I Prefer Paris

Chagall, Paris-New York & Paul Klee at L’Atelier des Lumieres

Every year L’Atelier des Lumieres launches its latest event in mid-February. I have had the pleasure of being invited to the press showing each time since 2018, and the shows have always been a joy to experience.

Chagall, Paris-New York is the main event and the Paul Klee- Painting Music, is the secondary, shorter show.

One of the things I like most about Chagall, Paris-New York was there was more of a narrative, than other L’Atelier des Lumieres shows in the past, paying more attention to Chagall’s journey as an artist. Chagall lived in Paris until 1941 but then moved to New York to escape the Nazi invasion of Paris (Chagall was Jewish), returning to France in 1948 and moving to the Cote d’Azur. The beginning of the show starts with romantic images and paintings of Montmartre in the early 1900s, and mid-way through, there are a number of black and white photos of New York from the period and of Chagall splashed on the walls, while a gorgeous soundtrack of Ella Fitzgerald singing songs from Porgy and Bess plays in the background. Other types of music played include classical music, klezmer, and jazz, all accurately appropriate for Chagall and his work.

Paul Klee- Painting Music, is a celebration of art and music. Paul Klee was an accomplished violinist and singer, in addition to being a great artist. Most of his painting was informed and influenced by music. The music accompanying the show is from Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Chagall, Paris-New York & Paul Klee at L’Atelier des Lumieres

38 rue Saint Maur, 75011

https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en/events

Important Note: It’s best to book tickets in advance and the show starts at 5 minutes before the hour, so book your tickets 15-20 minutes before.

The photos below are from Paul Klee- Painting Music

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

https://eyepreferparistours.com/

Christmas in Paris 2022: Mini-Mondes Illumination Show at Jardin des Plantes

Continuing with my Christmas in Paris 2022 posts, today is about the wonderful Mini-Mondes Illumination Show at Jardin des Plantes. Throughout the park is a magical world of over 100 gigantic, bugs, insects, snails, dragonflies, plants, centipedes, butterflies, and spiders all  lit up in glorious Technicolor.

Mini-Mondes Illumination Show at Jardin des Plantes

Until January 15, 2023

Open 6pm-11pm every night, last entrance 60 minutes before

https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/fr/programme/galeries-jardins-zoo-bibliotheques/mini-mondes-voie-dillumination-4349

 

Save the Date, November 13: Invitation to a Special Screening of After Louie, a Film by Vincent Gagliostro

In 2017, my partner Vincent Gagliostro premiered After Louie, a film he directed and co-wrote, starring Alan Cumming.

After Louie toured the film festival circuit around the globe in 2017 and 2018, with screenings in New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Toronto, Oslo, Tel Aviv, and San Francisco. It premiered at the BFI Gay Film Festival in London with two sold out screenings and was the closing night selection of Frameline Festival in San Francisco, screened at the legendary Castro Theater, with over 2000 people in attendance.

There’s going to be a special screening of After Louie (as part of A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival) in Paris at 12pm on Sunday, November December 13 at 35/37 Cultural Center, 35-37 rue de Francs Bourgeois, 75003 and Vincent and I would love for you to attend.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

After Louie follows Sam (Tony Award winner Alan Cumming), an artist and activist from ACT UP who lived through the early years of HIV/AIDS a man scarred and still struggling with survivor's guilt. Cemented into an oppressive past, he is bewildered by a younger generation of carefree gay men with their uninhibited use of social media, sexting, and seeming political indifference. But when he meets the seductive young Braeden (Zachary Booth), an intergenerational relationship blossoms between them -- one capable of reawakening Sam's artistic soul and reviving his wilted heart.

After Louie Screening

November 13, 2022 @ 12pm

35/37 Cultural Center, 35-37 rue de Francs Bourgeois, 75003

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

https://filmfreeway.com/ASVOFF/tickets

If you can’t attend the screening, CLICK HERE to rent After Louie on I Tunes.

CLICK HERE to watch a trailer of After Louie

Vincent

Atelier des Lumieres 2022: Kandinsky, The Odyssey of Abstraction

The second part of the Atelier des Lumieres 2022 exhibition, is the 10-minute-long Kandinsky, The Odyssey of Abstraction, which I thought should have been longer.

Kandinsky, The Odyssey of Abstraction explores the two major phases of Kandinsky’s trajectory in Russia and France; his first part shows more figurative and landscape works, influenced from Impressionism, and the second part shows more of his abstract work of form and color.

