It's also the location for Frank Gehry's new building " The Cloud, "
(will house the Louis Vuitton Foundation for Creation museum). We went with the intention of seeing the building and ended up loving the park!
The Jardin d'Acclimation is located at the northern end of the Bois de Boulogne, one of four parks from Baron Haussman's 19th-century redesign of Paris. The other three are the Bois de Vincennes, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the Parc Monceau. Each is worth a visit.
The Jardin d'Acclimation retains its mid-19th-century atmosphere in many ways.
It's a maze of open walkways, low, rolling hills and multi-cultural landmarks. Perhaps best of all are the endless kiddie-rides, zoo animals, and charming follies. There are plenty of restaurants and cafés as well (including an outpost of Angélina!) This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip! It's a fantastic place for kids and families, and is off the usual tourist path.
Finally, I'd wondered how a Frank Gehry building would fit into this scenario . . . beautifully, it turns out!
Le Jardin d'Acclimation Bois de Boulogne, 75016 Paris
Metro : Les Sablons or Pont de Neuilly
daily: May-Sept 10am-7pm/Oct-Apr 10am-6pm entry: €1.45-€2.90 under 3: free
Recommended: Catch the 73 bus, which passes right in front of the Musée d'Orsay. For a little extra time and one metro ticket, you'll ride up the Champs-Elysées and around the Étoile-Charles de Gaulle/Arc de Triomphe on your way. It's easy : exit the bus at Les Sablons and you're there!
What a FUN place with a FANTASTIC concept
and delicious food to boot!
The Café des Chats is home to strays
and shelter cats who would otherwise be put down.
Resident cats, in their usual spots to the left,
(and, of course, the food and drink.)
What I loved most about this place was how *happy* everyone was !
Cats, customers and employees alike, it was clearly a mutual-appreciation society! (Someone needs to open a dogs' café!)
These two (above) were always watching the front window.
One of the waiters called them "des petits voleurs de pain" (bread thieves!)
excerpts from the Café des Chats website :
" We adopted our cats from shelters. They weren't chosen for the color of their fur, the texture of their coat, or the color of their eyes.
As our only criteria is their well-being, we chose cats who enjoy the presence of people and other cats. Our cats have run of the café (excluding the kitchen) at all times.
Our cats' welfare is very important to us. All remain in the care of a veterinarian, receive vaccinations regularly, and have been sterilized. We work with animal welfare groups to develop a happy environment for them;
our goal is giving a second chance to cats who no longer have homes. "
This place is busy !
Seating is limited, so reserve in advance. If you don't have a reservation, try arriving at noon when they open - this is the best time to find an empty seat!
Café des Chats 16 rue Michel le Comte 75004 Paris
Metro : Rambuteau cross rue Beaubourg to rue Michel Le Comte, 2-3 minute walk to no. 16 on your left. reserve online : reservation@lecafedeschats.fr by phone : +33973533581 Note: the website is in French but you may reserve in English - all employees speak English.
review : huffington post
and delicious food to boot!
The Café des Chats is home to strays
and shelter cats who would otherwise be put down.
Resident cats, in their usual spots to the left,
monitor the goings-on in the rue Michel Le Comte (above).
Upon arrival, you are asked not to feed the cats, disturb those who are sleeping, or pick them up (if they jump in your lap, that's a different story!) It's clear you've arrived in their domain! You are invited to enjoy their presence (and, of course, the food and drink.)
What I loved most about this place was how *happy* everyone was !
Cats, customers and employees alike, it was clearly a mutual-appreciation society! (Someone needs to open a dogs' café!)
These two (above) were always watching the front window.
One of the waiters called them "des petits voleurs de pain" (bread thieves!)
excerpts from the Café des Chats website :
" We adopted our cats from shelters. They weren't chosen for the color of their fur, the texture of their coat, or the color of their eyes.
As our only criteria is their well-being, we chose cats who enjoy the presence of people and other cats. Our cats have run of the café (excluding the kitchen) at all times.
Our cats' welfare is very important to us. All remain in the care of a veterinarian, receive vaccinations regularly, and have been sterilized. We work with animal welfare groups to develop a happy environment for them;
our goal is giving a second chance to cats who no longer have homes. "
I absolutely fell in love with "Calissie" (above) and "Ringo"
(below), who napped in the chair beside me.
The Café des Chats is approved by France's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Services, for food safety and hygiene.This place is busy !
Seating is limited, so reserve in advance. If you don't have a reservation, try arriving at noon when they open - this is the best time to find an empty seat!
Café des Chats 16 rue Michel le Comte 75004 Paris
Metro : Rambuteau cross rue Beaubourg to rue Michel Le Comte, 2-3 minute walk to no. 16 on your left. reserve online : reservation@lecafedeschats.fr by phone : +33973533581 Note: the website is in French but you may reserve in English - all employees speak English.
review : huffington post
detail from the "Lady with the Unicorn" tapestry, "A Mon Seul Desir" (above)
I always enjoy revisiting the spectacular " Dame à la Licorne "
tapestries! Often called "the greatest works of Medieval art," and even
"The Mona Lisa of the Middle Ages," this series of six tapestries is located in Paris' Cluny Museum. Their design is 15th-century French, and their fabrication, Flemish, of wool and silk. The series was likely commissioned by French nobleman Jean Le Viste, perhaps as a gift for his fiance. His family's coat of arms is depicted in each tapestry.
the Lady with the Unicorn tapestry, "A Mon Seul Desir" (above)
Each tapestry depicts a noblewoman with a unicorn to her left and a lion to her right. A coat of arms is also depicted in each. The woman is shown in a garden or forest. Most tapestries also include a maidservant and various animals and birds.
Five tapestries represent the senses.
details from "Hearing" and "Scent" tapestries (above, below)
In this tapestry, the noble woman plays the organ, representing HEARING.
In another, she weaves a wreath of flowers, while a monkey smells a flower, representing SCENT.
details from "Sight" tapestry (below)
The sixth tapestry is unexplained.
The woman now stands in front of a tent which is held open by the unicorn and lion. The tent bears the inscription "A mon seul desir," meaning "to my one desire" or "by my will alone." Many believe it represents an additional or sixth "sense." The noblewoman places her necklace, worn in the other five tapestries, into a jewel coffer. This is the largest tapestry and the only one in which the woman seems to smile.
Unicorns were often used in Medieval art to symbolize Christ.
Some interpret the sixth tapestry as a rejection of the material world, and an affirmation of Christianity. Some believe it represents a spirit of peace, tranquility, or a reassurance that Christ will prevail. It is also associated with free will, love and virginity. Animals and birds shown in each tapestry carry their own symbolic meanings. With no official documentation on these tapestries, however, the true meaning remains obscure.
My favorite aspects of these tapestries are their
brilliant colors and intricate details.
The woman's dress shows beading, damask and moiré fabrics. Bouquets of flowers and fruit and nut trees are beautifully executed. the background is the most wonderful, unusual orange-red. Blue and green tones are stunning as well, especially given the age of the tapestries (over 500-years-old). The tapestries range in size from 9' x 11'-8" to 12' x 15' and their design remains true to the "Mille Fleurs" ("Thousand Flowers") style of their period.
"These fabulous wall hangings have exercised an almost universal fascination on all those who have encountered them for hundreds of years." - source
The tapestries were recently re-installed in the museum,
following an extensive, two-year cleaning and restoration. The tapestries returned to a new exhibition space, designed for optimal viewing, contemplation and conservation. The tapestries' new arrangement is the way in which tapestries were shown during the Medieval era. The order goes from the most material, earthly sense (taste) to the most spiritual, or exalted, (eyesight). - artdaily.com
National Museum of the Middle Ages - Baths and Hôtel de Cluny
6, place Paul Painlevé 75005 Paris hours: Wed-Mon, 9:15 to 5:45
Métro Cluny-La Sorbonne, Saint-Michel, or Odéon
review : the guardian review : new york times
Among the many walking tours available in Paris,
Paris Walks' are the highest-rated and the best-priced! At 12 euros (about $17) per person, you can choose from a wide range of Paris topics. My favorites included "Revolutionary Paris" and "Paris Under The Occupation." Tours run on a given schedule, rain or shine, and last about two hours. Just show up (no reservation needed)! Entertaining, informative, and inexpensive great way find out about Paris for the first-time or many-times Paris visitor! My husband enjoyed books from their recommended reading list as well.
further information
reviews : trip advisor
They're expensive, but worth every euro!
Paris Walks' are the highest-rated and the best-priced! At 12 euros (about $17) per person, you can choose from a wide range of Paris topics. My favorites included "Revolutionary Paris" and "Paris Under The Occupation." Tours run on a given schedule, rain or shine, and last about two hours. Just show up (no reservation needed)! Entertaining, informative, and inexpensive great way find out about Paris for the first-time or many-times Paris visitor! My husband enjoyed books from their recommended reading list as well.
further information
reviews : trip advisor
They're expensive, but worth every euro!
details of "The Tapestry Room" (above)
I loved visiting this opulent, Belle-Epoque museum in Paris' 8th arrondissement.
A Second-Empire mansion, opened in 1913, it's comparable to the Frick Collection in New York and the Doria Pamphili Gallery in Rome. It is an often-overlooked gem.
ornate carved mill work in "The Music Room" (above)
Edouard André, army officer and son of a banking family, married Nélie Jacquemart, a society artist who had painted his portrait. Together they built this private residence to house their extensive art collection. My favorites included: Rembrant van Rijn's Supper at Emmaus, Jacques-Louis David's portrait of Antoine Français de Nantes, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini's bust of Gregory XV.
Additional masterpieces include works of Canaletto, Donatello, Della Robbia, Botticelli and Houdon. The double-staircase boasts an extraordinary fresco by Giambattista Tiepolo. These are just the tip of the iceberg!
Furnishings and antiques include pieces from the periods of Louis XIV to Louis XVI, in addition to Fifteenth and sixteenth-century Turkish carpets and Beauvais tapestries. Edouard and Nélie created an "Italian Museum" on the second floor. It includes three exhibition spaces, called "Venetian, Florentine and [Italian] Sculpture" Galleries.
the antechamber, above, where Nélie and Edouard's private quarters joined
and where they enjoyed breakfast together.
The perfect place to spend a rainy morning or afternoon!
Musée Jacquemart - André
158, Blvd Haussmann 75008 Paris
Metro : Miromesnil or Saint Philippe du Roule
Admission 10€ adults, 8.50€ children 7-17, 6 and under, free
158, Blvd Haussmann 75008 Paris
Metro : Miromesnil or Saint Philippe du Roule
Admission 10€ adults, 8.50€ children 7-17, 6 and under, free
museum photo galleries
This post is really five little posts in one big post!
Click on orange - highlighted words for further info and enjoy!
PHOTOS by Ruth Burts Interiors, with exception of numbers
2. kenzo.com, 17. artdaily.com, 20.-21. musée jacquemart-andré
R E L A T E D P O S T S :
Paris 2012 : Favorites
Paris 2010 : Favorites
This post is really five little posts in one big post!
Click on orange - highlighted words for further info and enjoy!
PHOTOS by Ruth Burts Interiors, with exception of numbers
2. kenzo.com, 17. artdaily.com, 20.-21. musée jacquemart-andré
R E L A T E D P O S T S :
Paris 2012 : Favorites
Paris 2010 : Favorites
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