What’s up

As each year, the heart of the left bank is going to live at the pace of its Jazz Festival! A fabulous occasion to enjoy the performances of talented musicians and to discover exhibitions or other creations on that theme.

From May 16^th to June 3^rd, enjoy an exciting program, from the pianist Monty Alexander, who was missing last year, to the great saxophonist Manu Dibango who will soon celebrate his 80^th birthday. And as each repertoire is unique, you will also have the opportunity to listen to the Quatuor Ebène and discover the young Amalya at the “Discovery Scene”.

Do not miss this edition and let yourself be taken away by jazz music, the greatest symbol of Saint Germain des Prés!

If you ever felt envious of Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, there is a spot you shouldn’t miss while in Paris! A unique chocolate factory opened a few months ago, 15 minutes from Relais Christine, just of Bastille square.  It has been imagined by two great professionals, both passionate about chocolate: Michelin-starred Chef Alain Ducasse (Plaza Athénée Paris, Dorchester London, Louis XV in Monaco …) and one of his most talented pastry chefs : Nicolas Berger.

In this workshop-boutique of 3400 sqf, carefully selected cocoa beans from twelve countries are roasted, crushed and transformed into delicious home-made chocolate. From the boutique, one can examine the production line and discover a choice of 43 chocolate bars and chocolate-candies.

As Nicolas Berger says: « We don’t make many, but we make our own ». A must-see for any chocolate addict!

La Chocolaterie Alain Ducasse, manufacture à Paris – recommended by our Concierge Nicolas.
40 rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris
Open Monday to Saturday from 10.30 am to 7.00 pm

The charismatic artistic director of Chanel has just opened his first concept store in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés. Imagined as a design boutique as well as a digital shop, this new address perfectly reflects his personality: 200 sqm with a black and white decor where art, design and technology cohabit harmoniously. Karl Lagerfeld presents his women and men prêt-à-porter collections, his accessories but also his limited-edition creations imagined for the brands he collaborates with, objects and books about photography and design.

But what surprises the most is the high-tech environment of the boutique: visitors are immersed in Lagerfeld’s universe thanks to a previously unseen digital technology. On the wall and in the fitting rooms particularly, tactile screens with the app Karl’s Booth allow guests to immortalize their look, to enhance it with filters “in Karl’s style” and to share the pictures on social media. They are then invited to relate their experience on Karl’s Interactive, the guest book. No queuing at the register: payment can be processed through a mobile terminal. Known at the beginning as a fashion creator, Karl Lagerfeld has definitely imposed himself as a creator in the broader sense, and he continues to amaze us with this funny shopping session!

Karl Lagerfeld Store
194 boulevard Saint Germain
75007 Paris
Open from Monday to Saturday, from 10.30 am to 7 pm

With “Paris Haute Couture”, it is finally possible to take a close look at pieces imagined by the greatest fashion designers! This exhibition at the Paris City Hall (Saint-Jean room) presents the masterpieces from the collections held at Musée Galliera – currently closed for renovations: 100 gowns and haute couture pieces from Balenciaga, Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet and many others.

With the help of Swarowski, Olivier Saillard, curator of the exhibition and director of the Musée Galliera, pays a tribute to the world of fashion so many of us dream about without truly knowing it.

Photographs and sketches from the designers will give you an occasion to get closer to the creative process and to understand its steps, from the birth of a model to its achievement.

It is also the perfect way to get acquainted with the concept of “haute couture” that has been so important in the fame of Paris since the 19th century, for as all major fashion columnists admit: “Haute couture exists only in Paris”!

« Paris Haute Couture »
Hôtel de Ville – Salle Saint-Jean
Open daily from 10:00am to 7 :00pm (except Sundays and Holidays)
Free admittance
5 rue de Lobau. 75004 Paris
Metro : Hôtel de Ville, Rambuteau, Pont-Marie, Saint-Paul
P : +33 (0) 1 42 76 51 53

The famous Chef Yannick Alléno, three-star-awarded in the Guide Michelin with his restaurant inside Le Meurice, is born in Puteaux (city near Paris).

In 2010, he published the book « Le Terroir Parisien » (the Parisian recipes) to show the gastronomy and the products of the Parisian’s region. In 2012, he opened a new bistro, keeping the same name for the same concept.

Yannick Alléno celebrates the traditional bounty of the Paris region with a menu that showcases seasonal vegetables, local meats and cheeses, and some classic French recipe. E.g. : Billy By soup, Calf’s head with sauce Gribiche, cheese plate from the region, Paris-Brest…

This contemporary bistro is situated inside « Le Palais de la Mutualité » (latin quarter).

The service is lovely, the price are moderate and they open everyday.

An address recommended by our Concierge Nicolas!

Le Terroir Parisien

La Maison de la Mutualité, 20 Rue Saint-Victor, Paris 5

http://www.bistrot-terroirparisien.fr/

In the heart of the historic Saint Germain des Prés, at a few steps from the Relais Christine, a new address dedicated to the Champagne has just opened and is worth visiting! At Dilettantes, 125 different local Champagne are referenced, all rare, authentic and affordable, coming from 25 wine-growers.

Dilettantes has been imagined and created by Fanny Heucq, a young lady whose father was a wine-grower and who grew up in the Champagne region. After an experience in international marketing, she decided to live out her passion and to share her region’s culture and savoir-faire.

This new address tends to be the new best champagne cellar in Paris, a very convivial and friendly place to learn more about the Champagne, often toasted to but not truly known. Each bottle has its own information sheet for a detailed and complete wine experience!

Tastings and oenology workshops are also organized regularly with wine-growers, who present their wine but also their land and their passion.

Opened from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 am to 7 pm, 9.30 pm on Saturdays

22 rue de Savoie, 6th

Tel: +33 1 70 69 98 68

Maximum capacity for tastings : 18 people

The Musée de Montmartre was originally an artists’ home where Renoir, Poulbot, Valadon, Utrillo and many others used to live.  With its gardens and its nice view on Montmartre’s vineyard, it presents a remarkable collection of paintings, posters and pictures showing how bustling this famous district was at la Belle Epoque with its many cabarets.

The current exhibition highlights one of the most famous cabarets of this period: “Le Chat Noir”. Run from 1881 to 1897 by the artist Rodolphe Salis, it soon became “the place to be” and the symbol of “la vie de Bohème” at the end of the 19th century. According to Salis:  “The Chat Noir is the most extraordinary cabaret in the world. You rub shoulders with the most famous men of Paris, meeting there with foreigners from every corner of the world.” He also created a special weekly review to promote the cabaret (810 issues were published).

This exhibition is also the occasion to discover Rodolphe Salis’ life, the Musée de Montmartre as well as the charm of Montmartre, a so atypical district! A suggestion of the Concierge Nicolas.

Exhibition “Autour du Chat Noir”, from September 13th, 2012 to January 13th, 2013.

Musée de Montmatre – 12 Rue Cortot (18th)

Open every day from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm