I Prefer Paris

Paris Photo Potpourri

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind with my tour clients. I’ve been to the tops of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the hills of Montmartre, across the Pont Neuf, sailed on a Seine cruise, walked the quaint streets of Saint Germain des Pres at night, and explored the funky, fun Southern Pigalle. 

Two of my clients were photographers, so it gave me extra license to take more photos that usual. 

Here’s a compilation of the photos. Do you have some favorites? 

I am excited to have my first article about my favorite café in Paris posted on the Save the Paris Café website. 

Click here to read. 

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour 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, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

 

My Last Photos of Notre Dame

In February I took two Seine dinner cruises as research for an article I was writing for another publication. (Click here to read the article}. 

On the sleek Bateaux Parisiens, I was given a prime table at the bow of the boat with floor to ceiling windows. Even though it seemed like an ideal vantage point to take photos, there were disadvantages including the glare from the windows, the boat moving so quickly, and it being night time. On the second cruise on the boat Le Calife , I invited Meredith Mullins to come with me. Meredith has over 40 years of experience taking photos and even with her special lenses and technical expertise, could not get the quality of shots she liked and eventually put her equipment away to enjoy the views. 

However, I did manage to eke out about dozen photos that are presentable. Although, they are blurry, I think they capture a certain mood and romanticism. Luckily, I got some shots of Notre Dame all lit up from different angles. 

What do you think of the photos? I would appreciate your feedback. 

For more information on the dinner cruises I took, click on links below. 

https://www.bateauxparisiens.com/en/meal-cruise/dinner-cruise.html

http://www.calife.com/english/index.html

I am renting my Marais loft from August 16 to August 29 (Dates are flexible). Contrary to popular myth that Paris is closed in August, most shops, restaurants, and attractions are open in Paris, especially in the Marais. The weather is usually beautiful, temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit during the day, dropping into the mid 60s at night. In case in gets warmer, I have an air conditioner in the bedroom and a large fan in the living area. 

 

Minimum rental period is 7 days/one week, price 1500€ for 7 days/one week, 2900€ for 14 days/2 weeks. 

Conveniently located by the Saint Paul metro, in the heart of the Marais, the apartment is a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft  with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S.  The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator

Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested. 

If you love salted butter caramels, please watch my newest A Bite of Paris video about Henri Le Roux, the man who actually invented the salted butter caramel.

Click here to watch or link below

https://youtu.be/Am22oSA_UYc

Please remember to hit the LIKE button if you like it and SUBSCRIBE button to subscribe to my channel. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roxie Paris

Roxie Paris is set to bring the elegant supper clubs of the 1930s and 40s back into vogue again. 

Newly opened at the end of 2018, I was invited for dinner two weeks ago. Located on a side street off the Champs Elysees, the exterior already emits a throwback to the 1930s with a black lacquer marquis spelling ROXIE in bold letters. 

Two good looking, well dressed staff members warmly greeted us, took our coats and escorted us to the dining room. The lacquered interior looked like it was dipped into a bottle of red high gloss nail polish. On the stage were two singers, one strumming the guitar, crooning pop songs we all know and love in a relaxed, folksy style.  Behind them was a fabulous Art Deco style mural with a naked goddess spreading her arms and a round chandelier 

We were escorted up a shows stopping double-sided staircase, the kind you would imagine a line of beautiful dancers dressed in sequence and feathers would come down. Upstairs we were seated at a table overlooking the stage downstairs. 

In true French tradition, we were offered Champagne as the first order of business, although we opted for wine with dinner instead. The menu choices were quite appealing and it took some serious decision making before Vincent and I made our final choices. A crispy tuna maki was crispy and light with a bit of crunch to it, with super fresh tuna. Vincent enjoyed his salmon cooked with a piquant Asian style sauce and I savored my chicken rolled in crushed peanuts and cornflakes in a peanut sauce. Dessert was a divine chocolate sensation hard to describe. 

The name Roxie is inspired by Roxie Hart, the femme fatale that's the heroine of the musical Chicago is based on. Roxie brings back the days of private supper clubs and speakeasies but in an updated version. 

