If I were in Paris... Friday, March 25, 2011

Spring is nearly here in Paris, but not quite...

Today I would wander over to the 15th arrondissement--not an area I visit too often--for two interesting exhibits.

The first at at Musee de la Poste, titled "Carnets du Voyage -- la monde au bout du crayon." besides their permanent exhibits about the history of the mail service (!), this exhibit features 600 drawings and 200 excerpts from travelers' notebooks. The museum is as 34 blvd. de Vaugirard, open Monday to Saturday 10-6, through April 23. If you love travel--and I do!--this sounds like a lovely exhibit. And, damn! they just closed (12.3) and exhibit on Calamity Jane!

Then, not too far away, is an exhibition devoted to Madame Gres, in connection with the Musee Galliera, the major fashion museum of Paris. The show actually opens today, so it might be a wee crowded. Madame Gres, nee Germaine Emilie Krebs (b. 1903) trained as a sculptor and always referred to herself as such. Her dresses were indeed scupltural in detail. She was one of the last great couturiers to establish a "ready to wear" collection (eh!), and she dressed every one during the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, including Jackie Kennedy. This exhibition will include 80 pieces from the museum's collection as well as private owners and collectors. Just a taste of her style:

Oops, no, that's the Elgin Marbles... but you'll see what I mean.

And the lady herself --

Then, just for fun, I might walk over to the Musee Pasteur, a nearby site dedicated to this amazing inventor/doctor/scientist... oh, but not until April 1, when the museum opens again (only open during warm weather months, accrding to its site!).

Then I would undoubtedly journey to La Route du The Paris 15, a shop selling teas from around the world as well as tea products. Although I am a huge fan of Mariage Freres, I am simply a fan of tea boutiques as well. This one looks good.

For dinner, I would be tempted to try Je The... Me, a neighborhood restaurant with 5 stars on Yelp and a yes! from Anthony Bourdain. The descriptions posted by enthusiastic traveling diners makes me want to run right there for lunch.