Inaugurations No. 73 PARIS N E W S // SEPTEMBER 2012 There are lots of Inaugurations to keep up with in Paris in September: the Louvre opens its new Islamic Art Department to great fanfare and three hotels reopen after a full makeover. Tour guide specialists have come up with brand new tours: visits to workshops, boutiques, auction houses. And then there is a cashmere boutique and a concept restaurant … Have a good rentrée! Culture // Event at the Louvre: opening of the museum’s 8th department Twenty years after the huge pyramid project, the Louvre today sees the result of a ten-year project, which show- cases the Islamic Arts. Architects Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti have created 2,800 m2 of exhibition area in the Cour Visconti; this architectural masterpiece involved excavating to a depth of 12 metres within the heart of the historic palace of the royal kingdom of France, which dates back to the 12th century. Eight centuries later, a glass roof seems to float above one of the palace’s most ornate courtyards: this ‘dragonfly’s wing’ with its changing reflections of light is a remarkable technical feat of glass panels and metallic glass sheets composed of 2,350 triangles with a gold coloured effect that rest on a structure of eight fine pillars. The interior space is a light and airy exhibition space. Some 3,000 objects are presented to the public in this area specifically designed for them: wall of Ottoman tiles, Egyptian porch, carpets, boxes, carafes, paintings, ceramics, etc. The display of the collections by Renaud Piérard, closely linked to the architecture around it, forms a loop that presents the evolution of these Islamic Arts from the year 632 to 1800, in four large fluid parts. A tactile trail, designed for visually-impaired and blind visitors, but accessible to all, and in particular to young visitors, is an integral part of the visit and makes it possible for visitors to discover with their fingertips a selection of 10 moulds of key objects as well as the substance (ivory for example) from which they are made. A large multimedia installation accompanies the layout, giving visitors the keys to the visit and presenting the often little-known chronology and geography of these outstanding works. > Département Des arts De l’Islam Musée du Louvre, Paris 1st Tel +33 (0) 1 40 20 53 17 www.louvre.fr/departement-arts-islam Leisure // Art in Paris, a new introduction to the world of art The autumn cultural season in Paris heralds the start of new exhibitions. For art aficionados with a thirst for more knowledge, a new company, Art in Paris, gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the art world and the art market. The idea is that of Catherine Nesly-Bollack, a qualified tour guide in the history of art. What could be more intimidating but also more exciting than a visit to an auction house? Through Art in Paris, Drouot reveals its secrets; amateurs and why not future buyers are guided through the labyrinth of this auction house. Another possibility for an outing is a tour of the 3rd arrondissement, home to some of the most famous art galleries and up-and-coming centres that will be tomorrow’s not-to-be-missed venues. > ART In PARIs www.art-in-paris.fr Meeting the French adds two new great visits to its catalogue The well-known incoming agency Meeting the French continues to expand its range of visits and since the sum- mer has two new ones that will appeal to women. ParisNews // the Paris coNveNtioN aNd visitors bureau N0. 73 // iNauguratioNs // sePteMber 2012 1 make-up studio By terry. Getting to know simple techniques and the secrets for successful make-up is every woman’s dream. And it is now possible with a one and a half-hour make-up session with the French brand By Terry, created in 1998 by Terry de Gunzburg, the former artistic and marketing director of Yves Saint Laurent. Bespoke make-up is offered for a group of 8 people, at the shop in the Passage Véro-Dodat, the cradle of the brand since it opened. On the first floor, in a cosy area bathed in the light of the glass passage, clients discover the techniques and advice of professionals to master the art of applying make-up and so reduce the time they spend each day in front of the mirror. Complexions become flawless, dark circles under the eyes are hidden … as if by magic. The session is both pedagogical and fun and may also be given in English as the make-up artist in charge of the workshop speaks English. A beauty-passport is given to participants listing the products used and the different advice given. Cécile & Jeanne. Meeting the French’s second visit makes it possible to