Steve McCurry‘s photos are seen in some of the world’s finest publications. To celebrate the 2012 edition of In Love With Magnum 2012, the photographer will be holding an exhibition in the salons of La Belle Juliette, and you can even come down and meet him in person…

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

We love photography (as well you know by now!), so we’re obviously very honoured to be able to welcome Steve McCurry to La Belle Juliette.

The exhibition of his photos will run from 9th – 20th February 2012 in the salons of the hotel, and Steve will be there in person to sign his latest publication on Saturday 11th February, starting from 7pm, just after the one-day photo studio we told you all about here. Book your portrait session now!

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

The Steve McCurry exhibition is at La Belle Juliette (here) from 9th – 20th February 2012. The signing session is on Saturday 11th February, starting from 7pm.

Official hotel site: www.labellejuliette.com

Steve McCurry’s website: www.stevemccurry.com

Steve McCurry’s blog, packed full of lovely photos: http://stevemccurry.wordpress.com

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

Inspired by Atget to document the profound change happening to her favourite city (New York), Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) was also Man Ray’s assistant during her time in Paris.

Her photos show a fascinating period in the history of the United States; the architecture of a burgeoning industrial power, the Depression, followed by the country’s search for modernism and its lack of respect for the past. This exhibition show both the diversity and unity of her work.

Triborough Bridge © Berenice Abbott / Commerce Graphics Ltd. Inc.

You’ll be able to view portraits from the start of her career (Marcel Duchamp, Eugène Atget, Man Ray, Cocteau, James Joyce, Sylvia Beach, Gide, Foujita, Max Ernst, Marie Laurencin…), her famous Changing New York project, a photo project dating from 1954 based around Route 1, some elements of which are being shown for the first time, and more conceptual work, commissioned to illustrate the laws of physics.

New York Stock Exchange © Berenice Abbott / Commerce Graphics Ltd. Inc.

A catalogue is also being published to coincide with the exhibition (240 pages, 150 photos, 35€).The Berenice Abbott exhibition is at the Jeu de Paume (here) from 21st February – 29th April 2012

Open Tuesday from midday – 9pm, Wednesday – Friday from midday to 7pm, and weekends from 10am – 7pm. Closed Monday

Admission: 8.50€ / 5.50€

Official site: www.jeudepaume.org

Facebook page (in French): here

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeudepaumeparis

Jean Cocteau with a revolver © Berenice Abbott / Commerce Graphics Ltd. Inc.

Follow us, if you will, down to the underground to see the real rebels, a world of leather jackets, insanely-thick belt buckles and customised jeans. John Waters is a fan, and should you be…It’s the end of the 1950s. Karlheinz Weinberger (1921-2006) starts taking photos in an undergoudn gay club in Zurich before moving on to follow another subculture; some of the Swiss youth have started creating a rebel look based on their love of Marlon Brando, James Dean and rock ‘n’ roll, only here they don’t just like it, they write their idols’ names on their jeans, stick their photos to their oversized belts, and – above all – take an awful lot of time with their hairdos and accessories.Managing to snap these kids meant being part of their lifestyle, following them around regularly and earning their trust. A lot of dedication and time was needed.

Karlheinz Weinberger’s document of a burgeoning counter-culture is now appreciated not only for its historical importance but also its artistic value. John Waters evangelises for it (here), met the artist back in the day, bought some of his photos and has even written a foreword for a recent book of Weinberger’s work. That’s recommendation enough for us.

Show us what a rebel you can be, and go and see the exhibition!The exhibition of Karlheinz Weinberger’s « The Rebels » is at the Galerie Esther Woerdehoff (here) from 11th February – 17th March 2012

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 2-6pm. Free

Opening party and cocktail Friday 10th February 2012, from 6-10pm – and you’re invited!

Official site: www.ewgalerie.com

Facebook page (mostly in French): here

You can buy books of Karlheinz Weinberger’s photos here.

Click the photo to read the accompanying text and see more work from Cécile Henryon.

