The man who started our photo project Photo d’Hôtel, Photo d’Auteur (also known as PHPA – or in English, A Hotel Photo, An Artist’s view) tells French photo website www.photographie.com exactly what’s rockin’ his boat at the moment…

photo: JasonW

In two minutes (if you’ll forgive a few Google Translate moments of hilarity-slash-puzzlement), you’ll be able to find out what’s floating the boat (photo-wise) of HPRG general manager Alain Bisotti at the moment, including;

- an exhibition,
- a festival,
- a book,
- two photographers (some light nudity in the second link),
- a website,
- the best photo bookshop in all of Paris,
- PHPA at Art Paris,
- and a scoop!…

Click on the links above, or click – here for the automated Google Translate version in English, and find out why Monsieur Bisotti picked what he picked!

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

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.

How do you fancy a couples massage, a limited edition cocktail or an aphrodisiac dessert? Or perhaps all three? And why not a romantic night in a room specially prepared for a night of love?

All these offers are yours to take advantage of throughout February, not just on the 14th. Don’t forget to book ahead though! Here are all the details…

Of course, you don’t have to be a guest at La Belle Juliette to take advantage of the Valentine’s Day offers. Just remember to book a little in advance…

And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day in Paris!

Valentine’s Day 2012 lasts all of February at La Belle Juliette (here)

To book your couples massage, click here or call +33 (0)1 42 22 99 23

To book your table and taste our special dessert or our limited edition cocktail, click here or call +33 (0)1 42 22 97 40

To book your romantic night at the hotel, click here or call +33 (0)1 42 22 97 40

Fifty venerable organisations – libraries, archives, museums – have got together to form ‘the commons‘, an rights-free image bank packed full of interesting stuff.

For example, the photos of Paris are fascinating, with parts of the city that have completely changed…

Paris Exposition: moving sidewalk, Paris, France, 1900. Moving Sidewalk Panorama Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_014 image 9893).

We think you really should go and check out the picture of Paris on Flickr, not those taken by today’s visitors, but shots from a century ago or more.

Paris has seen a lot of grand buildings that were later destroyed, especially those that feel after the universal expositions, but the city has also retained a number of iconic monuments that look today much as they did in the early 1900s. The city has nonetheless evolved, seen important events, been drastically remodelled by Baron Haussmann, been occupied by the Nazis, been rocked by riots…

The photos of the big expositions are impressive, especially when you know that not much of their huge constructions remains apart from the Eiffel Tower, le Pont Alexandre III bridge, the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais. In some photos, it’s hard to believe that one is in Paris at all…

Paris Exposition: Champ de Mars and Eiffel Tower, Paris, France, 1900. General view of the Chateau de Mars taken from the Chateau d'Eau; Eiffel Tower prominent in view.. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_015 image 9900).

Paris Exposition: Cambodian Pavilion, Paris, France, 1900. Palace of Cambodia. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_015 image 1934).

Paris Exposition: Russian Pavilion, Paris, France, 1900. The National Pavilion of Russia. It is within the Trocadero Gardens Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_014 image 1554).

Paris Exposition: Italian Pavilion, Paris, France, 1900. The Pavilion of Italy located on the Eastern portion of the Quai des Nations. Royal Italian Pavilion. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_014 image 1525).

Paris Exposition: Giralda Tower of Seville, Paris, France, 1900. The Giralda Tower of Seville in the distance. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_015 image 1983).

Paris Exposition: Palace of Electricity, Paris, France, 1900. Interior of the Palais de l'Electricite. Machinery Building. Paris Exposition. Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_014 image 1536).

Paris Exposition: Swedish Pavilion, Paris, France, 1900. The Pavilion of Sweden located on the western portion of the Quai des Nations Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_014 image 1555).

Paris Exposition: Vieux Paris (Old Paris), Paris, France, 1900. Vieux Paris: restoration of Old Paris Brooklyn Museum Archives, Goodyear Archival Collection (S03_06_01_015 image 2114).

Other photos show everyday, yet extraordinary, events…

Paris -- German Shop smashed by mob , between ca. 1910 and ca. 1915

Paris Fashions, 1912 1912 (date created or published later by Bain)

Barricade at Paris gate, between ca. 1910 and ca. 1915

Taking Taxi from hole in Paris street, between ca. 1910 and ca. 1915

Paris -- Newsboys waiting for "Extras" , between ca. 1910 and ca. 1915

You’ll bump into some celebrities too, like the Statue of Liberty, Salvador Dalí and the sculpture prepared for Oscar Wilde‘s grave, which is still in place today in Père Lachaise and has just been restored…

Digital ID: 1161043. View of the external area of the workshop in Paris, showing construction materials, the head of the Statue of Liberty, and a group of men gathered in front of the left foot of the statue. Fernique, Albert - Photographer. 1883

Portrait of Salvador Dali, Paris. Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964, photographer. 1934 June 16

Monument of Oscar Wilde, between ca. 1910 and ca. 1915

And the area around our hotels is also well represented, with the Hôtel de Cluny (Cluny Museum) covered in lush ivy that is gone today, the Medici fountain in the Luxembourg Garden almost unchanged, and the Pantheon. But hey! What’s that on the right-hand side of the photo? Gosh, it’s the Hôtel du Panthéon! How amusing!

