Are We Unhappy? No

LE BOUDOIR IN THE HOOD

How many times have I walked down my street over the last 27 years and peered at the windows at number 6 wondering what was going on inside what was once an Elizabethan theater? Countless times. I’d heard about it years ago, but never seen inside. The windows were always shut tight with no signs of life. Then, movement started to happen although it was discreet. Very discreet.

Then, last week I had dinner with a friend at Soma at number 13—also discreet—a Japanese/French fusion bistrot with a contemporary, but warm atmosphere, of the highest quality that doesn’t break the bank. You have to know it’s there and you have to reserve in advance. You’ll be happy you did.

When we left Soma, my friend, who also lives in “the hood,” asked if I had seen the new hotel. “What new hotel? Is that the building that has an Elizabethan theater inside?” I asked. For the first time I had noticed the sign on the door of the ancient theater—”Boudoir des Muses.” Since I’ve moved off rue de Saintonge last summer, I hadn’t been down the street, nor had the opportunity to realize the change in the once bleak facade.

We ventured inside and found a very nice and accommodating Canadian fellow named Liam who was quite happy to give us a complete tour. He seemed to be of an important position, but in truth we never found out. The boutique hotel is new and once the Théâtre du Boudoir des Muses, an avant-garde theater closed by Napoleon in 1807 due to the controversial reputation of its performances! Later, it became the Couvent des Filles du Calvaire, a convent that stood until the French Revolution. Funny turn of events, wouldn’t you say?

Unbeknownst to me being on different paths the last few months, the hotel reopened in September last year, after eight years of renovation and about two dozen million euros of expense (!!) to masterfully weave in its historical significance and sensual history. It has 28 rooms, 4 suites of utter luxury, along with a cocktail and tapas bar, and a private spa/hammam for the coziest and sexiest of occasions.

We saw it all, thanks to Liam, who didn’t seem to mind leading two mature women by the nose into the beautifully decorated and appointed rooms and down to the heavenly spa while we marveled at the boudoir of our dreams. And we giggled along the way that our once very scruffy Marais had certainly become incredibly sophisticated before our very eyes.

Were we unhappy? No.

Sortir-a-Paris does a great job of describing the hotel, so why recreate what they have already done? Visit their site for more info, or go directly to the hotel’s site. Ask for Liam…and tell him I sent you!

I’M NOT YOUR MUSE

In perfect harmony with discovering Le Boudoir des Muses, a book arrived in my mailbox a day later written by author Lori Zimmer and illustrated by Maria Krasinski titled I’m Not Your Muse. The coincidence was uncanny.

A muse is someone or something that serves as a source of inspiration, especially for an artist, writer, or creative person. The term comes from Greek mythology, where the Muses were nine goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences—each one associated with a particular domain like poetry, history, music, or dance. And muses are usually women. Unfortunately for most muses, they didn’t get much credit for having been that inspiration. Or perhaps they were the artists themselves, who couldn’t go beyond their credit as a muse, just because they were women and not men.

This is what Zimmer and Krasinski set out to do—expose and honor those women who weren’t recognized for their contributions, simply because they were women. I’m Not Your Muse is a powerful look at 31 remarkable women from the worlds of art, architecture, dance, literature, and beyond—trailblazers whose influential work has long been eclipsed by their roles as mere “muses” to more famous men. A few include Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore​, Eileen Gray​, Alice B. Toklas​, Lee Miller and Suzanne Valadon​. Do you even know who these women were? It wouldn’t surprise me if you didn’t. But, now you will.

The authoring duo will be presenting the book in an upcoming Après-Midi…so stay tuned for news of it to come. In the meantime, this is one book that needs to be on your bookshelf! The illustrations can also be purchased as a “deck” of cards offered by Hachette. To purchase the book, visit this page on the site.

Are we unhappy? No.

MY OWN MUSE

My apartment on rue de Saintonge has been my own personal muse. During the process of the reconstruction of the the beams (you’ve probably read about this countless times over the last few months), the mindless contractors destroyed the apartment that I have called home for 27 years. When I saw my beautiful bathroom, once immortalized by my daughter in her self portrait titled, “Drowning,” I broke into a bathtub of tears. And now months later having missed it so much, I’ve decided not to give it up and refit, refurnish and refinish it so I can move back in at the end of August. This means no extra moves, to extra rent payments, no extra storage expense and a lot less stress.

