Pershing Hall
The new space in Paris. Just off the Champs-Elysées, Pershing Hall occupies the site of the former American Legion. The hotel has been renovated by Andrée Putman. It is completely gorgeous in a minimal yet sensuous style, with a lovely patio with lush vegetation growing on the wall. The restaurant on the ground floor is getting great reviews and the Pershing Lounge, on the second floor is the new "it" place, with lounge music and DJs.
49, rue Pierre Charron. 75008. 01 58 38 58 00. Mo Franklin Roosevelt, Alma.
Comme Cochons
A totally great bistrot, especially at lunchtime (can be too noisy at night). The service is very nice and the lunchtime menu very good (salad of warm lentils with bacon, stuffed "pintade" with cinammon, couscous pudding with red fruit sauce...). 80FF for lunch, 200FF for dinner.
135, rue de Charenton. 75012. 01 43 42 43 36.
August Strindberg
When he could not find the words, the Swedish writer would take photographs or paint: waves breaking on rocks, storms with tones of blue and grey, starry nights. Before anyone else, he found abstraction in 1890. Most of Strindberg's works are in the Stockholm museum. Orsay is showing them for a few months. Until Jan 27, 2002.
Quai Anatole France. 75007. 01 40 49 48 14. Mo Solferino. site
La Peinture comme crime (painting as a crime)
The Louvre is showing this remarkable exhibition (if you finally can get in... The museum has been on strike on and off for the past month. Check before going). The show is an ode to all the artists who used painting as a way to place themselves outside of official art and society. The Louvre explores the history of art, but also psychoanalysis but it is never pedantic. You need time to fully appreciate it.
Musée du Louvre. 75001. 01 40 20 51 51. site
Tupperware Sentou
The design store, is presenting one of the most fun shows in Paris: with a great decor created by the star duo of Tsé + Tsé, Sentou is presenting 40 years of Tupperware products with some limited editions. "Magic Tupperware". Until Nov 11.
Sentou Galerie, 24 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe. 75004. 01 42 71 00 01. Mo Saint Paul.
Favela Chic
There is no hotter spot in the Paris nightlife than Favela Chic, the Brazilian restaurant/bar. After midnight, you'll usually find people dancing on tables to the best rhythms of the city. Favela Chic regularly invites bands, like Zuco 103, to bring the temperature to a boil.
Favela Chic. 18, rue du Fbg du Temple. 75011. Mo RŽpublique. 01 40 21 38 14. site