Dante et Virgile aux Enfers

With Francis Bacon, Elsa Schiaparelli

Paris:– Saturday, 27. March 2004:– There may not be a whole lot here that is new, but there is a whole lot of it. Some of the items are annual repeaters, such as the 'International Model Salon,' and the dates for the annual tennis bash–bash at Roland Garros are included. I'd go for the first and not the second. I'm not playing favorites in this column, but tennis is silly.

I value my neck, but I will also admit it can get a bit stretched watching the flying models. They go up and up, up to the ceiling. There may even by submarines, that dive, dive, dive too. There's no whole afternoons of back–and–forth.

But first a quick printing tip. Use command–keys to select the whole page, do copy, then paste it into a blank word–processor page. Save it and then edit out all the items you don't need. Print it out and bring it to Paris with you. This will be much more compact and faster than printing the 20–odd pages with your browser.

• This Week's 'Openers'
• Last Chances
• Coming Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• Major Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• More Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• Photo, Cinema and Multimedia
• Culture, History, Science
• Some Kid Stuff
• Unclassifieds + Bikes

Moi ! Autoportraits du XXe Siècle – the 150 photographic self– portraits to be on view, are also a portrait of the late 20th century. Beginning this week and continuing until Sunday, 18. July. To be on view every day, but if not, then open Tuesday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 19:00, from 10:00 to 20:00 on weekends and from 10:00 to 22:30 on Monday and Friday. At the Musée du Luxembourg, 19. Rue Vaugirard, Paris 6. Métro: Saint–Sulpice. InfoTel.: 01 42 34 25 95.

Orlan – at the centre of this exhibition of photographs, videos and installations, you will find Orlan himself. Also beginning this week and continuing until Monday, 28. June. Closed Tuesdays, with open hours from 12:00 to 19:00, and until 21:00 on Mondays. At the Centre National de la Photographie, Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, 11. Rue Berryer, Paris 8. Métro: Etoile or George V. InfoTel.: 01 53 76 12 31.

Yves Talks to Art – the 'Yves' is Yves Saint–Laurent, with 40 creations from 1962 to 2002 on view until Sunday, 18. July. Hours are Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 17:30. At the Fondation Pierre Bergés Yves Saint– Laurent, 3. Place Léonce Reynaud, Paris 16. Métro: Alma–Marceau. InfoTel.: 01 44 31 64 31.

Faussement Vôtre! – presents the fake versions of our daily objects, along with the museum's permanent collection of other counterfeits. The expo, until Monday, 5. July. From Tuesday to Sunday, from 14:00 to 17:30. At the Musée de la Contrefaçon, 16. Rue de la Faisanderie, Paris 16. Métro: Porte Dauphine. InfoTel.: 01 56 26 14 00.

Alexandre–Théodore Brongniart – the Musée Carnavalet shows off its collection of designs by Brongniart, famous for designing the Paris Opéra. This continues until Friday, 30. May. Except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00. At the Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris, 23. Rue de Sévigné, Paris 3. Métro: Saint–Paul or Chemin Vert. InfoTel.: 01 44 59 58 58.

Dante et Virgile aux Enfers – or, in one imagined by Eugène Delacroix. A little bit of classic art for you, beginning Friday, 9. April, continuing until Monday, 5. July. Also see 'Paris 1400, les Arts Sous Charles VI,' which continues until Monday, 12. July. Open from 9:00 to 17:30, and until 21:30 on Monday and Wednesday. Closed Tuesdays. At the Musée du Louvre, principal entry from the Pyramid in the Cour Napoléon, Paris 1. Métro: Palais–Royal. InfoTel.: 01 40 20 51 51.

Francis Bacon – Le Sacré et le Profane – this will be a good chance to see Bacon's various conceptions of Pope Innocent X, originally done by Vélasquez. Beginning Wednesday, 7. April and on view until Wednesday, 30. June. Except Tuesdays, from 11:00 to 19:00 daily. At the Musée Maillol – Fondation Dina Vierny, 59–61. Rue de Grenelle, Paris 7. Métro: Rue du Bac. InfoTel.: 01 42 22 59 58.

