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