🇫🇷 💌 The Paris Love Letter

FOUND IN PARIS
Fun & Useful Links

➡️ 12 not to be missed exhibitions in Paris in 2024 - From Explore France: From 150 years of Impressionism to the artistic programme of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this year in Paris promises to be as sporting as it is cultural. Constantin Brancusi, Frida Kahlo, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse and the Lumière brothers... Paris' museums and digital art centres host some of the world's greatest artists.

➡️ Pause Cafe Bastille - Pause Cafe Bastille is a delightful café nestled in the heart of the Bastille area. If you're seeking a delectable bite to eat while in the vicinity, a visit to Pause is highly recommended. We savored a remarkable burger, arguably one of the finest in Paris, possibly owing to their secret sauce and homemade buns.

❣️ ✈️ Flight Alert: If you're dreaming of visiting Paris during the Olympics but are deterred by the insanely high travel prices, you might like this deal we found on Air Canada: Miami to Paris from August 4th to 12th, starting at $524. The return layover is a bit rough, but if you must go and you're looking for a deal, this is it.

CAFÉ CULTURE
Le Grand Véfour: A Culinary Time Capsule in the Heart of Paris

Nestled within the illustrious Palais-Royal in the heart of Paris, Le Grand Véfour is known for culinary excellence and historical significance. Since its inception in the 18th century, this esteemed establishment has welcomed distinguished guests, including renowned historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Victor Hugo. With its rich legacy, exquisite cuisine, and opulent ambiance, Le Grand Véfour continues to enchant patrons with a captivating journey through time.

Stepping into Le Grand Véfour is akin to embarking on a sensory odyssey, where every aspect of the dining experience is infused with elegance and sophistication. The restaurant's interiors exude an air of timeless glamour, with opulent furnishings, ornate chandeliers, and intricately adorned ceilings that evoke the grandeur of bygone eras. The ambiance is redolent with an aura of refinement, creating an enchanting backdrop for an unforgettable dining sojourn.

The restaurant's esteemed chef, Guy Martin, is revered for his culinary prowess. He crafts menus that celebrate the art of gastronomy, incorporating seasonal produce and contemporary culinary techniques to enthrall diners with each delectable creation.

In addition to its gastronomic prowess, Le Grand Véfour and Guy Martin have both garnered accolades, solidifying the restaurant’s status as an institution of culinary excellence, including prestigious Michelin stars, exemplifying unwavering dedication to culinary mastery and impeccable service that defines the restaurant's ethos.

Guy Martin on Instagram

ART & LITERATURE
The Artistic Genius Behind Chagall's Paris Opera Ceiling

Marc Chagall was tasked with infusing contemporary verve into the time-honored Opéra Garnier in Paris, creating the now-iconic Chagall Paris Opera Ceiling. Despite initial controversy for its bold overlay of another artist's work, Chagall's masterpiece revitalized the historic venue and is celebrated as a magnetizing attraction.

In 1960, an epochal decision was made by André Malraux, the Minister of Cultural Affairs, to bestow upon Marc Chagall the honor of reimagining the ceiling of the Opéra Garnier. This commission is an example of the forward-thinking spirit that Malraux wished to imbue within the cultural fabric of France. It was a gesture that echoed the recent daring integration of modern art into historic institutions, such as George Braque's work in the Louvre. Yet, the selection of Chagall, a Russian-born artist, stirred the waters of controversy, challenging the entrenched principles of artistic harmony established by Garnier.

Chagall's dedication to the arts was profound; he declined any payment for his labor, seeking only to contribute to the theater community that had long inspired him. The State graciously assumed the cost of materials, and Chagall embarked on this monumental task, commencing work in January 1964. Over eight months, the artist toiled in various Parisian studios, including the historic workshop built by Gustav Eiffel at Meudon and finally at Vence. The process culminated in the creation of twelve canvas panels and a central piece, a grand total of 240 square meters, meticulously mounted upon a plastic structure.

Upon its unveiling on September 23, 1964, the ceiling was met with critical acclaim and public consternation. While many lauded the work for its poetic use of color and its celebration of operatic greats, others were less receptive, viewing the modernist interpretation as an insult to the opera's classical grandeur. Despite the initial mixed reactions, Chagall's ceiling has since become an integral part of the Paris Opera's identity, attracting admirers from around the globe.

Marc Chagall's enchantment with the theatrical world, a romance that began with his set and costume designs in 1914 Russia, laid the groundwork for his masterful work on the Paris Opera Ceiling. His previous creations for the stage, such as the sets for Aleko and the Firebird, were precursors to this monumental task, which he approached with a visionary's zeal and a poet's heart. Chagall's deep-seated love for music, poetry, and the dramatic arts informed every brushstroke, as he believed his art reached its zenith within the community of the theater.

This grand canvas, spanning approximately two hundred and forty square meters, is divided into five thematic sections, each glued to polyester panels and hoisted an astounding seventy feet above the opera house floor. Chagall's process was not only a physical undertaking but an emotional pilgrimage, as he poured his soul into portraying an "Olympus" of operatic characters, celebrating composers from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including a tribute to the Russian school.

Chagall's palette, consisting of 440 pounds of luminous paint, brought forth a supernatural vision that echoed the enchanted aura of Garnier's Palace. The central panel alone, a vibrant homage to the works of Bizet, Verdi, Beethoven, and Gluck, is a microcosm of Chagall's ideal of total theatre—a place where his art could soar to new heights and resonate with the grandeur of the operatic tradition. His selfless devotion to the arts was underscored by his refusal of any salary for this monumental contribution, further cementing his legacy as an artist for whom the splendor of creation was reward enough.

A PEEK INTO HISTORY
Rue Sainte Anne: A Parisian Sojourn through Time and Cultures

Rue Sainte Anne is a street that captures the quintessence of Parisian history and culture and the unexpected twist of Japanese heritage. In the vibrant 2nd arrondissement, this storied thoroughfare has gracefully danced through the epochs, from its medieval beginnings to its current status as a multicultural mosaic, affectionately dubbed Paris's "Little Tokyo."

The origins of Rue Sainte Anne are deeply rooted in the City of Light's medieval past. Initially serving as a vital artery pulsating with the lifeblood of Paris, it was named after the Saint Anne Church, a beacon of spirituality and community life. Over centuries, Rue Sainte Anne blossomed into a bustling conduit of commerce, culture, and an ever-evolving landscape of Parisian and Japanese narratives.

The 19th century heralded Rue Sainte Anne's transformation into a culinary haven, with an assortment of eateries and patisseries springing up. This legacy thrives, as Rue Sainte Anne has embraced its role as the heart of Parisian Japanese culture since the 1970s. Today, it is renowned for its authentic Japanese cuisine, from the delicate flavors of Kunitoraya's udon noodles to the Franco-Japanese pastries of Aki Boulangerie, offering a delicious journey through the evolution of Parisian gastronomy.

Beyond its culinary allure, Rue Sainte Anne has entwined itself with Parisian art and culture. Its proximity to the illustrious Palais Royal and the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens has fostered a rich artistic heritage. In this vibrant milieu, creatives and intellectuals converge, with galleries, ateliers, and performance spaces adding layers of creativity to its historic fabric. Also nearby is the beautiful Galerie Vivienne.

As dusk descends, Rue Sainte Anne reveals its nocturnal charm. The street, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights, becomes a sanctuary of evening pleasures. Cafes, wine bars, and jazz clubs dot the landscape, offering an ambiance of timeless sophistication and playful charm.

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
"Living Room" by Paris Combo

Paris Combo was a music ensemble hailing from Paris, France, led by vocalist Belle du Berry until her passing in 2020. The group boasted a diverse musical style, fusing influences from traditional French chanson, pop, American jazz and swing, Roma music, and North African music. Renowned for their captivating live performances, they have graced stages across the globe.

The remarkable success of their second album, "Living Room" (2000), propelled the band to a distinctive position as a French independent group capable of attracting audiences not only in France, where the album achieved gold status, but also in Australia and the USA, where they have undertaken more than twenty tours.

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