Before gaining worldwide recognition, Constantin Brancusi left his small village in the Carpathians in Romania to walk to Paris and work as a kitchen assistant! The Centre Pompidou presents a thematic exhibition of all the works bequeathed by the artist to the French state. His sculptures are presented alongside those of Rodin (in whose studio he started out) and ancient marbles. The exhibition is accompanied by a host of photographs and other documents illustrating his life.
His most emblematic models are displayed in all their forms and materials (bronze, wood, limestone). Look at the pedestals! Sublime too.
We can't help but be captivated by the ‘Baiser’, two lovers united in a block of limestone, and amazed by the series of fifteen sculptures in ‘l'Oiseau dans l'espace’, exhibited against a backdrop of the rooftops of Paris.
The ‘tribe visit’ every Sunday at 3pm is a godsend as the museum does not offer guided tours for adults, so it has the double advantage of having a guide and commentary specially designed for families and children aged 7 and over.
Some forests are inhabited by fantastic creatures, such as the Bois des Pauvres in Milly la Forêt, which hides Cyclop, also known as the Monster or the Head. Conceived and created over fifty years ago by the artist Jean Tinguely with the help of his wife Niki de Saint Phalle, Cyclop was built mainly from recycled materials. It is covered in thousands of shards of mirror that reflect the movements of trees and clouds.
Visitors (aged 8 and over) can enter this labyrinthine structure, over twenty metres high, and operate machines that trigger sounds and animate different sculptures and paintings.
Open until 3 November on Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm (Wednesday to Sunday in July and August).
Here's another monumental work to discover outside Paris: Jean Dubuffet's Villa Falbala and Closerie in Périgny-sur-Yerres is a unique place, the fruit of his dream of the absolute. Dubuffet designed this villa and its grounds, bathed in greenery, in response to his need to isolate himself from the hustle and bustle of Paris (never for very long either, as he would never have slept there). The complex consists of a life-size Closerie, with white walls and black borders, through which you can wander, and the Villa, a sort of treasure cave, all surrounded by a park adorned with sculptures. Some of the artist's architectural models and other projects are on display in his former studios, including the costumes for the living puppets in Coucou Bazar, a zany, hybrid show halfway between painting and theatre.
There's no doubt that this whimsical and magical world will enchant children.
There are two tours a day (at 10.30am and 3pm). Booking is essential.
Artists' houses are often fascinating because they allow us to enter the intimacy of the owners and thus better understand their work. Émile Zola's house is no exception. The guided tour is packed with anecdotes about the writer's captivating life (his works, his struggles, his wives, his artist friends, etc.).
The Louis Dreyfus Museum, which adjoins the house, is also very interesting. The garden is charming and the access from Villennes-sur-Seine station - if you come by
train, direct line from Saint Lazare station - extremely peaceful. There's a nice little gourmet stop-off at the Garden Bar in the village on the way.
Visits are by prior arrangement only and must be guided (1 hour). It is possible to organise a tour suitable for children by putting together a group (reservations@maisonzola- museedreyfus.com or 06 79 27 29 23).
If you don't already know the Swedish Institute in Paris, the fête de la musique is a great opportunity to discover it. This sublime venue, located behind the gates of the Hôtel de Marle in the Marais district, celebrates music and summer in its garden every 21 June. In Sweden, Midsommar is an age-old traditional festival marking the start of summer. During Midsommar, the Swedes erect a flagpole topped with a wreath of flowers, around which they dance and sing.
So join us on 21 June to celebrate summer like the Swedes!
A participatory science project open to everyone, the SPIPOLL programme aims to study the complex interactions between plants and insects.
You don't need to be an expert to help the scientists at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle - anyone who wants to can simply take photographs of pollinating insects. You can do it as much as you like (all you need is a flower!) and when you like (in the middle of winter or in summer).
The process is as follows: observe a flower for exactly 20 minutes and photograph its visitors. Then upload your photos and a few details to the dedicated website. There are instructions on how to do this.
In this way, you and your children will build up a collection of important data, an incredible source of information that will be used by researchers at the Museum and other laboratories all over France.
The charming Parc Sainte Perrine in the Auteuil district is hosting an open-air theatre and concert festival over three weekends in June. The programme includes three shows for children: two musicals, one with puppets based on the Fables de la Fontaine, the other a mischievous take on the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, and finally an adaptation of Roald Dahl's Esio Trot.
Concerts and shows for all ages are also on offer.
Free shows on reservation Weekends from 15 to 30 June
41 Rue Mirabeau - 75016
EAT & TRAVEL TIPS
Here are a few good sandwich shops for those warm June days
Micho is the name given to chef Julien Sebbag's series of sandwiches made with halla bread (a traditional Jewish bread similar to brioche). He prepares three recipes based on ingredients sourced locally: the Stew with stewed beef, sweet potatoes, red cabbage salad, hazelnuts, parsley and paprika; the Roast chicken, fennel, aioli, chopped hard- boiled egg, pickled radishes and spring onions; and the Havita topped with a mushroom omelette, labneh with preserved garlic, pickled onions, zaatar and chives. Delicious!
To accompany it all, miso roasted carrots or potatoes with black garlic aioli. Deliciously more original than French fries!
A traditional bakery and patisserie, Séraphine stands out for the quality of the organic flours used to make its breads and sandwiches. The fine tarts made with seasonal fruit and vegetables are also delicious. Classic and serious!
We mentioned it in our previous newsletter: subscribing to the Comédie Française is highly recommended if you want to be in with a chance of getting tickets. The date has been set: on 13 June from 11am by telephone (01 44 58 15 15) or via the internet, you will be able to buy the cards that give you early access to the bookings. We particularly recommend ‘Pinocchio Creature’, ‘Sans Famille’ and ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’!
A new feature for our English-speaking community: the Salle Richelieu is now equipped with connected glasses. These project the English translation directly onto the glass, without obstructing the view of the stage. Extraordinary!
We all know Louis de Funès as a comedian with his legendary facial expressions, but we know less about his early life in the shadows and his anxieties. He talks about them with great modesty, and we find this testimony in the ‘Toute une vie’ podcast published by France Culture. We discover that this anxious man actually lacks self-confidence and is constantly afraid of losing his audience. He even goes so far as to secretly monitor the reactions of cinema-goers when his films are released! It's fun to discover the power of grimaces to console a child, and it's crunchy to hear some of the cult lines again.
The magnificent torch that our students were lucky enough to carry landed in France from the port of Marseille. To follow its journey through the most beautiful regions of France, follow @Paris2024 on Instagram. Wonderful images!
Meditating with your children
Following on from Lys's workshops on brain function, here's her book recommendation.‘Calme et attentif comme une grenouille' is aimed at children aged 4 to 10 and their parents. It contains exercises that can be done on a daily basis to help refocus and calm the mind.
FAVOURITE READINGS
Book recommendations in English from Smith&Son Children's Department.
Bedtime is fun time for the funny animal characters in this hilarious split-page picture book. As each animal noisily tumbles out, one by one, their bed gets emptier and the mayhem in the rest of the room gets crazier. Will anyone ever get any sleep ?! Free audio reading QR code included.
A charming book about seasons, being brave and curious. Is Flora the mouse dreaming or really sleeping? Flora’s journey is a lovely testament to the beauty of nature and friendship. This book is a joy to read and a delight to see !
This is a story that’s full of adventure, suspense, friendship and love. Children will recognize their own families when they hear about Cress’s adventures with her friends, disagreements with her mother and frustrations with her little brother. Beautiful illustrations from David Litchfield. Definitely a story to be read aloud. For 9+
Ita is afraid of lots of things. She’s afraid of talking to her classmates at her new school. She’s afraid of walking through her new town. But most of all she is afraid of water. When one day she realises the river in her new town turns her into a fish, she is forced to face up to her fears. In doing so, can she bring her family together again ? For 6-8 years old
Nous restons à votre disposition pour tout complément d’information :
