This is my latest from my belle France; And it is that time again to tell you my latest rants about some news from France. An eventful post in my blog that I have enjoyed together with you for the last 16 years , And for those non Roman CD is 400 !! ,I have come back to new posts and continue the saga of this series some news from France , part CD !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The sumptuous Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau built in 1778 has housed the renowned School of Jewelry Arts since 2024. Over the course of two days, visitors can discover the history of these age-old skills through a selection of jewelry displayed for the first time, alongside antique objects and tools. Gemologists and jewelers round out this fascinating experience with demonstrations showcasing their craftsmanship. The institution’s bookstore boasts a collection of 7,000 volumes dedicated to the world of jewelry. Situated at 16 bis Bd Montmartre, 9éme arrondissement, The official L’école Van Cleef Arpels of Paris: https://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/maintenance.html
A vast colonnaded hall, walls in shades of gray and gold, a painted ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and light-amplifying mirrors: the Salle de l’Institut at the Orléans Conservatory (Loiret 45) evokes the grandeur of Versailles. Built in 1844 opposite Sainte-Croix Cathedral, (see post) ,the building is dedicated to fostering musical practice and performance. This majestic auditorium remains renowned for its extraordinary acoustics, hosting numerous concerts throughout the year. The City of Orléans on the Salle de l’Institut : https://www.orleans.fr/que-faire-a-orleans/salles-de-spectacle/la-salle-de-linstitut
On the famous Place d’Armes in Metz (Moselle 57) designed by architect Jacques-François Blondel at the behest of King Louis XV and built between 1761 and 1771 stands the former guardhouse, where the soldiers responsible for security were once quartered. With its imposing neoclassical façade, the building now houses the tourist office. Archival photographs allow visitors to observe the changes made to this majestic structure over the years. The Metz tourist office : https://www.tourisme-metz.com/en/planning-your-trip/brochures-to-download
The old elevator at the Arc de Triomphe,(see post) installed in 1997, is due for major, unprecedented modernization work. In the meantime, visitors must regularly climb the 280 steps to reach the monument’s terrace. Omg !
The fire that ravaged the Marché des Enfants-Rouges (see post), a terrible blaze that destroyed the 1,000 m² market in the 3éme arrondissement. It is a disaster to see this place go up in smoke. It wasn’t just a tourist spot; it was a real hub of neighborhood life. It’s going to completely change the atmosphere. The fire broke out this Sunday to Monday October 11-12 morning at a construction site near the Gare d’Austerlitz, at the top of Boulevard de l’Hôpital, on the top floor of the building at 1 Place Valhubert though the station itself, located in the 13éme arrondissement, was not affected. More than four centuries of history have gone up in smoke in Paris. The Marché des Enfants-Rouges was Paris’s oldest covered food market Founded in 1615 during the reign of Louis XIII, it was originally known as the “Petit Marché du Marais.”
The Fondation Vuitton is dedicating a major exhibition to a forgotten collector, Gustave Fayet, who owned treasures ranging from Cézanne and Gauguin to Van Gogh and Bonnard. The exhibition “Gustave Fayet: Collector and Creator, Icons of Modern Art” at the Fondation Vuitton promises to be a record-breaking event, featuring over 250 works once owned by Fayet who died in 1925 at the age of 60 , and whose fantastic collection was scattered across the globe after his passing. Vincent van Gogh’s *Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (Self-Portrait with Pipe)*, on loan from a private Greek collection, has not been shown in France since 1937. There is indeed another “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” held in London, and a famous “Self-Portrait with Pipe” in Amsterdam, but there is only one that combines the pipe and the bandaged ear. The Fondation Vuitton on Gustave Fayet : https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/fr/evenements/gustave-fayet-collectionneur-createur
Zurbarán exhibition at the Louvre: why you absolutely must discover this hidden Spanish treasure
This great 17C painter little known to the general public in France epitomizes the Spanish Golden Age. A truly enchanting experience at the Louvre. Black and white are the signature colors of Francisco de Zurbarán known simply as Zurbarán, a Spanish Golden Age painter who stands as an equal to his friend Velázquez. The Louvre is dedicating a magnificent exhibition to him until January 25, 2027, centered, of course, on his masterpiece on loan from the Prado Museum in Madrid. The Musée du Louvre on Zurbaràn : https://www.louvre.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/exhibitions/zurbaran