Elsa Schiaparelli – is in an exhibition featuring 250 costumes created by Coco Chanel's closest competitor. With accessories, designs, photos and films. Continuing until 29. August. Except Mondays, from 11:00 to 18:00, and from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends, and on Wednesdays until 21:00. At the Musée de la Mode et du Textile, 107-111. Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1. Métro: Palais–Royal. InfoTel.: 01 44 55 57 50.

Napoléon et la Mer – despite some setbacks – who remembers Trafalgar? – marine affairs were a major Napoléonic preoccupation. This big show shows all, tells all, until 23. August. From 10:00 to 17:45, except Tuesdays. At the Musée de la Marine, 17. Place du Trocadéro, Paris 16. Métro: Trocadéro. InfoTel.: 01 53 65 69 53.

Don Fred Deux – on show, 80 designs and two albums by this writer– designer. To be seen from Wednesday, 14. April until Monday, 6. June. From 11:00 to 21:00 daily except on Tuesdays, and on Thursdays until 23:00. At the Centre Georges Pompidou, Place Georges Pompidou, Paris 4. Métro: Rambuteau. InfoTel.: 01 44 78 12 33.

Le Caffé Greco – in Rome was the hot–spot for early photographers in Italy, which is shown in this exhibition which began in Rome last November. This continues until Sunday, 18. April in Paris. From 11:00 to 20:00 daily except Monday and Tuesday. At the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, 5–7. Rue de Fourcy, Paris 4. Métro: Saint–Paul or Pont–Marie. InfoTel.: 01 44 78 75 00.

Primitifs Français – in an exhibition subtitled 'discovered' and 'rediscovered,' the Louvre's collection of primitive works by French artists is on show until Monday, 17. May. Open from 9:00 to 17:30, and from 9:00 to 21:30 on Wednesday. Closed Tuesdays. At the Musée du Louvre, principal entry from the Pyramid in the Cour Napoléon, Paris 1. Métro: Palais–Royal. InfoTel.: 01 40 20 51 51.

Piranhas Enivrés – are not as bad as their reputation, so come and see some in the aquarium here. The exhibition continues until 31. August. Open from 10:00 to 17:30 except on Tuesday. At the Palais de la Porte Dorée, 293. Avenue Daumésnil, Paris 12. Métro: Porte Dorée. InfoTel.: 01 44 74 84 80.

International Model Salon – five categories include planes, boats, trains, cars and figurines, some of which will be judged in competitions. This is the salon where many of the exhibitors make everything on view, and includes a sub–salon for mind games of all sorts – except digital ones. From Saturday, 10. April until Monday, 19. April. Hours are generally from 10:00 to 19:00. At Paris–Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris 15. Métro: Porte de Versailles. InfoTel.: 01 49 09 64 14.

Paris Commune – fans may wish to change their travel plans because Les Amis de la Commune of 1871 is presenting an exhibition about the Commune, until Thursday, 8. April. This historical show is in the Hôtel de Ville, one of the prime locations of the original party in 1871. Paris 4. Métro: Hôtel de Ville.

Jardins de Paris au Temps des Rois – is an exhibition presenting five centuries of the art of gardens, from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance to our times. Until Sunday, 11. April. Closed on Tuesdays, open from 11:30 to 18:00. In the Trianon at the Parc de Bagatelle, Route de Neuilly, in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16. Nearest métro: Pont de Neuilly, or bus 43. Park entry – 1.50€. InfoTel.: 01 45 00 22 19. A complementary exhibition is in the Jardin des Plantes, until Monday, 3. May. At 57. Rue Cuvier, Paris 5. Métro: Jussieu. InfoTel.: 01 40 79 30 00..

