Metropole's Shortest 'Café' Column

Except For the Events List, Of Course

Paris:- Monday, 17. August 1998:- This is two days after the 15th of August, which is the official dead-centre of summer holidays, and is itself a national holiday - so I'm extending it to this column.

For once I am going to say I am not going to pad this column with a set amount of words.

In this issue you can read my oft-rehashed, but new, versions of holidays in Normandy. For all I know you are on holidays too and are going to do no such thing.

Therefore this is the end of this issue's Cafe Metropole column.

If you would prefer to read more fully padded 'Café' columns, I suggest there are plenty in the online archives, or you can have a laugh and see what I tried to do last year and two years ago at about the same time as now.

If none on the above suit you, then wait two weeks for Metropole's next - and last - holiday issue, which I have managed to make really gabby.

But I would really prefer it if you are on holidays right now too - and just forget the whole thing.

If you will, I will too.

With the way the weather has been in the last half of July, my advice for the nightly 'walk-in' movies 'under the stars' at the ninth open air festival at La Villette, is to check the sky before you go. Check the Web site too for the list of the 39 films to be shown, until Sunday, 30. August. At 22:00, rain or shine.

If you are less than 25, there are 150 independent cinemas showing movies for the entire month of August, for 25 francs a seat. All you have to do is find out where to get the free 'Carte Août au Ciné' - and you can start by asking for one at the Paris Tourist Office on the Champs-Elysées and possibly at Fnac outlets and RATP ticket windows. Info. Tel.: 01 42 78 44 72.

If summer heat sets in like it seems to have done, then nights are really wonderful and even better if you are on the Côte d'Azur and there's a festival event to attend within walking distance.

The guide to festivals in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is now online. If you intend to be down that way between now and September, give it a look to find out what you can see and hear.

A 'retrospective' of everybody's favorite Barbie, with 300 models from 1959 onwards, presented in 24 holiday settings. Until Sunday, 20. September.

Halle Saint-Pierre
2. rue Rosard, Paris 18. Info. Tel.: 01 42 58 72 89.

Partly due to a somewhat unattractive poster, but also due to the late posting of it, a major show devoted to various forms of eye, mouth, ear, nose and feel-candy called 'Théâtres des Sens' has already been open for two months, but is probably still worth a visit.

This show is running under the umbrella of the Comité Colbert, which is the trade association of the French luxo industry. If you are an anti-materialist and like sack-cloth, you will not appreciate the stuff on show here.

If on the other hand, you think the French are pretty good at making fancy stuff for high prices, and you are either a dreamer or rich or both, then this is probably a real treat of an exhibition. Make a note of it, in case there are any rainy days to come.

Les Quatre Théâtres des Sens
Palais de la Découverte, avenue Franklin-Roosevelt, Paris 8. Métro: Franklin-Roosevelt. Open from Tuesday to Saturdays, from 9:30 to 18:00; on Sundays from 10:00 to 19:00. Closed also on 2. and 15. August. This show runs until 3. January 1999. Info. Tel.: 01 40 74 89 00.

A photographic exhibition which presents contemporary Africa, within seven different themes. Until Sunday, 23. August. Open from Wednesdays to Sundays, 11:00 to 20:00.

Maison Européenne de la Photographie
82. rue François-Miron, Paris 4. Info. Tel.: 01 44 78 75 00.

The artistic 'Supports-Surfaces' movement was the last in France to achieve the category of 'a movement,' regardless of me never having heard of it. This exhibition brings together works from the collections of the National Museum of Modern Art and the George Pompidou Centre for a current display at the Jeu de Paume.

National Gallery of the Jeu de Paume
At the place de la Concorde, Paris 1. Métro: Concorde. Until Sunday, 30. August; open Tuesday to Fridays from 12:00 to 19:00, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 19:00; closed Mondays. Open Tuesday evenings until 21:30.

The Moslem dynasty of the Fatimids ruled over North Africa, and parts of Egypt from 909 to 1171. During this time, its Moslem art and civilization reached its highest degree ever, and its influence swept from the Middle East to Spain. This exhibition, lasting until Sunday, 30. August, shows 300 pieces, including a hundred from Egyptian museums.

Institut de la Monde Arabe
1. rue des Fosses-Saint-Bernard, Paris 5. Open daily except Mondays from 10:00 to 18:00. Info. Tel.: 01 40 51 38 38.

Leclerc's expedition to Indochina is presented through photographs and original documents, including newspapers, maps, and mission reports. An original film documentary has been assembled by the ECPA for this exhibition, which last until Sunday. 30 August.

Mémorial du Maréchal Leclerc de Haureclocqe et de la Libération de Paris et Musée Jean Moulin
Jardin Atlantique, above the Gare Montparnasse
23. allée de la 2nd Division Blindée, Paris 15. From Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 17:40. Closed Mondays and holidays such as Saturday, 15. August. Info. Tel.: 01 40 64 39 44.