Photo by Ed Alcock for the New York Times

I’ve always preferred the Eiffel Tower by night, especially in the summer. It is cooler, the lines are shorter and the whole city twinkles at your feet.
A great article appeared in today’s New York Times about the Eiffel Tower at night. Wish you could be there? Read this article and you’ll feel like you are!

This has been one of France’s worst summers for weather: cold, rain, grey skies. When I was there in late June I was desperate for a parka. But this weather has done nothing to deter tourists from visiting, they had more visitors this summer than they have had for five years. Personally I find it easier to tour a city like Paris when the weather is cooler, but the rain can be a bummer.

Here’s a good article from Yahoo news with more details.

This is an excellent article written in the Boston Globe about David Lebovitz, American ex-pat and pastry chef who now resides, writes and gives chocolat tours throughout Paris and some of Europe.

And if you want to check out his Paris food blog, click here. I get some of my best dessert recipes from his site.

Tell him I sent you!

This year marks the fourth anniversary of this very fun and Parisian rock festival, Rock en Seine. The event will take place at the Domaine National de Saint Cloud on 24, 25 and 26 August. Some of the featured artists include Bjork , Rita Mitsouko, Erik Truffaz, Emilie Simon, Dinosaur Jr, Mogwai and Tool. The entire line-up can be found here.

Tickets cost 42 euros per day, and a three day pass is 98 euros. Tickets are limited, for more information and sales locations check the “billeterie” section of their site.

Concerts begin at around 3 p.m. and go until 11:15 p.m.

This would be a great way to enjoy an event like a Parisian and with the Parisians!

Rock en Seine
PARC DE SAINT-CLOUD
92210 SAINT-CLOUD

Metro : Pont de Sèvres

From September 5 – 17 the Picasso Museum will be closed for renovation of its facade. It will re-open with two great exhibits.

The Picasso Museum is bringing together the work of cubist artist Pablo Picasso during the period 1906-1925.

All the main periods are represented: « African-influenced » (1907-1908), the Cubists «Cézannian », « Byzantine » (1909), « Hermetic », « Synthetic » (1910-1912) and there different evolutions « Rococo », « Decorative » (1914-1917), « Post-cubist » of the years 1921-25.

At the same time, there will be an exhibition paying tribute to those who died in the bombing of the Basque city of Guernica in 1937, 60 years ago.

(Closed September 5 – September 17)
MUSEE NATIONAL PICASSO
Hôtel Salé 5, rue de Thorigny
75003 PARIS

Metro : Saint Paul

If you speak French and would like to see how the Lion King adapts itself to foreign languages, this is a great opportunity.
This musical is from the repertory of New york, created and directed by Julie Taymor. The story of the lion cub Simba, has been completely reworked for the stage. The film’s original soundtrack has been enriched and the songs will be performed in French. The show includes 15 musical numbers five of which are from the cartoon film written by Elton John and Tim Rice. All dialog and songs are in French.

Lion King

THEATRE MOGADOR
25, rue de Mogador 5009
PARIS

Metro :
Havre Caumartin

telephone number :
01 53 32 32 00

mail : tmogador@wanadoo.fr

David Lebovitz has one of the best Paris/food blogs online. If you’ve never been, do check it out here.
Today, he gives the secrets to gastronomic success on your next trip to Paris:

1. Arabesque Macarons at Pierre HerméI love les macarons and although I still think the classic ones at Ladurée are tops in town, Over at Pierre Hermé, he’s always experimenting with unusual flavor combinations so you never quite know what you’ll find here. But if you happen to be there and see pastel-orange cookies the color of apricot with a soft, creamy filling oozing out, hiding a nugget of crackly almond croquant covered with fine pieces of pistachio dust, I urge you to try one.

Although each time I go in, the amount of filling seems to be increasing to the point of excess, I can’t resist popping one in my mouth. And in fact, when I go in now, my favorite saleswoman there instinctively hands me one over the counter.

For numbers 2 – 10, check out DavidLebovitz.com