Saint Germain des Prés is still the place to be. At least if you know where to look. I always start at l’Ecume des Pages, the fabulous bookstore next to Café de Flore. This is where I went to buy Christophe Bigot’s new book, “Un autre m’attend ailleurs”, on Marguerite Yourcenar (1903-1987) after hearing him on France Culture. The first … Read More
Jean Hugo stars in Montpellier, Sète and Lunel
There is nothing more exciting for me than the first day of a summer holiday. I love to drive my little red car and aim directly for the South, with one project in mind and many friends to visit. This time, it was the three exhibitions devoted to Jean Hugo (1894-1984) in Sète, Montpellier and Lunel. I had to stop … Read More
“Jewels from the Comédie Française” inaugurate the Van Cleef School’s new building
You might remember that last July 4, 2023, I announced the imminent inauguration of the new Van Cleef jewelry school premises in Hotel Mercy-Argenteau, at 16 bis boulevard Montmartre. The opening was delayed one year but the exhibition of “Jewels from the Comédie Française” was worth waiting for. It is great fun, impeccably produced and brings us back to the … Read More
Galliera, celebrates the Olympics and Paolo Roversi’s photographs
“La Mode en mouvement” (fashion on the move) is the second exhibition devoted to the permanent collections of the Palais Galliera, on sports and fashion. And what struck me this time is the amount of fans which were used in the XIX th and XX th century as well as the extraordinary swim ware collections developed by Jacques Heim in … Read More
Isabelle Langlois is a whimsical jeweler near place Vendôme
It was a fun occasion, the cocktail party at Isabelle Langlois‘ jewelry shop next to Place Vendôme. The theme was Peridot, the green semi precious stone, and she was dressed in a perfect combination of purple and spring green. The hors d’oeuvre were all pale green and the drinks were mojitos and champagne with a green touch. We met … Read More
Departement stores are revived at MAD
“The birth of Department stores” is a new show at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, devoted to the huge social revolution which they represented in 1852, when these “new temples of modernity” emerged under Napoleon III’s Second Empire. 80% of the seven hundred objects and posters exhibitied here belong to the rich collections of MAD. This emergence of popular spending, the … Read More
XVII th century luxury in your pocket! It’s at Musée Cognacq-Jay
“Luxe de Poche” or luxury in your pocket at the Age of Enlightment, is a good title for this precious little exhibition at Musée Cognacq-Jay, founded by the creators of the Samaritaine stores… Beautifully curated by Sixtine de Saint Léger and Vincent Bastien from Versailles, it offers a sociological study of these intimate snuff boxes, smelling bottles or sewing kits, … Read More
Henry Cros is surprising at MAD and the gala was so cheerful!
It is a small show on sculptor and drawer Henry Cros that MAD has organized in its second floor galleries, but it is worth seeing especially since curator Jean- Luc Olivié, in charge of glass at the museum, has studied this artist’s work since he was a student. If you have not been to “Fashion and Sport” (until April 7) … Read More