All set to click away — taking pictures of your best summer ever in the capital of art de vivre? Whether you're a jet-setting American Express platinum cardholder staying at the Ritz to take advantage of its “VIP shopper” offer entitling you to a “celebrity welcome” in luxury goods stores all over town — or, more likely — an “expat” seeking streetwise tips, to point visitors from “back home” in the right direction... Paris is a great place to be “out and about.”

Instamatic Spirit
What’s your idea of a “souvenir pic”? “Wish you were here” panoramic cityscapes of the Seine and Eiffel Tower, captured with one of Kodak’s cute APS — Advanced Photo System — Advantix cameras? However you picture your vacation, the “Instamatic spirit” lives on... On the digital front, the American brand has brought out an EasyShare travel kit with higher capacity memory cards, geared to the needs of tourists “on the move” — who don’t always have instant access to a computer.

Open-air Cinema
The Tuileries garden is the setting of “Retour de Flamme” — a vintage movie screening that takes place out in the open, after dusk... The organizers of this dazzling cinema buffs gathering? Lobster — a film restoration company which schedules regular public unveilings of its latest “repair jobs.” This 10th edition coincides with France’s annual Music Day or Fête de la Musique, so it includes rare footage of Duke Ellington, performing in 1929. (June 21, 10:30pm, Concorde/Orangerie entrance, info: 01 43 38 69 69)

Paris’ 13th Open-Air Cinema Festival — at the Parc de la Villette, from July 16 to August 25 — features more than 35 international films shown in their original language, on an XXL inflatable screen. From Jean Renoir to David Lynch, its 2002 selection is titled "Frontières." Admission is free, but chilly movie-goers can hire a blanket and deck chair for 6 Euros (4 Euros, if under 16) or purchase five “deck chair” tickets for 20 Euros. (Every night except Mon, 10pm, M° Porte de Pantin, infoline: 01 40 03 75 75)

Cuba Panorama
With an American — Peter Scarlet — at his helm, France’s famed Cinémathèque film archive is attracting a fresh crowd, keen to see key movies, often introduced by their directors. In June and July, it presents “Panorama du Cinéma Cubain” — a two-part retrospective of Cuba’s film scene.(Palais de Chaillot/garden entrance, 7 av Albert-de-Mun, 16e, infoline: 01 56 26 01 01)

To complete the picture... Head for the Opéra-Comique — where Jérôme Savary has put together “Looking for Chano,” a musical about a young “sax” player who travels to Havana, on the “trax” of Chano Pozo — a prominent Afro-cuban jazz/bebop percussionist who jammed with Charlie Parker in 1940s New York... For an evening out “à la Cotton Club” — reserve a 50 Euro seat at one of six “champagne on ice” four-person stageside tables... (To June 29/ Bookings — at the theater’s place Boïeldieu box office, or via: 0 825 00 00 58, Mon-Sat 9am to 9pm/Sun 11am to 7pm)

Magic Méliès
The ideal “silver screen” fan’s outing? A visit to a free multimedia exhibition, to be seen until September 1... At 6 rue Récamier — within steps of M° Sèvres-Babylone’s Raspail exit — EDF's Espace Electra (tel: 01 53 63 23 45) pays tribute to Georges Méliès (1861-1938). This early filmmaker paved the way for 20th century special effects maestros such as Steven Spielberg. On the way out... Gourmets, wise enough to have reserved in advance, will proceed to Le Récamier (tel: 01 45 48 86 58) — a terrace-equipped restaurant — niched in the same, leafy “pedestrians only” enclave. Impeccable tablecloths and rows of spotless glasses set the tone...

Alfresco Dining
The gastronomic event of the season is the creation of an “ephemeral” patio restaurant at the Hôtel Le Parc-Sofitel Demeure Hotels. After taking its cue from star chef Alain Ducasse, its “top of the range” cuisine is now in the hands of Alain Soulard who has mapped out a cosmopolitan array of contemporary dishes “from here, and elsewhere.” Until September 30, “La Terrasse du Parc” will be open for lunch, tea and lantern-lit dinners... served in an arbor-like haven, within walking distance of the Trocadero. (57 av Raymond Poincaré, 16e, reservations: 01 44 05 66 10). A feather logo evoking an author’s quill is the “signature” of another resto launched this spring. Equally pleasant inside — and “out” — the Dédicace Café dispenses imaginative, wholesome food at its stylish terrace, with comfortable high-backed chairs. Its bar and dining room “updates” the atmosphere of a literary club — without the billowing cigar smoke... As “Dédicace” means autograph — it comes as no surprise that concerts and book signings are “on the cards.” (Daily noon to 3pm & 7pm to midnight, 7 rue St-Benoît, 6e, tel: 01 42 61 12 70)

Stars & Styles
The sight-seeing fashion victim’s alternative to Notre-Dame — the Colette concept store fêted its fifth anniversary last March. As well as endorsing cutting-edge attire and high tech, it has a knack for compiling cool photo expos. As of July — during couture week — it hosts “Stars & Styles” a two-part “collaborative celebration” focusing on “party pictures.” Glitzy, upgraded “snapshots” by “insiders” connected with avant-garde arts and dress codes review, Self Service.— from Jessica Craig Martin and Suzie Menkes, to Terry Richardson... (Jul 8 to Aug 3 & Aug 5 –31, 213 rue St-Honoré, 1er, tel: 01 55 35 33 90). Also “into” style and nightlife, Duran, a French artist who commutes between New York and the Landes region, could pass for a projector and spray gun wielding hyper realist. Yet, he paints with... a paintbrush. His subject matter? Generally — that is, except for a portrait of Tom Cruise... mysteriously headless “clubbers.” Each silhouette’s personality is suggested through his or her clothes, and body language. Definitely worth a look! (To June 22, Galerie Eric de Montbel, 34 rue de Seine, 6e, tel: 01 43 29 34 31)

DJtal Party
Pursuing its “Think Different” groove Apple sponsors a pre-Fête de la Musique “before” soirée at the Olympia “music-hall” on June 20. This “DJtal Party” will be a “dual action” affair. A special industry workshop — showcasing the company’s state-of-the-art sound technology and software — will be followed by a 10pm public concert, with French Touch heavyweights like DJ Deep, Dimitri From Paris, Bob Sinclar and DJ Gregory. The ambience? In “discotheque” mode, with “digital show live” paintings by Judith Darmont... (28 bd des Capucines, 9e, tel: 01 47 42 25 49, 18 Euros)