Instead of torch singers slinking over a grand piano, Roxie has a musically versatile six-piece band and singer performing everything from Aretha Franklin to Joe Cocker to Lenny Kravitz to Adele. Unfortunately the band was not performing the night we were there, but I’d like to return and see them. 

The bar at Roxie serves creative cocktails with throwback names- Ginger Rogers, Roxie Hart, and Louis Armstrong plus a formidable menu of whiskies and bourbon.

Roxie can be rented out for a private function for dinner and/or drinks, so if you want a bang up venue for a special occasion, this is it. 

 

29 rue de Ponthieu, 75008

Metro: Franklin Roosevelt 

https://roxie-paris.com/

Only three more weeks left of my photo exhibition at the Hotel Pont Royal, 5-7 rue Montalembert, 75007 

Special Invitation to Versailles Gala, March 31

Have you ever dreamed of attending a ball at Versailles and meeting Marie Antoinette? 

Most of this dream will come true on March 31, 2019, when the third Gala Dinner of the Friends of the Royal Opera to benefit The Royal Opera of Versailles, presents the Marie-Antoinette, a ballet of 22 dancers choreographed by Thierry Malandain with the music of Joseph Haydn and Christoph Willibald Gluck. 

In case that wasn’t enough to spoil you, there’s even more; first, a pre-concert of Te Deum and Messe à quatre chœurs by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, then a Champagne reception followed by the ballet, a Champagne reception again after the ballet (you can never be too rich, too thin, or drink too much Champagne!) followed by a multi-course seated dinner in the incredible Gallery of Battles, the largest room in Versailles measuring 390 feet by 42 feet. 

Dress code: tuxedos of course for the gents and haute couture or fab ready-to wear gown for the ladies. Break open that safe and pile the jewels on. Marie Antoinette wouldn’t accept anything less. 

The cost for this extravagant, once in a lifetime experience? Sorry but I don’t post and tell. 

But click here to find out. 

By the way if you need a date, my tuxedo is pressed, cleaned and ready to go.

Please read the article on Bonjour Paris, Michele Kurlander wrote about my photo exhibit. 

https://bonjourparis.com/photography/richard-nahems-photo-exhibition-at-hotel-pont-royal-in-paris/

That could be your name on the place card. 

If you haven't already seen my Eye Prefer Paris exhibit, it's on until March 31. 

Dita Von Teese in Jean Paul Gaultier’s Freak Show

The modern day Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese is joining the cast of the Paul Gaultier smash hit show Freak Show for only seven performances, January 22 to 27, 2019. 

Von Teese and Gaultier are big fans of each other and are ecstatic to be collaborating together. 

Freak Show, is an autobiographical musical and dance show about world famous fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Running since October 2018, it’s been loved by critics and audience alike, selling out most of its run. 

Von Teese is a global star, bringing old fashioned burlesque to a new generation of admirers for over two decades, elevating the art form to a new level. She gets her cue and inspiration from burlesque queens and pin-up girls from the past including Gypsy Rose Lee, Betty Grable, and Betti Page. Her last show “The Art of the Teese” played internationally to standing room only audiences. 

If you haven’t seen Freak Show yet, now is a great opportunity to see this terrific show. Click here to read my review from last October. 

Dita Von Teese in Jean Paul Gaultier’s Freak Show 

January 22-27, 2019 

Follies Berger  32 rue Richer, 75009 

https://www.foliesbergere.com/uk 

Please don't forget to RSVP to Pauline Bernard event@hotel-pont-royal for the opening of my photo exhibit on February 5. 

Rhum Bar 1802 and MASHA Restaurant

In my younger days, I was a full out disco king, going out to clubs like Studio 54 or Area in New York almost every night of the week. Strutting my best moves on the dance floor, I was stiff competition for John Travolta aka Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. 

Nowadays, I don’t go out much anymore at night except to have dinner at restaurants. I’ve put my platform disco shoes, shiny shirts unbuttoned practically to the waist, and bell bottom pants into storage and now wear furry slippers, a Snoopy T-shirt and sweat pants at home. I’m in bed by 10PM and addicted to binge watching on Netflix and the new golden age of television. 

