France Through Eyes of Faith over Easter...

If you are searching for an unusual gift for an 'enspirited' friend or person you love, consider our intimately scaled France Through Eyes of Faith tour starting on Good Friday in Paris, 2013.

This excellent experience is guided by Sally Peabody and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Rand Peabody, of Your Great Days in Paris and Turkish Journeys.  We are joined by an expert medievalist in Paris and Chartres, and, an expert guide in Angers who reveals the beauties and secrets of the astonishing 14th century 'Apocalypse Tapestries' and the luminous 20th century Chant du Monde Tapestries.

Our last day we visit Reims to tour the lovely gothic Notre Dame de Reims and the pre-gothic St. Remy Basilica. We toast our time together in France with a more contemporary spirit, after touring one of the grand Champagne caves such as Taittinger or Pommery.

Email sally at s.peabody@verizon.net for more details or look at the tour description on www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com

Take A Holiday Stroll Down a Great Boulevard....

The Champs Elysées is hardly off the beaten path in Paris. But, at Christmas time, this bustling boulevard is picture perfect for sparkling, romantic Christmas lights, a Marché du Noel, Christmas trees and more pretty, festive, seasonal delights.   The Arc de Triomphe and the Grande Roue are both lit and serve as 'anchors' to one of the world's most impressive streetscapes.

Start from the top and meander downhill. At Rond Point, bright blue and white 
lights at all the corners are impressive indeed. From that point, the annual Christmas Market begins, running along both sides and the entire length of the Champs-Elysées, all the way down to the Place de la Concorde, which is home to a huge Christmas tree.The Christmas market features artisans selling a large variety of intriguing gifts.
Paris being Paris, of course there are food and drink vendors selling everything from sausages to chocolates to hot spiced wine.
There are tables and outdoor heaters set up for comfort. Don't want to shop or eat? Have kids in tow?
There's a skating rink and a giant slide.  There's a giant mailbox for letters to Santa and kids will surely love the Petit Train du Pére Noel.
The market is open daily until January 6th.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 11p.m.  Weekends, the market is open until midnight.  

And if the Champs Elysées isn't enough, head over to see the dramatic lights and decorations at the Galleries Lafayette and Printemps along Haussmann.

The Best Gift... Paris For the Holidays

Check out my new article, just posted, titled 'The Best Gift: Paris For the Holidays' on Bonjour Paris.

This magical city ramps up the festivity and its innate beauty in late December... enjoy!

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/best-gift-paris-holidays/

A taste of Portugal in the Marais

Off course you want to over-indulge in fantastic French patisserie while you are in Paris.  Just in case you crave something a little different... Comme a Lisbonne is a wonderful small shop located on the rue de Roi de Sicile in the Marais with a fine collection of Portuguese specialties, including those irresistible eggy, creamy Pasteis de Nata tarts.  I love Portugal and often travel there for personal trips.  Pasteis de Nata are classic Portuguese sweets and they are mildly addictive when made well. If you can't get to the source at the Pasteis de Belem bakery in Lisbon, stop in at Comme A LIsbonne in Paris to try these. Perfect, perfect, perfect with a cup of Portuguese style espresso.

Comme A Lisbonne also sells a small but well curated selection of Portuguese foods and conserves. A great little shop. Check it out.

Comme a Lisbonne
37 rue de Roi de Sicile, 75004
Metro: Hotel de Ville
Open 11AM to 7PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Angelina's Chocolat Chaud at Galleries Lafayette for the Holidays

Lovers of lethally rich chocolat chaud certainly know Angelina's famed Parisian salon where the 'Chocolat Africaine' is justly famed along with the chestnut puree and cream Mont Blanc pastry. Yum. Angelina's is going to be offering a holiday season pop-up cafe on the highest floor of the Galleries Lafayette 'Grand Magasin' where the hot chocolat, Mont Blanc, and a well curated selection of other sweet treats will be featured. November 12 through December 31 only.

If you are walking by the Grands Magasins... Galleries Lafayette, Printemps, et al to see their beautiful windows and holiday illuminations, maybe to do some shopping, stop in at the seasonal Angelina's for a treat.

And of course, you can always visit the classic Angelinas on the rue de Rivoli.

Love Fashion? Check out the Chloe Attitude Exhibition

This show is a tribute to Gaby Aghion, who started the Chloe label 60 years.  Aghion kicked off the   the brand by having a casual show of the first collection at the hip Café de Flore. In subsequent years she created and re-created Chloe as a brand that had the informality of everyday wearable clothes with the luxuriousness of couture. Chloe has had of succession of nine designers including Karl Lagerfeld, Martine Sitbon, Stella McCartney, and Phoebe Philo, each with their own signature but yet retaining the essence of the brand.
The exhibit begins with a display of photos from ad campaigns. You can see how the label evolved with each photographer uniquely interpreting the Chloe woman. Renowned photographers have shot for Chloe, including Helmut Newton, Guy Bourdin, Jeanloup Sieff, David Bailey and Deborah Turbeville.
The design and curating of the exhibit is first rate. Judith Clark has designed an outstanding show.  The show is very successful at showing the arc of the various fashion over the 60 years. You leave, appreciating the arc of fashion over six decades and the excellence of the Chloe design.

Until November 18 at the Palais de Tokyo. 113 ave President Wilson  in the 16th.  Open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.   This is near Trocadero on the right bank.

Stunning Chateau, Stunning Chocolates

The beautiful chateau and gardens of Vaux le Vicomte are always worth a visit. This chateau 'that inspired Versailles' is magnificently designed and decorated. On November 10 and 11 the Chateau is hosting an event called 'Le Palais du Chocolat' running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Master chocolatiers will be offering tastings of their craft and showing elaborate chocolate design creations. Sounds like fun! And remember, if you will be in Paris during the holidays, Vaux le Vicomte is famed for its 'illuminations' where the chateau is shown off in all its decorated glory and lit by candlelight. Children visiting during this time can dress in period costumes... The chateau is about an hour and a quarter south east of Paris. Call or email me if you would like a driver to take you there for a memorable day.

Stunning new Islamic Collections Wing at the Louvre

On September 22, 2012, The Louvre in Paris unveiled its new wing and galleries dedicated to the arts of Islam, marking the museum's greatest development since the iconic glass pyramid constructed twenty years ago. To house the new wing, architects Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti created a new glass structure with a unique undulating roof, sitting in the Louvre's Visconti courtyard. The contemporary wing, spanning over 30,000 square feet, thus does not detract from the museum's historical 17-century facades, but offers a new dimension to the famous museum. The new Department of Islamic Art will exhibit a large portion of The Louvre's collection of 18,000 works, showcasing some pieces to the public for the first time. This colleciton of art from the Islamic world spans from the 7th to the 19th century, including a particularly impressive collection of textile works such as fabrics, rugs and carpets. For more information: http://www.louvre.fr/

AirFrance Europe Fares Sale until 10.25

Air France is running a sale on fares to various European Destinations through October 25. Check their website. Boston to Paris was approx. $950 which is good, not astonishing but a savings, bien sur. And I saw a Chicago to Istanbul flight for $744! Talk with me about holidays in Paris or in Istanbul. And good luck with the fare sale. Sally

And here's the link!

I omitted the link for the Old South Church Reporter online pdf of my article on 'Enspirited Travel' in France and in Turkey in my post this morning. Apologies. If you would like to read the piece insert this link in your browser http://www.oldsouth.org/photos-and-media/publications And open up the pdf file listed under the Old South Reporter header. I think you will enjoy this article and the images add a great deal to the content as well.

France (and Turkey) With Eyes of Faith

Enjoy my article on my 'enspirited' tours in France and Turkey just published in the Old South Reporter. This is the e-magazine of my church in Boston, the venerable but wonderfully and progressively up to date church where my husband and I are members. Two sermons on Mary and on the Book of Revelation prompted me to move beyond my normal culinary/cultural tour framework into offering intimate immersions of several remarkable 'spiritual sites' in and around Paris. The tour is wonderful and I am offering it again in March, 2013 and can always offer one for a small group that would like to experience this tour for any congregation. We work with two excellent medievalist guides in France and the total experience is excellent. Here is the link. There are nice images too!

Getting Your Most From Paris

Bonjour Paris just published my article "Getting Your Best From Paris." Here is the link. And if you are interested in my small group tours in Paris, in Turkey and Andalucia in 2013 be in touch. Or, take a look at www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com or www.turkishjourneys.com We are planning a new culinary & cultural tour in Andalucia, a photo expedition led by two expert, professional photographers to Turkey, our intimate 'France Through Eyes of Faith' tour, Eat.Shop.Taste Paris, our Pays Basque Food and Wine tour and other excellent tours in Turkey. All good. http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/getting-your-best-paris/

The Modern Art Club: Avant Garde Collectors in Le Havre

One of the pleasures of viewing art in Paris is visiting one or more of the smaller, private museums that mount specialty exhibitions. The Musée du Luxembourg, 19, rue de Vaugirad is always worth a look to see what is on offer. The new fall show focuses on the work of impressionists in and around Le Havre. Works on display by Boudin, Monet, Sisley, Jongkind, Pissarro and Corot include seascapes, landscapes and studies of clouds and light. Why this density of artistic output around Le Havre? Le Havre in the late-19th and early-20th centuries held great appeal for artists. Its busy port offered plenty of activity and visual stimulation. Tall-masted ships sailed in and out. The nearby estuary offered the kind of light and colors of interest to painters, especially Impressionists. Not insignificantly, Le Havre also had a wealth of cotton importers and businessmean willing and able to pay for art (“No cotton, no paintings,” local artist Eugène Boudin is reputed to have said). Thus, this critical mass of artists and patrons turned a provincial port city into an unlikely hotbed of modern art before and after the turn of the 20th century. Le Havre is home to an excellent Impressionist and Modern Art museum but until January 6 you can see this show of its treasures in Paris at the Musée du Luxembourg. Open daily. 11 Euros.

Le Bon Marché Turns 160!

Who better than Catherine Deneuve, the iconic living French cinema legend and fashionable femme, to kick off the launch of the 160th birthday of Le Bon Marché. Le Bon Marché is one of the world's first department stores, along with the right bank Le Samaritaine. Ms. Deneuve, who reputedly lives near the Bon Marché on the left bank, is captured in each of the store windows with clever graphic black and white illustrations. The artist is Marjane Satrapi. Each scene features a well-known Paris landmark including Invalides, D’Orsay Museum, Place St. Sulpice, and of course, Le Bon Marché. Very amusing and different. Only in Paris! And while it may not help you stay as svelte as Ms. Deneuve, don't miss a chance to visit the vast Grand Epicerie of the Bon Marché when you go to see the windows and to shop a bit. A block square emporium of gourmet foods of all types from macarons to prime meats.

Journées du Patrimoine this weekend

If you are lucky enough to be in France on September 15 and 16 plan to take advantage of the annual 'Journees du Patrimoine' event. All over France you will find free entry to buildings that are generally closed to the public, often historic buildings or public-sector buildngs that limit access. In Paris you can see inner sanctums of the Elysees Palace or the great city hall with its beautiful reception rooms. And, most museums and monuments will also be open and free... Check out http://journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr for a full list all around France. Lines can be long for many very special places but this is a rare opportunity. Enjoy.

Cool Treats in St. Germain this summer

Two great choices for cooling treats in August in Paris.... Mylk is For those who love frozen yogurt habit and prefer not to give it up, even when in a city full culinary temptations. You can customize your yoghurt dishes or have the top quality yoghurt whipped into a milk share. Mylk has two locations, one in the 6th eme at 15 rue de l'Ancienne Comedie, (in the heart of St. Germain des Pres) and the other in Montmartre, located at 1 place suzanne valadon. And, a temporal pleasure. Master patissier and famed macaron maker Pierre Herme has added a new line of ice creams and frozen desserts to their gorgeous array of patisserie. Head for the 72 rue Bonaparte boutique and taste one of these intensely flavored ice creams. Some flavors echo those of the famous macarons, like the salt caramel or the fabulous Ispahan. At the end of August the ice creams will be gone... Who says you can't find great things to eat and enjoy in Paris in August?

My Article on NOMA in Bonjour Paris (the North Marais)

Enjoy my article on the hip 'Upper Marais' in Bonjour Paris, the always worth reading weekly e-publication on all things Paris. http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/noma-haut-and-hip-marais/ The Upper Marais, or NOMA is a great area.. evolving and fun to explore. Full of shopping, galleries, a fabulous master chocolatier, good cafes... its quintessential Paris.

Story on my Turkish Delight Tour, Hamilton College Alumnae E-News

Turkish Delight - News, Sports, Events - Hamilton College

Olives, Olives and more Olives!

Parisians have a peculiar passion for stores specializing in one great thing. Or in one great thing in its various manifestations. Here is a fantastic source for olives that will have the added benefit of getting you into a very interesting quarter to explore, a bit off the beaten track. This is not far from the Canal St. Martin or the Upper Marais. Set up by Cedric Cassanova, La Tête dans les Olives has received much acclaim since it opened, with Michelin-starred reputedly chefs among the regular customers. La Téte dans les Olives is dedicated to olives from Sicily. Delicious olives, ten to twelve pure top quality olive oils and a carefully curated selection of Sicilian olive products. In the center of the shop is a miniscule restaurant with one table seating five persons. There is a sicilian-themed prix fixe menu daily costing 30 E. 2 rue St. Marthe, Paris 10. Quirky and wonderful. Very Parisian. www.latetedanslesolives.com

The 'Boss' on the 4th of July...In Paris!

