Paris for Free: Le Dressing de Rêve des Parisiens

Le Dressing de rêve des Parisiens‘ is a free exhibition which is taking place in the store ‘Paris Rendez vous’ on the groundfloor of the Hôtel de Ville until 31st October on the occasion of the Fashion Week. You like fashion but are neither a journalist nor a rich or famous person and do not have the opportunity to attend a fashion show? Moreover you cannot afford to buy the expensive clothes designed by the most famous Parisian fashion houses? Go and see this exhibition: I am sure that you will love it!

‘Le Dressing de rêve des Parisiens’ displays clothes, shoes, bags and jewels designed and made by talented Parisian fashion designers: thirty or so in total. They have in common to be representative of the Parisian style: sexy and natural in the same time, smart but also comfortable and using beautiful materials, fabrics and colours. Some of them have been existing for years (1992 or 1996 for the oldest houses) while others have just opened their workshop. All have settled in Paris and their works are designed in Paris and made in France or Europe (even sometimes in Paris!). I loved most of them and when I went out of the exhibition, I felt like going and seeing at least three or four fashion designers’ stores which I did not know before, especially: Ambrym and Miki Mialy, for their women’s fashion; Mi Mai and Philippe Zorzetto, for their lovely shoes!

In the last room of the exhibition there is a large map of Paris with the exact location of each shop. One can see that fashion designers are mainly gathered in a few areas in Paris. Among them THE place for fashion design in Paris is the Haut Marais, an area which covers the better part of 3rd arrondissement: Do not hesitate to stroll there.

Behind the exhibition there is also a book, which was written by two well-known figures of the Paris fashion world, Régis Pennel and Philippe Zorzetto:  ‘Les nouveaux créateurs à Paris’. This book has just been updated, made richer and republished under the same name as the exhibition: ‘Le Dressing de rêve des Parisiens’. If you have loved the clothes diplayed and wish to remember them, to know more about their fashion designers and to visit their shops, you can buy this book on the spot in the store Paris Rendez-Vous (16,90€).

And to know more about the Fashion Week: Twice a year it brings all the top people of the fashion world to Paris, in early March for the presentation of the autumn/winter collections and in early October for the spring/summer collections. The second 2015 edition is taking place these days until 7 October. There is one fashion show after the other and one can admire the new fashion designs either in ‘haute couture’ or in ‘ready to wear’.

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr

Practical information: Le Dressing de rêve des Parisiens-Paris Rendez-vous-29 rue de Rivoli 75004-10am till 7pm except on Sundays-Until 31 October

‘Petite Fleur Folies’: an Ephemeral Garden in Paris until 21 June

If you happen to be in Paris during the weekend I suggest you to have a walk along the Seine on the left bank next to the Pont d’Iéna. There, on both sides of the bridge at the river level (Port de Suffren westerly and Port de la Bourdonnais easterly) an extraordinary ephemeral garden has been laid for four days only.

500,000 flowers and more than one hundred varieties of plants have been displayed in colouful harmonious flower beds: white, yellow, orange, pink and purple. And among them eight eccentric metallic sculptures offer recreational activities: a slide is hidden into a cow; a tree has been converted into a merry-go-round for three kids; another cow is hiding ropes and rope ladders, … They are called the ‘Créatiles’ and invite you and your children to interact and play.

As this event has been set up by Yoplait (whose logo is a colourful little flower – ‘la petite fleur’) to celebrate its 50th anniversary, you will also be invited to taste some of their yoghurts: take one, have a seat by the water and enjoy nature sitting between the flowers and the river! I really recommend you this family walk either today or during the week-end as this event is to end on Sunday night.

And on the occasion of the ‘Fête de la Musique‘ several concerts will be given there on Saturday 20th June and Sunday 21st June by six international marching bands!

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr

Practical information: Petite Fleur Folies – Port de Suffren & Port de la Bourdonnais – 75007 Paris

Bye Bye Love Locks: A New Look for the Pont des Arts in Paris

It had become a must-do while visiting Paris with the beloved one. One could not leave the City of love without hanging a lock on the Pont des Arts, which is the pedestrian bridge leading to the Louvre and offering some of the most beautiful views in Paris; then one threw the key into the Seine as a proof of indestructible love.

Guess how many love locks had been hung this way? Betweeen 700,000 and one million, representing a total weight of… 45 tonnes! Unfortunately this was too much for the railing of the Pont des Arts and a piece of it fell into the Seine one year ago. Since then the Mayor of Paris has decided to have the locks removed.

This happened last week. No more love locks, which will be replaced by a glass railing next Autumn. Meantime a temporary railing has been painted especially by four famous international street artists: Two of them are French (Brusk, who painted ‘Love is the key’ and Jace); the other two are the Tunisian El Seed and the Portuguese Pantonio. Do not miss this street art exhibition on the Ponts des Arts, from now until October: It’s colourful, a bit quirky but highly photogenic!

And don’t be sad. Whereas the locks are going to be destroyed and recycled, the keys remain at the bottom of the Seine forever as witnesses of your indestructible love.

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr