Marie Antoinette was panned by many French film critics in Cannes, mostly because they weren’t happy with an American director (Coppola) filming an American actress (Kirsten Dunst) portraying their most famous queen.  And, from what I understand, they are upset that the film didn’t go all the way to the guillotine with Marie Antoinette.

BUT, if you are a French history buff like myself, it will be a great opportunity to see into the life of this child queen.  It has been documented time and again that Marie Antoinette was at the same time spoiled and misunderstood, that she really did want the best for the country but was so out of touch she didn’t know what she could do.  I for one look forward to seeing the film and taking a look at how Sofia Coppola portrays Marie Antoinette on the big screen!  And of course I look forward to seeing some beautiful shots of Versailles and other areas of France.

By mid-October a decision should be made by French Parliament about a smoking ban in public places (including bars, restaurants, cafes and offices) by September 1, 2007. 

The ban has come as a result of conern over the 3,000 - 5,000 second hand smoke deaths per year.  There is talk of creating hermetically sealed smoking rooms with special smoke removal filters in cafes and restaurants, but no table service would be offered in these rooms.

In a city where the smoky cafe is about as common as the croissant, this is going to really change the face of Paris’s cafe scene.  And surprisingly, many French are in favor of the ban.

This is the fifth year of Paris’s annual “Nuit Blanche”, an event sponsored by City Hall. Nuit  Museums, libraries, swimming pools and churches will all be beautifully lit up, and opened to the public.

During the event,  multiple international artists (music, video, sound, light) will focus their skills on creating visually and acoustically beautiful exhibits all over Paris.  Most of the attention on this night will be focused on the Goutte d’Or, Trocadero, Beaugrenelle, Bercy and Marais districts. 

Practical information 
 
http://www.nb2006.paris.fr  
 
Dates and times
 
October 7, 2006

This exhibition of Walt Disney’s (1901-1966) works is called “Once upon a time” or “Il etait une fois”. It highlights original drawings by Disney studio artists, never before displayed on this scale, as well as the original works of art which inspired them, from Gothic to Surrealism. Disney’s interests  in European literature, cinema, architecture, landscapes and music are evident in the exhibition.  Most importantly, you can really get a good behind-the-scenes look at the sources of your favorite Disney stories.

GALERIES NATIONALES DU GRAND PALAIS
3, avenue du Général Eisenhower 75008 PARIS
Metro : Champs Elysées Clémenceau   
Telephone number : 01 44 13 17 30    
Dates and times
 
From 9-16-2006  to 1-15-2007 
10am to 8pm (ticket desks close at 7.15pm); prebooked admission 10am to 1pm; late opening on Wednesday until 10pm. 
 
 
Closed : Tuesdays

Take a moment to read this article, you’ll love it.  And if you’re a man who has ever been forced into a Speedo, you’ll REALLY love it.   From the New York Times.

Often I am asked:  “What kinds of things can I do in Paris at night?”  The answer to this question is often tricky, as it depends on your personal tastes, personality and budget.

The New York Times has run two articles today, each talking about Paris at night.  The first Where Parisians Go Out After the Sun Goes Down gives you some great ideas for where to go and what to do or see, depending on your taste.

The second article,  Paris la Nuit, focuses on the beauty of Paris by night. It’s like a virtual tour of Paris at all hours of the evening, and if you read it you will feel as though you are experiencing just what the author describes.  I particularly like this part:  Late-night Paris belongs to the stroller, the idle walker with no purpose except to roam. There is always beauty to be discovered, and perhaps even adventure and love.