Metro Station of the Month: Cité (line 4)

The Metro station Cité on line 4 is for sure one of the most surprising metro stations in Paris. It has taken its name from the Ile de la Cité and is the only metro station on the island. The railway tunnel goes under the Seine and the platforms are located under the river: for that reason the station is very deep, more than 20 meters underground!

The depth of the station, its metallic structure, its never-ending stairs and its lighting with elegant globes give it a very special atmosphere one cannot find in any other metro station in Paris: a little strange, almost worrying! But do not be afraid and admire the beautiful architecture. And if you are not in really good shape, you can still take the elevator to get to the way out!

Back to earth: Notre Dame of course! But also the ‘Palais de Justice’, the ‘Sainte Chapelle’ and the lovely flower market. The metro entrance located next to it is the work of Hector Guimard and a beautiful example of the Art Nouveau.

Practical information : Website of the RATP

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr

Villa Flora: A Must-See Exhibition in Paris Until 7 February

The prestigious collection of paintings of the Swiss couple Arthur and Hedy Hahnloser is currently shown in the Musée Marmottan in Paris in a beautiful exhibition: Villa Flora, les temps enchantés. One can admire there 75 masterpieces, all by great artists, Impressionists, Nabis, Fauves,… It is in my opinion one of the top three exhibitions not to be missed in Paris this winter. It started last September and is still running until 7 February. If you have not seen it yet, go and visit it straight away: it is really amazing!

VIlla Flora-Musee Marmottan-Paris
VIlla Flora-Musee Marmottan-Paris

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Vivre pour l’Art, A Superb Intimist Exhibition in Paris

Until 14 February a small but beautiful exhibition is taking place in the Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent in Paris: ‘Vivre pour l’Art’, which can be translated by ‘the art of living for art’.

It is dedicated to two major figures of the Parisian fashion, two couturiers who both embodied the height of taste in their respective time: Jacques Doucet (1853-1929) and Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008). Both were also art discoverers and collectors and used to live in beautiful apartments surrounded by the works of art (paintings, furniture, and other decorative objects) they had bought: Jacques Doucet in Neuilly, 33 rue Saint James, and Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, 55 rue de Babylone.

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