The exhibition Philippines, archipel des échanges displayed at the Musée du Quai Branly counts 300 unique works of art from the Philippines. Chosen from public and private collections in the archipelago, America and Europe, their variety shows how the geography and the history of this territory influenced the artists, with one vision turned towards the mountain, the other looking out to sea. Until July 14th.

The Château de Versailles presents two previously unseen exhibitions: Treasure of the Holy Sepulchre, in the Hall of Crusades, assembles 250 unknown masterpieces sent to the basilica in Jerusalem by the principal European rulers (until July 14th) whereas the exhibition Madame Elisabeth, at the Estate of Montreuil, is dedicated to Louis XVI’s youngest sister, whom he offered this country house when she turned 19 (until July 21st).

Dance

Until June 15th, the Béjart Ballet Lausanne is celebrating its 25th birthday on the stage of the Théâtre National de Chaillot, which Maurice Béjart was particularly fond of. Now directed by Gil Roman, the company will perform Light, inspired by Vivaldi and Venice and with a character of pregnant lady as a tribute to Carolyn Carlson. With the setting and the costumes created by Nuno Corte-Real, this event comes highly recommended! 

Restaurants

The Japanese Chef Takayuki Honjo, who made his classes at L’Astrance, Mugaritz (Spain), Noma (Copenhague) and Quintessence (three-star-awarded in Tokyo) has just opened his first restaurant: ES (the Freudian reference to the unconscious). On the menu, you will find delicious French-Japanese savours: hot foie gras, watercress sauce; turbot with a shrimp sauce, chicory and combawa oil; Galician beef, green asparagus, wild garlic and horseradish cream. The desserts are imagined by Yukiko Sakka who worked with Gagnaire: rhubarb jelly with wild strawberries, pepper ice cream, meringue lace biscuit ; apple in a lace biscuit with caramel, apple juice and almonds. It is delicious, just like the service with a French Italian accent. A new address that will become famous before long! Menus from 45 to 85 Euro. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
91 rue de Grenelle, 7th.

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!

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 Musée Maillol proposes Fragile – Murano, dedicated to the masterpieces of the art of glass-making, from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Under the high patronage of the city of Venice, it reveals over 200 pieces, from the finest works made for the great families and European courts to the Art Deco and design objects, and the contemporary creations by César, Jean Arp or Mona Hatoum. Until July 28th.

The Parc de la Villette welcomes Tadashi Kawamata with his “Collective Folie” to build a huge tower in the park. It will evolve until the end of summer thanks to workshops allowing the public to participate, from its construction to its demolition. Until August 25th.

Opera
The Opéra Bastille takes us to Venice for a flamboyant Gioconda. Power, love, betrayal, revenge, all the elements for a great “à la French” opera as well as a Verdi-style drama. This masterpiece by Ponchielli and Boito is directed by Pier Luigi Pizzi for the stage and Daniel Oren for the orchestra. Until May 31st.

Restaurants
Discover the newest Costes spot at La Bastille: le Café Français. The décor is signed by Indira Madhavi who created different areas, each with its own atmosphere, one bar and one lounge, whereas the cuisine is supervised by Jean-François Piège and Thierry Burlot: marinated Tosazu salmon, hard-boiled egg with mayonnaise, burrata cheese, poached green asparagus, Colbert whiting with tartare sauce, farm hen from the Armoise cour, sirloin steak with matchstick potatoes, Paris-Brest, giant chocolate éclair, … Only good products to celebrate the renewal of the Parisian brasserie! 35 to 65 Euro. Open every day from 7 am to 2 am. 3 place de la Bastille – 4th.

After years spent in South Africa, Christophe Chabanel (ex La Dînée and Le Dandrelin) is back to Paris with his new restaurant: Invictus. A classical and simple cuisine for a delicious experience! Royal-style chestnuts, foie gras and poultry emulsion ; poached smoked haddock, baked potatoes, juice with chives ; raspberry and pistachio financier, … Menu at 21 Euro for lunch and 25 Euro or 32 Euro for dinner. Open from Tuesday to Saturday (dinner only on Saturdays). 5 rue Sainte Beuve, 6th.

