I Prefer Paris

October 2024 Eye Need to Do’s: Stephen Jones, Surrealism, Les Fleurs De Saint Laurent, and Netherlands Dance Theater

Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d’Artiste

British designer Stephen Jones has been designing fabulous hats for over 40 years. Besides his own original designs, he’s worked with top fashion designers Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton, and Thierry Mugler. He’s being feted at the Palais Galliera Museum with 110 of his greatest hats plus drawings and photos.

October 19, 2024 to March 16, 2025

Palais Galliera 10, Avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie, 75116

https://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/stephen-jones-chapeaux-dartiste

Les Fleurs De Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent was always influenced by flowers in his designs and was especially inspired by Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust, who also had a passion for flowers. The exhibition displays flowered garments from the 1960s to the early 2000’s.

September 20, 2024, to May 4, 2025

Yves Saint Laurent Museum

5 Ave. Marceau, 75116

https://museeyslparis.com/en/

Netherlands Dance Theater

Two of the most talented choreographers of their generation, Christos Papadopoulos and Crystal Pite, have collaborated on the dance piece Solo Echo with the Netherlands Dance Theater, which is having it Paris premiere.

October 23, 24, 25, & 26

Theatre de la Ville

https://www.theatredelaville-paris.com/en/spectacles/saison-24-25/danse/nederlands-dans-theater-ndt1-christos-papadopoulos-crystal-pite

Surrealism

Before closing in 2025 for a 5-year renovation, the Centre Pompidou is mounting a massive exhibition about Surrealism. The exhibition is inspired by writers such as Lewis Carroll, Lautréamont, and Sade. Paintings, drawings, and photographs are by artists Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Rene Magritte, Dora Marr, and Max Ernst.

September 4, 2025, to January 13, 2025

Centre Pompidou

https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/program/calendar/event/gGUudFS

Lost in Frenchlation is a terrific organization that screens current French and foreign films with English subtitles. Checkout this link https://www.facebook.com/lostinfrenchlation/ to view films being screened this month. 

I want to thank everyone for their comments for the book giveaway of Scattershot by Larry Chrysler.

Here’s an Amazon link to purchase Scattershot

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D96YTVTF?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3CJZET3NQ7EYF51C7QB8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3CJZET3NQ7EYF51C7QB8&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3CJZET3NQ7EYF51C7QB8&skipTwisterOG=2#

September 2024 Eye Need To Do’s: Lesage, Pierre et Gilles, Madame Butterfly, and Tina Barney

Lesage, 100 years of Fashion and Decoration

Lesage, the embroidery house for the top couturiers, is celebrating it’s centenary. Founded in 1924 by Albert and Marie-Louise Lesage, it went on the supply Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel with its stunning embroidery and jeweling.

September 26, 2024 to January 5, 2025

2M Gallery

Place Skanderbeg, 75019 

https://www.le19m.com/en/la-galerie-du-19m

Pierre et Gilles

The two bad boys of celeb and avant-garde photography, Pierre et Gilles, have returned with a new photo show.

September 3 to October 19, 2024

Galerie Templon

28 rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, 75003

https://www.templon.com/artists/pierre-et-gilles-2/

Madame Butterfly

The beloved, classic opera Madame Butterfly by Puccini, has been updated for the 21^st century by the director Robert Wilson.

Opera Bastille

September 15 to October 24, 2024

https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-24-25/opera/madama-butterfly

Tina Barney- Family Ties

In her first European retrospective, American photographer Tina Barney will bring 40 years of her great eye to Paris. The exhibition focuses on portraits and photos of the American family.

September 28, 2024 to January 19, 2025

Jeu de Paume

https://jeudepaume.org/en/evenement/exhibition-tina-barney/

Lost in Frenchlation is a terrific organization that screens current French and foreign films with English subtitles. Checkout this link https://www.facebook.com/lostinfrenchlation/ to view films being screened this month. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2024 Eye Need to Do’s: Ellsworth Kelly, Fete du Pain, Matisse, and Saint Germain Jazz Festival

Ellsworth Kelly- Shapes and Colors, 1949-2015

One of the great 20^th century American artists, Ellsworth Kelly, on the centennial year of his birth, is being celebrated with a mammoth exhibition. Covering the most significant years of his prolific output, 1949-2015, the exhibition has 100 works including paintings and sculptures, as well as drawings, collages, and photographs. 

