French Academician Jean Marie Rouart has made a name to himself in writing books, joining his close friend Gonzague Saint Bris and a group of young Romantics when he was in his twenties. He was a mediocre student and tried many times to pass his Baccalauréat but has since become a respected Academician. He has recently bequeathed to Le Petit … Read More
Hotel de la Marine opens at last on place de la Concorde…
There was already Hotel de Crillon and Automobile Club, now we have Hotel de La Marine to balance them, all magnificent buildings designed in 1755 by Ange-Jacques Gabriel and fully restored today, with a unique view of what used to be place Louis XV and is now place de la Concorde. And this might seem natural, but if Olivier de Rohan and … Read More
Napoléon in full majesty at la Villette
With la Grande Halle de la Villette, a gigantic cultural space set in the former meat market, in the North of Paris, Emperor Napoléon has found a perfect celebration spot two hundred years after he died on the island of Sainte Hélène 2 600 kms west of Angola… The exhibition which is just opening there instead of at the Grand … Read More
Musée Carnavalet has great surprises after a four year renovation.
Musée Carnavalet has been closed for four years but it was worth waiting and spending 58 million € under the supervision of Chatillon architects. Nathalie Crinière was in charge of the museography. Valérie Guillaume, its director since 2013, introduced our visit with a very politically correct speech on the importance of caring to young visitors and on the increase of exhibition … Read More
In Rambouillet, antiques make a come back with Gabriel Wick
Château de Rambouillet is not the most interesting building in the world but this new exhibition, “Vivre à l’Antique“, curated by Gabriel Wick and Renaud Serrette, makes us discover fantastic wood panelings and la Laiterie, a building conceived by Louis XVI with painter Hubert Robert to lure Marie Antoinette into this hunting lodge which the king loved particularly of its … Read More
Chantal Thomass puts her life’s creations up for auction and Kenzo’s furniture is also sold
We mostly know Chantal Thomass for her whimsical luxury lingerie which she sold for many years on rue des Petits Champs near the gardens of the Palais Royal but she started designing fashion at 20 with Dorothée Bis and was part of the trendy “Le Palace” crowd in the late 1970’s. The auction organized by Millon at Hôtel Drouot on … Read More
Jean Dunand is everywhere this week!
Editions Norma is a remarkable publishing house which always publishes refined books with the greatest care. Founded and run by Maïté Hudry, it specializes in 1920 to 1970’s architecture and design, but has recently published the catalog of an exhibition of sneakers “Playground” which took place in Bordeaux. And their latest publication is about “Jean Dunand”, by Amélie and father … Read More
Sèvres porcelain and beautiful furniture on place Beauvau
Unfortunately the major Musée de Sèvres exhibition, “A table, le repas tout un art” which should have opened mid December is postponed until museums reopen in January but it will last until June, so you can’t miss it. And you can buy the catalog published by Gourcuff Gradenigo and prepare your future visit, the objects are amazing. And you can … Read More