Thursday, May 19, 2011

Something for the Weekend (20th - 22nd May)


Now that Blogger seems to be working correctly again I can once more add a few suggestions for weekend activities in Paris. Over the next few weeks I'll also try to add a few more themes, including 'restaurant and bar of the week' based on suggestions I can find around the web, and a 'Take a break from Paris' theme which will suggest awayday destinations from the capital you might like to try.

Activities

Journées Nomades

The northern edge of the Marais definitely seems to be its cutting one today. How else can you describe an exhibition of drawings on pieces of toast using only Nutella? To celebrate the creativity of this part of the 3rd arrondissement, a weekend of events, called the Journées Nomades is being organised. Basically it is divided into three themes; visits to places of creation (galleries and showrooms), visits to places where things are made (ateliers and studios), and visits to places of culture and knowledge (museums, churches, bookshops).

For the full programme, see the official website: http://www.journeesnomades.fr/

Fete de la Nature
Every weekend seems to bring some theme to celebrate, with the subject this week being 'nature'. The focus this year is on forests, so for the major events you'll need to head out to the Bois de Boulogne or the Bois de Vincennes. For example, a visit is being organised at the Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale (tiens...) on Sunday, as well as a more general exploration of 'urban forests' starting from the Parc Floral on the same day.

The full programme can be found here: http://www.fetedelanature.com/

117 Hours of Chemistry
As part of a larger 'Science sur Seine' festival which runs until June 26th, this event, based on the 117 elements in the periodic table, will investigate the role of chemistry in our lives, through a series of exhibitions, theatrical events, visits to universities and laboratories, and walks, including one retracing the life of Marie Curie.

Full programme: http://www.anneechimie.upmc.fr/fr/les_evenements_aic/les_117_heures_de_la_chimie.html

Rooftop Tennis
The annual French Open tennis tournament begins this weekend, and to celebrate the event, a pop-up (clay!) tennis court has been set up on the roof of the Galeries Lafayette store. If you're lucky or time your visit right, you may get a free lesson and the chance to hit a few balls (but hopefully not down to the people below), otherwise you'll have to make do with the Rolland Garros themed shop selling t-shirts with crocodiles on them. At the very least though, it should offer an interesting photo opportunity.

More information here (in French).

Restaurant of the Week

Le Schmuck
Silly name, apparently good food.

(nb - I have small children which means that I don't get out to restaurants much, and when I do, they invariably feature kid's menus and play areas. For this reason, I can give no personal opinions on these suggestions - they just sound interesting to me!)

Bar of the Week

La Cave de Daron
Opposite Le Chateaubriand and Le Dauphin, this 'bar à vin' has friendly and helpful staff and a cool atmosphere in the evenings. More information here.

Take a Break from Paris

Chartres - Celebrating perfume and light!
Chartres - less than an hour from Paris by train - is having a double celebration this weekend; the beginning of a week-long Fête du Parfum, and the launch of the annual Chartres en Lumière initiative which lasts until September 17th. Visit the town by day and sample a 'fragrant' meal in a local restaurant, then stay until the illumination of the 27 buildings and sites in the town, where this weekend live music will also be played.

More information can be found here.


1 comment:

Mary Kay Bosshart said...

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! Here's a link with information in English and some photos that I posted on my blog of the tennis on the terrace of Galeries Lafayette. You're right, it's a great place to take some pictures.

http://outandaboutinparis.blogspot.com/2011/05/tennis-on-terrace-galleries-lafayette.html