The architecture of the Fondation Cartier is in itself worth a diversion, a regular one.
With Olga de Amaral's textile fibre works, the magic is multiplied tenfold.
These suspended, monumental works are a thing of beauty. The materials, colours and reflections are absolutely sublime ! I loved it !
Barbara
The Fondation Cartier has thought of young visitors and their parents:
an interactive family visit every Sunday at 2.30pm
45-minute micro-workshops to awaken the senses of 3-5 year-olds with the shapes, colours and materials of Olga de Amara's works (three workshops per weekend)
various creative workshops (embroidery, weaving, flocking) lasting two hours for 6-12 year-olds
Every Sunday at 11am, the intimate cinema on the rue de Passy offers screenings for children. Here's the programme for the coming weeks: Azur et Asmar, on 19 and 26 January; Léo, l'incroyable histoire de Léonard de Vinci, on 2 and 9 February. The screening on 2 February will be accompanied by a ‘Behind the Scenes of Animation’ workshop, to discover the secrets behind the making of animated characters.
Other screenings for young audiences are being organised in other independent cinemas in Paris, sometimes accompanied by workshops. These include the ‘dubbing workshop’ following the screening of Paddington 2 at Cinéma le Balzac (Paris 8) on 15 February at 10.30am, and the ‘Ciné-philo’ by Ophélie Chekroun - who runs philosophy workshops - to explore the various themes addressed in Miraï, ma petite sœur, at Cinéma des cinéastes (Paris 17) on 2 February at 10.45am.
The Ecole des Arts Joailliers aims to introduce young audiences to the fascinating professions of jewelry-making. Numerous workshops have been designed to raise their awareness: crown and sword making, a workshop combining cooking and jewellery, and the creation of a clock accompanied by an exploration of the inspirations of clock and watch designers. Children can also make a treasure box, or learn how to draw precious stones.
Each activity lasts two hours, leaving plenty of time for parents to visit the museum, which has been housed since June in the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, and whose interior design was entrusted to architect and scenographer Constance Guisset.
Until June, the exhibition Paris, Capital of the Pearl looks back over several periods of history, from the time when the pearl was at the heart of intense trade between the Arabian Gulf and France, to the time when it was at the centre of the luxury industry and Parisian culture.
Fred Eyangoh HEC graduate and Teaching assistant for GS and CP, is brimming with qualities and activities. In addition to his work at Union School, Fred is a comedian and actor. He is currently playing in un Air de Famille at the Théâtre Guichet Montparnasse until 16 February. The now cult play by Agnès Jaoui and Pierre Bacri tells the story of a family who get together every week for dinner. But on this particular evening, nothing goes according to plan... An acerbic yet touching comedy that explores the sometimes suffocating bonds of family.
The Bibliothèque Richelieu is an exceptional and very welcoming place for families ! The sumptuously renovated ‘Salle Ovale’ has a remarkably extensive children's section, with 9,000 comic books available for free consultation. The peaceful atmosphere invites you to discover new things and enjoy reading.
It's also a lively place, with a wide range of activities organised for families: visits for 6-10 year-olds in the form of an investigation, tours around the comic strip collections, a medieval writing workshop, a workshop for making a card game inspired by the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece, and a workshop for making card games inspired by the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece. You can also discover the garden's papyrus plants and take part in the creation of an artistic herbarium combining plants, drawings and illustrations from the BnF's collections.
Even if you don't take part in this workshop, take the time to contemplate the garden designed by Jérôme Clément, dubbed the ‘paper garden’. The species chosen to populate it are plants used in the production of books. The presence of the palm tree, for example, is no mere coquetry: it is a hemp palm, used in the past to make paper !
Visual artist Duy Anh Nhan Duc - a particular favourite of Barbara's since she discovered him through Sarah Andelman, who along with her mum founded the iconic Colette concept store - is celebrating nature, with a particular focus on trees in his exhibition Les Cimes de l'asphalte at Versailles.
The Espace Richaud, a former Royal Hospital that has been magnificently transformed into a cultural establishment, is home to sculptures, frescoes and canvases created by the artist from living matter, including a sublime and monumental central work carved from a single tree trunk. The video that accompanies the exhibition is a must-see for a better understanding of the scope of Duy Anh Nhan Duc's work.
Admission to the exhibition, which closes on 26 January, is free.