Paris - Hôtel de Cluny L. P. Giraudon (French, established 1877-present). Photograph date: ca. 1877-ca. 1895 Building Date: 1163-1345. Collection: A. D. White Architectural Photographs, Cornell University Library

Paris. Medici Fountain, Gardens of the Palais du Luxembourg. Architect: Salomon de Brosse (French, 1571-1626) Photographer: Bisson Freres (French, 1841-1862) Photograph date: 1857 Garden date: 1611-1629. Collection: A. D. White Architectural Photographs, Cornell University Library

Paris. Panthéon. Architect: Jacques-Germain Soufflot (French, 1713-1780) Photographer: Bisson Freres (French, 1841-1862). Photograph date: 1858 Building Date: 1757-1790. Collection: A. D. White Architectural Photographs, Cornell University Library

There are almost 900 photos to see in all, and wading through them is a wonderful way to see life as it was here 100 years ago. Click the ‘play’ button on the slideshow below, followed by the four arrows bottom right, and travel back in time!

The Commons is here on Flickr.

In the Palais d’Iéna, usually closed to the public, eccentric (genius?) Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli is collaborating with Prada and Remi Koolhaas to create a hyped-up event – an ephemeral museum that will only be open for 24 hours, in a city where many of the museums have been in place for hundreds of years…The Palais d’Iéna, a beautiful 30s building by venerable architect Auguste Perret has probably never seen the like before; currently the head office of the stuffy Conseil Économique, Social et Environnemental, for 24 hours it will turned into something resembling « a brothel in Las Vegas« . Very intriguing!So what’s on offer? Apparently, strange statues, a Twitter conversation between Vezzoli and « a star bigger than Lady Gaga » (who knows what that means) and apparently the artists incites you to steal an exhibit and/or make love in the place. How very decadent.For those who can’t be there in person, there’s a Facebook application that allows you to create a slightly odd portrait for the official site and share it on your favourite social networks. Hmmm.

Anyway, the event is sufficiently out of the ordinary to warrant checking it out if you’re in town, and the building itself looks amazing, so don’t miss it!

24 hours museum is at the Palais d’Iéna (here)

Open to the public on Wednesday 25th January 2012 from 7am – midday, and 2-4.30pm

Official site: www.24hoursmuseum.com

Facebook page: ici

Facebook app: ici

Twitter to follow on the day: www.twitter.com/24hoursmuseum

To celebrate the new year, we managed to get the entire reception staff from all our hotels together (no mean feat) for a celebration at La Belle Juliette.

Their special treat? A mini harp concert with Claire Galo-Place, some virtuose piano from Eric Ferrand-N’Kaoua, some delicious grub to follow up and a glass of champagne, our way of saying thanks for all their hard work during the year…

photos: JasonW

It’s a rare sight indeed to see all those faces all together in the same place! The reception staff from our hotels organised things so they could all come to a concert thrown in their honour as a little New Year’s ‘thank you’ from us. We couldn’t resist taking a photo of them all, hotel by hotel.

The Hôtel du PanthéonThe Jardin de l’OdéonThe Hôtel des Grands HommesThe Hôtel Design Sorbonne…and of course, Hôtel La Belle JulietteAfter mini-concerts from Claire Galo-Place (harp) and Eric Ferrand-N’Kaoua (piano), both of whom play regular concerts at La Belle Juliette – so look out for them – the teams dug into the savoury and sugary treats prepared (with love) and presented by our chef Agnès.The desserts smelled and tastes absolutely delicious (they are all made in our kitchens) and the plates were very quickly emptied, as were the glasses of champagne!

It was good for everyone to see what afternoon tea looks like at La Belle Juliette. It’s served every weekday and is absolutely scrumptious.If you want to check out all our photos of the event, click the ‘play’ button on the slideshow below, then click the four little arrows bottom right to go into fullscreen mode (otherwise you’ll be squinting to see!).

Thanks again to all the reception staff at our hotels

For this first rendezvous of the year, we offer you a concert-voyage, a landscape-concert… We’ll be crossing the seas with works by sailor-composers such as Jean Cras and Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as maritime works such as “En bateau” by Debussy.

The music will transport us to Mediterranean shores: Spain as celebrated by French composers, Italy and its famous operas, Greece with a mythological tale revisited by Glück, and – naturally – a French melody by Fauré to finish our voyage.

Seats: 18 euros, with a free glass of champagne after the concert.

Click the image to send an e-mail to book, or call +33 (0)1 42 22 97 40.