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2016 Eating Experience Great Exhibitions Great Touristy Things to do

The Picasso sculptures have arrived

The ‘Musée National Picasso-Paris’ in Paris is presenting its first major international exhibition : ” Picasso Sculptures “. This follows on from the ” Picasso Sculpture ” retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and is being staged here until the 28th August 2016.

The intention is to contemplate the artist’s sculptures from a different angle through series and variations, casts, reproductions and enlargements all produced from the original sculptures. Featuring over 240 pieces, it is the largest collection of his sculpted work assembled since the Picasso Sculpteur exhibition at the Pompidou Centre in 2000.

Exceptional collections will be presented, such as the series of six ‘Verres d’absinthe’ (glasses of absinthe; 1914), which will be seen in its entirety for the first time in Europe. Others such as Pregnant woman, Heads of a Woman which were cast in cement and just to be even – handed, Head of a Man.

A video explanation in English from the curator of the sculpture department of the museum is here.

The exhibition comprises fifteen sections arranged over two floors.  Unlike his paintings for which I find the curatorship completely unfathomable, his scupltures are shown in chronological order – from the very first models he produced in the 1900s through to the enlarged versions he made from sheet metal during the sixties.

An example of his work is the ‘Monument to Apollinaire’ which is in room 5.  In 1921, Picasso was commissioned to produce a monument in tribute to Guillaume Apollinaire, who died in November 1918. In 1928, Picasso collaborated with Julio González to produce at least four models entitled ‘Figure’ echoing the Bird of Benin, the artist’s double in Apollinaire’s short story ‘Le Poète assassiné’ (The Assasinated Poet) – it has been described as a “profound statue made out of nothing, like poetry and glory.”  All the projects on display in room 5 were rejected by the Apollinaire Committee !

NB : An exhibition dedicated to Guillaume Apollinaire, ‘Apollinaire, le regard du poète’ (Apollinaire, the vision of the Poet) is being held at the Musée de l’Orangerie from 6 April to 18 July 2016.

When you start feeling peckish, pop into the renowned Breizh Café for an organic, authentic Brittany crepe. The ‘complet’ is egg, ham and cheese, there are a multitude of choices of cider and if you have a desert crepe as well the meal will still only be €15.  Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Come and stay at 52 Clichy. BOOK HERE.

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Want to hear what previous guests have said about 52 Clichy ?  CLICK HERE.

 

 

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Holidays News

Name Change to 52 Clichy

52 Clichy had a name change from B&B Wonderful to 52 Clichy in 2013.   Unfortunately in the Frommers Guide 2013 for Paris printed the old name in their 2013 guide “Paris Day by Day – 23 smart ways to see the city”.  You can still tell from the description it is us, 52 Clichy, under its old Facebook page name, B&B Wonderful.

 

“Try B&B Wonderful, 52 rue de Clichy 9th from €115, a fabulous B&B for two, with a separate flat that sleeps four people.  breakfast is copious; the balcony views over Paris’s steely rooftops picturesque; and the welcome, by expat owner Rosemary, perfect.  She can even give you a makeover (prices on request), as she’s an image consultant by trade.”

 

The Frommers guide ‘Paris Day by Day’ 2014 cited only one B&B in their whole book.  Me!

 

Alastair Sawday’s is also cited, a wonderful, highly reputed and award-winning website who take the time to verify every person / listing accepted on to their site (you can’t pay to go on).  Check them out not only for France but the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Want to read what else people have been saying about 52 Clichy ?   CLICK HERE.

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2016 Great Exhibitions Great Touristy Things to do

A MUST DO before it ends – Picasso.mania

Dont’t miss this Must Do : Picasso.mania.

Picasso’s works have had a profound impact on contemporary art. This exhibitions presents some of his most emblematic works taken from the Picasso museum, the National Museum of Modern Art and from the artist’s family collection. It sets them alongside contemporary creations, grouped by artist; Hockney, Warhol or Basquiat etc, or by theme; still life, Cubism…  

The works are presented in a way reminiscent of his own studio arrangements and include not just paintings but a variety of other media such as video, sculpture, photography and installation art.

Picasso.mania is showing at the  Grand Palais until February 29th. Tickets still available.

Come and stay at 52 Clichy. BOOK HERE.

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Want to hear what previous guests have said about 52 Clichy ?  CLICK HERE.

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Eating Experience Great Touristy Things to do Helpful Information

The very best view of Paris

I think the very best view of Paris is from the Arc de Triomphe and it is even better in Winter than in Summer because Paris is so beautiful when it is lit against the night sky.  Climb these 284 metal steps to get a view of the Paris rooftops and the red, white and blue side of the Eiffel Tower (the other 3 sides are white).  If you are there when it is dark stay until, on the hour, it sparkles for 5 minutes.  Also giggle at the madness which is the sight of buses, cars and scooters on 8 unmarked lanes of cobblestones swerving and screeching below.

On the way down you go through the obligatory shop, but it is one of the best museum shops and don’t miss the small but poignant exhibition on WWI to the right by the stairs. Your Paris Museum Pass works here.

The perfect way to start this evening view is to queue for one of my favourite restaurants, the Relais de Venise, at 6.45pm ready for doors to open at 7pm – the restaurant will fill up completely! There is a fixed menu of green salad with walnuts then a plate of Steak and Chips twice.  The only decision to make is how you want your steak cooked and which of the 3 choices of red wine to order.

If you have space you can order dessert without any guilt, knowing you can walk it all off up Avenue de la Grande Armée to the Arc de Triomphe, just as Napoleon planned it for his army.

Tell me if you agree is it is the best view of Paris.  Come and stay – check availability here.

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Views

Evening sun following a storm

The light can be beautiful in the afternoons, the apartment faces East / West so the sun rises on the balcony and in the evening as it is falling it lights up the stonework reflecting the sunlight back on to the balcony.  In the evening sun following a storm, when the sky is dark and the lead roofs are shiny grey, the contrast is strongest.