The show started off with images of landscapes of villages and the countryside which I hadn’t seen before. It then graduated to the bold, architectural shapes and spellbinding color saturations of Kandinsky floating across the walls, and when it ended so abruptly, I begged to see more.   

Kandinsky, The Odyssey of Abstraction

Until January 2, 2023

Atelier des Lumieres

38 rue Saint Maur, 75011

Open Monday to Thursday: 10am to 6pm. Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm and Sundays until 7pm.

https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en/home

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.

18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone. 

Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope. 

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, December 1- Tuileries Christmas Market Tour

Please join me for a very special Facebook Live tour with Atout France of the festive Tuileries Christmas Market on Wednesday, December 1@10am East Coast Time, 9am Mid-West Time, 7am West Coast Time & 4pm Paris Time. 

As is the custom each year, Paris is decked out in lights as the festive season approaches. Streets sparkle, major department stores come alive and the magic of Christmas weaves its spell!  We will visit the best and most popular Christmas market in the iconic Tuileries Gardens and experience the dazzling lights and dozens of food and gift chalets. We will also see the holiday lights, decorations, and shop windows on the rue de Rivoli, rue Saint Honore, and the festive holiday displays on the Place Vendome.

CLICK HERE for more information and to reserve your spot. I look forward to seeing you! 

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.

18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone. 

Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope. 

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Chantilly- Le Rocher des Tresors

Coming home in June from New York, I met a charming young man, Nico Nancel, who lives in Paris, and is half-American and half-French. We became fast friends and met a few times for coffee. He invited me to an event he was producing, Le Rocher des Tresors in Chantilly. The show is the first time they have had a projection on the chateau, which is a big deal. 

The dates of the event were last weekend, and I went on Sunday night. It was a crisp night, with the threat of rain, but the rain gods held out and they didn’t rain on the Chantilly parade. The event was well organized, and it took just a few minutes to check in with my ticket, Covid test, and security. I got a great seat, courtesy of Nico, with a front and center view of the chateau already bathed in light. The crowd was raring to go and at 9:45 promptly, the lights went out, and as Bugs Bunny once said, “On with the show!” 

The spectacle was divided into eight acts and it weaves a tale of mystery and intrigue with stunning imagery and a grand, sweeping musical score. I have seen over a dozen illuminations events like this in Avignon, Nancy, on Notre Dame in Paris, on the Chartres Cathedral, and I have to say this one trumped them all, and one of the best I’ve ever experienced. Le Rocher des Tresors brought the animation and the excitement to a whole new, more sophisticated level. It also included fireworks in parts of the show, which again, brought it to another level. At the end I was on my feet, yelling bravo. 

Even though you missed it this year, the good news is there’s going to be part two next year of Le Rocher des Tresors, which should not be missed, so make your plans soon. 

I stayed at the wonderful Auberge du Jeu de Paume Hotel, a must when you go to Chantilly. I have stayed several times in this Relais&Chateaux gem, and it never disappoints. I had a spacious room, accented with lovely Toile de Jouy on the headboard and wall paper, a super comfortable king size bed, and fragrant toiletries from Rituals. Auberge du Jeu de Paume has a new chef, Anthony Denon, who formerly worked at Alain Ducasse. I had a relaxing dinner in the luxuriously appointed dining room before the show at Le Jardin d’Hiver, and my starter of sea bass tartare with fresh figs and almonds was a refreshing delight, followed by a intensely flavored lamb confit with caramelized eggplant and middle eastern spices. The three- course menu is only 56€ per person, and at lunch time during the week, they have a steal of a deal, two-courses for only 25€ per person. 

Auberge du Jeu de Paume Hotel will be offering a special package for Le Rocher des Tresors next year, so stay tuned here for further info. 

https://aubergedujeudepaumechantilly.fr/en/ 

Sunday Spring Lunch at Chez Nahem and Gagliostro

It’s been over a year since we’ve entertained people in our home. Before the pandemic we would have frequent, small dinner and holiday parties. Vincent would prepare new adventurous recipes he had found which were always a success. We would clean and straighten the house, bring out our special glasses, dishes, and serving platters and go to the market to buy fresh flowers. 

Vincent and I have had two vaccines and our good friends Susan and Claude, also had them. We figured since all of us received the double vaccine we would be good to go and able to see each other. Usually, we do dinners because of our work schedules, but had to change it to lunch because of the 7pm curfew in Paris, so we invited Susan and Claude for Sunday lunch.  

