Up to “Parr” in Paris and Other Stories

UP TO PARR

Can someone explain to me why everyone at the Martin Parr exhibition wasn’t laughing like we were? “Global Warning” has been at the Jeu de Paume since January 30th (on until May 24th) and is drawing big crowds, so why aren’t they loving it as much as we did? Or is it that the French sense of humor simply doesn’t see what’s so funny? We saw a lot of glum faces and couldn’t understand what they were missing, or what we were missing.

Either way, my friend and I roared at every image. You don’t even need to go to the Jeu de Paume. All you have to do is head to the Métro station at the Hôtel de Ville to see a lot of the photographer’s best images…but don’t miss the real thing if you can help it.

The exhibition presents a broad retrospective of one of the most influential photographers of the past half-century, who passed away last December 6th of cancer at the age of 73.

Le Monde wrote: “It is difficult to describe someone with such an unremarkable biography: a tall, lean man, both courteous and arrogant, slightly misogynistic, who loved football and poker, wore shapeless sweaters and dreadful sandals, wielded biting humor and looked at you with a blank smile as if you were a fool. His photos, too, were ordinary, and that is precisely what made them extraordinary. They revolutionized the documentary genre.”

Parr photographed everyday life—especially tourism, leisure, food, shopping, and middle-class rituals—with a style that is both documentary and satirical. His work reveals the quirks, excesses, and contradictions of contemporary society, often highlighting how people behave when they are on vacation or enjoying consumer pleasures.

The situations are often hard to believe, and others you may have witnessed yourself on a regular basis, but didn’t see them in the same way. They will certainly amuse you…unless you are humorless like the others at the exhibition!

A LEGEND AT THE HÔTEL DE VILLE

Another exhibition to put on your list is a remarkable one at the Hôtel de Ville honoring the work of legendary Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. The city has mounted a tribute featuring nearly 200 of his most powerful black-and-white photographs—images that have documented humanity, migration, labor, and the fragile beauty of our planet for more than four decades.

Salgado, who made Paris his home after leaving Brazil in the late 1960s, had an extraordinary ability to capture both the dignity and vulnerability of people and landscapes around the world. The exhibition also tells the inspiring story of Instituto Terra, the environmental foundation he created with his wife that has helped restore vast stretches of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

Best of all, the exhibition is free—one more reason to wander over to the Hôtel de Ville and take it in. But don’t go without reservations, which you can make online…or you may have wasted your time. I’m headed there Thursday evening—the one night the exhibition is open. Visit the city’s website for more information and to reserve your free spot.

THE POMPIDOU AT THE GRAND PALAIS

I’m catching up on Paris exhibitions—there are always so many to take in, in the city I call the “Mecca of Culture.”

The signature piece of the “Drawing Outside the Lines: Masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou’s collection” exhibition at the Grand Palais is one that sits on the wall of a friend’s home in Los Angeles…it’s also the real thing by Robert Longo.

The exhibition is down to the wire, closing March 15th, so don’t dally. Thanks to the Centre Pompidou undergoing a major renovation, some of the most important works from its collection have temporarily moved to the Grand Palais. The exhibition is essentially a highlight reel of modern and contemporary art from the Pompidou’s vast holdings, giving all of us a rare chance to see these iconic pieces in a different setting.

 

I admire the French curators who do such a brilliant job of their craft arranging the work in a way that makes real sense. Rather than a strict chronological display, the works are grouped around themes of artistic freedom and radical creativity.

The exhibition includes major names that define modern art, such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse (one of my favorite’s), Joan Miró, Niki de Saint Phalle (don’t we all love her work?), Marcel Duchamp and Wassily Kandinsky (my all time favorite).

It’s tough to explain, but I sense a connection to the work of Kandinsky because his art isn’t meant to depict objects—it’s meant to express inner life, emotion, and spiritual transformation. He saw life as organized chaos…and I can relate. He believed life isn’t linear—it’s a swirl of forces, colors, and energies. No joke! Many of his paintings look chaotic at first, but when you look longer, a hidden order appears…just like my own. It resonates with me because it mirrors my own entrepreneurial and creative spirit…my life feels like a composition rather than a straight line. Kandinsky painted exactly that idea. His paintings, for me, feel strangely autobiographical.