Taking root on the esplanade of La Défense: the first section of the park is set for completion next summer. It is a 5-hectare green space stretching over 500 meters between the Agam and Takis reflecting pools. This project aims to breathe life into the park an ambitious undertaking to replace the old, worn-jointed gravel paving slabs that previously made up the esplanade with 5 hectares of lawns, pools, and flower gardens. The official La Défense on the park : https://www.parisladefense.com/en/district/projects/parc
From October 15, 2026, Pigalle welcomes ZOUZOU, a new hybrid venue where cabaret, wild performances, and clubbing blend together. Three opening nights from October 15 to 17 will keep night owls dancing until the early hours. Located at 12 Rue Frochot, ZOUZOU arrives with a promise: to blur the lines between performance and party. ZOUZOU, 12 Rue Frochot 9éme The official Zouzou Pigalle: https://zouzoupigalle.com/
Disneyland Paris (we are in Nov26!) will have a second five-star hotel with 260 rooms to open in 2030 at Val d’Europe. This future luxury establishment will be built in the heart of the Golf Paris Val d’Europe complex,by the groupe Pulsim in the town of Bailly-Romainvilliers (Seine-et-Marne 77). Work is scheduled to begin in 2027. Read more in the Le Revue des Hôtels magazine : https://larevuedeshotels.com/en/pulsim-val-deurope-5-star-hotel
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, takes an educational approach by showcasing its clothing collections from creation to conservation until April 4, 2027. The MAD, responsible for selecting and preserving the national collections, is celebrating “40 Years of Fashion at the Museum” with a highly educational exhibition. The first section focuses on the atelier that is, everything that happens before a garment reaches the runway. In a vast white space, one encounters a mood board created by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, sketches by Jacques Fath , a miniature wooden dress form belonging to Madeleine Vionnet , and a muslin prototype by John Galliano (also on loan from Dior, which has proven to be exceptionally generous). The official MAD on the 40 years of Fashion at the Museum : https://madparis.fr/Look-40-Years-of-Fashion-at-the-Museum
The Hauts-de-France region comprising the historic areas of Flanders, Artois, and Picardy boasts several gems in the form of its exceptional gardens. While the landscapes bear the marks of Great War battlefields and the closure of mines and textile factories, these gardens serve as oases of greenery, color, poetry, and not least coolness. What could be more resilient than the “Gardens of Peace” created on actual battle sites by landscape architects from nations involved in the Great War or WWI or the Louvre-Lens garden, laid out on the site of a former minehead? In the Oise department (60) , the Imperial Park of the Château de Compiègne and the gardens of the charming village of Gerberoy (including the Yew Garden and the garden of painter Henri Le Sidaner) are truly enchanting. Equally remarkable are the five gardens located in Lille, Chantilly, and near Montreuil-sur-Mer, Arras, and Abbeville, The Hauts de France region tourist office on its gardens : https://www.tourisme-en-hautsdefrance.com/mes-envies/reconnexion-nature/parc-jardin-pres-de-chez-vous/
Starting in early November,2026, Printemps Haussmann invites you to its rooftop ice rink specifically on the department store’s 7th floor for a skating session, coming up in just a few days! The action on the ice begins on November 7, 2026 yes, already, and runs until January 3, 2027. It offers a truly exceptional setting, boasting breathtaking views of the capital’s rooftops, the Opéra Garnier, and the Eiffel Tower. Due to its limited capacity, access to the rink is by reservation only, though it is free of charge and open to anyone aged six and up.The official Printemps Haussmann :https://www.printemps.com/fr/fr/printemps-paris-haussmann
Head to the 12éme arrondissement and the former Reuilly-Diderot barracks to discover Leonie Bakery and its delicious breads and pastries. The result is a massive 1,000 m² space spread across two floors, blending artisanal craftsmanship, a contemporary vibe, and a welcoming atmosphere. All products are made on-site using organic flour, natural sourdough starter, and ingredients from certified sources. This commitment to quality is evident in their range of signature breads such as the Leonie baguette (made with flour from the Viron mill in Chartres), Tourte de Meule, Cœur de Sarrasin, Tordu du Gers, and the bold fruit-filled Vollkornbrot as well as in their exceptional pastries: pure-butter croissants, cinnamon-cardamom or chocolate rolls, and a fantastic homemade Basque cake. Naturally, a bakery of this scale means large-scale production: over 3,000 baguettes and 5,000 croissants come out of the oven every day. Leonie Bakery Reuilly, 2 Passage Emma-Calvé 12éme, The official Leonie bakery: https://www.leoniebakery.com/
There you go folks, my latest round of my some news from France coming to you freely by the road warrior travel guy . Again, hope you enjoy this post on some news from France , part CD !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
