With Maison & Objet kicking off its 30th year on Thursday, January 18 through Monday, January 22, here are some off-piste activities in the City of Light.
Exhibition
Mark Rothko
The hot ticket of the season is Mark Rothko at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in the Bois de Boulogne. As long as you are there, make plans to have a snack or lunch in the cafeteria which is quite good. Order tickets now.
Pit Stop
Le Nemours
A classic of French cafés, Nemours triples in size the minute the sun comes out. The large terrace is great for people watching. And if you are chilly there’s no shame in ordering a chocolat chaude.
Museum
Musée de Cluny
The Cloisters of Paris or is it the other way around? In any case, this gem of a museum covering the French medieval era has recently undergone a sweeping renovation and is well worth a visit. Don’t miss the Voyage dans le Cristal special exhibition on rock crystal objects.
Park
Jardin des Plantes
A great garden for a midday promenade. This former hunting ground from the era of Louis XVI was turned into the botanical garden by Napoleon. The giant Mimosa next to the Art Deco greenhouse will be in bloom and that alone is worth the visit.
Restaurant
Jòia par Hélène Darroze
Basque chef Hélène Darroze’s more casual eatery features comfort food with international influences. If you can’t get a reservation the communal bar is lovely. Do get an English language cookbook, it’s inspiring.
Quick Tips:
- Make reservations for restaurant dinners ahead of time.
- Always say “bonjour” or in the late afternoon, “bonsoir” to the shopkeeper when entering a shop.
- Take the RER express to Maison et Objet. It’s a lot faster and less expensive than a taxi or Uber.