Also in Versailles, in the old post office, the Game Story exhibition retraces 70 years of video game history. It's the biggest playable exhibition in Europe ! Gameboy, PlayStation, Pac-man, Mario... Over 500 games are on show, from Tennis for two, the first video game created in 1958 in the United States, to the first arcade terminal, Computer Space, in 1971, and the first Atari, Nintendo and SEGA game consoles, right up to today's PS5. You'll learn all about video games, from 7 to 77 years old.
This brand-new Coffee Shop is the realisation of a dream for Belén, the mother of a student at Union School. Trained at renowned institutions such as Lenôtre and Le Cordon Bleu, and after extensive research, Belén found the perfect location at 4 Rue Gustave Courbet, much to our delight, right near the school !
Belén is more than just a café: it is also a bakery offering an exquisite selection of sourdough breads, viennoiseries, and pastries, all made with local and seasonal ingredients. For the founder, the quality of the products and respect for artisanal craftsmanship are absolute priorities.
Halfway between cafés and ceramics workshops, these four hybrid venues are particularly welcoming. You can try your hand at painting on ceramic, modelling, throwing or the delicate art of Kintsugi. At the same time, you can enjoy a drink, a snack, breakfast or an absolutely delicious brunch.
For a sweet or savoury break in the Richelieu Library. As at all Rose Bakery addresses, everything is healthy, simple and ultra-fresh. The terrace overlooking the garden is particularly pleasant !
OTHER UNION SCHOOL TIPS
An amazing soundtrack
Good news: the excellent soundtrack to the film Emilia Perez is now available on all platforms ! Composed by singer Camille and her partner Clément Ducol, the song El Mal, one of the film's key tracks, won a Golden Globe award and has been nominated for an Oscar. These accolades mark four years of work alongside director Jacques Audiard, who involved the couple from the very start of the creative process.
We share this pride and joy with Camille, Union School's godmother. Surrounded by her fabulous backing singers, she introduced our primary school pupils to singing and to the poetic Mandalalas that bear her signature. We look forward to welcoming her back in May, when she will come to Union School to share with us a behind-the-scenes look at this incredible adventure.
Jacques Audiard's film, also shortlisted for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, is just as remarkable. Like its soundtrack, it is vibrant and intense !
The Colorama book is amagnificent colour chart packed with rich and amusing anecdotes about colours. You find it in the Union School library, of course ! We learn, for example, that Indian yellow comes, according to legend, from the urine of sacred cows, that the fuchsia flower was named in honour of one of the masters of botany, Leonard Fuchs, or that, according to Darwin, the coat of the polar bear has adapted to its environment to become the ideal camouflage, essential to its survival.
This is a beautiful book for all the family, which we love to leave lying around to leaf through with delight at any time.
The Brickit app has come up with a solution for all those parents who are at a loss when it comes to mismatched and orphaned Lego bricks. Simply take a photo of your pile of Lego bricks and the app instantly identifies the models you can build with what you have on hand. It's a revolutionary new way to give your Lego bricks a second life !
FAVOURITES READINGS
Informed English book recommendations from the experts
Ella spends the night gathering lights to then share it with those in needs of escaping the darkness. That’s how she meets Sable the fox and Luna the owl. Together they play all night but when the sun rises, Ella must go home to protect her wings. To thank her for kindness to others, they will all work together to make Ella’s dream come true: to see the sun rise. A heartwarming story with splendid drawings and colours that make this book perfect for winter time.
In this charmingly illustrated picture book, a little snail sets off on its path. There are mountains to climb, rushing rivers to cross, and sometimes the journey ahead seems impossible. But this determined snail listens to its inner voice and keeps going.
Follow this adventurous snail as it decides not to follow the crowd and faces unexpected challenges. This inspiring journey will help young readers see that even the smallest creature can find their unique way forward.
Beautifully illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, this is the true story of the Anne Frank’s House. The house at 263 Prinsengracht has witnessed centuries of history.
Over the course of four centuries the house has been a home to many, from poor families to wealthy couples, and those hiding from persecution.
Winner of the Rodari prize for illustrated books 2024
Based on the incredible true story of a polar fox that walked all the way from Norway to Canada in 76 days, this novel follows Leila who deeply wants to reconnect with her mother, a scientist who studies endangered animals. With the help of the little fox, she’s going to rediscover herself and her mother. A book comfortingly close to nature, with beautiful writing, and gorgeous illustrations that create the perfect Artic setting.
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