Heidi Ellison
PHOTO OF THE WEEK 19.04.17
Bicycles in a Parisian courtyard. © Paris Update
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Montmartre: Décor de Cinéma
Heaven and Hell in a Hilltop Movie Set
“Montmartre is both heaven and hell,” says the narrator in Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1956 film Bob le Flambeur. Some might consider the charming Butte Montmartre, the hill itself, as heaven and the sin city of Pigalle below as hell. Or vice versa. … Read More
Nomos
The Benefits of Solo Dining
THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED. I rarely eat alone in restaurants, but after my experience at Nomos the other day, I think I will do it more often. Without the pleasant distraction of conversation, it’s easier to concentrate on and … Read More
Le silence du Mirror
Finding Poetry in Instant
In his one-man show Le Silence du Mirror, actor/director Bruno Abadie uses the Kafkaesque writings of Romanian-French playwright and novelist Matéi Visniec to poetically and humorously express the insanity of life under a repressive totalitarian government. Abadie’s stylized reading and … Read More
L’Opéra
Backstage at the Opera (And the Ballet)
The Opéra National de Paris is a big, unwieldy machine that encompasses not only the French national opera company but also the national ballet. Jean-Stéphane Bron’s new documentary, L’Opéra, like Frederick Wiseman’s recent documentary on the National Gallery in London, … Read More
Paris Update Events 12.04.17
Take home a winemaker > Winemakers from Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux come to Paris to offer tastings of their products in wine bars and private homes for the event J’Irai Déguster chez Vous. Various venues, Paris, April 20-22. Polaroid pix … Read More
Dilia
Gourmet Musical Chairs For Talented Young Chefs
The tiny corner restaurant in the 19th arrondissement that used to be the super-hip Roseval is now the domain of Italian chef Michele Farnesi, who used to work at the wonderful, now-defunct Rino. Rino’s chef, Giovanni Passerini, now at Passerini, … Read More
Pissarro in Éragny: Nature Regained
Impressionist and Gentle Anarchist
I have often been struck by the luminous beauty of a painting by Impressionist Camille Pissarro (1830-1904) when I come across his work in a group show, but “Pissarro à Éragny: La Nature Retrouvée” at the Musée du Luxembourg is … Read More
Tintamarre! Instruments de Musique dans l’Art
If Music Be The Food of Art...
Every year, the Musée des Impressionnismes puts on two interesting exhibitions that give people another reason to visit Giverny during the spring and summer – the other one being, of course, Monet’s garden. This year’s first show is “Tintamarre! Instruments … Read More
Paris Update Events 05.04.17
Through June 30 Virtual reality > Drop in on Saturday or Sunday from 2pm to 8pm for a free virtual trip at the VR Express festival. Forum des Images, Paris. Through Oct. 21 Dance in historic sites > Monuments en … Read More