Fans of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band who are also lucky enough to be in Paris over the 3rd and 4th of July might want to cadge a ticket for the shows at the Palais des Omnisports de Paris. Happy 4th!

New Fashion and Design Museum in Paris

Summer is a great time to get out of central Paris and explore the parks, smaller museums, festivals and other unique activities that make Paris hum in the summertime. One interesting destination is the new Cité de la Mode et du Design on the quais of the Seine out near Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz. This 'museum' is a City of Paris museum and currently is showing two very diverse exhibitions. The first, the World of Cristobal Balenciaga is a retrospective of this noted designers work. The second, 'Comme des Garcons-The World of White' is a show of the avant garde work of Reim Kawakubo. Through early October. 34 Quai de Austerlitz. www.paris-docks-en-seine.fr

Your Custom Strawberry Tarte at Fauchon

That sweet world of patisserie in Paris conceals a competitive battle to stay on top and be out there with the next new delicious thing. Even a simple strawberry tarte can be reconfigured in a whole new way that makes it downright irresistible. Even more than normally irresistible that is! Strawberries in France are delectable and too ephemeral. If you can find Fraises de Bois anywhere buy them! On Fridays and Saturdays throughout June, Fauchon has set up a strawberry tart stand where you can customize your tart. In total there are 27 variations on this custom tarte theme. 3 types of strawberries: Mara de Bois (large wild strawberries), Fraises de Bois (small wild strawberries), and Fraise Gariguettes, sweet longish strawberries. 3 types of crusts: pate sable, or a sweet crunchy, and caramelized millefeuille 3 creamy fillings: nougat, pistachio, lemon 3 sizes: individual, 4 people, and 6-8 people You choose one from each category and voila! you have your perfect, personalized tart. This is France, you can't mix and match... but how lovely is this? The chef literally makes your custom tarte to order and puts it in a snappy pink box to take away. Fauchon is on the Place de la Madeleine in central Paris.

Eiffel Tower Elevators

If you are going to Paris this summer and want to visit the Eiffel Tower, be aware that one of the two elevators is out of service for major restoration through August. Even if you have a timed entry ticket from the Eiffel Tower website the waits may be longer than you expect. Keep an eye on the tower's website and be aware that this may present a problem with queuing and crowds.

Chez Maitre Paul Re-Invented

Chez Maitre Paul ReInvented The beloved bistro Chez Maitre Paul with its Savoyard Cuisine and its super convenient location on rue Monsieur Le Prince had a venerable run. Now, this bistro has been re-energized and is serving contemporary French food with a new chef, a new name and a good value'menu'. Monsieur Le Prince is a welcome addition to this generally pricey neighborhood. The menu is moderately priced and the 17 euro formule of entrée + plat is a veritable steal. 12 Monsieur Le Prince, Paris 6. Near the Luxembourg Gardens and Boulevard St Michel, Boulevard St. Germain. Tel: 01-4354-7459

Splendid Illuminations of Chartres Cathedral

If you will be in Paris this summer and plan to visit Chartres (and you should!) check out this link to learn about the nightime 'illuminations' of the beautiful Gothic Cathedral. The cathedral's we see today are pale shadows of their colorful original selves... the stained glass shines and sparkles but in their early days the arches and pillars were gilded and painted as well. http://www.chartresenlumieres.com/uk/accueil.html

National Museums Night May 19, Paris

If you will be in Paris, or in France, on May 19 stay up late and visit your favorite museums. Or, check out some new ones... This annual arts celebration in France has participating museums open until 1:00 a.m. and there are often special events happening as well. The Orsay, for example, is scheduling musical performances and special talks to guide you through their beautifully renovated new exhibition spaces.

Helmut Newton Exhibition At the Grand Palais

Helmut Newton At the Grand Palais This is the first retrospective of Helmut Newton in France since his death in 2004. June Newton, wife of the photographer and a also a photographer, developed this remarkable exhibition. The exhibition offers a collection of more than 200 images, all high quality originals and vintage prints. The show is enriched by a movie directed by June, which illumines Newton’s personality and professional style. Fashion, nudes, portraits, sex, the grand themes that Helmut Newton is best known for, are shown in “sections” that encourage the visitor to understand Newton’s universe in “applied photography” in fashion and portraits. A standout is the last room dedicated to portraits of strong and seductive women with woman contemporary body. This show is very popular so prepare to stand on line for tickets. Helmut Newton. Until June 17th 2012. Grand Palais. Avenue Winston Churchill 
75008 Paris. Metro: Franklin Roosevelt

Orsay Renovation Complete: Success? Yes.

The Musee d'Orsay has reopened the redesigned Impressionist Galleries and the new spaces are stunning. In a rather radical departure from the prior light color scheme in the galleries, the walls are now painted a deep grey colour which showcases the paintings remarkably well.

The Van Gogh collection is now on a lower floor. And there is a new gallery on the top floor for temporary shows that are of the era of the French art in the Orsay but not French. At present there is an exhibition of works by a Finnish artist that is one of those surprisingly beautiful shows that delights.

The Orsay is still open late on Thursday nights and you can buy a combo pass (to be used in the same day) with the nearby Rodin Museum. Also on the Paris Museum Card...

Springtime at the Petit Palais

The Petit Palais is not as well known as it should be. A lovely (free) City of Paris museum located just off the Champs Elysees and across from the Grand Palais, this is a small gem of a museum with varied collections (paintings, sculpture, gorgeous Russian Icons, art nouveau glass). Best of all, with Paris' early spring the center courtyard is a riot of blooming shrubs and trees, making for a tranquil pause in the midst of all the surrounding urbanity. The cafe has good salads and sandwiches, the usual beverages, and you can enjoy a drink or light meal outside in this protected, verdant oasis.

Just across the street, the Grand Palais is home to a hot new exhibition on Helmut Newton.

Matisse at the Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is hosting an interesting Matisse retrospective which seems like a wonderful way to celebrate spring in Paris. Several of Matisse's early works during his years living in Paris are shown as well as works from his later years. The show includes multiple versions of paintings of views/scenes that Matisse worked on over time providing a fascinating window on how this great painter developed his economical, essential style. It is always a pleasure to see a show of Matisse's works. Put this one on your calendar.


Centre Pompidou: 19, rue Beaubourg, 75004 Paris. Tel.: 01 44 78 12 33. Open 11am-9pm. Closed Tuesday. Métro: Rambuteau. Admission: €12. Through June 18. www.centrepompidou.fr

French Agricultural Fair.. Foodies Alert

From Feb. 25 to March 4 the annual French Agricultural Exposition takes over the Porte de Versailles conventions center. While you may not be in the market for a cute goat or for farm equipment, this fair, as are many regional agricultural fairs that set up shop for a few days in Paris, is a great stop for foodies. You can taste your way through myriad products, wines, cheese, foie gras, and much more. There is a convenient 'storage room' for things you may buy during your explorations that can be picked up at the end of the day.

Check it out. http://en.salon-agriculture.com/Exhibition/4-sections/Gastronomy-in-France-and-abroad

The VAT is sneaking up again..

Since Jan 1 the VAT charged on meals and other 'low level' services in France is 7% up from 5.5%. You probably won't notice a huge difference on your tabs, but, if that cup of coffee in a cafe seems a little more pricey this is probably why.

Cheese, Wine, Jazz for Valentine's Day?

Here's something a little different to celebrate Valentine's Day. My terrific cheese and wine expert colleague Cherif Bourbit, proprietaire of Fil' O' Fromage in the 13 is offering a special evening including wine, cheese and jazz. Fil O Fromage is a fantastic tiny shop and restaurant to have stupendous cheese plates, wonderful charcuterie (often Corsican) and very well chosen regional French wines. Cherif is also a jazz buff. Voila, February 14 head to Fil O Fromage from 6:30 to 10 p.m. for jazz by
Amy Musser, a tasting of wines from the Languedoc, and, a tasting of cheese from the Appenzeller region of Switzerland. Cherif's email is filofromage@free.fr Tell him Sally Peabody referred you! This will be fun. Metro: Bibliotheque Nationale. 12 rue Neuve Tolbiac just across the Seine from Bercy Village.

Good Felafel on the Left Bank

The rue de Rosiers on the right bank, in the heart of the gentrifying Marais, is always a great bet for felafel. So far the upscale clothing and jewelry stores haven't squeezed out L'As du Felafel or Mi Va Mi or other venerable Marais shops for this messy, delicious sandwich.