I went the day before to the Baudoyer market near my house, and there’s a stall that has a good selection of beautiful flowers at reasonable prices. The flowers from them always last at least 7-10 days if I change the water and cut the stems frequently. On Saturday there was quite a big variety and it was hard to choose. I finally selected two bouquets of hyacinths, one purple, the other white. Vincent put them in a clear vase which showed off the stems swirling around the water. I forgot how incredibly fragrant hyacinths are and the perfume permeated the entire room. 

Usually, Vincent does all the cooking but in recent months I have entered the kitchen again after a long absence. In case some of you didn’t know, I was a chef and caterer in NYC for 21 years before I moved to Paris in 2005, and once I moved, I didn’t want to cook again. 

The lunch was a joint cooking venture; I made the soup and dessert, and Vincent prepared the main course and the salad.

Susan and Claude arrived about 12:30 and it was beautiful, sunny spring day, with the light pouring thorough the windows. We poured a rosé first and enjoyed a snack of hummus and creamy artichoke spread on little nubs of bread. For the next few hours, we feasted on the fantastic food we prepared, along with a robust red wine. We laughed, reminisced, talked about music, art, culture, and our current favorite television shows. Although we have known Susan and Claude for over 15 years, I didn’t know that much about Claude’s upbringing in Belgium and his family history, and he generously shared about it. 

Below is the menu, along with recipes- I knew in advance you would be asking for them. 

Butternut squash and apple soup-Ina Garten/Barefoot Contessa

https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/butternut-squash-and-apple-soup

Tomato pappardelle pasta with broccoli rabe, Swiss chard, and ricotta -NY Times 

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013075-pappardelle-with-greens-and-ricotta?searchResultPosition=1

Salad of roasted beets, prosciutto and Chèvre – Vincent

Slice roasted beats and discs of chevre and arrange on a platter and add thin slices of prosciutto. Add salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. 

Dark chocolate polenta cake served with fresh whipped cream and strawberries 

https://www.cooked.com/uk/Leiths-School-of-Food-and-Wine/Quadrille-Publishing/How-to-Cook-Cakes/Whisked-cakes/Chocolate-polenta-cake-recipe

Wine: Rosé- Figuiere Magali Signature -Cote De Provence 2019 

Red- Haut-Rian -Cote de Bordeaux 2019 

Left to right: Claude, Vincent and moi 

Beet, chevre, and prosciutto salad 

Chocolate polenta cake 

Order Photos From My Etsy Shop 

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I have updated my Etsy shop with 15 new photos in addition to my other classic photos from before. In addition, I can make a print of almost every photo you see on Eye Prefer Paris.

Below are sizes and prices.

10x13 inches $60

11x14 inches $80

16x20 inches $115

Click here to go to my Etsy shop. 

Photos are printed on Fuji crystal Archive metallic paper with rich satin gloss finish and is unframed.

Prints are printed in N.J. and sent by USPS. Delivery time is 2-5 days.

If you have any questions about the photos, please email me at [email protected]

 

Connie Fredericks Malone: A Great Online Concert

I met Connie Fredericks Malone in 2013 when she wanted to share with me about her sister Carole Fredericks, who moved to Paris from Boston in 1979. Carole went on to have a super successful singing career with the group Fredericks, Goldman, Jones, which sold over a million records and she also put out three successful solo albums. Unfortunately, Carole died unexpectedly in 2001 at the age of 49 while on a fundraising tour of Dakar. The family was shocked, and grief stricken, and Connie wanted to continue Carole’s legacy of her charity work and also keep her music alive, so she formed a foundation to promote both. The original reason Connie reached out to me was because she got the city of Paris to place a memory plaque on the outside of the building Carole lived in near Montmartre. Connie thought it would make a good blog story, which I agreed. We met and instantly hit it off and we became fast friends. Click here to read the original story on my blog. 

Connie is an accomplished singer herself, coming from a musical family, and her brother is Taj Mahal. Connie and her husband Jim live in upstate New York but come to Paris every year for about two months, staying in Carole’s apartment which the family kept after her death. 

A few years ago, Connie performed at a friend of mine’s cabaret club in Paris, Club Raye and I finally got to see her sing. She has a wonderful and full ranged voice and is a warm and endearing performer. My friend’s club closed the following year, so Connie no longer performed in Paris. 

