architecture/le-balzac-de-rodin-cest-une-sculpture-de-lobscenite

Rodin of Victor Hugo, (French) ; http://www.musee-rodin.fr/fr/ressources/fiches-educatives/rodin-et-victor-hugo

tomb César Franck, in French cementary of Montparnasse: https://www.landrucimetieres.fr/spip/spip.php?article870

Enjoy your week, y’all ::)  and remember life is beautiful; la vie est belle, or la vida es chula or even la dolce vita !!!

And after a huge rain deluge in the morning, the calm has come back but still cloudy and 15C or about 64F. This is family Sunday ,and we are having some goodies with northern France beers….

Some of the latest from France, and especially Paris are here:

The mayor of Paris ,Anne Hidalgo announce the arrival of an extra 100 agents to enforce the cleanliness of the city in addition to the  260 agents already hired since  2014».  There in all categories from cleaners sweepers drivers supervisors etc. It will have about 7000 persons by years end; a very nice budget. In addition, the number of inspectors will increase by 50% from now to the summer of 2018 to fight against the incivilities. More order in the streets and more respect for all. It already has 1900 agents and by January 1 2018 will have 1500 more. Also, a budget of 1,5 million euros to   the ratting of Paris so that the rodents do no make their return already infesting many parks and gardens in the city. http://www.paris.fr/services-et-infos-pratiques/prevention-et-securite/prevention-et-securite/prevention-et-securite-2283#la-lutte-contre-les-incivilites_16

http://www.paris.fr/actualites/objectif-paris-propre-de-nouvelles-mesures-pour-la-proprete-4629

The fashion weeks started January 5 by the Mens,followed by the costumes, and the female fashions of fall winter 2017 the fashion weeks ended in Paris on March 7 .More than 600 passarelles from New York to Paris by way of London and Milan, the question is what is the purpose?  The industry has a lot of glamour but less sales and the ones that are going up are the super expensive collection for the rich. Thoughts. http://www.modeaparis.com/1/article/dates

And more fashion why not from the Great Cristobal Balenciaga, at the Musée Bourdelle, Palais Galliera. Entitled “ Balenciaga l’oeuvre au noir” , over 100 customes in black shown until July 16. This will follow «  Costumes Espagnols entre ombre et lumiére » at the Maison Victor Hugo (21 june – 24 september 2017) , and will close out with “Mariano Fortuny” at the Palais Galliera (4 october 2017 – 7 january 2018). More here: http://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/balenciaga-loeuvre-au-noir

The inmortal opera Carmen of Bizet will come to Opera Bastille on a play done by Calixto Bieito from now to April 14’ and then again from June 13 to July 16 2017. https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-16-17/opera/Carmen

The celebration of the 40 years of the Centre Pompidou de Paris is not just been held in Paris but in Seine-et-Marne dept 77. At the La Ferme du Buisson ,Centre Photographique d’île de France,and the parc Culturel de Rentilly. The film by Rossellini as the center piece. The activities will be open to the public Wednesdasy to Sundays from 14h to 19h30 The presentation is running from now to July 16 with the following schedule: vernissage Saturday March 11, there is a navette bus with reservation at reservation@fraciledefrance.com 11h15 from Place du Châtelet Paris. At 12h le chateau, parc culturel de Rentilly, at Bussy Saint Martin 14h30 Centre photographique d’île de France at Pontault-Combault ; 16h30 La Ferme de Buisson ,Noisiel, 18H projection of the film by Rossellini in a big screen and 19h30 return navette bus to Paris . The transportation between the sites will be done by réservations Tle +33 (0) 1 53 34 64 43 or email  taxitram@tram-idf.fr More here in English: https://www.fraciledefrance.com/soixantedixsept/?lang=en

An incourtanable place for me and my other half is to the Epicerie du Bon Marché department store. Completely remodelled in 2013 and now open on Sundays from 10h to 20H !!! A Paris must for all. Until March 26 you have the 3 days of TBM  with 30% discounts on many items;too bad I am now so far !More here: http://www.lagrandeepicerie.com/evenements/tbm.html

March 17-19 there is the Hérmes show jumping international CSI 5 at the Grand Palais, the best of horse jumping in the capital. This is Hérmes sponsored event. More here: http://www.sauthermes.com/en/the-classes/

The fireman are honoured in Paris, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of founding the brigade in paris; this is showing at the Hôtel de ville or city/town hall of Paris.  It became an unit in the 19C  under the leadership of Napoléon Ier.  By an Imperial decree he lent this job to a group of military personnel, creating the Battalion, later a regiment in 1867 and finally a brigade of volunteers in March 1st 1967. Until April 29, Mondays to Saturdays from 10h to 18h30  in the Salle des Prévôts Tapisseries.  More here: http://quefaire.paris.fr/14638/exposition-pompiers-de-paris

The “Printemps des Poètes” is on until March 19 in Paris. This 19^th edition will make in evidence the work of Léopold Sedar Senghor and Tchicaya U Tam si. At the Bibliothéque de l’Arsenal, 1 rue de Sully , Paris 4 ; more here in French : http://www.printempsdespoetes.com/

The inescapable Chatou fair returns for its 94^th edition on the island of the impressionists! The fans of flea market ,antique, art of the 20C, and local produce will end up in this bucolic setting around 500 merchants from antique dealers, second hand dealers, jewerlers and art galleries.  This year the theme will be French style Napoléon III furniture to designs of Pompidou . On the boulevard Voltaire a small fair within a fair with hams and suckling roasted pigs roasted on the spot , pata negra, and ducks . Until March 19 from 10h to 19h admission 6€  free navette from the station gare of Rueil Malmaison. More here: http://www.foiredechatou.com/

It will be a long March awaiting Spring on March 20th, and the changing of the clock here on March 26th. Hoping for better weather, and our vacation times in summer and Christmas all taken care of. Enjoy your week wherever you are in our beautiful world. Cheers!