While you’re enjoying the work, don’t miss visiting the newly opened Rotonde d’Antin of the Grand Palais, free of charge and without reservation. Like a heritage tour between the lobby, the central square, and the Salon Seine, it reveals the splendor of its mosaics, sculptures, and gold leaf. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.

MORE FROM LA POSTE

La Poste was contacted by the US embassy. Here is the newest information for those who have not yet gotten the update. The info below was received from Democrats Abroad and from AARO.

La Poste leaders confirmed last week that mail is still being sent to the US, despite some bureau agents not understanding this and telling customers otherwise. They will communicate with all bureaus to ensure agents have the correct information.

You CANNOT use La Poste machines in the post office to buy the “timbre violet” you need for a ballot. Please buy it at the counter or online.

If a La Poste agent tells you letters are not being delivered to the US, please show them this link.

A letter that was recently mailed to the US via an external Post Box was confirmed to be received. It took about two weeks. If you are needing to mail in a ballot to vote in your US primary be sure to give it enough time.

For those needing clear information on how to vote from abroad here is a helpful link.

MEET ME IN STRASBOURG

This year, I am determined to see France…the parts of France that will make the best places for Expats to live. Strasbourg has been on my list for a long time, and now I’m going back to give it a serious look.

I’ll be there for Easter Weekend. Strasbourg is known to treat Easter almost the way it treats Christmas—seriously, traditionally, and with a lot of regional character. Because Alsace has a strong mix of Catholic and Protestant heritage and deep Germanic traditions, I am told that Easter celebrations are more visible here than in many other parts of France.

There are the “Marchés de Pâques” (Easter Markets) selling hand-painted eggs, spring flowers, craft decorations and Alsatian pastries and sweets. Two of the most charming markets are usually around Place du Château near the cathedral and sometimes in surrounding villages (although we won’t have time to do that). It is said that chocolate will be everywhere, so we can plan on finding giant chocolate hens and rabbits and elaborate displays in chocolatiers like Christian or Bockel. There is a regional specialty called a “Lämmele” (or Lamala), a sponge cake baked in the shape of a lamb and dusted with powdered sugar. It symbolizes the Lamb of God and is traditionally eaten on Easter morning. (I may have to go off my diet to try it!)

We’re planning our weekend now and don’t want to miss anything. I won’t give away our plans too far in advance, but for sure I’ll be writing about it all in Monday’s Nouvellettre® April 6th. Stay tuned.

SPECIAL INVITATION:

In the meantime, I invite all of you to meet me for an apéritif in Strasbourg on Easter Sunday around 6 p.m. at Place du Marché Gayot (near the cathedral). Look for our group at the terrace of Le Gruber. I want to know what you think of life in Strasbourg! Please let me know you’re coming by emailing me here and invite your friends!

FABULOUS FAB VIDEO

About a month ago, Fab Insurance, our most trusted insurance partner, posted a YouTube video interview with me, by Fabien Pelissier, that received more than 10,000 views! We were not surprised, with all the interest in moving to France.

(Did you see the Wall Street Journal article “Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers” from February 26th?)

What did surprise us however, was the short clip taken from the video that as of this writing has gotten 580,000 views!!!

There’s more to come in collaboration with Fab Insurance about moving to France, so stay tuned.

MORE GUEST STAYS IN NICE

Our clients and friends often need a place to stay while they are searching for property to rent or purchase in Nice (and environs) and we’re making it easier and easier. “Le Jardin de la Promenade,” a large studio apartment located directly on the Promenade des Anglais, with a view of the sea and a private garden, is already welcoming our guests!

Coming very soon will be another luxury studio located in central Nice, just near Place Masséna we call “La Maison Masséna.” We’ve been very busy preparing it with all the bells and whistles for comfortable stays beginning in April!

Our Guest Stays program offers exclusive access for our clients and close community to curated, private apartments owned by the Adrian Leeds Group or their clients. As our guest, you’ll enjoy beautiful properties reserved solely for YOU.

To confirm your eligibility and learn more about these properties, complete this online form.

See you there soon!

A la prochaine…