May 4 to September 9, 2024

Fondation Louis Vuitton 

https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/events/ellsworth-kelly-shapes-and-colors-1949-2015

Matisse: The Red Studio 

If you go to see the Ellsworth Kelly show mentioned above, make you sure you also check out the Matisse: The Red Studio exhibition. The show focuses on the creation of masterpiece painting of the Red Studio, which has been lent by MOMA in New York. 

May 4 to September 9, 2024

Fondation Louis Vuitton 

https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/events/matisse-the-red-studio

La Fete du Pain 2024

Attention all bread lovers: Please drop everything you are doing and come to Paris for La Fete du Pain, from May 7 to May 16. Under big white tents in the plaza in front of Notre Dame, some of the best bakers in Franceset up shop, and make freshly baked baguettes, croissants, rolls,  and pain au chocolat’s for 9 days. Be patient, as almost all of Paris lines up for these special treats. It’s also where the annual prize for the best baguette in Paris will be announced.

May 7 to May 16 Parvis Notre Dame, 75004

https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/in-paris/articles/40952-la-fete-du-pain-2024-in-paris-artisan-bakers-return-to-the-notre-dame-forecourt

 Saint Germain Jazz Festival 2024

The impressive lineup of musicians for the 24^th Saint Germain Jazz Festival 2024 include Stacey Kent and her trio, Kareen Guiock Thuram interpreting the music of Nina Simone, Fred Hirsch Piano Solo, and the Emile Parisien Quartet.

May 13-20 https://festivaljazzsaintgermainparis.com/home/

 

April 2024 Eye Need to Do’s: The Birth of Department Stores, Connie Fredericks-Malone, Van Eyck, and Luxe de Poche

The Birth of Department Stores

The new exhibition The Birth of Department Stores, is presented in two parts in two different museums. The first part begins on April 10, at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, explores the rise of les grand magasins, Le Bon Marché, Les Magasins du Louvre, Le Printemps, La Samaritaine and Les Galeries Lafayette during the late 20^th and early 21^st century and how they greatly altered the way people shopped. The second part will begin on October 16, 2024 at the Cite de Architecture.

 April 10 to October 13, 2024

Musée des Arts Décoratifs 105 rue de Rivoli, 75001

https://madparis.fr/Presentation-9451 

Connie Fredericks- Malone- Alone with My Music 

Please attend my good friend Connie Fredericks- Malone’s concert, Alone with My Music to support the Carole Fredericks Foundation. Tickets are only 15€

April 26 @ 8pm 

Le Cineart 5 Bis Rue des Anciennes Mairies, 92000 Nanterre

Email [email protected] to reserve tickets 

A New Look at Jan Van Eyck

The Louvre is dedicating an entire gallery to show the great painting Madonna of Chancellor Rolin by the Dutch painter Jan Van Eyck. 

March 20 to June 17, 2024

https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/a-new-look-at-jan-van-eyck

Luxe de Poche

It’s all about little things at the Musée Cognacq Jay. Over 200 small objects including snuff boxes, compacts, pill boxes, pins, and manicure sets are on display. The objects were collected by the royalty and aristocracy in the 18^th century. 

March 28 to September 29, 2024

Musée Cognacq Jay 8 rue Elzévir, 75003

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, Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, Emily in Paris tours, and Chocolate and pastry tours.

Tours start at 275 euros for up to 3 people, and 85 euros for each additional person. 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 

March 2024 Eye Need to Do’s: Paris 1874, Inventing Impressionism, Paolo Roversi, Brancusi, and Ballet Russes

 

Paris 1874, Inventing Impressionism

April 15, 2024, marks the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Impressionism. Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, Cézanne, and 24 other artists of the period, banded together to create their own exhibition. In celebration, Musée d’Orsay is showing 130 works that defined the Impressionism movement. 

March 26 to July 14, 2024 

Musée d’Orsay https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/whats-on/exhibitions/paris-1874-inventing-impressionism

Paolo Roversi 

One of the top fashion photographers in the world, Paolo Roversi, has been shooting iconic images for over 50 years for Elle, Marie Claire, Vogue France and Italia. 140 images of his magical work will be exhibited. 

March 16 to July 24, 2024

Palais Galliera  https://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/exhibitions/paolo-roversi

Brancusi

Constantin Brancusi is being celebrated by the Pompidou Centre in a major way with a grand retrospective with close to 200 sculptures. The exhibition also has photographs, drawings, films, archives, tools, and furniture from his studio. 

March 27 to July 1, 2024

Centre Pompidou https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/program/calendar/event/mb7ZAkc

 Ballet Preljocaj - Hommage aux Ballets Russes

Choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, pays tribute to the splendor of the Ballets Russes in a new dance piece with music by Stravinsky. 

March 24 to April 5, 2024

Opera Royal de Versailles https://www.theatreonline.com/Spectacle/Ballet-Preljocaj-Hommage-aux-Ballets-Russes/81128

February 2024 Eye Need to Do’s: 1,001 Orchids, La Traviata, Ahmet Ertuğ, and YSL Transparences

1,001 Orchids

Some of the rarest and most exotic orchids will be on display in the greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes.

February 8 to March 4, 2024

Jardin des Plantes

https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-visit-in-paris/exhibit-museum/articles/58630-a-thousand-and-one-orchids-2024-in-paris-a-floral-stroll-in-the-jardin-des-plantes-greenhouse

La Traviata

Australian director Simon Stone updates the beloved, classic opera La Traviata by setting in the 21^st century and the lead character is a modern-day influencer.

February 5 & 8, 2024

Opera Bastille- Place de la Bastille

https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-23-24/opera/la-traviata?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw7b_9daHhAMV61FBAh2o3QWkEAAYAiAAEgLdA_D_BwE&medium=search#calendar

Journey Through Light and Stone- Ahmet Ertuğ

Turkish architect and photographer Ahmet Ertuğ fills the ancient walls of La Concergerie with 20 magnificent photos of architectural wonders from France and Italy.

February 9 to May 20, 2024

La Concergerie 2 Blvd de Palais, Ile de la Cite, 75004

https://www.paris-conciergerie.fr/en/agenda/voyage-dans-les-pierres-et-la-lumiere-photographies-de-l-artiste-ahmet-ertug

Sheer: The Diaphanous Creations of Yves Saint Laurent

This new exhibit explores Yves Saint Laurent’s use of sheer materials in his fashions, which sometimes provoked controversy.

February 9 to August 25, 2024

5 Avenue Marceau, 75116

https://museeyslparis.com/en/exhibitions/yves-saint-laurent-transparences

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, Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, Emily in Paris tours, and Chocolate and pastry tours.

Tours start at 275 euros for up to 3 people, and 85 euros for each additional person. 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 

Eye Need to Do’s: Modern Paris 1905-1925, Festival of Lights, Chagall at Work, and West Side Story

Modern Paris 1905-1920

The period between 1905, from La Belle Epoque to the Roaring Twenties, was a culturally rich period in Paris, dominated by artists, writers, dancers, choreographers, and fashion designers. The new exhibition Modern Paris 1905-1920 explores this important time with works and artifacts of Robert Delaunay, Sonia Delaunay, Marcel Duchamp, Fernand Léger, Tamara de Lempicka, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Josephine Baker, and Nijinsky.

Until April 14, 2024

Petit Palais Avenue Winston Churchill 75008

https://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/en/expositions/modern-paris

Festival of Lights at Jardin des Plantes

The glorious and enchanting Festival of Lights returns this year with a new theme, the Jungle. It features endangered species of animals living in the jungles of Asia, Oceania, South America, and Africa.

Until January 21, 2024

https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/fr/jungle-en-voie-d-illumination

Chagall at Work- Drawings, Ceramics, and Sculptures 1945-1970

A newly acquired collection of 12cnetr.7 drawings, five ceramics, and seven sculptures of Marc Chagall are on display at the Pompidou. Two sources of inspiration were sketches for the costumes and curtain for "The Firebird" ballet by Igor Stravinsky, and sketches and models for the ceiling frescoes in the Opera House commissioned from the artist in 1962.

Until February 26, 2024

Centre Pompidou, 75004

https://www.centrepompidou.fr/en/program/exhibitions

West Side Story

The classic Broadway musical West Side Story comes to the Paris stage. The full production in English features gorgeous music by Leonard Bernstein, moving lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and thrilling choreography by Jerome Robbins.

Until December 31

Theatre du Chatelet

https://www.chatelet.com/en/programmation/season-2023-2024/west-side-story/

I am offering a holiday sale of free shipping on Eye Prefer Paris Door Postcards. In addition, if you want to send them as a holiday gift, I can handwrite a personalized card for you.

For a set of 18 cards, you will save $12, and for a set of 9 cards, you will save $8.

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

IMPORTANT! You must order your cards before December 10, as I mail them from Paris, and it takes 10 days to 2 weeks to arrive in the U.S.

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 Includes Free Shipping.

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

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping

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

Cost: $35 Includes Free shipping 

Postcards are hand-wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French-blue envelope. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection makes a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family.

Blue Doors

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Wood Doors

Door Knockers

 

November 2023 Eye Need to Do’s: Paris Photo, ASVOFF, Chagall, and Jerome Robbins

Paris Photo

The bonanza of photo exhibitions, Paris Photo is one of the most prestigious photo fairs in the world. In its 24th edition, the fair aims to display the photos of the best photographers working today along with vintage photos by iconic photographers from the past. Over 180 galleries and exhibitors from Africa, Asia, North America, and South America are represented. There are also artist’s talks, lectures, and a Louis Vuitton Bookshop with books celebrating travel.

November 9-12, 2023

The Grand Palais Éphémère

2 Pl. Joffre, 75007

https://www.parisphoto.com/en-gb.html

A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival

Legendary fashion blogger and personality Diane Pernet presents the 15^th edition of her iconic fashion film festival. The screenings include Invisible Beauty, a documentary about Bethann Hardison, a pioneering black fashion model, who also started the first model agency specifically for models of color, and Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes, directed by Sam Shaid, about the openly gay photographer who photographed male nudes from the 1930s-1950s.

November 9-12, 2023

35-37 rue Francs Bourgeois, 75003

https://www.ashadedviewonfashionfilm.com/asvoff-15

Chagall a L’Oeuvre

The great, 20^th century artist March Chagall is being given a retrospective focusing on his post-war works from 1945 to 1970. The show exhibits 127 drawings, seven sculptures and five ceramics Chagall from the collection of Bella and Meret Meyer.

Until February 26, 2024

Centre Pompidou

https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-visit-in-paris/exhibit-museum/articles/299136-chagall-a-l-oeuvre-the-retrospective-exhibition-at-the-centre-pompidou

Jerome Robbins at Opera Garnier

The genius American choreographer Jerome Robbins is being celebrated at the Paris Opera Ballet with the three of his most prominent works: En sol, In the Night, and The Concert. Music is by Chopin and Ravel.

Performances Nov. 2, 3,4,7,8, 9, & 10

Opera Garnier

https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/season-23-24/ballet/jerome-robbins

Lost in Frenchlation is a terrific organization that screens current French and foreign films with English subtitles. Checkout this link https://www.facebook.com/lostinfrenchlation/ to view films being screened this month. 

 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, Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, Emily in Paris tours, and Chocolate and pastry tours.

Tours start at 250 euros for up to 3 people, and 85 euros for each additional person. 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 

 

Eye Need to Do’s October 2023: Modigliani, Van Gough, Rothko, and Treasures of Notre Dame

Amedeo Modigliani- A Painter and His Dealer

Arriving in Paris from Livorno in 1906, Italy, artist Amedeo Modigliani met Paul Guillaume, an art dealer and collector, in 1914. Over the next 6 years, they became confidantes and good friends. A new exhibition tells the story of their relationship, mostly displaying portraits Modigliani painted of well-known artists and writers including Jean Cocteau, Max Jacob, Moïse Kisling, and André Rouveyre.

From September 20th, 2023, to January 15th, 2024

L’Orangerie https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en/whats-on/exhibitions/amedeo-modigliani-painter-and-his-dealer

Van Gogh Auvers-sur-Oise

Van Gogh spent the last two months of his life prolifically painting approximately 74 canvases and 33 drawings in a small village outside of Paris, Auvers-sur-Oise. Forty of the paintings and 20 of the drawings are on display for the first time, and they include village scenes, landscapes, portraits, and still life’s. Iconic works such as The Church at Auvers, Wheatfield with Crows, and Portrait of Paul Gachet are included.

From October 3rd, 2023, to February 4th, 2024

Musee D’Orsay https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/whats-on/exhibitions/van-gogh-auvers-sur-oise

Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko, one of the greatest American painters of the mid-twentieth century, is having an extensive retrospective at The Foundation Louis Vuitton.  The 115 works are displayed in chronological order starting with early figurative paintings followed by his iconic abstract paintings.

From October 18, 2023 to April 2, 2024

Fondation Louis Vuitton https://www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en/events/mark-rothko

Treasures Of Notre Dame

A collection of over 120 artifacts and relics from Notre Dame will be displayed before they are returned to the cathedral when it reopens in the end of 2024.

From October 18, 2023 to January 29, 2024

Museé du Louvre https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/the-treasury-of-notre-dame-cathedral

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, Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, Emily in Paris Tour, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 250 euros for up to 3 people, and 85 euros for each additional person. 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 

September 2023 Eye Need to Do’s: Azzedine Alaia, DeStael, Gertrude Stein & Picasso, and Fete de Jardins

Azzedine Alaia, Couturier Collector

In addition to be a cult, fashion designer, Azzedine Alaia was also an avid collector of haute couture with over 20,000 pieces in his private collection. Close to 140 garments are on display from designers Jeanne Lanvin, Jean Patou, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Madame Grès, Paul Poiret, Gabrielle Chanel, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Christian Dior and more contemporary pieces are by Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garçons, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler and Yohji Yamamoto.

September 27, 2023, to January 21, 2024

Palais Galliera

10, Avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie 75116

https://www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en/node/3955

Nicolas de Stael

One of the more important, post war artists, Nicolas de Stael, is having a retrospective with over 200 paintings, drawings, prints and notebooks. Close to fifty works have never been shown in France.

September 15, 2023, to January 21, 2024

11 Ave. President Wilson, 76116

https://www.mam.paris.fr/en/expositions/exhibitions-nicolas-de-stael

Gertrude Stein & Picasso

Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Picasso’s death, the Luxembourg Museum has organized a show about the close friendship of Gertrude Stein and Picasso. Together, they forged the iconic bohemian group of artists, poets, and writers in the early 20^th century.

September 13, 2023 to January 28, 2024

19 rue de Vaugirard, 75006

https://museeduluxembourg.fr/en/agenda/evenement/gertrude-stein-et-pablo-picasso

Fete de Jardins

Come meander through the glorious Paris gardens and flower and plant markets on this special weekend. Dozens of gardens throughout Paris will have festivals and special events.

September 20 to 24

https://mairie20.paris.fr/pages/la-fete-des-jardins-du-20e-18394

Lost in Frenchlation is a terrific organization that screens current French and foreign films with English subtitles. Checkout this link https://www.facebook.com/lostinfrenchlation/ to view films being screened this month. 

 

Please read these two articles I wrote

The Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Paris https://www.travelagentcentral.com/europe/paris-insider-best-vegan-and-vegetarian-restaurants

Capital of Art Nouveau Brussels 2023 https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/europe/capital-art-nouveau-brussels-2023