Christian Lacroix: History of Fashion
Until April 20, 2008
The twentieth anniversary of Christian Lacroix's fashion house is being celebrated with an exposition at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs where Lacroix has carefully selected each of 400 pieces (80 of which are his own) to tell the history of fashion in a personal manner. He uses his own pieces to organize the themes of the exhibit, juxtaposing pieces from the 18th century with those of today in topical, creative arrangements.
Musée des Arts Decoratifs
107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris, www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr
See Fourteen Museums for Free
Until June 2008
For six months starting at the beginning of this year, fourteen museums in and around Paris are offering free entrance to their permanent collections. Schedule visits to these gems in your travel plans: Musée Guimet (Paris), Musée national du Moyen Age (Paris), Musée des Arts et Métiers (Paris), Musée d'Archéologie nationale (Saint-Germain-en-Laye), Musée national de la Renaissance (Ecouen), Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace (Bourget), Musée national de la marine (Toulon), Musée national Adrien-Dubouché (Limoges), Musée Magnin (Dijon), Palais du Tau (Reims), Palais Jacques-Coeur (Bourges), Château d'Oiron (Deux-Sèvres), Musée national du château de Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), Château de Pierrefonds (Oise). In addition, all of the museums of Ville de Paris, including the Musée Carnavalet, the Musée d'art moderne, and the Petit Palais, have already started to offer free access.
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Discover Marie-Antoinette
Until June 30, 2008
The Grand Palais has put together a very elegant exposition, which seeks to understand Marie-Antoinette, the private person. Featured in this exposition are over 300 works, including renderings of Marie-Antoinette in various mediums (painting, sculpture, etc.), as well as many of Marie-Antoinette's personal effects (furniture, dishware, etc.). Walking through the rooms, you'll be wowed aurally as well as visually with the classical music playing in the backround.
Galeries nationales du Grand Palais
3, av. du Général Eisenhower
75001 Paris, www.rmn.fr/Marie-Antoinette
Film Fun Under the Sea
Ongoing
A unique experience awaits visitors to the Parisian aquarium near Place du Trocadéro--Cinéaqua, a movie theater located inside an expansive aquarium, which houses around 9500 fish from all over the world. From children's cartoons to documentaries, various films are available throughout the day at Cinéaqua, where several eateries will delight the tastebuds between screenings.
Cinéaqua
5, av. Albert De Mun
75016 Paris, www.cineaqua.com
Vive
La Belle Epoque
Ongoing
An
entirely renovated museum reconciling modernity
with a strong Belle Epoque spirit, the new Petit
Palais houses a rich collection of paintings,
sculptures and artifacts dating from ancient times
through the turn of the century in Paris. The
magnificent interior garden also deserves a visit
with its dazzling mosaics and columns.
Musée
des Beaux-Arts
Avenue Winston Churchill
75008 Paris, www.petitpalais.paris.fr
Musée
du Quai Branly
Ongoing
Dedicated
to the visual culture of indigenous peoples worldwide, the Musee du Quai Branly displays everything
from musical instruments from Africa, to spears
from Papua New Guinea, to clothing from Thailand.
The €260 million riverside building was
designed by architect Jean Nouvel, combining modern
angular glass walls and cubes of bright color
with a wall of jungle-like vegetation to serve
as the backdrop for more than 300,000 objects.
Musee
du Quai Branly
37, quai Branly
75007 Paris
011-33-01-56-61-70-00
www.quaibranly.fr
Château
de Versailles
Ongoing
Marie-Antoinette's
personal estate at the Château de Versailles
has reopened to the public. A refuge from the strict
etiquette of the court, the retreat was so private
that even her husband Louis XVI had to ask permission
to visit. After a four-year renovation, it is now
available to all – this time without the queen's
invitation. Tour the country hamlet where she milked
cows, cleaned by servants beforehand of course,
or see the personal theater where she performed
for select guests. You can tour Marie-Antoinette's
estate by borrowing a free hand-held personal computer
or MP3 player complete with commentary, videos and
music. www.chateauversailles.fr.
La
Cave at Hôtel
Plaza Athénée
Ongoing
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A
hidden, underground treasure awaits wine enthusiasts
who visit the Hôtel Plaza Athénée.
Like the archaeologists who unearthed King Tut's
tomb, guests will have access to the secret 35,000-bottle
wine cellar. Led by Gerard Margeon, head sommelier
for Alain Ducasse, the tour begins from a hidden
entrance off the Galerie Colbert. Using hand-held
torches to maneuver the way through candle-lit
paths, guests will take in the bottle-lined walls
and end the journey at the tasting room. Once
there, the push of a button will allow a table
to descend from the ceiling with glasses and candles
already set. Margeon will proffer a hand-picked
selection of vintages including rarities from
Château Cheval Blanc, Château Latour,
Château Margaux Petrus and Montrachet. Hors
d'oeuvres will be served to complement the wines.
As a remembrance, engraved tasting glasses will
be given to guests as a souvenir. Wooden cases
filled with one, three or six bottles will also
be available for purchase.
Hôtel
Plaza Athénée Paris
25, av. Montaigne
75008 Paris
011-33-01-53-67-66-65
www.plaza-athenee-paris.com
Architecture Trumps the Cinema
Ongoing
The Trocadéro cinematheque has been replaced by La Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine, which seeks to explore the history of architecture all the way from the twelfth century. The exposition is filled with numerous precise miniature models.
La Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine
1, place du Trocadéro et du 11 novembre
75116 Paris
011-33-01-53-67-66-65
www.citechaillot.fr
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