Here is my Valentine

Valentine is on a Wednesday this year and it might not be so easy for you to go to Chantilly but a special 45 mn visit is organized with a private tour of the “Romantic” works of Musée Condé at 6 pm (45 € per couple). You can have dinner afterwards at the Capitainerie  for 70 € per guest. A nice initiative to bring “the young and in love” to museums! Many museums in Paris also organize special evenings, like a walk through the orchids” green houses of Museum National d’histoire naturelle,  or a glass of champagne at the Aquarium Tropical at Palais de la Porte Dorée which will be open by reservation only,  from 6.30 to 9.15 pm, just check the nearest to you.

Bourdelle, illustration for the Queen of Saba, musée Bourdelle until March 17

At Musée Bourdelle, you can see until March 17 th, the illustrations made by the sculptor for the courtship between the “Queen of Saba and King Salomon” told in a tale by orientalist writer Joseph-Charles Mardrus, in 1918. Bourdelle published a luxurious illustrated book in 1922 after doing research in style and images. All his projects and illustrations are exhibited in the museum.

Richard Avedon, Yves Saint Laurent Evening dress, Couture Spring Summer 1966, published in US Vogue March 1966 on show at Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris

An exhibition on “Transparences” starts at Musée Yves Saint Laurent on Friday February 9 th and all the transparent dresses might give you naughty ideas for Valentine. Curated by the director of the museum, Elsa Janssen, it is again a celebration of the genius couturier who changed the lives of so many women fifty years ago (5 avenue Marceau, until August 25).

If you happen to be in London, on Pont Street, you can indulge in the ravishing little cakes of Anya Cafe. They are tiny and prohibitively expensive (9£) but also irresistible. The place, started by Anya Hindmarch, next-door to her bag shops, is the meeting spot of the Sloane street crowds at breakfast time.

Hearts cakes at Anya café in London at 16 Pont Street

On a darker note, at Beaux Arts Paris, the works of  28 artists who graduated from Ecole des Beaux Arts with “Félicitations du Jury” are  exhibited until March 17. Called “The Lines of desire, Félicités 2023”, it did not convince me except for this “anti Valentine” couch by Sri Lankan artist, Nina Jayasuriya. She was  selected by the Mennour Emergence prize 2023 which gives 15 000€ to the laureates for developing a project over a year. (until March 17)

Nina Jayasuriya, “mage gedawa, mage pensala” (ls caresses qui piquent) 2023, at Beaux Arts Paris

Flowers remain the nicest present for Valentine….

Hydrangeas in Sainte Marine, Brittany

But Faïencerie de Gien has developed a line of plates and dishes with a heart by designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac and they are great fun. Monoprix also sells mugs and cups covered in hearts which are very cheap (5€).

Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Cake dish, Gien, 110€

And remember, wherever you are, there is always a little Valentine for you!