An exciting new venue for the arts opened in Paris in mid April 2018. Located in the former Plichon cast-iron foundry built in 1835, it has over 3,000 sq. metres of surface area and walls up to 10 metres high. It took two years to prepare the building for its new life as the city’s most innovative space for presenting art, using all the techniques of the digital revolution.
Everyone visiting Paris heads to the Ile de la Cité, the large island in the middle of the river Seine, to visit Notre Dame Cathedral. However, the smaller of the two islands, Ile Saint-Louis, can easily be overlooked.
It has retained its 17th century charm, most of its magnificent historic buildings, and its medieval streets.
I’m often asked for shopping tips by those off to Paris, especially since many people know I spent about 35 years in the fashion industry. Where I like to explore isn’t the usual suspects such as St Germain des Pres or the big department stores (although I don’t ignore those). Instead, one of the first neighourhoods I head to for some fashion retail therapy is the 3rd arrondissement, the Haut (Upper) Marais.
If you’re heading to Paris this year, you’ll make the most of your stay by checking out well in advance what exhibitions will be on. The French are great exhibition goers, and if there’s something important at one of the many venues in the city, you can bet your life the locals will be there in droves. Add large numbers of visitors and it’s easy to see why whole weeks, if not an entire season, can be sold out before you even hit town.
We have often been asked about the best way to get out and about to explore Paris and all the many attractions in the vicinity suitable for a day’s excursion.
Paris has a terrific transport pass, a smart card called the Navigo Découverte—simply referred to as a “Navigo”—similar to London’s Oyster card, Sydney’s Opal or Hong Kong’s Octopus.
However, there are a couple of points of difference with these cards and a Navigo.
