Well not really. Just my camera with the fabulous photo's of this gorgeous stimulating city. So all images below are of the main weekends attractions.
Eurostar over on the Friday and out onto the
Champs Elysees, all lit up in festive lights. Hidden around the corner is boutique hotel
Pershinghall on 49, rue pierre charron. We had a fabulous dinner at their stunning Pershinghall Restaurant (
http://www.pershinghall.com/), reinvented by internationally acclaimed French designer and Interior Architect Andree Putman, who along with my favourite man of horticulture - Patrick Blanc (
http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/) - transformed a small, non-event courtyard into a spectacular Parisian version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, ...very chic and very Parisian, and of course lots of beautiful people.
Saturday was an all day-event at the
Pompidou Centre. (
http://www.cnac-gp.fr/) cultural capital of Paris. The building was designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, leaving structural and movement flow systems such as the escalators freeing up interior space for museum and activity areas. There are fantastic views over Paris from the 5th floor viewing area and while the restaurant may be tempting, it may only be worth visiting to see the organic forms buit within. The service on our day was awful, and save the loo visit for the museum. (PS: wear proper shoes)
Ron Arad's
No Discipline exhibition on the first floor is an amazing restrospective of his works, prototypes accompanied by audiovisual documents, limited series and mass-produced objects, along with numerous architectural projects. (
http://www.ronarad.com/) I would highly recommend seeing this - on until the 16 March 2009.
http://www.art2bank.com/london_art_news/pics/Ron_Arad_Tiothy_Taylor_London_Gallery.jpeg
We didn't use them but it was good to finally see the Parisian rent-a-bikes in the flesh. (or the metal) Comfortable and clever, they have everything a city bike needs, basket, built in lights and can be found everywhere. Since the metro stops at about 2am, you will find there may be a small queue at the pay machine after the local bar shuts.....We saw three on one bike. Probably not even possible during daylight hours.
www.treklens.com/.../France/photo395520.htm
Our gorgeous little hotel in Place de Vosges is so worth a mention. Surrounded by antique and art stores and the loveliest boutiques you could ask for, Pavillion de la Reine is a real gem. (http://www.pavillon-de-la-reine.com/uk/navigation.htmom)
http://www.xoprivate.com/img/hotels-and-resorts/le-pavillion-de-la-reine-l.jpg
