Last weekend was the annual Journee du Partimoine, a heritage weekend, where many private Paris institutions, libraries, museums, and archives open their doors to the public. I took advantage of this wonderful event and joyfully visited some of them.

Sunday afternoon I went to the 25th anniversary celebration of the Athenee theatre company, which is housed in the original L’Eden a La Athenee, built in 1880.

I used my press credentials to get in and in front of the theater there was a gentleman dressed in tails guarding the velvet ropes before a long pink carpet that lead to the theater. He asked for my press pass and in a truly hilarious but slightly embarrassing moment, the pink carpet turned into the red carpet as he announced my name on his microphone and everybody in the background applauded my arrival.

Gentlemen Keepers of the Pink Carpet

Taking a moment to recover from my 15 seconds of fame, I entered into this exquisite jewel box of a theater. It was dark and intimate as the lights were dimmed to show off the theater. A light show reflected on the extravagant tromp l’oeil-domed ceiling, with a dangling grand chandelier. I had romantic expectations the chandelier would come crashing down a la Phantom of the Opera. Bordeaux wine colored velvet seats had handsome carved wood frames on them and the carved gold gilded balconies and walls were magnificent.

The second floor reception area was typical Belle Époque design with ornate floor to ceiling windows with mustard yellow frames with leaded glass and a fussy crystal chandelier.



The theater’s namesake is Louis Jouvet, an actor, director, and set designer, who was one of the most important and influential figures
In French theater in the 1900’s.

Theatre Athenee does a mix of classic plays by Genet, Ionesco and Beckett and modern playwrights. This season’s eclectic program has Genet’s "les Negres", Suzan-Lori Parks "Topdog/Underdog"
and Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys”.

When I left, I was a little disappointed there wasn’t a hungry mob waiting outside for my autograph but I got over it. I guess my 15 seconds of fame was really over. In the square there was a stand with beautiful long stem roses in the most gorgeous colors being offered to all who attended the event.

Theatre Athenee/Louis Jouvet
7 rue Boudreau, 75009
Metro: Opera
www.athenee-theatre.com

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com