After numerous requests from guests, and comforted by the success of our brunch, the staff of the Talma decided to extend service to include evening meals.

Since the restaurant opened, the chef has always used only the freshest produce, and we’re proud that everything is made on-site, including all the savoury and sweet sauces (whereas many restaurant use preparations made by others). It’s exactly for this reason that the menu for the Talma has a reduced list of dishes.

Our specially-chosen suppliers are also a guarantee of the quality of the products we use. Qualitalia, for example, is a family business with numerous delicious products on offer. Their Buffalo mozzarella is absolutely delicious, made in the traditional fashion using buffalo milk (yes, buffalo milk), making it super creamy…Each day there’s vegetable soup served with a scoop of truffle-infused goat’s cheese. We were lucky enough to taste the creamy pumpkin soup and the creamy pea soup. Both were thick and obviously made from fresh vegetables.Some of our regulars are particularly fond of the salmon farfalles with dill, and understandably so. The smell of the fresh dill mixed with the cream and organic salmon is divine. We didn’t even feel the need to add parmesan cheese.
The perfectly cooked lasagna has a different filling each day, depending on the chef’s choice (Bolognese, vegetable…). Our guests loved the  Bolognese lasagna served during our test dinner.
The daily pasta dish lets you discover the numerous different ways of serving pasta, and the difference a real tomato sauce makes! Don’t expect an arrabbiata sauce though – ours was so traditional and spicy that we had to take it off the menu (our preferred option, rather than serving you something weedily spicy. Bah!)The risotto also changes every day, but our favourite is the one with boletus mushrooms and Colonnata bacon, both creamy and strong-tasting.The baked egg is also served in a different style each day. Ours was creamy and had some lovely gorgonzola in it…. Yummmm…Our guests initially though that the Osso bucco was slightly lacking in salt when they tasted it, but after adding a little extra themselves they were convinced of its worth… and the polenta patty was an instant success We weren’t able to resist tasting the plate of Italian cheeses served with a glass of 2009 Gigondas Santa Roc… fantastique ! The Talma has a rather nice selection of wines that many come just to taste. Kampaï, two brothers well known in Paris for their knowledge of wines, have helped our bar staff build the wine menu. Here’s the wine menu to give you an idea of what’s on offer.The dessert trolley also proved to seductive to leave aside, with its selection of desserts made by the chef. Some of the cakes on offer whisk us back to our childhood, as is we were watching grandma bake simple but delicious fare in record time, ready for an afternoon snack. The caramelised apple tart, the red fruit pannacota… we could eat these all day The citrus fruit cake has had faithful followers since the day we opened the Talma. It’s rich with butter and soaked in an orange syrup. Refreshing and delicious.This particular evening, we tasted all of the desserts in the trolley… wow! You see that chocolate cake? Ten length of an Olympic pool to work it off! And the tarte Tatin? 1 hour’s cycling!Our barman wouldn’t let us leave without tasting the lastest additions to the cocktail menu. And so it was, with heavy heart, that we were obliged to try the Agrume, perfect for finishing off a meal, and the rue du Mont Blanc, very rich but with a taste of rose that leaves you wanting more!If we say that love spending time at the Talma, you may well rpely that we’re not the most objective of diners, but it’s true – the restaurant is a place where you feel at ease and looked after, with delicious food on offer. Just sink into one of our extra comfy sofas and you’ll see what we mean. With both light dishes and satisfying full meals, the  Talma has something to please everyone.

Lunch is served weekdays from midday – 2.30pm

Dinner is served Monday – Saturday from 7.30-10pm

Afternoon tea is served every day from 3-6pm

The Brunch is served in tow sittings on Saturdays and Sunday, at 11am and 1pm (and we really recommend you book ahead, as the Italian-style brunch has been met with immediate success)

Le Talma at La Belle Juliette, 92 rue du Cherche Midi, 75006 Paris (Google Map here)

To book: +33 (0)1 42 22 53 00 or talma@labellejuliette.com

The Fork has a special offer for Talma at the moment: -30 % off the menu (fixed or à la carte) and even drinks! To take advantage of this offer, bookings must be made here.

As you know, we love photography (and photographers!) at HPRG.
So we are very honoured to be one of the partners of the photo event In Love with Magnum.

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

Valentine’s Day, 14th February, is a day for romance, the day to show your love. Each year, couples try their hardest to find that special present that will make their loved one happy.

For Valentine’s Day 2012 and the fourth edition of Magnum Days, Magnum Photos gives you the opportunity to offer a most original gift to your loved one, with an atypical, poetic, romantic, incredible, surprising trail to follow through the heart of Paris, the city of love!

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

One-day portrait studios
Saturday 11th February 2012, five famous photographers from the Magnum photo agency – Paolo Pellegrin, Steve McCurry, Christopher Anderson, Bruce Gilden, and one more to be announced – will be setting up their studios for just one day in five luxury hotels in Paris.

During that day, they’ll invite couples into their world to create an unforgettable gift: a portrait together from a famous Magnum photographer.

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

The photo studios will be open from 10am – 7pm, and sessions must be booked in advance here.

250€ for a signed A4 portrait
400€ for a signed A3 portrait

Each couple photographed in a hotel can take part in a draw to spend the night of Valentine’s Day at La Belle Juliette, or the night of the 11th February in one of the other hotels taking part in the operation.

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

Steve McCurry at La Belle Juliette
Do you remember his photo of a young Afghan girl with incredible, intense eyes? Or his hyper-colourful photos of India?

We are very excited to be able to welcome Steve McCurry to La Belle Juliette, and wanted to make his presence felt for more than just one day. So, an exhibition of his work will be held at the hotel from 9th-20th February 2012. Steve McCurry will also be signing his latest book at La Belle Juliette, on 11th February starting from 7pm.

An event with a heart
This special edition of the Magnum Days, based on the theme of couples and love, coincides with the 20th anniversary of AIDS charity Solidarité Sida. 20% of profits will be donated to the charity.

photo : Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos

French-speakers can have a look at the full press release below. Click the first button bottom left to go into fullscreen mode, or simply click here.

If you thought Paris was just a sleepy city of beautiful architecture and dusty museums, you’re in for a shock. This bi-annual event is a mecca for cosplay fans, and your chance to meet Dave Prowse (the actor in the Darth Vador suit), sing some crazy karaoke, get your favourite manga signed by the author and generally have a pretty crazy day!

photo de Yves Tennevin utilisée sous licence cc

You may never have seen anything like it, so get ready for the 13th edition of Paris Manga, a mix of video games, J-pop, collectable figurines and goodies, actors from science fictions films and TV series, Japanese mangas, concerts, a zest of steampunk, a whiff of gothic and quite a few surprises in between.If you’ve never see cosplay before, you’ll either find it highly amusing or completely ridiculous, but much effort is made by those taking part, so be careful who you laugh at; some of them have unfeasibly large swords/guns…

The show attracts around 70,000 people for each edition, and with 240 stalls to check out, you’re sure to find something out of the ordinary to take home!

The Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show is on 4th & 5th February 2012 at the Porte de Versailles (here)

Open from 10.30am – 7pm (opens an hour early for those with pre-paid tickets)

Admission: 10€ / free for under 6 year-olds

Official site: www.parismanga.fr

Facebook: here

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ParisManga (but there hasn’t been a single tweet in the past three months!)

photo de DJ Ph utilisée sous licence cc

The bilingual press release is below. Click the first button bottom left to go into fullscreen mode, or simply click here.

Around a original 1930s Pleyel pian, lovingly restored for La Belle Juliette, Eric Ferrand-N’Kaoua plays and talks about a piece of music or a musical theme, encouraging you to take part in an hour’s conversation……

There’s a free glass of champagne at the end of the concert too. Click the image to send an e-mail and reserve your seat! Click an image to send an e-mail and book your seat!

L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé. A consommer avec modération

We mentioned this unusual event a few days back, and we knew that the building was worth seeing alone (as it’s generally closed to the public), but nothing had prepared us for the sights on offer, including genuinely spectacular architecture and the kitschest exhibition we’ve seen for quite a while…(photos: JasonW, except where noted)Before we begin, a little history lesson is in order. The building is one of the masterpieces of architect August Perret and dates from the 1930s. Perret had already asserted himself as the master of refined construction in – of all things – reinforced concrete, as the stunning Théâtre des Champs-Élysées had proved. Paritcular care was taken over the classically-inspired forms and even the colour of the concrete used.

The building initially housed the Musée national des Travaux publics (the public works museum), but visitors dwindled over the years, and it closed in 1955. Now listed as a historical monument, it is currently the headquarters of government body Conseil Economique, Social et Environnemental which occasionally rents out the space for exhibitions and fashion shows.

The official photo gallery shows what the place is like on a normal day, with the entrance hall (and it’s amazing suspended staircase), the hypostyle room and the hemicycle. These lovely photos are by photographer Benoît Fougeirol.WWII stopped construction of the building, and Perret’s original plans were modified for one of the sides of the building, and the rear façade (which was only finished in 1995). However the interior is mindblowing nonetheless, and seeing it is a rare pleasure.

Which is why – through drizzle, and one a Vélib rentabike – we cycled across town to the Palais d’Iéna for the Francesco Vezzoli 24-hour exhibition. We were greeted by a festival of kitsch, with pink neon more or less everywhere, brightening up the greyish concrete, and hot pink vinyl curtains serving as a backdrop to the monumental staircase…The entrance hall is impressively long and high, with a few art déco details (wood, lighting) to soften what could otherwise had been a rather cold space.To one end of this, an area had been transformed into a makeshift disco for the VIPs who attended the previous night’s posh dinner. The installations by Vezzoli were still there, cold as marble (!) under a huge mirrorball…Looking at this short film of the evening, it looks like the guests – including a few famous faces – enjoyed themselves…

BUt it’s in the hypostyle room that most of the exhibition is housed; large photo of statues have been given silver edges and illuminated from inside. Rows of pink neon lights line both walls behind metal grills, and there’s the faint tinkling of some ambient music in the background. Very strange indeed.Et l’escalier principal arbore un espèce d’ange avec des panneaux ‘like’ pour cacher les parties privées, une référence à la page Facebook de l’événement, certainement.We were really pleased to have been able to discover this building. French-speakers might like to keep an eye on the ‘events at the Palais d’Iéna‘ page to find out when they can next get inside. It may be for the next Open House weekend in September, or during the FIAC art fair in October.

The Palais d’Iéna is here.

To check out all our photos, click the play button on the slideshow below, followed by the four little arrows bottom right to go into fullscreen mode.

Dutch photographer / filmmaker Martijn Berk contacted us to ask if he could make a little film at the Grands Hommes, and as we’re really nice and like to help out with creative projects, we said yes!

Here are a few photos from the shoot, the film itself, and more…As Martijn explains on hiw webstie, his work often centres on feelings of desire, the wish to find the perfect something/somebody that you are looking for.

He preferes models with a natural look, using as little make-up as possible (and sometimes none at all). Here’s his film « La Voix » (The Voice), filmed at the Hôtel des Grands Hommes, with subtitles taken from an opera by Jean Cocteau, « La voix humaine« . Click the four little arrows bottom right to watch in fullscreen (and choose HD for the full beauty of it).

Director: Martijn Berk. Styling: Dick Meertens. Model: Victor Leclerc @ MGM Paris. Make-up: Blanche Albera @ A Make Up Paris.

And it looks like Martijn made another film that day, « La croisée »; the same model, wearing the same clothes, can be seen in the street just near the Hôtel des Grands Hommes with the Panthéon not far behind…

Here are a few more photos taken during filming.We’re always open to serious propositions for films or photos in our hotels, so feel free to contact us if you’re a creative type.

Official site: www.martijnberk.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/martijn.berk

More films by Martijn Berk : here

More photos of Victor Leclerc: here and here