Every once in a while, I’m invited to a new club or bar and although I don’t put my disco apparel on, I make an effort to dress myself up. In November, in a rare occasion, I was invited to two events back to back, the opening party of a new bar and the opening of a glamorous supper club and lounge.

Rhum Bar 1802 is the first exclusive rum bar in Paris, opened in November 2018 at the new Hotel Monte Cristo. The name of the hotel is based on the book, The Count of Monte Cristo by legendary French author Alexandre Dumas. Born of mixed race parents, his ancestors produced fine rums in Santo Domingo, where Dumas frequently visited. He returned from his worldwide voyages to Paris with the best rums he could find. The bar is specifically dedicated to Dumas’ passion for the great elixir. 

At the opening, shots of various rums were offered along with explanations and histories of their origins. I don’t really drink straight-up rum but I did have a refreshing cocktail of rum and Champagne. The interior of the bar and lounge has the feel of a the salon of a grand t tropical plantation, decorated with wicker chairs, ceramic plates posted on black walls, tropical plants, and center bar with dark wood and blue and white ceramic tiles. 

The extensive menu offers dozens of rums from around the globe including Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Guatemala. White rum, amber rum, old rum, and spiced rum are the different categories. 1802 invites clients to store their special rum bottles in their cellar. They are also inviting 100 people to join the exclusive Monte Cristo Club where members receive the following perks: four hand selected bottles of rum, free participation at events at the bar including tastings and master classes, 15% discount on hotel rates, and a mixology class for four people. 

Rhum Bar 1802 at Hotel Monte Cristo 

20-22 rue Pascal, 75005 

Metro: Censier Daubenton

https://www.hotelmontecristoparis.com/en/

Open every day 6PM to 1AM 

The next night I was invited to a private dinner by a friend of a friend of mine at a new restaurant and lounge, Masha, in the 16^th arr. near Place Trocadero. 

As I entered the chic lobby café, dressed up in bold black and white zigzag patterned floor, black and white striped wicker banquettes, and teal blue mid-century dining chairs, I knew I was in for a special treat. I was escorted downstairs to the restaurant area, a series of three rooms. 

An extended mural on the wall behind the dining banquettes by Japanese street artist Fan Sack, dominates the space (in a good way) with its sumptuous colors of red and pink. Japanese inspired throw pillows in rich patterns on the cream leather banquette softened the décor of the dining room. 

Our genial host and owner of Masha, Antonin Cornet, invited some of his good friends and colleagues to experience his new venture. He proudly spoke of his new baby and highly praised his Asian chef Takahiro Matsumoto, who formerly worked with Paris chef’s Eric Frechon and Pierre Gagnaire. Matsumoto has conjured up an appealing menu of French classics with a Japanese spin and sushi chef Makoto from Tokyo slices the freshest sushi and sashimi. 

Antonin highly recommended the tuna tartare with caviar as a starter, which I had no objections to and thoroughly enjoyed. Next up was a slow cooked salmon, another recommendation, which was spot on too. Still clinging to a formal French menu, there was a selection of cheeses from la maison Quatrehomme before the dessert course. Desserts were tame compared to the excitement of the other courses but the crème brulee with Hojicha (green tea) was a tad exotic.

After dinner Antonin invited us into the speakeasy for a performance by the camp singing trio of Romain Morian, Lolly Wish, and Charly Voodoo. The wild acting trio sung and joked their way though the room enticing the guests to play along with them. In between their sets, a DJ played some of my  favorite disco hits from the 1970s. I was having so much fun that I didn’t leave till past the Cinderella hour, about 12:45AM. 

Masha

85 avenue Kleber, 75016 

Metro: Trocadero 

www.masha-paris.com

Open for lunch Tuesday to Friday

Dinner Tuesday to Saturday, Sunday for brunch

Moi in my disco days-Dare to dance the Hustle with me? 

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour 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, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 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 

 

 

Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show

It’s the feel good event in Paris this fall: Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show. 

The autobiographical extravaganza is a labor of love by the bad boy of fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier. He took over four years to develop the show and is the creator, director, set designer and bien sur, costume designer. 

The opening video takes place in an operating room, where a teddy bear has a serious surgery: A seven-year old Gaultier deconstructs his beloved toy and sews a bra with cone cups on to it. A fashion designer is born!  

A few moments later, a clever scene, circa 1962, shows Gaultier swept away by a television broadcast of the Follies Bergere, as he dreams to one day be part of the show. He finally comes full circle to realize his dream. 

The rest of show, mostly through recorded music and some live vocals, video, and energetic choreography by extremely talented dancers, illustrates Gaultier’s career and personal life including his rise to fashion fame with its ups and downs, good and bad press, the love of his life, dealing with AIDS, plastic surgery, and working with celebrities such as Madonna and Catherine Deneuve (who is in one of the video’s). 

 Moi, doing a star turn in the lobby

Of course, the genius of Gaultier’s clothes and accessories, comes through in every scene, again reminding us what a prolific and unique talent he is and the lasting impact he has made on fashion for five decades. 

Nile Rodgers, the brilliant musical director, worked with Gaultier to choose the infectious, mostly golden oldies dance music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s including artists and groups such as Madonna, Grace Jones, Chic, Sylvester, Daft Punk, Kylie Minogue, and Mylene Farmer. I softly hummed along with the music in my seat, while tapping my feet, remembering the tunes from my disco glory days.

Gaultier’s message about embracing our physical differences and finding beauty outside the norms of society, and celebrating freaks, weirdo’s, and agitators, clearly comes through. 

I left the theater uplifted, joyous, and inspired. Kudos to Jean Paul Gaultier for a terrific, fun filled evening.  

The show is in French and English, but the French parts are easy to follow. 

 

Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show 

Until December 30, 2018

Follies Bergere 32 rue Richer, 75009

Metro: Cadet 

Tuesday to Saturday: 8PM

Saturday and Sunday 3PM

http://jpgfashionfreakshow.com/?lang=en 

Great merch, LOVE the Gaultier doll 

One last star turn at Cadet metro- couldn't give up this opportunity 

My Paris Apartment for Rent –November 18-December 5

I am looking to rent my fabulous Paris apartment in the heart of the Marais near St. Paul metro, anytime between November 18 to December 5 for 7-10 nights. It's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S.  The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator.

The price 7 nights is 165€ per night/1155€, for 10 nights 150€ per night/1500€ Photos upon request.

Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested. 

I am so pleased to have Ann Mah as my guest this week at on A Bite of Paris. We went to Le Mistral, her favorite Paris bistro and had their signature dish, aligot, a rich, creamy mix of whipped potatoes and cheese from the Aveyron region.

Click here   or link below to watch Ann and I enjoy aligote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiRHIW7Oitw&t=4s 

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour 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, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 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 

 

Krug Pop-up Champagne Bar at Shangri-La Hotel

I was invited on Monday night to the Krug Pop-up Champagne Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel.

The Shangri-La Hotel has partnered with the eponymous House of Krug, one of the most prestigious Champagne makers in France since 1843. The intimate 300 square terrace with a jaw dropping view of the Eiffel Tower and the Paris skyline only seats 16 people, so you must reserve in advance.

I met a friend at 8:30PM in the lobby and we were escorted upstairs. As we walked down a long corridor, we approached a discreet sign with Le Bar a Ciel Ouvert by Krug written on it. Once inside, we were pleasantly greeted and shown to the terrace. You would think since I lived here for 12 years and have seen this view countless times I would be jaded but that evening the view just knocked my socks off. Perhaps it was the coolness of the late summer evening sky with shards of gray clouds running through it or the special glow the tower emits on the horizon with its golden hue.

The terrace turns out to be part of one of the most exclusive suites of the hotel and has been refitted by Krug for the occasion, including the installation of a temperature controlled wine holder.

Although there were some tempting cocktails on the menu, my friend and I opted for Krug Champagne. There was also a selection of enticing appetizers including caviar, Bellota ham and smoked salmon but we had just had dinner. The wait staff person first brought out two already chilled glasses. A few moments later she returned with a bottle of Grand Cuvee. She poured just a tad into my flute for me to taste; it was dry with just a hint of sweetness. She continued to fill our glasses after my nod of approval and we clinked our flutes, making a lame toast, not sure in the moment who or what to toast.

The head bartender, Clément Emery, kindly introduced himself and asked if we were enjoying ourselves, in which we emphatically said yes! He also invited us to the bar downstairs later in the month to sample his newest fall cocktails.

A few moments later at 9PM the sparkle lights did their synchronized dance, sending the tower into a mesmerizing light show.

The magic of the lights to lift me up still prevails after 12 years of living in Paris.

This experience doesn’t come cheap: one glass of Champagne is 55€ but it’s worth the splurge. Go for it.

Le Bar à ciel ouvert by Krug/ Krug Pop-up Champagne Bar at Shangri-La Hotel is open 6PM to 11PM, every night till September 16.

Reservations recommended.

10 Avenue d'Iéna, 75116
Metro: Iena
Tel. +1 33 (0) 1 53 67 19 98
http://www.shangri-la.com/paris/shangrila/

Clément Emery

Update on After Louie Screenings

Many of you asked when you could see Vincent's film After Louie. After Louie will be screened at a number of film festivals in the U.S. and internationally. Below is a list of screenings in various cities, along with dates and link to purchase tickets. Thanks for your support.

Sydney, Australia - Queer Screen Film Festival September 19 & October 7
http://tix.queerscreen.org.au/session_mgff.asp?sn=Opening+Night+Gala+-+After+Louie&s=234

Chicago- Reeling LGBTQ Film Festival Friday, September 22 7:30 PM
http://reelingfilmfestival.org/2017/films/after-louie/

Atlanta- Out on Film – Sunday, October 1 @ 7:15PM
http://www.outonfilm.org/afterlouie

East Hampton - Hamptons Film Festival –October 7
http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/ (tickets not on sale yet except for members)

After Louie will also play in New York City, Key West, New Orleans, and Rehoboth, Delaware in October and November. I will post about those in a few weeks.

Christmas & New Years in Paris-My Apartment for Rent December 24 to January 3(dates flexibl

How would you like to spend a magical Christmas and festive New Years in Paris?

I am renting my apartment out from December 24 to January 3,  (dates are flexible) a total of 10 nights for $2500.

Centrally located in the heart of the Marais near the St. Paul metro station, it's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps one or two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include A/C, washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S.  The apartment is located on the second floor with an elevator.

Photos upon request. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour 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, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 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 

  Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

 

 

 

Eye Prefer Paris Cocktail at Club RaYe

Last week I received the special honor of having a drink named after me, the Eye Prefer Paris Cocktail, by my friend Kein Cross, owner of the chic and glamorous Club RaYe.

I was thrilled of course and went to Club RaYe to celebrate and taste the new drink. Kein also kindly named a drink for my friend Diane Pernet of the iconic fashion blog A Shaded View on Fashion and she joined me, Vincent, and my other friends Kristine and Rosemary to taste our cocktails.

We met around 7PM and the bar was calm. The first drink to arrive was Diane’s cocktail, mixed by cocktail expert, Maestro Marco. Served in a crystal goblet, it looked like a sophisticated, adult snow cone in black. It was accompanied by a smashing detail of a black and white straw (the theme of the bar is black and white stripes) and a whimsical rubber spider (Diane loves spiders). The drink usually comes with rum or vodka, but Diane preferred no alcohol, so the drink was a mixture of fresh lime and strawberry juice plus a few other secret ingredients, which Kein made me swear I wouldn’t reveal. We tasted a version with vodka, which we found sweet and tangy at the same time.

 Next up (ladies first of course!) was the Eye Prefer Paris Cocktail made also made with fresh strawberry juice along with some fresh citrus juice and other secret ingredients. A touch of humor and macabre came in the way of two bloodshot eyes floating in my cocktail.

We enjoyed the sounds many of my favorite musical standards on the piano played by the lovely Ciarri Winter. Kein later took us on a tour of the rest of the club and told us of his ambitious  expansion plans including adding a third floor with a whiskey bar and opening a branch of Club RaYe in New York later this year.

The night coincided with an opening of drawings by Alan Halliday. Alan discreetly drew a sketch of us enjoying our drinks.

The downstairs level has two more intimate bars and Thursdays is open mike night with pianist Sheldon Forest. I went downstairs to check it out and ended up singing More Than You Know. If you come another Thursday night you can hear me sing again.

Club RaYe
26 rue Dussoubs, 75002
Metro: Etienne Marcel or Reaumir –Sebastopol
Open Tuesday to Saturday
http://clubraye.com

Eye Prefer Paris Cocktail

Diane Pernet Cocktail

Diane Pernet

Drawing by Alan Holiday

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 195 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
 

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour 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, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 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 

Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour

 

 

 

Saturday Lunch at Atelier Francois Baschet

Last Saturday afternoon I was invited to an event that could only happen in Paris.

My friend Michelle , also from New York and living in Paris, has been telling me for years about an artist friend who has an open house lunch at his studio in the Latin Quarter every Saturday. Each time she invited me I would make excuses or say someday or another time when I am not so busy. Last Saturday I finally said yes, as a tour cancelled at the last minute and I was free.

Francois Baschet was a sculptor who worked mostly with metal. Along with his brother Bernard, who is an engineer, they created sound sculptures and musical instruments. They went on to invent an inflatable guitar, an aluminum piano and many other experimental instruments, which were highly popular with musicians, composers, and directors.

Foyer des Artistes was like a cafeteria in the 60's and 70's- it was cheap, many artists went there both rich, poor, and in between. François and Bernard had one of their first exhibitions there. When it closed about 50 years ago, François wanted to open a similar eatery with a friend, but they never found the time or venue for such a place, so he started a tradition of making lunch every day except Sunday at his studio and inviting friends, neighbors, and other artists to join him. Over the years the lunches lessened- first to Wednesdays and Saturdays, then just Saturdays. Thousands of guests over the years have attended, including Xaviera Hollander/The Happy Hooker.

François Baschet passed away last February at the ripe old age of 93, although he was considered too young to die in his family as many of them have lived till over 100 and his brother Bernard is 97. In recent years François lived mostly in Barcelona but kept the studio in Paris. Friends continued the traditional Saturday lunch while he lived in Barcelona and have continued even after his death. Despite his passing, the studio remains intact for now and the lunch tradition continues.

Lunch is an open invitation and the only requirement is to bring a bottle and a sausage or anything else you would like to contribute. Michelle said you never knew who was going to show up and it could be just a few people or 25. I arrived at 2PM and Antonio, who is Spanish, was behind the stove stirring a large stockpot that had some kind aromatic stew, with garlic for sure. We were just five or six people at first, an interesting mix, which included an American photojournalist and photographer who has been working in Paris for 50 years.

Michelle’s father Sam Gross, is one of the longest running and respected New Yorker cartoonists and over 550 of his cartoons have graced the magazine in the last six decades. Two fellow artists from Mexico now living in New York for the past 30 years who are friends of Sam's were visiting Paris and joined us. A steady flow of people came in and out in the next two hours and the little crowd of five or six now blossomed to about 20. It was quite an international mix, with Spanish, French, English, and Italian flowing freely. We feasted on a hearty stew of meatballs, peppers, tomatoes, and kidney beans. One guest, the owner of the local boulangerie, brought a huge, shiny top Gallette de roi/Kings cake and a Frenchman at the end of the table was the lucky one to get the fève. We all toasted the arrival of the New Year.
 
The studio was a mishmash of sculptures hidden under plastic wrap, tools, scraps, machinery, and found objects. Every time I turned to look at something, Michelle remarked that Francois had taken a object and made it into something, for instance the sink basin was made from photo developing trays. She also demonstrated some of the kinetic sculptures, that either had sound to them or water pushing through them.

Guests started to leave about 4:30PM, warmly saying their goodbyes with hugs and kisses and promised they would see each other again soon.  Michelle said sometimes the lunch last through the evening and there are jam sessions with musician and singers.

I also want to return again soon and if you want to come with me, let me know.

Here are some links for Francois Baschet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qagAnX6eJ8
http://francois.baschet.free.fr/story.htm

yes, that's a toilet seat

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
 

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.

Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 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 

Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour