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