La Poétique du Béton – is about design and building with cement, on show in this unique cement location. The exhibition continues until Sunday, 18. April. Except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 17:00. At the Palais de la Porte Dorée, 293, avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12. Métro: Porte Dorée. InfoTel.: 01 44 74 84 80. Be sure to visit the Piranhas in the aquarium too.

L'Atelier du Sculpteur Henri Bouchard – features photos of Bouchard's ateliers in Rome, and in Montparnasse and Auteuil, along with sketches, designs and models. From Wednesday, 21. April until 11. September. Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 14:00 to 19:00. At the Musée Bouchard, 25. Rue de l'Yvette, Paris 16. Métro: Jasmin. InfoTel.: 01 46 47 63 46.

Meryon Does the Paris of Baudelaire – is an exhibition featuring the engravings of Meryon, a great admirer of Baudelaire, who in turn admired Meryon. From Friday, 23. April, until Sunday, 18. July. From 11:00 to 19:00, but closed on Mondays. Also closed on the 1st, 2nd, 20th and 30. May, and 14. July. At the Bibliothèque Historique, 24. Rue Pavée, Paris 4. Métro: Saint–Paul. InfoTel.: 01 44 59 40 60.

Arelis – Contemporary Tapestries – is an exhibition about tapestries, and going beyond their classic techniques. To begin Tuesday, 27. April and continue until Saturday, 24. July. Tuesday to Saturday; from 13:30 to 20:00. At the Bibliothèque Forney, Hôtel de Sens,1. Rue Figuier, Paris 4. Métro: Pont–Marie InfoTel.:01 42 78 14 60.

Foire de Paris – is Paris' annual jumbo home fair, including its always interesting inventors' show, the Concours Lépine, which should never be missed even if it is always jammed to the rafters. Beginning on Thursday, 29. April, until Sunday, 9. May. Open hours are usually 10:00 to 19:00. At Paris–Expo, Porte de Versailles, Paris 15. Métro: Porte de Versailles. InfoTel.: 01 49 09 60 00.

Plus Jamais Ca ! – presents the archives about the battle for human rights in the first half of the 20th century, all on view in this extensive and important exhibition. Beginning on Friday, 30. April, continuing until Friday, 2. July. Open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:30, and from 14:00 to 17:30 on Sunday. At the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine, Hôtel National des Invalides 129. Rue de Grenelle, Paris 7. Métro: Porte Dorée. InfoTel.: 01 44 42 54 91.

6th Springtime for Museums – is on Sunday, 2. May, when 1000 museums throughout Europe open their doors – for one and all, for free – for all to discover their mysteries and our common treasures. If none of the participating museums is next door to you, get more details from the 'Printemps des Musées' Web site.

Musicora Fête ses 20 Ans – a birthday party for Musicora will feature contemporary and classical concerts. From Thursday, 6. May until Monday, 10. May. Daily from 10:00 to 19:30, but on Monday from 10:00 to 18:00. At the Grand Halle de la Villette, 211. Avenue Jean-Jaurès, Paris 19. Métro: Porte de Pantin. InfoTel.: 01 49 53 27 00.

VE Day – the anniversary of the end of WWII rates a public holiday of memorium in France on Thursday, 8. May, with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe at 11:00, and other cultural events. Paris 8. Métro: Etoile – but this station will likely be closed, so use George V, Argentine or Ternes instead.

Tango – written and directed by Hervé Charton, begins on Wednesday, 12. May and continues until Saturday, 7. July. From Wednesday to Saturday, at 20:30. To be at the Théâtre Le Guichet Montparnasse, 15. Rue du Maine, Paris 14. Métro: Gaîté or Edgar Quinet. InfoTel.: 01 43 27 88 61

Détectives Privés Français, Réels et de Fiction – from Vidocq to Nestor Burna. Private dicks, French style. Beginning on Wednesday, 26. May and continuing until 16. October. From Tuesday to Friday, from 14:00 to 18:00; and on Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00. At the 'BILIPO' – Bibliothèque de Littérature Policière, 48–50. Rue du Cardinal–Lemoine, Paris 5. Métro: Cardinal–Lemoine. InfoTel.: 01 42 34 93 00.

