What an unexpected and delightful surprise! 59 Rivoli is an artist paradise where artwork is…read moredisplayed ceiling to floor up the spiraling staircase. Each staircase to the next floor has a different theme and artist. Each floor features the studio of an aspiring French artist at work which you can stop, discuss, and see their work. It is a cool place and should be added to your list of places to visit when in Paris. Located a few blocks from Notre Dame, admission is free!

Very unique experience consisting of multiple stories of floor to ceiling artwork. I don't believe…read morethere is an elevator/lift for those who need it, but the spiraling staircase is incredible and fully painted with different themes on each floor. There are many different resident artists there that have small sections of each floor where they work and sell their art. There is such a wide ranging variety of mediums, styles, and art around every corner, there is sure to be something you'll like! Also, its free to enter and walk around! You can buy art from artists if you'd like but there is no pressure to buy anything. Overall great experience!

A cross between a cultural lounge, sports arena, dance studio and day-care center, the 104 rocks…read more(especially if you've got kids in Paris and are looking for a cool place to let them run around while you soak up the scenery). After a lackluster opening a couple of years back, the 104 has finally come into its own and is bursting at the seems with coolitude. On a recent visit we did the follow incongruous but totally awesome things: - Watched a slew of hip hoppers practice their break dancing in the central atrium - Drink coffee that we ordered from a stationary pizza truck - Take videos of ourselves running around like fools without giving a hoot - Walk through a maze of ribbons - Hang out in a day care center with a dozen or so other parents while watching our kid run and play in a totally safe space. Might I add that all of this was FREE! Yes, they have paid exhibitions at the space too, but honestly you could make an afternoon out of 104 without spending a dime. This is the type of place that makes you fall in love with France all over again.

Great artistic, cultural center…read more Go for the bookstore, go for the restaurant, fo for the exhibition (I attended Serge Bloch's), go to watch people dancing, juggle, perform. Just go. You are guaranteed an absolutely fantastic time!

Came to Le Grand Palais for the first time to see the Picasso Exhibit. We had purchased tickets…read moreahead of time, along w/ the audio tour, & their ticketing system is great! You receive a mobile ticket which ensures no loss of paper - and with their free wifi inside the museum, it's easy to produce your entry pass The museum itself is lovely in setup an very easy to get around - nice signage and the rooms are very easy to maneuver And their cafe is awesome - lattes are strong and evenly balanced and their croissants are on par with my alltime favorites, Eric Kayser. They were tender, flaky and fresh as could be - do not pass up the cafe!! The exhibit was interesting in that it did not really showcase works by Picasso but of the variety of artists who were influenced by Picasso. Interesting indeed Would look very forward to another exhibit during our next visit in the City of Lights

Entry into the Grand Palais is free of charge and when you see the building's exterior you'll…read moreimmediately decide that you must go inside. It's stunning, though you'll soon realize that the part you most wanted to see - the glass enclosed space - might not be open to you. Visiting in May, the glass-domed space was locked tight, opened only for special shows and events. I've looked at the calendar now, in June, and see that they open it for many summer activities and were I there now I'd certainly try to get tickets for one of those events. Otherwise? This is still a worthy investment of time, not just to look around and peer into the glass-domed space, but to view the exhibits (individually priced, tickets available at the door). I noticed 3 special exhibits during my visit and paid for entry to 2 (Matisse and Nan Golden). Based on this experience, I'd recommend paying for entry to the exhibits of artists you're least familiar with under the assumption that they'll be less crowded. The Matissse exhibit was crowded enough to render the experience almost unpleasant. The Nan Golden show? Perfect. Though I'd recommend paying to see some exhibits, even if all you do is enter to walk around and explore the space you'll be nicely rewarded. The Grand Palais has some pleasant, quiet seating areas inside and the space is lovely.

I went here for the first time yesterday to take a barre class. The instructor, as I understand…read moreit, was an American girl who was covering for a regular teacher. She was absolutely excellent. I will certainly return again soon, I just hope the instructor at that time will be just as good.

From the owner: Imaginez un lieu totalement tourné vers la vie, l'émotion, la beauté…read more.. Imaginez une maison qui vit, qui parle, qui entend, qui voit... Imaginez une petite planète de rêves... Imaginez un animal libre et sauvage en plein Paris... Eléphant Paname, c'est 500 m² d'espaces prestigieux qui accueillent des expositions, des installations, des performances, des privatisations, des défilés, des conférences, des concerts, des spectacles... Eléphant Paname confronte les oeuvres de référence et les talents inédits. Il relie les époques et les disciplines, il est indiscipline. Un tel ballet d'oeuvres et d'esprits dans un palais en habit Napoléon III, c'est un cadeau ! Eléphant Paname, c'est aussi 500 m2 de studios remarquablement équipés, destinés aux compagnies et cours de danse, aux chorégraphes, acteurs, metteurs en scène, directeurs de casting, musiciens... Eléphant Paname, c'est enfin un restaurant. Totalement indépendant, libre comme l'art, Eléphant Paname est une maison de famille avec une âme, un esprit, une philosophie.

From the owner: Nos objectifs : -…read moreAssurer un programme d'expositions internationales de qualité. - Contribuer aux grands débats autour de la société civile, l'économie sociale, les fondations, l'Europe et la culture en assurant un programme de conférences d'excellence. - Soutenir la diffusion de la langue portugaise en France et dans le monde, en assurant l'importance des fonds de sa Bibliothèque et en proposant un programme de conférences et débats.

From the owner: La culture tchèque à l'honneur Situé au coeur de Saint-Germain des Près, le Centre Tchèque est un…read morelieu de culture unique en son genre. Cet endroit organise toutes sortes de manifestations liées à la culture Tchèque : expositions, concerts, lectures et projections. Véritable pont entre les cultures tchèque et française, dans un esprit européen.

Lovely early jazzy evening Friday at the Swedish Club....the fabulous Thomas just playing the piano…read moreand a very nice choice from 3 things for a light meal...chose the salmon on a bed of fennel with a mustard sauce...excellent. And a little rouge. A couple of hours music, food and meeting people not seen since before the summer...very pleasant

It's a cool place. There's a classy vibe. I was brought with my good American friend who is a…read morepermanent French resident. The music was not always top class though. Pretty jaded at times. Could do with an injection of energy. Food isn't very good, but the bar is to die for. And I found the woman at the front of house to be pretty rude.

You have a laptop, you need to work, and you're sick of doing it at home or in a cafe where they…read morekick you out when the lunch crowd rolls in? If you're a mobile professional in Paris then you're probably shaking your head frantically right now because you and I know how hard it is to find a cool, productive spot with good WIFI in this city! La Cantine is one of the few work share spaces in Paris that is open to all, comfortable, quiet, centrally located and reasonably priced. Opened mon-friday from 8am to 11pm, you can swing on by with your laptop and power cord, grab a seat and get to work! Even on busy days there's always room to squeeze in. The atmosphere has a college campus feel to it with just enough going on around to make you feel part of a community, but with the quiet at calm to keep you focused on work. There's also a little cafe corner with cheap coffee and snacks to keep you alert and satiated. Prices: 7E for a half-day and 10E for a whole day with monthly plans available on request.

I went there first time for the WordCamp event last May. What can I say? LaCantine is the place…read morewhere every geek should go, you'll have the chance to attend to very interesting conferences and you'll meet very brilliant and passionates people who share the same interests than you!