“John Singer Sargent. Eblouir Paris” explores the early career of American painter John Singer Sargent (1856–1925). Over the course of one extraordinary decade, Sargent achieved recognition by creating boldly ambitious portraits and figure paintings pushing the boundaries of conventionality (to January 11, 2026). Sargent (Florence, 1856 – London, 1925)—along with James McNeill Whistler— was one of the most famous American artists of his generation. Continue reading “Singer Sargent… Dazzling Paris”
French Holiday Wines with Sparkle…
Twelve Bubbly Days of Christmas
Holidays are times to uncork a bottle of bubbly and make a toast. Although France’s champagne is the world’s most famous celebratory drink there are others that merit tasting. Since there are twelve days of Christmas here are a dozen bubblies to get you in the spirit this season. Continue reading “French Holiday Wines with Sparkle…”
Gerard Richter Paris Retrospective
The Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris hosts a major retrospective of the German artist Gerhard Richter (until March 2, 2026). The exhibition brings together many of Richterś iconic figurative images —based on photographs— along with his complex abstractions. The exhibition documents approximately six decades of the artist’s career. Richter’s eclectic work is rich in varied media ranging from his famous reproductions of banal and historic photography to glass panes to huge abstract paintings to stained glass church windows. Continue reading “Gerard Richter Paris Retrospective”
Christmas Markets, Paris 2025
Paris’ Christmas markets are among the things that make the holidays special in France. The markets are found all over the city from the Tuilleries Garden to Saint Germain des Pres to the Parvis de la Mairie du 15e. But the biggest (10,000 meters) and most diversified market (200 stalls) is found at Paris’ La Défense. The earliest Christmas markets date back to the late middle ages and have their origin in Germany. The Dresden “Striezelmarkt” is said to be the oldest Christmas market and was first held in the 15th century. The Bautzen Christmas market and the Vienna “December Market” are supposed to be even older dating back to the 13th century. It was in 1570 when the Christmas market tradition found its way into Alsace, France’s easternmost region bordering Germany.
American Art, French Thinking
“Echo Delay Reverb, Art Américain, Pensées Francophones,” at Paris’ Palais de Tokyo” contemporary art museum, revisits various ways in which successive generations of artists in the United States have been influenced by social, political and theoretic concepts shaped in France (to February 15, 2026). Continue reading “American Art, French Thinking”
Jazzy Dance Rendez Vous
Chanson, tap dance, joie de vivre with a Frenchy jazzy cabaret in Paris’ timeless Montmartre? Sounds good to us! Check out the “Parisian Time Step” show–December 6, 2025– from tap dancer Ruby Boukabou and singer/ dancer Wendy Lee Taylor (Lido de Paris) with piano by Philippe Petit . The show is a fun celebration of Paris, music and tap dance where the audience time travels back to the Belle Epoque with its cheeky polkas; 1930s music halls and smokey 1940s-50s Saint Germain jazz bars. Continue reading “Jazzy Dance Rendez Vous”
Paris Cemeteries, the Saints Go Marching
November in Paris begins with yet another long weekend away from work – le pont de la Toussaint (All Saints Day) – one of many strewn along the French calendar year. As Paris florists bring out their stock of chrysanthemum for the annual commemoration of Parisians now gone, and as other Parisians pack their cars and pile up at the exits of the city for yet another frantic weekend on France’s chock-a-block highways, why not use this most appropriate time of year for a less stressful outing to one of the capital’s cemeteries. This should be completed with the purchase of Georges Brassens’ “La Ballade des Cimetières,” a perfect way to record your outing and do your French homework. Continue reading “Paris Cemeteries, the Saints Go Marching”
Robert Doisneau’s “Instants Donnés”
Musée Maillol hosts a large retrospective revisiting the work of French humanist photographer Robert Doisneau (1912-1999). The exhibition includes Doisneau’s iconic images—such as “Le Baiser de l’Hotel de Ville” —and hundreds of rarely exhibited photos (selected from his personal archive of over 450,000 pictures) curated by a team including his two daughters, Francine Deroudille and Annette Doisneau (to October 12, 2025). Continue reading “Robert Doisneau’s “Instants Donnés””
Saying Cheese in French
The tastes of autumn… Fall is a lovely time to stroll through a Paris market and take the opportunity to reconnect with local merchants. Your cheese vendor, wine shop keeper and greengrocer can help you celebrate France’s autumn bounty by pointing out in-season foods that complement each other, such as fruit, cheese and wine. Continue reading “Saying Cheese in French”
Best Paris Baguette 2025
Fresh bread from the local boulangerie is one of the things we love about Paris… especially the baguette. French baguettes received UNESCO’s world heritage status in 2022. According to the National Federation of French Bakers more than 6 billion baguettes are baked each year in France. Continue reading “Best Paris Baguette 2025”
American West “Revisité” in Paris
The Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson revisits Richard Avedon’s “In The American West” with an exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of this iconic photo book (until October 12, 2025). Although several of the images from this series such as “Texas Rattlesnake Skinner” are extremely well known, what makes this a not-to-miss exhibition is that it includes the entire series of images featured in the original publication. Continue reading “American West “Revisité” in Paris”