discover the expertise of Cécile & Jeanne, a famous French jewellery house. Since they opened in the capital in 1994, followed in 1996 by a boutique cum workshop at the Viaduct des Arts, the brand has continued to expand and become more and more well-known and successful. Cécile & Jeanne, whose logo is a dove, has a nice history. Its designer (she does not like the term of creator, reserved only for God) sent one of her lucky jewels in the form of a dove to Lea Rabin so that she could give it as a gift to the wife of Yasser Arafat as a token of peace. The legend thus began and the famous dove then reappeared over time on the blouses of such well-known women as Madeleine Albright and Bernadette Chirac. After this successful atypical beginning, the brand now wishes to appeal to a wider public and share its artisanal expertise. Visitors get a behind-the-scenes view of quality craftsmanship. All the stages in the making of a piece of jewellery, from its conception on paper to the final touches are shown: sketches, cutting up of the material (pewter, silver, etc.), choice of shapes (pearls, cabochons, stones, etc.), and cutting, welding or applying of gold leaf. A whole process which has an element of magic about it and technical exper- tise: a soldering iron heated to 100° must for example be handled with skill; the same skill is required for the polishing stage which is a vital process where no errors must be made otherwise the look of the object could be ruined. The very instructive visit lasts one hour and is a rare opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of these art professions; it certainly gives you a new insight into jewellery. > meetIng the frenCh www.meetingthefrench.com Accommodation // L’hôtel O: a colourful designer hotel a few steps from the Louvre Already noted for several hotel projects in Paris, the group Elegancia opens the Hotel O this month, a daring creation by the French designer Ora Ïto. Located in a small quiet street a few steps from the Louvre, the hotel offers refreshing modern decor in its 29 bedrooms ‘cOcoon, ‘Odyssey’ and GaliléO. Each floor has a palette of colours in the bedrooms, all different: pink-purple, yellow, red-orange … every room is a surprise. Play of trans- parent colours, extension of the bedroom into the bathroom, walls in felt, beds tucked away in alcoves: Ora Ïto shakes up the idea of a hotel room to create a futuristic and comfortable bedroom. All the rooms are double rooms with a shower; free Wi-Fi, iPhone connection, plumbing fixtures and welcome products branded Ora Ïto: every detail has been thought of to cater to the comfort of the trendy modern traveller. The reception and bar area have been thought of as an ode to nature: the colour green, wood, clean lines in a hotel that seeks to be city-oriented and animated at all hours, with in particular the creation of exclusive cocktails with unique flavours. > hôtel O 19 rue Hérold, Paris 1st Tel +33 (0) 1 42 36 04 02 www.hotel-o-paris.com ParisNews // the Paris coNveNtioN aNd visitors bureau N0. 73 // iNauguratioNs // sePteMber 2012 2 End of refurbishment work for Holiday Inn Paris Opéra Grands Boulevards After more than two years of refurbishment work, September marks the end of the renovation and transfor- mation of the Holiday Inn Paris Opéra Grands Boulevards***. This is the time it has taken to give a complete makeover to the 118 bedrooms and public areas and comply with the latest safety standards and accessibility regulations. All the bedrooms are now decorated in shades of pale green and grey to create a relaxed and soothing envi- ronment. Quilt, choice of firm or soft pillow, soundproofed rooms, bathtub or floor-level shower, courtesy tray, safe-deposit box, mini bar, and room-service menu … everything for a comfortable and peaceful stay. Twenty double rooms can be made into twin rooms; some standard rooms have a sofa that can be made up for a third person, others have a communicating door between them for family accommodation. Eighteen Executive rooms offer a higher level of comfort including bathrobes, luxury welcome products, magazines, drinks and snacks, iron and ironing board, etc. Finally, four rooms are fully adapted for people with physical disabilities. The breakfast room is light and airy and Scandinavian in inspiration with wood panelling and designer lights. It is situated on the first floor with a view over the bustling boulevard Poissonnière. The bar, open every day, may be privately-hired for small-scale events (around 20 people) with the possibility of catering. The district, one of the liveliest in the capital, is known as the ‘Grands Boulevards’.