The timeless parisian style : Emilie Marcelle.

February is definitely the most glamourous month of all thanks to Valentine’s day !

That’s why I would like to share with you one of my favorite fashion houses addresses you’ll definitly adore too : it’s Emilie Marcelle , created by french fashion designer Lisa Mimoun, who has been inspired by the elegance of the women in her family, especially her grand mother.

From Paris to NY going through Monaco and Ibiza, her feminine style, so elegant, very couture and timeless has already seduced the most demanding clients !

Specializing first in the cult little back dress, a true must have when you live in the french capital, she developed her line with gorgeous evening gowns, cool cocktails dresses, lovely summer outfits, without forgetting sumptuous wedding dresses.

She’s also able to answer to private request if you’re dreaming about a unique bespoke creation.

I will be happy to organize for you a private and exclusive meeting in her show room located on left bank, the opportunity to meet Lisa, discover her creative universe and try all her marvels !

For more informations contact me : annemuraro@gmail.com

Copyright Emilie Marcelle

G U E S T S B O O K

I’ve realized I had 13 pages of warm and lovely acknowledgments received from my wonderful clients since 2013 and  I’ve never published  them…so I’ve decided to share with you the ones I’ve received last year. In my file PAGES (see on right) I will post all of them, starting with the most recent, going back to 2012.

Year 2019

• December : 

Mr and Mrs L. – From Hickory North Carolina / GLH clients

Anne, thank you so VERY much for the wonderful tour.  We were so lucky to have secured you.  You were wonderful.  We will retrieve.
Thanks again and have a great day.

Gene P. from Forth Worth Texas, asking ideas about Brussels :

You always have such fantastic ideas !

My best to you

 

•   October   : 

Beth W. from Washington:

Thank you so much Anne.  We are so grateful that you were there to show them around our favorite city!  I’m sure they told you but neither of them had ever traveled to Paris so having you as their guide was a real treat.

Hopefully David and I will find a time to visit this year and we will definitely reach out to you for another tour.

All the best, Beth

David G from Washington : 

Anne – you are the best. I’m just a little bitter we couldn’t be along as well!

( David and Beth offered a tour to a friend 😉

• September : 

Leslie  Kramer LC designtravel- Philadelphia 

Dear Anne,
Carol & I want to thank you for a wonderful tour today.

Lee Dufour from NY

Hello Anne !

I am finally back in Antibes and settled down and I wanted to tell you how much our team was delighted and charmed by our two tours and all of the time we spent with you😊

Personally, I adored spending time with you and you helped to make our trip a first-class experience…..a real partnership.

Let’s do keep in touch and I wish you a lovely rest of the month,

Warmest

Lee Dufour

VP of Marketing & Communications Yves Delorme

• June  : 

Amy W. from Baltimore : 

Hello Anne! I hope you are well. A few years ago my husband and I had the pleasure of spending a day in Paris with you –– the morning was bakeries, cheese and desserts, and the afternoon was a wonderful art tour. To job your memory, I was in Paris lecturing at SciencePo, and my husband is an amateur baker who fell in love with all the bakeries you brought us to. It remains the highlight of our travels to France.

It’s great to hear back from you! We will change our plans so that we can spend an entire day with you – The agenda sounds terrific, and we are very much looking forward to seeing you again!

• May :

Richard N. from Michigan

Anne,

Thank you for all of your assistance with our trip. It was a pleasure to meet you and to learn as much as you can share in 3 days.

This was a memorable visit for our family.
Richard

(Again, thank you for a wonderful tour of Paris. It will be very memorable for all of us. Richard)

 

• Avril

Mo Mozuch- newsweek journalist from NY

We loved our tour and gained such a wonderful perspective on this beautiful city.

Best,

Mo and Lauren

 

• March

Tatiana P. from Russia

Dear Anne,
Thank you very much for an interesting tour and experience of Paris. We now can appreciate it even more. Everything you spoke about sparked our interest of the city. Thank you for being so professional and patient with us! We had a great time, and thank you again.
Many best wishes,
Tatiana + Family

 

Erin B. from New-York 

it was a pleasure spending the day w you. Hope to see you on our next trip.

Thanks and take care,

Erin

 

Amy A. from NY :

Anne,
Thank you for an unforgettable tour of the louvre!  😘♥️🙏🏻
Warm regards,
Amy

Today was amazing!!!!  ❌⭕️

 

Nimi Ponnudurai from Amsterdam : 

I have already sung your praises to many people as I have to be quite honest I usually don’t like guided tours in museums as they bore me. Yours was fun and interesting even though we had very limited time.

 

• January :

Mariann di N. from NY
Thank you so much for sending along information. You have such an interesting and impressive background. I looked at your Instagram and you’re also a great photographer.

( that was before the tour and after  below )

Anne,

Thank you for your time and expertise today! We so enjoyed our tour today and enjoyed every minute. Please let me know when you’re in NYC and I will connect with you when I’m back in Paris. Thank you,

Mariann

 

Erin B.  from NY :

Hi Anne- quite an impressive background and offering you provide. I’m waiting to discuss with my husband tonight and will get back to you ASAP.

Thanks! Erin

( before the tour)

 

Abe H. from NY

Hi Anne
Thank you so much for your great insight and touring. We had a great time.
We loved he restaurant yesterday for lunch and the girls asked me to ask you for a fun a lot for dinner tonight.
Thanks

 

YEAR   2018

• Sept 2018

– Sarah F. from New Canaan,  Connecticut

Hi Anne

I want to thank you again for making our trip to Paris so memorable, educational and special! We enjoyed our tours very very much.

Best

Sarah

 

– Gene P. and Stephen C. from Forth Worth, Texas

It was an exceptional day we shared. Your expertise is always much appreciated. We shall return.

All my best until then,

Gene

 

– Amy F. from California

Hello Anne,

Before we leave back to the States, I wanted to circle around with you and thank you for your time with us.  As you noted, none of us are educated in art and you did an excellent job of educating beginners such as us and maximizing our time together in the most efficient, enjoyable and practical of ways.  We look forward to seeing you in a future trip.

All the best,

Amy

PS Luke is still in awe that he actually saw the real Mona Lisa!

Marcia B.  from USA :

– Dear Ms. Muraro, congratulations on your very wonderful write up in Departures Magazine! According to Frank and Dana M. you are a wonderful and special guide!

Thank you for trying to include me in your schedule. It doesn’t quite work for me. I promise I will plan further in advance with you for my next trip to Paris.

Until then, all the best.

Warm regards,

Marcia B.

 

– Carolyn H.,  from Carpinteria, California

Dear Anne,

They had the most wonderful day with you. Thank you so much for making Georgia’s first trip to Paris so very special.

Kindest regards, Carolyn

 

– Scott N. , from Washington DC

Anne, MaryAnn and I have not stopped talking on how much we learned from you yesterday and most important also enjoying being with you. We look forward in seeing you on our next visit to Paris. We will also refer you to friends to have the same enrichment we have gained from you. Our best. Scott and MaryAnn N.

 

• August :

 

-Katie K. from USA

After I’ve sent to may client  restaurants suggestions for her trip : 

You’re the best, thank you so much!! I’m hungry already 😉

 

• July :

 

– Hayden H – from Boston

This client offered a tour to friends : 

Ann,  once again, you are the best!!  R and S sent me such a nice note about the AWESOME tour you provided.

We are coming back soon – maybe Le Hotel and lots of shopping.  Will call you.

Makes me so happy.

Cheers,

-HH

 

–Jeremy S.from Deerfield, Ill :

Thank you so very much! Our pleasure you were wonderful to have with us and we got so very much out of our time together.

Alissa his wife  :

Wonderful meeting you and had a great time touring and learning with you.

 

–Jim Gauthier , travel agent from Virtuoso agence in Dallas owned by Strong family, writing  to a virtuso travel agent from Decouvertes :

with this email I refer you to my friend and art expert, Anne Muraro, who lives in Paris, was trained at the Louvre, serves as a guide and consultant for many VIP guests, including American Movie Stars, and is very well connected in the art community in Paris… Anne is the best and I always seek her out for my most discerning clients or those who have an interest in art but need a good teacher to accompany them.

 

• June :

–Adrienne  Harris , senior travel designer from Travel Essentialist, Spain

Hi Anne,

I hope you are having an amazing day!

I just spoke to David and he gave us the most amazing feedback about you. Thank you so much for your efforts and I really look forward to working with you in future.

Kindest regards,

Adrienne

 

-Melinda D.  from USA

Dear Anne.  It is we who thank you.  What a wonderful day you out together for us.  We loved it!!!

Many thanks for your help. And thanks again for a comprehensive and interesting Paris tour!

Best…Melinda.

 

–Carolyn Barry, from Indagare Travel NY

Dear Anne,

How are you? I hope you’re doing well!

I had a phone call with Jonathan B. a few days ago. I wanted to let you know that he had nothing but great things to say about you! The family had a fantastic time in Paris, and said you were “extremely detailed, knowledgable, thorough, and best of all you were attentive with the girls.”

Thank you, again, for all of your help!

Caroline Barry –

 

• April :

– Caroline Barry,  trip designer from Indagare Travel NY

Anne, it has been such a pleasure working with you and I have nothing but good things to say about your services, your organization, and your professionalism / attention to detail, so I look forward to passing along your contact information to my colleagues. I do hope we work together on another Paris trip soon!

All the best,

Caroline

 

• March :

–Robin  S. from NY

Thank you for the great tour of the Louvre we really enjoyed it.

Thank you again for creating such an amazing experience for us…..

Max is asking where you recommend for the Best ham sandwich i promised i would take him today!!!!!

Hope you had a great evening

Best Always, Robin

 

– Caryn B. from NY

Hi Anne –

Thanks for an amazing few days. We all really enjoyed it and are sad to leave Paris! Hopefully we will be back soon.

Best,

Caryn

 

• February :

– Rony Berlin from USA

Thank you Anne for a wonderful tour.  Rae especially loved Montmartre and Effiel Tower plus the walking tours and of course the breads and sweets!! Lunch was perfect.

Merci beaucoup!!

 

– Leslie K. from NY

I hope you are doing well.  It was so nice spending the day with you under blue, glorious skies!!!  Thank you!!

Enjoy the day!  We look forward to our next visit!!

 

• january :

-Pipa Gore from USA

Wow! Your background is fascinating. What incredible experiences you have had! Thank you so much for sending this!

 

– Christie’s  Paris  for their vip client  Benny C. :

Thank you again, Anne. This was really a life saver for us here in Paris.

Thank you Anne, they’ve enjoyed the tour very

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE VENICE BIENNALE 2019

You still have until november 24th to experience the Venice Biennale  2019 ! It’s so huge and the offer – regarding temporary exhibitions and events- besides the giardini’s pavilions and the Arsenal are so abundant  that it’s important to prepare your visit ahead.  Here is my selection for you :

1° My favorite pavilions :

Well this year in the Giardini only 4 retain my attention  :

• Switzerland : they could have won the Gold Lion ! Pauline Baudry and Renate Lorenz present a groovy installation, both sensorial and physical,   called ” Moving backwards” , which is actually a symbolic resistance to the regressive global political background we are living.
• Denmark : a mesmerizing installation with a sci-fi movie  and sculpture by Larisa Sensour-danish- palestinian artist-where history, identity and memory are threads leading us in a world where individual experience is meeting collective one.
• Brazil : more dance ! I feel like music and choreography are very present this year and I don’t complain. Here the wild rythms of the installation called ” Swinguerra “, mix of guerra ( war) and swing, takes you deeply. The artists Barbara Wagner and Benjamin de Burca filmed and photographed street dance battles performed by gifted young people. Freedom and individual differences blended in a cultural mix are the key words , becoming  even more precious now knowing the current political situation.
• Serbia  :  1 painting by Djordje Ozbolt retained my attention. a perfect mix of symbolism, figuration and abstraction.
• + pictures coming soon  😉 and more details as well for the following lists :

2° Italian pavilion in the giardini :

• Henry Taylor’s portraits
• Gabriel Rico ‘s installations

3) In the Arsenale I found many works filed with anxiety, evoking dark times, spreading a heavy energy but always extremely meaningful and well done. Among my favorite :

• Gabriel Rico
• Shilpa Gupta
• Arthur Jafa
• Tarek Atoui
• Christine and Margareth Wertheim
• Sun Yuan and Peng Yu

3° The golden lion has been awarded to Lithuanian pavilion and it’s must see ! Actually it’s an experience as the art piece is an operawork-performance.

4° My favorite temporary exhibitions in the Serenissima :

• Luc Tuymans in Palazzo Grassi
• Punta della dogana- Pinault collection
• Kounellis in Prada Foundation
•  Carpenters workshop at Ca’ d’oro
• Arp at Peggy Guggenheim’s collection
• Helen Frankenthaler at Palazzo Grimani
• Glass Stress in Murano

Bars :

After a long day of visit where to have delicious ciccheti ? Just in front of famous Frari church at lovely Café dei frari, the best place is oustside, standing by the canal.

If you prefer a more sophisticated and refined atmosphere, I do recommend  an historical palazzo transformed into a splendid luxury retreat : Aman Venice in Papadoppoli palace.The peace is breathtaking and cocktails are stunning ! Just memorable and fabulous.

Restaurants :

After the Arsenale visit Corte Sconta will be your heaven of peace ! The fishes are so delicious and you can relax in the lovely courtyard, dreaming about Corto Maltese adventures.

When in Murano book absolutely at Busa alla torre da Lele : the best venetian fry and my favorite vongole !

 

more to come at the end of september , thanks for you patience 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to see now and this spring 2019 in Paris ? Here is my top 4 worth seeing shows :

Among the must-see exhibitions this coming spring and already visible now, the fabulous show in Custodia Foundation is unmissable and the title says it all : 500 years of Master’s drawings from Pouchkine Museum. How exciting !

It is said that if you exhibit a drawing 3 months you have to storage it 3 years in order to protect the work against the damages of light. That’s why you can’t see permanently drawing’s collection from outstanding museum on display but only temporary shows. And usually you have to travel to see these marvels. Sometimes few drawings from the museum are lent for a temporary exhibition abroad but rarely a huge ensemble.

Then you realize how lucky we are in Paris to admire a wonderful bunch of 195 works coming from renowned Pouchkine museum in Moscow and representative of the history of drawing : from the German and Italian Renaissance to the European and Russian avant-garde of the twentieth century !

         

Parmigianino-Virgin and child in clouds – 1526 /  Picasso-Head of an old man in a tiara- 1905

Klee-Comet over Paris – 1918

https://www.fondationcustodia.fr/English

If you prefer postwar paintings Vasarely outstanding retrospective in Pompidou Center is for you ! It’s the first one ever organized in France showing all the facets of the father of Optical Art (called also Op’ art) through 300 works and documents  including paintings, sculptures, multiples, architectural integrations, advertising, studies, objects…

With the hungarian artist Abstract geometry can be fun and feels alive through selected forms and seductive colors. Art for all in everyday life was also is concern. Complete, clever and playful, it’s the ideal family show and a great opportunity to rediscover an artist inscribed in our visual heritage of the 70’s and 80’s.

Tribute to Malevitch(1954-58)

  Kiruna (1952-62)

 Vonal Zöld (1968)

 

The Courtauld collection from London at Louis Vuitton Foundation :

Thanks to the refurbishment of Sommerset House planned for the coming two years,   acclaimed impressionnist masterpieces such as Un Bar aux Folies Bergères by Manet and the somptuous Loge (the Theatre Box) by Renoir were able to leave London until mid-june. How lucky we are in Paris to admire them ! Even if I’m used to getting together everytime I travel to London- like visiting french friends established on the other side of the chanel- it’s always good to see artworks in a new context.

Hope the british people are grateful to Mr Samuel Courtauld, who had french roots, to have made impressionist and post-impressionist artists accepted and recognized in Great Britain, through his stunning personal collection first -actually lovely built with his wife Elizabeth in a record time : from 1923 to 1929- and then through the fund he created on purpose for the National Galleries in order to fill artistic gaps regarding “modern” french school.

It was not an easy task reminds us the catalogue of the exhibition as many british people, still very conservative regarding art, considered french impressionist and post impressionist artists not worthy to be exhibited in public collection ! By the way, the most horrible critics were addressed towards… Cézanne who was judged -even in the 20’s as a bad painter ! Well, his sense of space distorsion with daring points of view disrupted many british minds meanwhile Courtauld  himself  was immediately overwhelmed by the Master of Aix when he visited the famous exhibition at Burlington Fine Arts in 1922 showing a selection of artworks from french school of the last 100 years. 

The british industrial – who made fortune thanks to viscose- started then just the year after, in 1923, to collect paintings. Not at all to satisfy any socialite activity but rather to accomplish an artistic mission : give at least the right place Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Seurat deserved in UK. His wish was supported by a great sense of sharing his vision with a large audience as Art brought his so much in his life he desired to offer to a large public the possibility to elevate themselves their spirits thanks to Art, in times of industrialisations and materialism. He even went further with the creation of the Courtauld Institute of Art in 1931, which was not only a place where visitors could admire an outstanding private collection gathering masterpieces of modernity, but also a university section to teach Art History, which not yet a real academic discipline. The aim was to spread then this knowledge through the country and to form future curators and directors of museum.

All I can say is mission accomplished Mr Courtauld as the Institute is today famous and renowned in Art world !

If you’re not familiar with this collection and its fabulous history,  I will be delighted to give you a private tour. Please contact me through my mail if you wish more informations (amuraro@sfr.fr).

Manet- Un Bar aux Folies Bergères

 

Monet- Antibes

 

Seurat- Horses in water

 

Picasso-Calder exhibition in Picasso museum :

Two sacred monsters of modern art who shared the same passion for creativity and innovations without losing their child soul, it was time to gather them ! Great dialogues between works displayed and surprises too when we come to abstraction with Picasso, like in this picture below where the spanish master’s finds his place in the middle 😉 …

A must see until august 25th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venice Biennale 2017

 

You still have time to visit the Venice Biennale, until november 26 th exactly. We were there one month ago and I had few big crushes I wanted to share with you. Let’s start with the Giardini and my top 5 pavillions :

1°  Switzerland : the  pavilion is a tribute to Giacometti who actually never represented his country in the Biennale. The installation/ movie made Birchler and Hubbard moved us so deeply ! It’s about the forgotten love of the sculptor called Flora Mayo, which is also an edifying destiny of a woman artist coming from USA at the beginning of the century, thanks to the support of her family, until the crisis of 1929 ruined her artistic hopes and life… Nothing remains from her creations except a photograph of a wonderful bust she made of Giaco…I’m still haunted by her story.

2° Corea :  Glad to discover Cody Choi, an enfant terrible of contemporary art. Subversive,  transgressive, and meaningful.

3° France : The day we visited the Giardini was really  magical as Nigel Godrich the producer of Radio head came to the pavilion-studio for a string session recording and the artist Xavier Veilhan was there too. Creation in motion.

4° Austria : up to you to activate famous Erwin Wurm one minute sculpture.  Hilarious !

5° Belgium  : the somptuous dark and mysterious images by Dirk Braeckman mesmerized me. I admire greatly their pictorial quality.

The german pavilion is out of competition if I could say as the excellent artist Anne Imhof -who received the golden lion- choose to present an impressive live performance for the opening and ..nothing remains for it. Go and see it nevertheless.

 

In the Arsenale, my favorite works were :

1° Julian Charriere  

2°Michelle Stuart  

3°Ernesto Neto  

4°Leonor Antunes

5°Kader Attia 

6°Alicia Kwade 

Don’t miss  also these 2 pavilions in the Arsenale :

• China, especially with two artists whose artworks are displayed on the ceiling : Wangtianwen and Yaohuifen. 

• and the Georgian one  with Vajiko Chachkhiani . Everyone is talking about his outstanding installation : a  house where a non stoppable inside rain will ruin everything…

Big crush also for the nigeran pavilion,  located in  Scoletta dei Battioro e dei Tiraoro,  a building from early 18th century, that was once home to Venice’s gold thread and gold leaf guild. Moreover this is the first participation of this country for the Biennale. Peju Alatise ‘s installation, evoking a yoruba tale is a must see ! Formal perfection and moving background with an actual echo of african female condition.

The best exhibitions to see in Venice during this Biennale  :

1° Palazzo Fortuny and Axel Vervoordt choice. A must attend rendez-vous , the true spirit of  connoisseurs, but, alas , the last edition… so Enjoy !!

2° Dont miss, next to Santa Maria dei Miracoli the outstanding Palazzo Soranzo van Axel : 

In this place, just refurbished , you can see a group show curated by Pouchkine museum. I loved especially 2 excellent artworks :

• a magnetic video by David Claerbout about a strange wood.
• an impressive sound installation by Yri Kalendarev that you can activate

 

3° Prada Foundation : a complex exhibiton – very german-  with Thomas Demand, Alexander Kluge and Anna Viebrock, that turns to be a strange and disquieting experience for the visitor… but really worth doing !

 

I invite yo to go on my Insta and turn the clock back to mid- august to see my posts from Venice , including the Biennale @parisdeluxearty ! 

 

 

 

My top 3 exhibitions to see in Paris this spring 2017.

If you’re coming to Paris in may or june, don’t miss these shows :

1. Rodin, the exhibition of the centenary at Grand-Palais :

The french master of sculpture died in 1917, one hundred year ago exactly, and this show curated by the actual director of Rodin Museum -Catherine Chevillot- and the former one- Antoinette Lenormand-Romain- ( they were both my teachers at Ecole du Louvre)  demonstrate in a masterful way why and how Rodin was a forunner, a visionary, a tireless inventor who influenced generations of artists, from his time to today.

This exhibition which is not a classic retrospective will take you deep into the creative process of the artist who became himself a monument of french sculpture.  The best tribute the curators can offer to Rodin to commemorate his true genius indeed and therefore a must see exhibition if you’re in Paris soon  !

Superior part of the Doors of Hell with The thinker in the lintel.

Brancusi under the influence of Rodin with The sleep -1908

Anthony Gormley ‘s man standing.

2. Olga Picasso in Picasso museum

A very moving hommage to the first -official -wife of Picasso. They met in 1917 while the spanish painter was working with Les ballets Russes in Rome for the show “Parade”. She was a professional russian dancer , she was classy and beautiful, they fell in love in the eternal city and got married in Paris in 1918. She became his favorite model , depicted alone, reading, often thoughtful , or with their new born, Paul , showing lovely intimate moments of motherhood.

Unfortunately these quiet and happy times of domestic life won’t last …Olga was suffering in silence.  First she felt powerless away from her family  who endured the terrible repression  from the october revolution in Russia -while she had an exciting worldly life in Paris-then she stopped dancing-the passion of her life- because of an injure and her pregnancy, and finally, the relationship with her husband crumbled, as the crual female portraits made by Picasso in the mid-20’s show it.

It was high time to devote an entire exhibition to Olga, who was actually almost unknown by the public at large . To answer to this exceptional event, the family lent not only paintings but also precious archives ( letters- photographs – documents), some of them exhibited for the first time,  that shed a new light on Picasso’s works and life and reveals the odd and unique destiny of a russian woman in the early 20th century.

Olga with a mantilla – Barcelone 1917

Seven dancers with Olga on foreground- 1917

3. Gardens in Grand-Palais

Since the antiquity artists have always been inspired by nature and celebrated it through fine arts or decorative arts and even high end jewelry. Paintings, sculptures, artifacts, later photography, video, installation, created by the most outstanding artist of each great artistic period  bear witness of it. This is exactly what this exhibition curated by talented director of Picasso  museum , Laurent Le Bon, demonstrates with a selection of artworks from the Renaissance to today.  You are invited to an exquisite promenade in company of Dürer, Klimt, Matisse, Fragonard, Monet , Cézanne, Cartier, Mellerio, to name but a few. This is a fabulous feel-good exhibition that will make you want to cultivate your own-real- garden !

John Constable- Cloud Study – circa 1821 ( New Haven,Yale center for Bristish Art)

Albrecht Dürer- Columbine- circa 1490 ? ( Albertina- Vienna)

Cartier- pair of diamond brooch Fern 1903

Ritzy Therapy, the best remedy for blue monday in January !

How to avoid this usual january blues, especially  after fabulous december’s holidays and great new year’s eve party, looking like a vague memory today…;-)

Ritzy Therapy is my prescription ! How about to start with a massage in Coco Chanel spa, the most refined and stylish spa in the capital ? Among the many sophisticated details you’ll enjoy during your session , please note Colin Field-the legendary Hemingway Bar’s MC- had developed some magic healthy mix just for you, according to the cares you will receive.  Spices, essential oils, plants infusion…will prepare your body deeply meanwhile you will listening to jazz or classic. Heaven on earth !!

Then a nap by the gorgeous swimming pool where you can also lunch or sip delicious smoothies :

When hotels guests will arrive around 5 pm, it’s the perfect moment to leave this enchanted place for a lovely and delicious high tea in salon Proust …Just memorable…

Then it ‘s already  7.30 pm, time to move to mythic Hemingway Bar. Let the charm and …cocktails act !

   

With this Rizty prescription, you will simply love january and its blue monday ! 😉

 

My top 3 must-see exhibitions this season in Paris !

1) Chtchoukine collection in Fondation Louis Vuitton (until february 20th)

This breathtaking exhibition is exceptional and unique in more ways than one. First, the collector himself : a russian moghul of textile in the ending 19th century, who formed his eyes traveling Asia, Africa and India, selecting motifs and managing stocks for the family company. He started to collect french Art when he was 44,  thanks to his brother Ivan who settled down in Paris and introduced him to famous art dealer Durand-Ruel. Then the way he collected  : he had a great intuition of what was important for the development of Art and acquired sometimes against his own taste works by Matisse or Picasso which were also highly contested by critics and public. It happened he wrote to Matisse : ” I hope I will like one day your work”  ! Or said about Picasso : “He’s right, I’m wrong”.  As soon as 1907 he had the project to offer his collection to  Moscow and opened it to the public a year later, giving tours to amateurs  he received in his splendid mansion-former Palace Troubetskoy-like the russian avant-garde including Malevitch, Larionov, Rodtchenko.. . Finally the destiny of the collection  : after the October Revolution, it was nationalized, transformed, mixed with Morosov collection and then divided in 1948 between Moscow, in Pouchkine museum, and Saint Petersburg, in the Ermitage museum. Meanwhile Chtchoukine fled from Moscow in 1918 and settled down in Paris where he lived discreetly until his death in 1936, leaving his collection behind him for ever. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see half of the original ensemble gathered for the first time since it had been divided and to admire this unique journey of an outstanding project created only in 15 years for the essential, from 1898 to 1914, including famous masterpieces by Monet, Gauguin, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse… and telling the story of western modern art !

Gauguin-Vairumati Tei Oa – 1892

2) Magritte in Pompidou Center (until january 23rd)

If you still think that Magritte was a surrealist painter, run and see this clever exhibition that will surprise you !

The tone is set with 3 paintings exhibited at the entrance showing self-portraits ( or assimilated) as a philosopher. The belgium artist wanted to show that a painter was able to express ideas with images, calling into question this old conflict between words and images, established since the antiquity through the story of Moses and the Tables of Law, or the famous myth of grotto told by Platon, where images were always considered to be suspicious and under reality or truth. With his subversive humour and ability to create unexpected images, using a logical process only- almost mathematical- from 1932 onwards, which was by the way at the opposite of dream state and unconsciousness used by surrealist, Magritte wanted to evoke the mystery of life, present in our daily reality. Other topics, proper to art history and the creation of images are present in this exhibition, such as the importance of shadows in Magritte’s works,  related to the story of Dibutade and the invention of portrait or the seek of perfect proportions through selection, fragmentation and recomposition where a parallel with Zeuxis (when he wanted to create the best portrait of Helena) is drawn.

This angle of view cast unprecedent light on Magritte images, so clever, sharp and powerful that one might says : Ut pictura philosophiae !

Magritte- Les 6 Eléments- 1928

3) Bahaus in Decorative Art Museum (until febrary 26th)

Going back to the roots ! All about this legendary school that set up the golden rules of actual design and blossomed in 1919 in Germany, before being stopped by the accession to power of nazis in 1933. We start from sources of inspiration with mingei style in japan and Wiener werkstätte in Austria to finish with actual designers and fashion designers still under the influence of the mythic german mouvement who wanted to abolish borders between craftmanship and art, celebrating know-how and fine arts theories. Among the most renowned masters who taught there and left a strong print we find Kandinsky, Klee, Albers…The exhibition is complete and doesn’t forget to show  also the relations of Bauhaus with modern dance and choreography. That makes ” The Spirit of Bauhaus”  a must see in Paris !

Josef Albers-Aufwärts 1926-( glass)

September is coming, let’s head South : to Cannes !

While one of the main event of the year in Paris, known as La rentrée (term originally used for back to school then back to work for anyone who had a summer break) is sticking its nose and will occupy conversations, medias, people…during at least 2 weeks, it could be the best moment to head south for few days, in the direction of french Riviera, don’t you think  ? 😉 Such an exquisite way to extend summer !

I would suggest then Cannes, a very easy destination, by plane ( from Paris to Nice 1.20 h then take a taxi, around 30 min ) or even TGV (5 hours). Moreover the prices are less expensive now and it will be less crowded. Without speaking of the weather, less hot than Paris right now, can you believe it ? !

We were  there last week for – lazy-holidays and it was marvelous to enjoy the riviera lifestyle with simple pleasures,  like the market on sunday :

For the best delicious spices and olives, don’t miss the coolest booth  :  Le Jardin du soleil ! 

Everywhere on this market you can find cute and tasty tomatoes, easy to eat in the street like these colourful ones :

You can have also fresh flowers of zucca fritters , just next to the market, prepared on request ! What a treat 😉

There are 3 rooftops only overlooking the famous promenade called Croisette, and my favorites are 3.14 and J.W Marriott. 

Here is first the view from 3.14 ( the tapas were delicious) . They were magical places for the sunset as you can see.

      

I was dreaming about a perfect grilled fish on the beach and had it at La Plage, the beach restaurant of Gray d’Albion (Barriere Group so perfect service, perfect food). Look at these fabulous sea basses :

Sunset there was lovely too :

We loved the spot so much we even came back few days after for the breakfast, how nice to start the day like this !

When you stay in Cannes, there is an institution you have to visit by night : Le Vesuvio, THE italian restaurant, there is always an awesome atmosphere ! I introduce you its great pizzaiolo standing in front of the owen  :

This time it was not a cultural trip, we just wanted to enjoy the sea, the sun, the dolce vita, and simple walks in the street, just looking around at the typical architecture and enjoy the riviera light ! 😉

If you want to see more pics about Cannes, please visit my Insta : parisdeluxearty 

See you soon to talk about the best of contemporary art exhibitions in pariasian galleries…

 

 

A lovely fast getaway when stuck in Paris in august ? Versailles !

Tired to see all the trendiest bistrots and boutiques- without speaking of yummy bakeries and small groceries- closed until the end of the month, and too hot in town to enjoy  Tuileries or Luxembourg garden ? Then it’s the perfect timing to go green ! The ideal summer retreat 20 minutes far from Paris is … Versailles !  Did you know it ? Well,  Trianon Palace hotel is so sure about this  that they propose during summer a free shuttle service from the Arch of Triumph to the Hotel in Versailles, located just next to the legendary park.

The hotel has also his own pleasant garden with nice terrasses, a great swimming pool and the restaurant is run by Gordon Ramsay (the gastronomic restaurant is closed for holidays now but delicious Veranda restaurant is open). All of these give you excellent reasons to take 3 days off for    visiting, at your own rythm, the castle, the gardens, the estate of Marie-Antoinette like we did last week and to relax in fabulous surroundings 😉

 

I loved our room (number 126) with nice views on the greenery, even on the bathroom !

        

I would suggest to arrive on friday  and start with a walk in the Domaine (real estate) of Marie-Antoinette,  including first Petit Trianon, commissioned originally by Louis XIV  for his famous mistress Madame de Pompadour,  built in neoclassical style by the architect Gabriel and achieved in 1768. Then you can reach from there my favorite part of Versailles gardens : the Hamlet of Marie-Antoinette commissioned in 1783.  It looks like a small french village from Normandy with rustic style country houses for the queen and her personal selected guests. It’s a little bit Marie- Antoinette Simple Life mood but soooo picturesque !

There is also a lake with swans and carp fishes, and a small tower of observation called Malborough tower from a popular song at this time. The perfect postcard as you can see below !

You can walk after to the farm and see the rabbits, peacocks, chickens, goats, aries and pigs , without forgetting the cute donkeys :

Then you can go back to the hotel and enjoy sunbathing by the pool 🙂

I would suggest a romantic diner on the Veranda terrasse in the evening to admire the sun set and they have a fabulous diet menu with these exquisite pasta as main course :

On saturday you can visit early in the morning the castle.  Don’t miss Olafur Eliasson’s fantastic and dazzling installations :

At 11 am rush in the gardens to admire the magical spectacle of Great Waters (Grandes Eaux). Versailles gardens with fountains working and baroque music in the background  is a unique experience in summer, just memorable !

I do recommend to hire golf cars to explore the bushes and coppices, full of surprises and visual delights,  you will enjoy then totally  the pure beauty of the french style gardens, created by Le Nôtre,  THE garden designer  of the famous sunking,  Louis XIV.

After a light  lunch by the Grand Canal a boat ride can be fun, or hire bicycle if you want to go to Grand Trianon, located just next to Petit Trianon visited the first day.

Check before you go to Versailles, if  there is any night spectacle on saturday evening  and book if so ! You’ll have sparkles in your eyes, like a  kid,  for the final with the fireworks around midnight next to Grand Canal 😉

On sunday you can take advantage of the hotel pool and relax in the spa or go back to the park to see some spots you didn’t have time to explore the days before !  You can even book a driver to go to Giverny and visit Monet house, 1 hour far from Versailles 😉

We can also go to Versailles together, just for the day (and no waiting line there with    me !) I will give you a private tour of the castle and gardens 😉 Send me a request by mail to know my fees (amuraro@sfr.fr) if you’re interested.

I invite you now to visit my Instagram account (parisdeluxearty) to see more images of Versailles if you wish  !