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

It's September & Cultural LIfe Roars Back to Paris!

In early September Paris undergoes a noticeable re-invigoration. Cafes and restaurants open up again, everyone is back from summer vacation. The cultural calendar swells with events of all types…. Major art and antique shows, music of every persuasion. Here are just a few things you might want to note if you are visiting Paris in September.

The blockbuster art show of the season will be a major Monet show at the Grand Palais, September 22 through January 10.

Lovers of antiques and design will not want to miss the Bienniale des Antiquaires, September 15 to 22 at the Grand Palais. This massive event features top quality, often very rare items ranging from furnishings to jewelry to paintings to archaelogical finds. There are 25 new international dealers in this year’s show adding to an already remarkable variety of offerings.

As fall arrives, the Opera en Plein Air season continues. Visit the ground of the Hotel des Invalides to hear Carmen performed from September 7-14. www.operaenpleinair.com

If you love Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz check out the Django Dorm concert at the Salle Pleyel on September 30.

And that’s just a start!

Your Night At Paris (anfd French) Museums

Nuit des Musées

Date: 15 May 2010

Like culture but not standing in lines to enjoy art and design? Definitely plan to be in Paris for the Nuit des Musées, or anywhere in France for that matter. On one spring night, museums across France open until 1am, offering a chance to see the Louvre, and hundreds more, for free - no tour buses in sight.

Nuit des Musées Website (http://www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr)

Paris Barcelona Cadaques Tour In September

Paris. Barcelona. Cadaqués. Three Exquisite Destinations: One Fabulous Tour.
Lovers of music, dance and art won't want to miss this very special intimately scaled tour to immerse in music, dance and art, and, to join in the festivities at Barcelona's exuberant La Merce Festival. Paris Barcelona Cadaqués is a high-access experience for 6-10 lucky guests. 3 nights in Paris, 3 nights in Barcelona. Visit hot art galleries, concept shops, not normally open to the public spots such as Sarah Bernhardt's dressing room in the Theatre de la Ville, enjoy a day trip to idyllic Cadaqués, home to countless artists and where you will visit ateliers of noted contemporary artists. Dine in charming Paris winebars, in Catalan Tapas Bars and enjoy robust Barcelona cuisine at famed Los Caracoles. Enjoy an elegant French 'Apéro' hosted in a private Parisian apartment. A private guide will accompany you every step of the way and open doors to artists and experiences that will delight. September 21-27. 2950 Euros.

Email Sally for more detail. sally@yourgreatdaysinparis.com Deadline: April 28, 2010.

A Sleepless Parisian Night of Art and Culture

October 3rd is once again the annual extravaganza of performance art, installation art, music and 'happenings' around Paris that stretches into the wee hours (think 5 or 6 a.m.!)

Let Nuits Blanches have been so successful in Paris that various cities now replicate this idea but you can't beat that ineffable blend of art, style and creativity in the city of all-night light.

The Nuits Blanche celebrations include lots that is happening in historic buildings and public squares in the event-dense Marais and Latin Quarter, around Chatelet and other central Paris locations. But this year as ever, the Nuits Blanche also sets forth to lure visitors and residents into more off the beaten path quarters and celebrate their creatively with verve.
This year, the area around Parc de Buttes Chaumont in the 19th and in the new multidisciplinary live-art venue le Centquatre off near the edge of Montmartre are major venues. The Mosquee de Paris and Notre Dame will be sites for musical and light sculpture events, and other historic buildings and churches are highlighted as evocative performance spaces.

65 plus contemporary artists and musicians are participating in various venues and galleries all throughout the Marais also open their doors to expand the festival and celebrate their shows.

And best of all everything is FREE! Detailed booklets are available at ratp stations and Paris city halls. Or, google www.paris.fr for a detailed schedule. Get in the spirit. Do as much or as little as your sleep deprived self will permit.

New Louvre Website in English is Available

Thirty-Five Thousand Works of Art, historic castle, mother of all museums, hip cafes, classic and contemporary architecture.... the Louvre is indisputably a remarkable place.

The extensive Louvre website, www.louvre.fr is now accessible in English. Here is the intro from the Louvre site:

"The Musée du Louvre houses 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments, displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to the permanent collections. Explore the works on display, taking a thematic or cross-departmental approach."

And remember, the Louvre complex also houses smaller museums, such as the museum of Decorative Arts, Fashion and Publicity (advertising arts). These are accessible via separate entrances off the rue de Rivoli from the main fine arts museum.

These resources are invaluable in scoping out your priorities for visits to this immense trove. Don't forget the evening opening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays. Less crowds, more flexibility though not every single gallery is open.