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Paris Cemeteries, the Saints Go Marching

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Oscar Wilde’s grave

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”

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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””

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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”

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36 Hours in Paris

Ruby Boukabou with her Paris notebook

Only in Paris for a few days and overwhelmed by the options? Follow this suggested itinerary for an unforgettable trip. The following is an extract from Ruby Boukabou’s “The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris” (White Owl Books), a fabulous new guide book catering to both armchair travelers dreaming of a future visit and those lucky enough to actually get to Paris during these troubled pandemic times. Available worldwide. More info and online orders at www.rubytv.net/books . Continue reading “36 Hours in Paris”

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Inventing Haute Couture

The exhibition “Worth, Inventer la haute couture” at the Petit Palais revisits how Englishman Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895) became a key figure in the history of fashion and the founder of a fashion house that became the epitome of Parisian luxury (to Sept 7, 2025). Worth founded his eponymous fashion house —whose history spans four generations—in Paris (1858) at 7, rue de la Paix. He is credited with revolutionising the business of fashion… Many consider him “le père de la haute couture.” Continue reading “Inventing Haute Couture”

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Danish House “Double Mirror”

Glaciers are melting fast… According to recent studies the planet’s glaciers have lost 5% of their ice in little over 20 years. The melting has contributed to raising sea levels by about 2.7 centimeters since 1961. Researchers believe that most central and eastern Himalayan glaciers could virtually disappear in ten years. Climate headlines are shocking, but even more shocking is the world’s failure to meet the challenge. Continue reading “Danish House “Double Mirror””

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Posters as Urban Art

Théophile Steinlen poster, 1896
Théophile Steinlen poster, 1896

The Musée d”Orsay exhibition, “L’art est dans la rue,” revisits French street posters with an exceptional collection of nearly 230 works, exploring the spectacular rise of the illustrated poster in Paris during the second half of the 19th century (until July 06, 2025). Organized in partnership with the Bibliothèque nationale de France, the exhibition brings together outstanding works by such “Maîtres de l’Affiche” as Bonnard, Chéret, Grasset, Mucha, Steinlen, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Continue reading “Posters as Urban Art”

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Matisse et Marguerite

The Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris features an exhibition of work created by the renowned French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954) starring his daughter Marguerite as his favourite model (until August 24, 2025). Of all the faces Matisse painted those of his daughter Marguerite stand out for their special emotion. The artist created over one hundred portraits of her from childhood to adulthood. She was his most faithful model posing for him over several decades until the end of WWII. Continue reading “Matisse et Marguerite”