Roland Garros – annual neck–twisting grand slams happen as usual from Monday, 26 May until there's a winner on Sunday, 8. June. At the Stade Roland Garros, 2. Avenue Gordon–Bennett, Paris 16. Métro: Porte d'Auteuil.

George Sand, une Nature d'Artiste – this exhibition presents a reunion of the writer's friends, Liszt, Marie d'Agoult, Chopin, Musset and Flaubert, plus glimpses of the avant–garde she supported. The exhibition begins on Tuesday, 29. June continues until 29. November. From 10:00 to 18:00 daily except Mondays. At the Musée de la Vie Romantique – Hôtel Scheffer –Renan, 16. Rue Chaptal, Paris 9. Métro: Saint–Georges, Blanche or Pigalle. InfoTel.: 01 55 31 95 67.

7th Printemps des Rues – it's party time in the streets of Paris on the weekend of 5–6. June. Bring your dancing shoes and a friend. InfoTel.: 01 47 97 36 06. The Fête de la Musique follows on Monday, 21. June, to officially open the summer season.

Joan Mirò – is featured in an exhibition focusing on his creations between 1920 and 1930, with about 100 paintings and an equal number of collages – some on public view for the first time. This big show continues until Monday; 28. June. From 11:00 to 21:00 daily except on Tuesdays, and on Thursdays until 23:00. At the Centre Georges Pompidou, Place Georges Pompidou, Paris 4. Métro: Rambuteau. InfoTel.: 01 44 78 12 33.

Jean–Auguste–Dominique Ingres – what Picasso hasn't, the Louvre has in this show, continuing until Monday, 14. June. Open from 9:00 to 17:30, and until 21:30 on Monday and Wednesday. Closed Tuesdays. At the Musée du Louvre, principal entry from the Pyramid in the Cour Napoléon, Paris 1. Métro: Palais–Royal. InfoTel.: 01 40 20 50 50.

Picasso –Ingres – with a century between them, this exhibition attempts to show how close these painters were. This two–for–one exhibition continues until Monday, 21. June. From 9:30 to 18:00, except on Tuesdays. At the Musée National Picasso, Hôtel Salé, 5. Rue de Thorigny, Paris 4. Métro: Saint–Paul. InfoTel.: 01 42 71 25 21.

The Portrait of an Artiste as a Clown – this is 'La grande parade' of modern art writ large, with Tiepolo, Goya, Daumier, Courbet, Seurat, Ensor, Rouault, Léger, Klee, Chagall, Picasso, Boltanski and Cindy Sherman. Open 10:00 to 19:15 and until 21:15 on Wednesdays. This exhibition continues until Monday, 31. May. Closed Tuesdays. Reservations –often– required for morning visits before 13:00. At the Grand Palais, 3. Avenue du Général Eisenhower, Paris 8. Métro: Champs–Elysées–Clemenceau. InfoTel.: 01 44 13 17 17.

La Photographie Sous le Second Empire – photography began in the reign of Napoléon III, but some of the royal collections were sent up in smoke by the Commune. Other collections, at Compiègne and Fontainebleau were preserved, for this exhibition continuing until Sunday, 30. May. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 and from 12:00 to 19:00 on Sunday. At the Bibliothèque Nationale, 58. Rue de Richelieu, Paris 2. Métro: Pyramides. InfoTel.: 01 53 79 59 59.

Charles Cordier – is presented in an exhibition titled, 'L'autre et l'ailleurs.' Until Sunday, 2. May. From 10:00 to 18:00, until 21:45 n Thursday and from 9:00 to 18:00 on Sunday. Closed on Mondays. At the Musée d'Orsay, 1. Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7. Métro: Solférino or RER Musée d'Orsay. InfoTel.: 01 40 49 48 14.