The Grand Palais innovates with an unseen type of exhibition. Dynamo, un siècle de lumière et de mouvement dans l’art, 1913-2013 studies the ways in which contemporary artists (Calder, Kapoor, …) have explored their ideas of vision, space, light and movement in their art. The curators have chosen to put the visitor at the centre of the exhibition, with changing chromatic atmospheres, kaleidoscopic mirrors and other installations. Until July 22nd.

Dance
From April 6th to 27th, Bianca Li, the altogether dancer, choreographer and director, will create quite an event at La Cigale with a choreographed play called “Electro Kif”. Without a doubt an extraordinary performance with urban dance  placed at the centre of various worlds, for the first time on the stage of a Parisian theatre.

Restaurants
For our greatest pleasure, Bruno Doucet has just opened his third restaurant: La Régalade Conservatoire. After La Régalade we all know, and La Régalade Saint Honoré, you will also be able to taste the 35-Euro menu as well as the famous “welcome terrine”, in a contemporary decor imagined by Wilmotte. He will delight you with: Leek-vinaigrette and duck foie gras, lighly salted cod, pig breast like a petit salé, Grand Marnier soufflé…with good wines at nice prices.
At nr 7-9 rue du Conservatoire, 9th.

Ivan Schenatti, who used to be the Chief at the Armani Caffé, now welcomes us at the Officina Schenatti, his first restaurant. A new occasion to taste his delicious dishes: Chestnut velvety soup and pan-sautéed king prawns with Colonnata lard, Fried artichokes a la Romana with horseradish spuma, Beef carpaccio with Trevise Radicchio lettuce, stewed cherry-tomato and parmesan… We strongly recommend you this fresh and high-quality cuisine: gnocchi and pasta are house-made with organic flavour, ice-creams are minute-made. A perfect address to enjoy Italian savours! Menu at 24.90 Euro, 55 Euro à la carte. Open Mon-Sat from noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm.
15 Rue Frédéric Sauton, 5th.

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

Immerse yourself in the Tales of the Arabian Nights that you have always dreamt about: the exhibition The Thousand and One Nights at the Institut du Monde Arabe offers you this fabulous experience until April 28th. Re-discover the stories of Shéhérazade, Aladin or Ali Baba which will delight, fascinate and inspire you! This enchanting exhibition leads us to a large universe, much more mysterious than we think!

Ballet
The Palais Garnier invites its dancers to pay homage to Roland Petit with three masterpieces: Le Rendez-Vous, Le Loup and Carmen. Three carnal, poetic and theatrical works which turn around the theme of tragic love and show the real genius of one of the major choreographer of the 20th century. From March 15th to March 29th.

Restaurants
Enrico Bernardo (elected World’s Best Sommelier 2004) has just opened his second Parisian restaurant, after the already famous Il Vino. Goust, located in the heart of the Elephant Paname, a culural space in a Napoleon III style, is already a great success! The chef José Manuel Miguel, coming from the Bristol, will delight you with his delicious cuisine with Mediterranean accents: Tuna Tartare, mango egg; Bar filet, zucchini, shells and lobster bisque; Pork filet mignon, Espelette chili. The sommeliers will also propose you the best wine to suit the dish that you choose.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from noon to 3 pm and from 7 pm to midnight. 10, rue Volney, Paris 2ème.

For outstanding products offered at soft prices, go to the upscale grocery shop Terroirs d’Avenir! This new gourmet address is located Nil Street, at a few steps from the expexting sandwich bar  ”Frenchie To Go” from Gregory Marchand (Frenchie). Definitely one of the most delicious streets of the capital!

The Michelin Guide 2013 has just bee published. The new Parisian winners are:
La Dame de Pic, the new adress of Anne-Sophie Pic
L’Instant d’Or, Avenue George V.
La Taverne du Sergent Recruteur, on the “ Ile Saint Louis”, 4th district.
Itinéraires, in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
114 Faubourg, the Luxury Brasserie of the Bristol Hotel.
La Cuisine et Le Carpaccio, the 2 restaurants of the Royal Monceau hotel.

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