Designer and longtime friend, Martine di Mattéo, and I, are making the plans to recreate what was there as closely as possible and have it ready in time for when the lease is up so I can move right in. We call our plan “Zircons and Diamonds”—a way of doing it inexpensively without losing the luster! Stay tuned for what’s to come.

To all of you who have indicated your interest in it, we are maintaining a mailing list, so when I am ready to sell, it will be move-in ready, too, and we’ll keep you posted!

Am I unhappy? No.

HANDS OFF, BUT VOICES HEARD

The protests were worldwide, and Paris was no different. Angry people (just about everyone I know), Americans and French alike, gathered at Place de la République Saturday to participate in the worldwide protest, “Hands Off,” voices against Donald Trump’s actions that have us all pretty upset, worried and frightened.

Over 1,000 protests took place across the United States and internationally, opposing the policies of President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk. ​Demonstrations occurred in all 50 U.S. states and cities worldwide, including London, Paris, Berlin, and Stockholm. ​Hundreds of thousands participated, with tens of thousands gathering at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. ​We Parisians were among them.

What we are angry about:

• Economic Policies: Criticism of new tariffs leading to significant stock market losses and fears of a global recession. ​

• Government Restructuring: Opposition to Elon Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and associated federal workforce reductions. ​

• Social Issues: Concerns over cuts to programs like Social Security and Medicaid, and perceived attacks on civil liberties, including LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights. ​

Among other issues! I’m actually concerned that my voice in all this could target me as he vows to eliminate anyone who disagrees with him. But these protests marked a significant moment of domestic and international opposition to the Trump administration’s policies. Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, made himself a poster-child for extremist oligarchy when he joined Trump and praised the European ultra-right. As a result, a worldwide “Tesla Takedown” movement has crushed Tesla sales and pushed Tesla stock down 55%. That’s $800 billion in lost market value, and it’s rattling Musk’s many creditors. The core of his empire is turning into a financial bubble.

Are we unhappy? No.

MARINE LE PEN, IN THE PEN

​Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN), was convicted this past week of embezzling 4.1€ million in European Union funds intended for parliamentary assistants. The court sentenced her to four years in prison (two of which are to be served under electronic surveillance) and imposed a five-year ban from holding public office, jeopardizing her potential candidacy in the 2027 presidential election. ​

​Following her conviction for embezzlement, she denounced the court’s decision as a politically motivated maneuver aimed at sidelining her from the 2027 presidential race…Donald Trump style. Le Pen’s alignment with such rhetoric indicates a strategic shift towards a more confrontational stance against the judiciary, reminiscent of Trump’s approach to legal challenges. This tactic aims to galvanize her base by portraying herself as a victim of an unjust system. ​LOL! That’s a laugh.

For a visual comparison of their statements, you can watch this video.

These developments have significant implications for France’s political landscape, especially concerning the RN’s role and strategies leading up to the 2027 presidential election.

Are we unhappy? No.

LE LOUVRE COUTURE

I don’t recommend going to visit Le Louvre on a Sunday because it’s the busiest of any other day of the week, but I do recommend seeing the Louvre Couture exhibition, “Art and Fashion: Statement Pieces,” on until July 21st. ​

As we entered the Richelieu wing of the museum, I realized I’d never seen any of it, much less the works of fashion art displayed among the “objets des arts,” curated brilliantly to reflect how the designers of today were inspired by artifacts centuries old. Be prepared to get your steps in—there are 9,000 square meters with the Department of Decorative Arts, featuring over 100 pieces of couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories from 45 renowned designers. ​

The showcase includes works from iconic fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Prada, Erdem, Dries Van Noten, and Undercover, as well as avant-garde talents like Iris van Herpen and Charles de Vilmorin. ​Curated by Olivier Gabet, the museum’s director of the Department of Decorative Arts, with assistance from Marie Brimicombe, the exhibition is organized into seven historical periods, including Byzantium and the Middle Ages.

One garment is more beautiful and awe-inspiring than the next, as are the objects on display as part of Le Louvre’s permanent collection. It’s inspired me to return to Le Louvre to see just that—an enormous part of the massive museum which might otherwise be forgotten…while most visitors head first to see Mona Lisa or Winged Victory. Don’t miss this one.

Are we unhappy? No.

Special note: On the day of my presentation, April 26th, talking about the cross-cultural divide between the U.S. and France with ATFrenchies, Gigi Kuhn will be moderating the conversation as senior french teacher in the club. However Alex and Tom will post a story about our participation. Attendance is open to paid club members and our readers! Stay tuned for the details so you can register to participate!

A la prochaine…