CrysGarris*

Showing posts with label paris. Show all posts

Bastille Day 2018

To celebrate Bastille Day, the French National Day used to signify a turning point in the French Revolution and unification of the people, I threw a small picnic with an abundance of pastries, champagne and other fine delicacies.

Paris being one of my favorite cities, I always try to celebrate on my own or enjoy the festivities at the NYC Bastille Day celebration. Santé!

Fondation Louis Vuitton

In collaboration with Frank Gehry, artist Daniel Buren created twelve "sails" that combine with the daylight and create a play of colors, projections, reflections, transparencies that contrast both inside and outside.

At the wishes of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, Fondation Louis Vuitton was created to promote art and culture, adding to what the brand has been doing for the past 20 years. Their aim with this building is to support and promote contemporary artistic creation.

The institution features temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art that are brought twice a year. They also feature "Architectural journey: Frank Gehry, la Fondation Louis Vuitton" as a permanent exhibition. This explores how the building was created and brought into fruition by designer Frank Gehry.

Restaurant "Le Frank"

During my visit, I was able to see Icons of Modern Art: The Shchukin Collection, which honors Sergei Shchukin, one of the 20th century's greatest collectors of French modern art. His collection included the works of Monet, Matisse, Picasso, Gauguin, Cézanne, Le Douanier Rousseau and Derain.

I also was able to experience Daniel Buren's "Observatory of light" (the colorful architecture on the building combines with the light to create projections and more).

Part of the architectural planning for the building

There's even an outdoor observatory for you to get a great view of the city of lights. If you have a peek through the right corner, you can catch a gorgeous glimpse of the Eiffel Tower!

If you love art and are in Paris or planning a visit soon, do yourself a favor and make sure to check out Fondation Louis Vuitton. It's popular and packed so I suggest an early arrival to give yourself time to experience everything. There is so much to see and it's curated marvelously.

For hours and more:
Fondation Louis Vuitton
8, Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi
Bois de Boulogne - 75116 - Paris

I was a guest of Fondation Louis Vuitton but all opinions are my own.

Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM)

The Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (MAM) is the major modern art museum for the city of Paris and dedicated to modern and contemporary art of the 20th and 21st centuries.

While I visited, I was able to see Eva + Adele: You Are My Biggest Inspiration. The exhibition showcases art of the self-proclaimed "Hermaphrodite Twins in Art". Their art demonstrates the complexity of sexual identity and features works representative of their output over the past 25 years.

I was also able to enjoy an exhibition of the works of Bernard Buffet (1928–1999), one of the most famous French painters of the 20th century. Viewers follow Buffet's work chronologically throughout his career while exploring his varying themes of literature, religion, death and more.

The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am to 6pm except Thursdays, when they are open in the evening for exhibitions only. (Last admissions are 45 minutes prior to closing. Don't come late, trust me!)

Musée d'Art moderne de la Ville de Paris
11 avenue du Président Wilson - 75116 Paris
Tél : 01 53 67 40 00

I was a guest of the Musée d'Art modern de la Ville de Paris but all opinions are my own.

Paris

Bonjour! In January 2014, I visited my favorite city, the city of lights, the city of love, PARIS!!

Since seeing Anastasia in theaters as a young girl, Paris has always been my favorite. (I even have an eiffel tower wall decal and my vision board is a map of Paris. <3 )

I flew Delta Business Elite from JFK so I had a wonderful flight and was well rested to land fresh on Paris time. I took the Metro from CDG airport to my hotel because it saved money and I love treating cities like the locals so if I can take the train or bus, I will.

I stayed at the Hotel Arly Paris (now Gustave) because it was super close to the Eiffel Tower, so the rooms promised great views and with this being my first time, that was truly all I cared about. I figured I'll have plenty of time for everything else when I live there. ;)

First things first!!

It was even more perfect than I could have imagined. So needless to say, I spent the majority of my first day having an impromptu photo shoot and selfie session with the tower. My companion didn't want to go up so I didn't, but it didn't matter because I'll be back.

The next day, it was time to explore. I had a set itinerary, but I use those as a guideline while going with the flow.

I stopped at some of the places I looked up that were must-try, including Eric Kayser and Cafe Coutume for a baguette and a cappuccino with adorable art. I also stopped by Laurent Dubois for the best cheese and Bordier butter, which I brought home and wish I had more of daily.

Then, it was sightseeing time so I was off to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre museum and of COURSE Pont des Arts, the locks of love bridge. I used the Metro for this entire trip because it was super convenient. It allowed me to see way more than I originally would have during the short time I was in Paris.

I even had time to go see the Azzedine Alaïa exhibition but I had literally just missed it because I got lost trying to find the gallery (I cried a little).

Missing the exhibit was a dramatic experience for me but the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées made up for it, immediately.

I wish I would've thought to take a video of the tower at night (it illuminates on the hour after sunset), but I didn't worry too much about it since I'll be living there at a point in my life.

Paris was a blast and I can't wait to go back (and/or live there, whatever)! I'm still trying to decide if I prefer Pierre Hermé or Ladurée for macarons but maybe I don't have to choose..

Til next trip,

xo.