The Paris Traveler

I really have to hand it to Salma Hayek, she could very easily have decided to spend her time shopping in all the luxury stores in Paris, or just lounging around eating bonbons and sipping expensive champagne! Afterall, the father of her baby (due any day now) and also her fiancé, is none other than French business mogul François-Henri Pinault! Pinault heads a conglomerate of successful businesses including the famous Printemps department store, La Redoute (think Sears catalog), the FNAC, several French newspapers, Christie’s, plus Gucci and Yves Saint-Laurent….shall I go on?!
Yes? Well what about Boucheron jewelry, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, winery Chateau …read more

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There are still a few days left to enjoy the long days of summer. If you love music be sure to drop on by the courtyard of the Hôtel d’Albret to listen to some great music. The concerts are put on by city hall and Radio France Musique; last day is the 31st of August. Concert time begins at 18h to 20h and best of all it’s free! Métro: Saint-Paul.
If you’re into skate boarding and roller skating like me, (yeah right!) then PariSlide at Pelouse de Reuilly in the 12e is still going strong until the 2nd of September. They’re open from …read more

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I spent an interesting afternoon with Martin Boumendil watching him work his keyboards and other instruments in an orchestration of sound, as images on a screen coordinated and blended the visual with the audio. It was quite fascinating to say the least! Martin is a young musician and composer with a nice melodic voice who also has that gift of imagination and creativity and doesn’t put himself into any one genre of music. Instead the versatility of his compositions is what I found to be most interesting.
Is it any wonder that Martin would be drawn to the film industry as …read more

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Once again we have a theme day here at the Travel & Culture Channel and the theme happens to be the NFL. Well as far as I’m concerned, neither football or American football interest me very much….that is of course unless France is doing well and there’s a possibility of them going all the way in the World Cup! Or unless the Pittsburgh Steelers are having a good year and they have a chance of playing in the Superbowl.
I know, I know, I’m a fair weather fan! I can’t help it! I can still remember the era of Michel Platini (Sorry …read more

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Starting September 7th the Galeries Lafayette once again puts on a free fashion show every Friday at 15h00 on the 7th floor of their main store on Boulevard Haussmann. Seats are limited and must be reserved in advance either by calling or by e-mail.
The show is held in the Salon Opéra and lasts for 30 minutes with commentaries in English. The Autumn/Winter Collection will be presented featuring the latest styles by many famous designers and couturiers.
It’s always a great way to spend the afternoon with friends and to do some serious shopping afterwards, or to sit and have tea and pastries at Maxim’s on …read more

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As the summer winds down (although it wasn’t much of a summer weather wise) after the 15th of August Parisians begin to return home for the start of the new school year and a return to the workplace, which the French call, la Rentrée. Paris little by little begins to bustle once again with activity and people everywhere, looking tanned and healthy, are still somewhat in holiday mode. Not for long, however, just as the beautiful bronze color hue begins to fade, reality sets in that the leisurely days of summer are fading just as fast!
A few days are left …read more

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Every year on August 25 Paris celebrates its freedom!  On Saturday Paris will once again celebrate its liberation from Nazi occupation.  This year a special homage will be paid to Général Leclerc sixty years after his death at 17h in front of the Hôtel de Ville.  Other activities are planned throughout Paris on this 63rd anniversary!
Click here for more details.
Photo Credit: Flickr

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 Anyone who has ever spent time in France knows who this 64 year old rock singer is. His career spans almost fifty years and if Elvis were still alive today, they more than likely would have done a duet together! Now that would have been something to see!!!
Johnny is the French rocker of all rockers, or as some like to say, he is the biggest rock star you’ve never heard of!!! (Outside the French speaking world of course!!!) Johnny in certain ways could be compared to the likes of Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. Not only has he kept …read more

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Lanvin is one of the oldest fashion houses still in operation today and has one of the longest lasting perfumes on the market as well. The founder Jeanne Lanvin set up shop on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in 1889 first designing hats and accessories. After the birth of her daughter Marguerite, Jeanne began making clothes for herself and Marguerite which caught the eye of many wealthy ladies wanting to dress themselves and their daughters in the same fashion; thus the Lanvin house was created.
In 1927 the perfume Arpège made its debut and has remained a constant seller for eighty years! …read more

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There’s only a few days left to see the Good Planet photo exhibit by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and a large number of other photographers specializing in animal photography. The exhibit takes place right outside the Musée du Quai Branly and deals with the impact that animals have on man and our planet.
                                                                                                      There are 92 photographs by 39 photographers who have captured incredible moments of animals and insects in their natural habitat. The expo is free, open 24/7 and text written in both French and English. It’s a great place to relax, browse, and enjoy!

Photo Credits: Flickr

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