Paris in May
If you're lucky enough to be in Paris now or planning a trip later this month, you won't be able to help but notice that the city has burst into spring in a sudden jolt, with gorgeous blooms and breezy, clement skies pushing visitors and locals out to crowd terraces and parks. And if you find all that lounging overly low-key or lazy, worry not: May offers scores of great events and cultural activities, from the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival to Open House days at artists' workshops in the lively Belleville neighborhood. Cliché it may be, but Paris in May is unbeatable.
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Dans le Noir? Restaurant Review: Dine in Total Darkness
Does the thought of trying to get around in total darkness daunt you? If so, a meal at Dans le Noir? Restaurant in Paris may be a good way to face your fears-- and possibly get a glimpse of what it's like to live without sight. And for those who fear not the dark, dining at this unique spot can be an exercise in disinhibition and heightened senses. About.com Paris Travel Contributor Aedin Mac Devitt and I recently spent an evening at the now-famous restaurant, which, as predicted, proved unforgettable. Aedin gives her perspective on the experience in a new review, which you can read here.
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Paris Under the Occupation: Exhibit Sparks Controversy
At an exposition currently running at the Paris City Hall Library, a 1940's-era photo shows three impeccably dressed women on a sunny Paris cafe terrace, all donning sunglasses and beaming with contentment. The catch? The photo was taken by a photographer appointed by the Nazi occupation government to show how happy Parisians were under German occupation. Controversy broke out recently over the exhibit, which runs through July 1, because the curators initially refrained from stating that the 250 photos on display were taken as part of a Nazi propaganda campaign. This was considered by some as all the more unsettling as the exhibit is being held right at the border of one of Paris' historically Jewish neighborhoods, the Marais district.
More historical context has since been added to the show, which has already drawn thousands of visitors and provides a fascinating glimpse into the mechanisms of propaganda.
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Paris Day Trips
If you have more than a few days to explore Paris, why not consider peeking outside the city limits for a few hours? A wide network of commuter and regional trains puts several breathtaking destinations within easy reach of the city. From the Chateau de Versailles to Claude Monet's lyrical gardens at Giverny and medieval ruins in the quaint town of Provins , plenty of Paris day trips can be added to your itinerary.
Of Flame-Snuffing and Human Rights
Early this week, the olympic torch was on tour in Paris, ahead of the official opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China this August. But for much of its journey from the Eiffel Tower to the Charlety sports stadium at the city's southern tip, the flame was kept inside a bus and surrounded by guards. Why all the fuss? Thousands of activists protesting China's recent crackdown on dissident Tibetan monks convened in Paris to attempt to snuff out the olympic flame-- and show their opposition to Beijing hosting this year's games. Paris considers itself the capital of human rights-- and flew a banner saying so at its city hall. In response, Chinese officials called off an official reception scheduled in honor of the games Monday and has stated that foreign critique of its Tibetan policy is unwelcome.
As a city that has always prided itself on its vibrant capacity to draw citizens into the street for any number of causes, Paris isn't likely to let the Chinese government's scolding snuff out the pro-Tibet movement here any time soon. Many French politicians are even calling for an all-out boycott of the Olympic Games unless China agrees to sit down with Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama and open negotiations.
Is such a boycott justified? Please speak your mind below.
artparis: Contemporary Art Event This Weekend
Do you like to follow trends in contemporary art? If so, don't miss artparis at the Grand Palais this weekend. In its 10th annual edition, this year's event showcases works from 115 of the globe's most important galleries, with a special highlight on emblematic artists and up-and-coming talents from the Arabic world. The show is open through this Sunday, April 7th. Admission is 15 Euros (10 Euros for artists and students).
Find more happenings this month: Best April Events in Paris
Fewer Americans in Paris Last Year
It looks like the persistently weak dollar and soaring air fares discouraged some Americans from coming to Paris last year-- recently published statistics say American visitors' numbers were down 5.5% compared to 2006, at 1.5 million. And this January, 14% fewer Americans visited Paris than they did in January of 2007. Paris may still be the world's top destination, but unfortunately, it's recently lost some of its most enthusiastic visitors.
Have your say: Take our poll below
Paris' Mayor Re-elected
Paris has just re-elected its popular mayor Bertrand Delanoë. At the city's helm since 2001, the Socialist mayor of the city of light enjoys high approval ratings from Parisians, who have often applauded his cultural, artistic and civic initiatives. Delanoë is the brains behind such highly-frequented (and free) annual events as Paris Plage (Paris Beach), the Paris Street Music Festival, and Nuit Blanche (White Night). Detractors, though, say the mayor has frittered away public funds on non-lucrative events such as the ones listed above, while making driving in Paris more challenging by reserving new lanes for buses. He now has through 2013 to influence how the world's most visited city will evolve.
Image: Francois Durand/Getty Images Entertainment
Paris Parks and Gardens Back in Bloom
It may still be chilly in Paris, but with blossoms appearing around the city, it's once again time to enjoy the city's many elegant parks and gardens.
From the pomp and rigorous symmetry of formal gardens like the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg, to the sweeping, romantic bluffs and lakes of the Parc de Vincennes or the Buttes-Chaumont, Paris' top parks and gardens are great places to recharge. Relaxed strolls, lazy picnics, and botanical eye-candy await visitors, and even in the fall and winter, these green spots have their charm.
Most of these parks are also great places to spend an afternoon with kids-- from pony rides to puppet theaters, there's plenty to keep young visitors distracted and happy.
Saint Patrick's Day in Paris
Paris has had a deeply-rooted Irish expatriate community for decades (early 20th century literary mammoth James Joyce being the most famous), giving St. Patrick's day celebrations here a touch of authenticity you wouldn't necessarily expect. Check out Dublin native Aedin Mac Devitt's guide to splashing on the green in Paris this coming Monday.
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