Anny's Awesome Adventures In France

Interview with Chantal Thomass

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:17:12 GMT

She's best known for her lingerie creations, but this French designer also was part of some glass creations, which were debuted during Paris Fashion Week this Fall at the Hotel Meurice.

Paris Auto Show 2010

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:17:39 GMT

Summer Highlights: French Art in LA

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:13:29 GMT

I spent the last month back in the U.S. to visit family and friends. One of my first stops was in Los Angeles. Of course, I had to get experience French culture outside of France! I went to the Getty Museum, where they have a great exhibition of the famous artist, Jean-Leon Gerome. I highly recommend it, but hurry, it ends Sept. 12, 2010! Here's what the Getty Museum says about it:

The Spectacular Art of Jean-Léon Gérôme
June 15-September 12, 2010
Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, 1824-1904) ranks among the most successful artists of the nineteenth century. Ranging from the ancient Roman arenas of gladiatorial combat to the streets of modern Egypt, his spectacular, meticulously rendered pictures captured the public's imagination and made him one of France's most honored painters. Restless and experimental, he also helped pioneer the artistic use of photography and made bold forays into polychrome and mixed-media sculpture. Critically controversial in his day, Gérôme was neglected for much of the twentieth century due to the triumph of Impressionism and Modernism. Organized by the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, in association with the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, this is the first comprehensive show devoted to the artist in decades.

Things to do in Paris

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:03:32 GMT

Things to do in Paris (as recommended by my friend, who is a true Parisian).

1. Go to a crowded bistro and pretend you're the only person there.

2. Take time to have tea. Have a grand tea complete with piano music and stunning flowers at the Hotel George V; tea made from first-rate tea at Mariage Freres (they import and blend it themselves); or tea with a little pastry upstairs in the blue velvet and silk room at Laduree on rue Jacob. Or, as my Parisian friend Stan recommends, the less fancy but so much more charming, go directly to the Mariage Freres shop on rue du Bourg Tibourg (and no other).

3. Walk (or jog as that's what I prefer) around Luxembourg Gardens (the loop is only about a mile), and finish at nearby cafe, Au Petit Suisse, across from the park. On a cold day, sip a vin chaud, mulled wine. You can also check out the Odeon Theatre, or Cafe Tournon, near the Senat.

4. Have a big plate of oysters at the tiny Regis (where they only serve oysters), or splurge on a towering seafood platter at Le Dome. Eat with your fingers, slurp the liquor from the oysters and drink Chablis, Sancerre, Muscadet or lots of Champagne.

5. Watch the sun set from the Pont des Arts. Also, Parisian friend Stan says walk by the "Cour carree" of the Louvres Palace while you're at it.

6. Have a leisurely lunch. Lunch is such a luxury, especially if you're a tourist with a long to-do list, but there's nothing lovelier than stopping in the middle of the day to just relax. For a very romantic lunch (and splurge) try the Le Grand Vefour in the gorgeous gardens of the Palais Royale. I hear Le Grand Vefour is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Paris. My friends say it's beautiful, the service is perfect and every seat is named for a patron of the past. Parisian friend Stan says: For a far, far less extravagant lunch, his favorite place is Le Comptoir (but it doesn't take reservations -- aarrrgh).

For a brasserie as Parisian as the Grand Vefour is French, go to Gallopin, on rue Notre-Dame des Victoires.

7. Buy chocolate-covered marshmallows at Pierre Marcolini or something with praline at Patrick Roger, two of the city's best chocolatiers.

8. Drink hot chocolate every chance you get. The richest chocolat chaud is at Angelina's (one of my favorite ways to keep me warm during the winter). Try the hot chocolate (with a lemon tart) at La Charlotte -- it is a bit more off the beaten path and will make you a true Parisian.

9. Have anything and everything at Pierre Herme, hands-down the best and most exciting patissiere in Paris! If must try the Ispahan macaron -- rose, raspberry and litchi -- you must! Parisian Stan says it is maybe the greatest pastry creation in the last 20 years. Maybe try an Opera from Daloyau-- the most important cake of the first half of the 20th century.

10. Have a glass of Champagne (or two) for no other reason than just because you can.

11. Buy a bag of (the absolutely fabulous) chocolate-covered Sauternes-soaked raisins from Da Rosa and eat them in bed.

12. Visit Sartre and de Beauvoir's tombs at the Montparnasse Cemetery, which is a fascinating place, or go see Proust at Pere Lachaise Cemetery, another beautiful place (but much larger, so you might want to wait until the weather's a bit warmer).

13. Set off without a map, get thoroughly lost and celebrate your freedom at the closest cafe.

14. One friend recommends going to the Jacquemart-Andre Museum and imagine that you live there. Of course you can do this at Versailles, but it's easier at the palatially cozy J-A. I hear Versailles is still a must-do, while the JA is a do if you've done everything else in Paris and it's your second or third trip.

15. Buy a slice or two from several kinds of terrines from master charcutier Didier Verot and have a picnic at the Champs de Mars, a wonderful picnic area with a great view of the Eiffel Tower. If you are more in the mood for cheese, Parisian Stan says go to Alleosse or the Fromagerie Quatrehomme.

16. Get a bottle of wine from La Derniere Goutte, one of Paris's best and most interesting wine shops (everyone there speaks English), to go with those terrines.

17. Take an evening cruise up the Seine in a Bateau Mouche. Sure, it's touristy, but if it was good enough for Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in the movie, Charade, then it's good enough for me.

18. If you can't take the cruise, stand on the Quai opposite Notre Dame (the Left Bank side) and wait for a Bateau Mouche to sail by and shine its lights on the church -- the effect makes you catch your breath no matter how many times you see it. It's purely magical! I love it!

