Amélie Nothomb, Salon du Livre

On Friday I went to the annual March 4-day SALON DU LIVRE at convention center, Porte de Versailles (ligne 12). Attending any festival in Paris on the first day is a very good idea. Crowds are managable and free bookmarks, bags and catalogs are readily available.

The French read. A lot. Real books. You see them on the Metro reading large books. And they're not prepping for veterinary school exams either. They read a lot of Belgian novelist AMÉLIE NOTHOMB.

Such long book-signing lines for Amélie Nothomb at publisher stand, Albin Michel. I did a little research. I've certainly seen her beautiful Japanese Noh mask-like face in book shop windows. Irresistible to paint. But I'd never read anything or so I thought. Fabienne-Claire Nothomb, better known by her pen name Amélie Nothomb, is a Belgian Francophone novelist. Part of her childhood was spent in Asia. A prolific author, since the publication of her first novel Hygiene and the Assassin in 1992, at the age of twenty six, she has published a book a year. Wikipedia.

Turns out I was wrong. Netflix for while made available her captivating, FEAR AND TREMBLING. The opening papragraph on AMAZON.

And the Youtube trailer. You can watch TOKYO FIANCÉE too. 

The Salon du Livre is a giant international book store open to the public. You see attendees leaving with bags and bags of books. Signed books. Very nice free shopping bags are given out but I'm set from the Salon de l'Agriculture a few weeks ago.

Small publishers with unusual designed books are in there next to the big guys. If you see something of interest, grab it. The French rarely reprint back titles. You won't find it next year.

The range of exciting children's books is endless. Illustrations are superb and sophisticated.No subject is taboo.

Kids 18 and under attend free. A love for books is encouraged from the get-go. Maybe that's why the French are so precise, articulate and vocal about the use of their language. Hmmm...

There is no Angelina at SALON DU LIVRE, which closes on Monday. A hot chocolate would go well with book browsing. Thank you for reading and sharing Parisbreakfasts. Subscription letters 💌maps and watercolors are in my Etsy shop. With love💋 from Paris🐻 Xxx

Les Nabis et le décor, Musee du Luxembourg

'Another opening, another show...' Its that time of year for new Spring exhibits. Monday I saw the NABI at MUSEE DU LUXEMBOURG. I tried my hand at their wonderful, dotty patterns. Not a piece of cake.... 

 From 1880 to 1910 the post-impressionist group of painters: Bonnard, Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Serusier and Vallotton were on the same wave length, deeply influenced by the flow of Japanese woodblock prints and pottery arriving in France.

Tall painted panels resembling Japanese screens but with everyday French motifs.

Flowing, curvy lines, truncated cutoff forms. The muted color palette is Japanese. 

Abstract use of patterns and organic forms were de rigueur. Notice similar reclining poses of the figures.

A Bonnard painted plate of an everyday scene - a frolicking dog and owner in the garden. The designs entered all forms of home decor and architecture like tapestry, stained glass and ceramics.

After the exhibit visit BOUILLON RACINE for a Nabi/Art Nouveau lunch at 3 rue Racine

Then up to Rue Fortuny in the 17th. The entire street reflects Art Nouveau-Japanese trends.

These patterns are all over Paris. Just take time to look. Entering Metro Renne station I never noticed these curvy natural forms from that era. The Luxembourg museum has its own ANGELINA SALON DE THÉ and a dessert is specially created for each exhibit. This time an airy yogurt mousse on a shortbread base with an explosion of yuzu, lemon and basil inside. At the preview we did not get to taste it unfortunately, but you can try it for me. A joyous, Springy exhibit perfect to experience while Paris trees blossom in the gardens just beyond. Don't Miss! Thank you for reading and sharing Parisbreakfasts. Subscription letters 💌, maps and watercolors are in my Etsy shop. With love💋 from Paris🐻 Xxx

Roux! Musee Jean-Jacques Henner, rue Fortuny

My father had red hair, freckles and green eyes. I got his green/hazel color eyes. I wish I'd gotten the rest. ROUX ! is on at MUSEE NATIONAL JEAN-JACQUES HENNER until 20 May. 34, Avenue de Villiers, 75017 Metro stop Malsherbes 

If you're a redhead run see it. If you're a painter, mixing up rousse, apricots, chataignes in watercolor is one of the most fun colors.

You probably never heard of  painter Jean-Jacques Henner (1829-1905). 

A contemporary of Renoir and Jules Charet, he was noted for his use of chiaroscuro and his obsession with pale-skined redheads. The exhibit features 300 pieces.

Including related redhead images like theatre posters of red-heads from the Follies Bergere

And a man's chestnut red wig/perruque from the 18th century

Designer SONIA RYKIEL made her own red hair a feature in her collections. Even a red hair coat.

The divine redheaded actress, SARAH BERNHARDT lived just around the corner from the museum at #35, rue Fortuny.

Do not miss walking down one of PARIS' MOST BEAUTIFUL STREETS, rue Fortuny in the 17th.

Formerly residences for wealthy Parisians in the 19th century, the street is filled with magnificent mansions. The architecture makes references to medieval, Renaissance,18th century styles while using contemporary materials like ceramic, bricks and terra-cotta. A too well-kept secret in Paris. Have you been? I had a brief flirtation with going hedhead like my dad, after visiting ROUX! but got some carrots instead. Thanks for reading and sharing Parisbreakfasts. Subscription letters 💌, maps and watercolors are in my Etsy shop. With love💋 from Paris🐻