If I were in Paris... Friday, November 18, 2011

Of course, this is the time that the decorations are up and Christmas windows are on view, so the first thing I would do if I were in Paris, is to head over to "les grands magasins" and see "les vitrines" and then go inside to see the decorations.

Pictures from 2008, when I was on sabbatical.

This year, Printemps has done a Karl Lagerfeld series of windows, featuring the designer as a series of tiny doll figures with models. The windows are apparently brilliant, including sixty animated figures and opened by Lagerfeld himself (who must enjoy the constant use of his "self" as a character and a bit of a self-conscious joke).

In the 16th at the Musee Guimet, there is an exhibition by Rina Banerjee, an Indian artist.

Also in the 16th, the Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves St. Laurent have an exhibition the photographer Gisele Freund that looks amazing.

In the 9th, this weekend is an open door event at the ateliers of artists from "Anvers aux Abbesses," in the spirit of the holidays, I assume.

Also in the 9th is the centenary exhibit for the composer Massenet, at the Biliotheque de l'Opera (always worth visting, anyway).

And once I'm in this area, I cannot avoid the temptation to stop in and browse through Fauchon and Hediard, cheek-by-jowl. Time for a tin of Christmas tea, or some biscuits, or a delicious spicy mustard for cold-weather foods. Mmm. And they will nicely wrap anything for you, which is almost a treat in itself.