Unfortunately, Jim and Connie couldn’t come to Paris the last two years, so I really missed seeing them. Last month Jim sent me a YouTube link to a charity concert Connie sang at her local church and I was blown away. Her voice took on a whole new range and dimension than when I saw her in Paris. Her voice was deeper, richer, and more soulful. The concert is divided into three parts, and the middle part was an incredible catalog of hymns and gospel songs that are at once rousing and moving. The rest of the concert Connie sings a parade of jazz, standards and show tunes with ease, grace, and fun, and she also dedicates a section to Paris and French songs.   Best of all Connie wears a different, fabulous hat in the last two sets. Make sure you watch it to the end because Connie sings an old Nancy Wilson song that is rarely performed, and she changes the tempo and makes it her own. It’s a knockout for sure. 

Click here to watch the concert. There are some speeches in between sets, so just fast forward if you don’t want to listen to them. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Thank you Connie for making the gift of your singing is available for us to watch. I am listening to the concert as write this blog post. 

https://www.conniefredericksmalone.com

I am thrilled to launch my Emily in Paris Video Tour today. The video stars moi and is directed and filmed by my partner Vincent Gagliostro. In the almost 25-minute video you get to experience seeing many of the locations where the show was shot, the fascinating history of them, and you will receive insider scoops about Paris. An added bonus is you can watch my onscreen singing debut in the video, singing a verse from a classic French song. 

The price to watch the video is $12. Click here to send $12 to my Paypal account, and after I receive your payment, I will then send you the link to watch it. I request that you don’t share the link with anyone else. Please note that any order received after 10pm Paris time, I will send the link to the video the next morning. 

 

Trailer for Emily In Paris Video Tour

I want to thank everyone who purchased the Emily In Paris Video Tour and for your great feedback and comments. 

Vincent has created a short trailer for the video, so you get a tidbit of what the tour is like. 

Click here to view video 

If you haven’t watched the video yet, click here to send $12 to my Paypal account, and after I receive your payment, I will then send you the link with a code to watch. I request that you don’t share the link with anyone else.

As a special offer today, the first five people that respond to this mail or leave a comment in the comments section, will get a discounted price of $9 instead of $12. 

Click here to read my interview with Patricia Field, the costume designer for Emily in Paris and Sex and the City.  

Emily In Paris Video Tour

I am thrilled to launch my Emily in Paris Video Tour today. The video stars moi and is directed and filmed by my partner Vincent Gagliostro. In the almost 25-minute video you get to experience seeing many of the locations where the show was shot, the fascinating history of them, and you will receive insider scoops about Paris. An added bonus is you can watch my onscreen singing debut in the video, singing a verse from a classic French song. 

Here’s a list of some of the iconic places from the show that are on the tour.  

Place Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower 

Opera Garnier 

Pont Alexandre III

Palais Royal 

Place Vendome

Montmartre 

The price to watch the video is $12. Click here to send $12 to my Paypal account, and after I receive your payment, I will then send you the link to watch it. I request that you don’t share the link with anyone else. Please note that any order received after 10pm Paris time, I will send the link to the video the next morning. 

If you have been living under a rock, and don’t know what Emily in Paris is, it’s the new hit TV series on Netflix, about a beautiful, smart, young, American woman who is suddenly whisked away to Paris for a new job at a French marketing firm, and her adventures, challenges and mishaps, trying to make her way in the city. Click here to read my review and details about the show. 

I posted a four question Emily in Paris quiz last week, and whoever the first three people to  answer the questions correctly would win a free viewing of the video. Below are the answers and congratulations to the winners. 

Emily In Paris Quiz 

1. What neighborhood or arrondissement does Emily live in? The 5^th arrondissement or the Latin Quarter. 

2. What was the location of the influencers event Emily attended? Either the Place Vendome or Hotel de l’Evreux. 

3. What ballet does Emily’s snobby boyfriend walk out on? Swan Lake.

4. What’s the name of the restaurant in Montmartre where Emily and Mindy have dinner before their wild night out? La Maison Rose. 

The price to watch the video will be $12. Click here to send $12 to my Paypal account, and after I receive your payment, I will then send you the link to watch it. I request that you don’t share the link with anyone else. Please note that any order received after 10pm Paris time, I will send the link to the video the next morning. 

If you have any problems receiving or watching the video, please email me at [email protected]

Please forward this to your friends and family. 

Enjoy the video and I look forward to your feedback and comments.