Art · Museums · Observations · Paris · Pop Culture

The Louvre's Department of Decorative Arts stages a fascinating exhibition setting objects from the museum's collection, from Byzantium and the early Middle Ages to the Second Empire, beside more than a hundred fashion looks and accessories…

The works have been lent from the archives of more than 45 fashion houses from France and elsewhere: Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Alaïa, Prada, Paco Rabanne, Balenciaga, Louboutin, Balmain, Yohji Yamamoto and many others. The central idea of the exhibition is the bond between fashion and

NB! · Museums · Observations · Paris

Do you know what odd thing I've noticed?

Do you know what odd thing I've noticed? At the Louvre, the free museum map handed out for navigation is never to be had in Russian. It is probably available in twenty languages, but not in Russian, one of the eight most widely spoken languages in the world.

NB! · Archive · Science · Paris · People

On 4 February 1912 the French tailor Franz Reichelt, who had devised a parachute suit for jumps from a great height, tested his own invention on himself by leaping from the first platform of the Eiffel Tower, from 57 metres

On 4 February 1912 the French tailor Franz Reichelt, who had devised a parachute suit for jumps from a great height, tested his own invention on himself by leaping from the first platform of the Eiffel Tower, from 57 metres. And was killed

Art · Museums · Paris · People

"Nature endowed him with a body remarkable for its slenderness and bearing, and fully matching the nobility of his spirit…

"Nature endowed him with a body remarkable for its slenderness and bearing, and fully matching the nobility of his spirit… He had an expressive face, flashing eyes, a nose of noble shape,… a rather long neck, a very broad chest, a taut belly, muscular thighs, strong and shapely shins.

Architecture · Monarchies · Paris · People

The Louvre's east façade colonnade by Claude Perrault, elder brother of the storyteller

And from our window the Place du Louvre is in view. A view of the colonnade of the east façade of the Louvre, a true masterpiece of French classicism. But we do not peep out of every secret little window of the royal palaces for nothing. Another name for this

Museums · Observations · Society · Paris

A separate ticket for the Mona Lisa room at the Louvre and criticism of museum management

So, let us take a close look at the decision of the Louvre's management to introduce a separate, though in fact additional, ticket for admission to the room with the "Mona Lisa". Judging by my own impressions as a visitor, based on five to seven visits

Art · Museums · Society · Paris

Louvre director Laurence des Cars has just declared that the Mona Lisa will be viewable only with the purchase of an additional ticket

The ticket will be purchased as a supplement to the ticket for the main exhibition. "Our proposal is to accept the exceptional status of the Mona Lisa," said des Cars, calling the painting "a blessing for the Louvre". Yet only a few days ago Macron announced

Observations · Mores · Paris · Reportage

Paris tour during fashion week on Parisian romance in the 19th century

Coming to Paris for Fashion Week is becoming a fine tradition. But if last time I was invited to give a lecture in a society salon, this time we set off on a packed walk around the city, with my tour of Parisian romance in all its strangeness and of

NB! · Architecture · Observations · Paris

Spiral Staircases of Paris Are a Love Affair of Their Own

Art · Paris · People

Louis XV style cabinet by the Parisian cabinetmaker François Linke

A magnificent desk in the style of Louis XV, not to be confused with Louis XIV. A model by François Linke (1855-1946). The desk is richly decorated with gilt bronze in the form of foliage, flowers and frames that pick out every line of the piece. On the front

NB! · Museums · Paris · Pop Culture · Humour

Meanwhile, Harry Nuriev has made a merchandise collection for the Louvre, with glittering notebooks, plates at €390 and a Winged Victory of Samothrace coated in silver paint

NB! · Observations · Paris · Humour