Here's a good spot on the left bank in the Latin Quarter. Maoz makes felafel a little differently than the left bank shops which are more assembly line like... At Maoz, , the waiter gives you a pita filled with 5 crunchy falafel balls. Fried eggplant or hummus can be added for 0.60 € extra each. Then you head to the salad bar to customize your veggie additions choosing from carrots, sliced beets, olives and other veggies plus different hot or savory sauces. Voila, a custom felafel.

Enjoy your felafel in the nearby Square Viviani. Bring napkins.


Maoz' basic Falafel sandwich is € 4.90
8 rue Xavier Privas
11:30 – midnight 7 days

Two for One at Versailles through March

If you will be in France in February and March and want to go to the great Chateau of Versailles, check out their special internet offer where you can buy two tickets for the price of one. Tickets must be purchased by the end of Feb and used by the end of March. This is a sweet deal when the Chateau is much less crowded.

http://billetterie.chateauversailles.fr/online/index.aspx

France Through Eyes of Faith in March

Join me in a small group immersion in the spirited mind of the middle ages in Paris, Chartres, Angers and Reims. France Through Eyes of Faith explores great gothic cathedrals, museums with exceptional medieval religious art, the luminous Apocalypse Tapestries and Jean Lurcat Chant du Monde tapestries in Angers and more. We learn to 'read' the ancient stained glass and the Cathedral statuary telling stories and teaching lessons. Finally, a day trip to Champagne to visit Reim's Notre Dame cathedral, a gothic gem where the Kings of France were crowned and the lesser known St. Remy Basilica. And a champagne cellar tour to toast our trip!

March 17 to 24. Details on www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com This tour is fun and 'enriching'. Call Sally at 781 391 6183 or email s.peabody@mac.com

Special Valentines Day Cooking Class for Couples

Alain Ducasse's Ecole de Cuisine has a very clever idea. They are offering a special cooking class for Valentine's Day evening for couples. Prepare a delicious luxe menu for two with one of the talented instructors then, enjoy your meal 'en amoreux' with a flute of Champagne and glasses of wine. Price is 330 E. Time, 6:30-10:30 at the school located on 64 rue de Ranelagh in the 16th. The menu is;
AU MENU :
Coquillettes au jambon
et truffe noire, jus d’un rôti
Homard breton, sucs de tomate, gingembre
Dessert glacé, géranium
Et pour accompagner :
coupe de champagne et vins

Contact ecole@alain-ducasse.com for reservations.

Auto Lib comes to Paris

It had to happen. Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe has been creative about cutting pollution and traffic in Paris. The hugely popular Velib bicycle rental program (in Paris and several French cities) was a first big step. Now, for folks who need a car only sometimes the AutoLib fleet is on the Paris streets at smartly designed rental kiosks. These electric cars are compact, shiny blue and cool looking. Here is a link to a good article that describes how all this works!

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15469794,00.html

Delightful Sempé Retrospective at the Hotel de Ville

There is a major (and free) exhibition of the drawings by cartoonist and illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé at the Hotel de Ville through 11 February. Totally delightful.

The "Sempé, A Bit of Paris" exhibition lets us look at the world through the eyes of Jean-Jacques Sempé. Over 300 original drawings along with with texts by the artist are displayed at the Hôtel de Ville.


Sempé has been translated into twenty-five languages and is the creator of several thousand drawings. One of the most famous French cartoonists he has reached generations of readers over the last fifty years. This is a major retrospective,
humour, artistry, poetry... its all here.

Sempé settled on the Left Bank when he arrived in Paris. He frequented Montparnasse and Saint-Germain des Prés, enjoying locations like brasserie Lipp, the Café de Flore, the Closerie des Lilas, the Chez Castel club, the Luxembourg Gardens. He became friends with notables including Françoise Sagan, Jacques Tati, Jacques Prévert, Raymond Savignac, René Goscinny and had a devoted following for his work.

New-York, the New-Yorker and Sempé. In 1965 Sempé visited New York and began to write for the New Yorker. Sempé created 'Air Mail' a beloved column that explored Sempés views of America. Sempé also created over one hundred covers for The New Yorker.

Practical information
The show is open through February 11, 2012
Free at the Hôtel de Ville. Metro: Hôtel de Ville.
Daily except Sundays and public holidays, from 10am to 7pm

Paris Winter Sales

Put on your shopping shoes and get out there! January 11 to February 14 are the dates for Les Soldes, the vast annual winter sales in Paris. With a weaker Euro the deals should be even better for overseas shoppers this year. http://www.shoppingbyparis.com/en/