Duchamp Exhibition at the Pompidou Centre

Marcel Duchamp is known, alternatively, as the painter who 'killed' painting, or, as the artist who re-invented painting.  The Pompidou Center, the National Museum of Modern Art, in Paris has mounted a provocative show that looks at the impact of Duchamp on his era and beyond.  Go and decide for yourself what the appropriate 'legacy' for this controversial artist is.  Sept. 24-Jan. 5.

Picasso Museum to re-open this fall. Will it all be worth the wait?

Here is news from the wonderful Picasso Museum in Paris regarding their planned re-opening and a preview of the newly renovated museum during European Patrimony Days in September.  This has been a long time coming!  Can't wait to see the new museum space.

"On 25 October, the date on which the great master was born, you will be able to discover or rediscover the Picasso Museum Paris’s remarkable collection at the heart of the Marais.
In the meantime, during the European Heritage Days on 20 and 21 September, come and be among the first to admire the new spaces in the Hôtel Salé restored by the architect in chief for French historic monuments Stéphane Thouin and the firm Bodin & associés, in keeping with Roland Simounet’s architectural approach.
You will have the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition documenting the history of the site, its architecture and the museum during these two exceptional open days.
Another unmissable event before the museum’s official opening: TAMBORS, an original performance by BABX, on Saturday 4 October for the Nuit Blanche all-night arts festival, a contemporary tale illuminated on the façades of the Hôtel Salé.


European heritage day programmes:
Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 September, from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.: discovery of the entire Hôtel Salé and exhibition on its architecture. Museum docents will guide visitors (free visit subject to visitor capacity).


Nuit Blanche Programme:
Saturday, 4 October, from 8.30 p.m.: Tambors, an original piece by Babx, 20-min performances at 8.30 p.m., 9.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., accompanied by projections (free shows subject to availability).


Practical information:
Picasso Museum Paris
5, rue de Thorigny
75003 Paris
Tel. +33 1 85 56 00 36

Opening hours:
Exceptional opening hours from 25 October to 3 November: 
Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From 4 November:
Tuesday to Friday from 11.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Late night opening on the 3^rd Friday of the month until 9 p.m.

Find all the terms and conditions for visits at www.museepicassoparis.fr"

Great Coffee in Paris!

 Bonjour Paris, the bi-weekly e-newsletter about Paris just published my story on the high-end quality coffee scene in Paris.  If you are looking for a really delicious, superbly made cappucino or a perfect espresso-- or a Flat White, or cold-brewed iced coffee or more-- there are lots of choices these days.

bonjourparis.com/story/beans-baristas-and-brews-finding-delicious-coffee-/

Summer evening films at La Villette Park

Make the most of your summer evenings in Paris with the free films at the open-air cinema within the Parc de la Villette (19th arrondisement). Films are offered during July and August and follow a theme. Summer of 2014's theme is "Tous en scène'" or "Everybody on stage" and includes films such as Where the Wild Things Are, Be Kind Rewind and The Killing. It's a welcoming, communal, event in an interesting corner of Paris at the head of the Bassin de la Villette. If you prefer not to sit on the grass you can always rent a hair for 7 Euro. Picnics encouraged! Check out the offerings at:  villette.com/fr.

The Belle Epoque Revisited at Le Petit Palais

PARIS 1900, SHOWCASE OF THE WORLD : At the Petit Palais
You can re-live the splendours of the capital as it was for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle when, to celebrate the arrival of the 20th century, 51 plus million tourists came to Paris. Works from the Belle Epoque have been brought from the Petit Palais collections in reserve and added to the permanent collection, a treasure trove of fantasy. If you love Paris and love the Belle Epoque, don’t miss this show.  And best of all, the Petit Palais is a City of Paris museum and free!
Until 17 August 2014
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm  Thursdays until 8pm

Have A Ball at the Paris Firemen's Balls

Only in Paris.  The traditional "Bal des Pompiers" that takes place every year on Bastille Day in the Marais will be happening on July 13th and 14th.  This annual revel consists of two nights of excitement, fun, dancing, drinking, meeting and mingling.  For the third consecutive year, Paris' oldest fire station in the Marais, converted into the biggest Parisian dance floor, will host a unique celebration.

An estimated 10 000 people will walk through the firehouse gates during both nights, among which an exciting mix of men in uniforms from the military and the Paris fire department, Marais residents, plus visitors from around the World.   All are welcome to take part in the festivities of this major national holiday. Top DJs will provide music, from classic disco tunes to current dance music, in an  atmosphere enhanced by freely flowing Champagne.

Have a ball!

Two terrific restaurant finds in Paris from my April trip

Two remarkable new-to-me restaurant finds during my April tours:

Thanks to Patricia Wells’ new Food Lovers Guide to Paris I finally found a place to indulge my Chinese food and in particular, SPICY food, cravings in Paris.  Les Pates Vivantes is a tiny place on the rue Faubourg Montmartre near the rue de Martyrs neighborhood that is fabulous.  A chef makes handmade noodles in the front of the house and from the rear kitchen an array of delicious stir fries and soups emerge. Moderate prices, absolutely delicious food.  Those noodles are great!

In the heart of St. Germain des Prés seek out the tiny and increasingly popular (as the word gets out) newish Le Petit Casimir on rue Casimir Delavigne.  This was for years a sweet place with two guys, one who cooked, one who served traditional French food that was good if not amazing.  Now, a talented team, Martine and Gerard have taken this place over and they are doing absolutely delicious market fresh food for a charitable 28 E for three courses. 

Martine is a gifted cook and Gerard is a charming raconteur who serves and handles the front of the house.  He makes a delicious walnut liqueur and also makes all manner of confit of savory things like orange peel or wild garlic, which ultimately find their way in the dishes.  If you love crème brulee the version here is delicious and actually is ‘brulee-d’ with a flourish when served by Gerard with a cast iron sizzlingly hot gizmo that makes an appropriately crackling crust.  Delicious.  Good wines available from 20 E up to rarefied Burgundies.  Quite a remarkable little place.  Closed Sundays.