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.