19. Visit Claire Damon's pastry shop, Des Gateaux et du Pain. My friends say there's something lovely, light and, yes, feminine about everything she makes, even her breads.

20. Go to Berthillon and have one ice cream sundae with two spoons. If you and whomever you're with can agree on what flavors to have, you'll know it's true love. Parisian friend Stan says he hates to be so assertive, but it would be a crime to go to Bethillon and not try the following flavors: wild strawberries (aka fraises des bois), pistachio, cocoa sherbet, blood-orange sherbet (if in season), moka (my friend says too bad you cannot taste the version of 10 years ago -- they had to change the recipe because a supplier went bankrupt -- the world became a worst place to live in), and my personal favorite, the salted caramel.

21. Have a drink at the sumptuous Bar 228 in the Hotel Meurice or at The Ritz's Hemingway Bar. It will cost as much as a dinner, but it will be memorable.

22. Window-shop along the Faubourg Saint-Honore and finish with a fancifully decorated eclair at Fauchon.

23. Buy a scented candle at Diptyque and keep it burning late into the night.

24. Head for Poilane and buy not one, not two, not a dozen, but a sack full of their buttery cookies. After all, when it comes to love, nothing beats abundance. You have to find a way to taste their bread -- it is served at many restaurants, but nothing beats buying a 4-pound "boule" fresh from the oven and eat if over two or three days at home. Their rye bread ("pain de seigle") is delicious-- if you like rye bread.

25. Go back to Pierre Herme and buy just one more macaron to share (or not!). Parisian friend Stan would recommend trying the "plain" macarons from Laduree first (esp. raspberries, pistachios, chocolate and coffee), and only then go to Pierre Herme (salted butter, coffee, grapefruit-wasabi, milk chocolate and passion-fruit). You'll need to get acquainted with the benchmark (Laduree) before you can appreciate the pinnacle of all pastries (Pierre Herme).

Top Paris Restaurant: Pierre Gagnaire

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:39:27 GMT

The French love their food. It's well-known that even the middle and working class families will save money to splurge at a Michel starred establishment. While just lunch for two people could easily set you back several hundred dollars ($700-$1,000), if you can afford it without dipping into your child's college savings account, I think going to a two or three Michelin star restaurant in Paris is part of the quintessential Parisian experience. I was lucky enough to be invited to such a lavish gastronomic experience at Pierre Gagnaire, one of Paris' most celebrated chefs. Gagnaire is credited with leading the fusion movement, where he cofounded a style of cooking called le note à note with French chemist Hervé This. His culinary style is somewhat similar to molecular gastronomy. It's difficult to describe what exactly he's doing, but he makes unique pairings of different types of food, textures and colors, to create a masterpiece that will truly surprise your taste buds. I have never had such a wonderful experience. One French friend told me his food can be described as an “emotional-gastrointestinal roller-coaster.” It's true as it can be quite overwhelming. The service was also impeccable, not too snobby, but very attentive and friendly. I had the summer menu, and Chef Gagnaire was kind enough to make a few adjustments as I don't eat seafood. Sometimes French staff can be annoyed when you have food restrictions, but at Chez Gagnaire, they were very nice about it. I can't begin to explain all the food we had, but it must have been nearly a dozen courses (all very small, of course). Trust me, you won't leave hungry. I couldn't eat for the next two days. But the French say it's not about how much you eat, it's WHAT you're eating and HOW you're eating it, with respect, joy and pleasure.

The American Cemetary in Normandy

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:01:45 GMT

Studying French in Paris

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:17:18 GMT

I've been taking French courses at the Sorbonne University in Paris for several months now. The Sorbonne focuses on writing and grammar (which are both important), but lacks strong emphasis on speaking (which I think is most important!). I signed up for an Oral Expression course for the month of June at the Sorbonne, which is 2 hours, Monday thru Friday, and I find this course to be very helpful in improving my French speaking skills. One great thing about the Sorbonne, though, is the teachers! Many of my teachers are excellent (with the exception of one instructor who was disorganized and not effective- long story). I've heard many good things about Alliance Francaise through other students, but I have yet to try that program. The challenge of learning French in Paris is you come across many English speakers. Unless you already have a good basis of French, you have to really make an effort to speak and learn the language. You may be surprised to learn that you will not be forced to speak French, especially in the center of Paris. I really need to go to the country, where it's difficult to find English speakers.

Weekend in Basque Country (SW of France)

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:07:26 GMT

Little Lion Dog in Korea

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:15:21 GMT

Check out this Pomeranian dog I came across during my trip to Seoul, Korea, in May. The owner says she did NOT dye the dog's hair. She just gave the 5-year-old pup this funky haircut making it look like this little lion. tres cute, non?

Secret Gem Hotel in Cannes

Tue, 25 May 2010 15:11:17 GMT

Finding reasonable hotels in Cannes is not easy, especially during the film festival. At a networking reception, I met Jonathan Rosenfeld of SoHo Travel, who's based in London. He's sort of like your personal travel agent, who can charter private yachts for A-list celebrity clients, or find great little hotels that won't break the bank. Part of my stay in Cannes was at the Le Cavendish Hotel, recommended by Jonathan himself (who likes to stay there during the festival). Rates can be as low as 150 euros, but during the film festival and other peak seasons, be prepared for most hotels to charge at least double. The boutique hotel is a 5 minute walk to the Palais, the beach and the famous Croisette. The rooms are darling and decorated in a very chic style. My favorite part is the free breakfast, which includes freshly made croissants, breads, homemade jam, etc. I NEVER missed breakfast! They also have a free bar during the evening! I thought the service and hospitality were amazing!