Spotlight on: Paris, France

As the second edition of Paris+ au Art Basel has drawn to a close, and the doors of Paris Photo 2023 opening, this month we are shining our spotlight on Paris. Recent gallery openings including Modern Art and Hauser & Wirth highlight a clear shift in focus to Paris. Alongside Paris+, Asia Now put on an a sprawling fair at the Monnaie de Paris, and the many galleries opening shows in the week leading up to the fairs added to a mood of renewed energy and intent to the city.

Highlights include Hauser & Wirth’s inaugural Paris offering – Henry Taylor, From Sugar to Shit – this must see exhibition is on show until the 7th January 2024. Taylor’s work focusses on relationships and how they impact our lives. Although there are many paintings of people present in this exhibition, Taylor rejects the label of a portraitist. Found material sculptures compliment the exhibition. See below:

The blockbuster Mark Rothko show at Fondation Louis Vuitton is also required viewing: don’t let the crowds of people put you off! Though the first room felt busy, as you go through the exhibition the crowd thins, and you can lose yourself to silent contemplation of these epic works, forgetting the hoards of people around you. The exhibition displays an extensive selection of Rothko’s work in chronological order and is curated by his son, Christopher Rothko, and Suzanne Pagé. See below:

David Zwirner’s space is based in the vibrant Marais quarter, filled with quaint coffee shops, independent stores and more well known, chic establishments such as Ganni and Weekday. Other galleries with spaces in this area include Perrotin, Xippas, Galerie Thadeus Ropac and Galerie Frank Elbaz – worth a visit to see the space alone. This area has a wide range of delicious places to eat and is well worth an afternoon’s wander.

Places to eat: HolyBelly, (for breakfast) 5 Rue Lucien Sampaix, Angelina (for hot chocolate) 226 Rue de Rivoli, Galeries Lafayette Foodhall (for a little bit of everything) 60 Av. des Champs-Élysées Galeries Lafayette.

Best Macarons: Pierre Herme,133 Av. des Champs-Élysées. Laduree 75 Avenue des Champs Elysées.

Places to stay: Hotel Les Deux Gares, 2, rue des Deux Gares – a chic stay located next to the Gare du Nord. MotelOne, 295 Av. Daumesnil – a bit out of the way but reliable, clean and quiet despite being next to many roads. Affordable and connected with easy underground access.

Art destinations: Fondation Cartier, 261 Bd Raspail. Fondation Louis Vuitton, 8 Av. du Mahatma Gandhi (take the shuttle bus from next to the Arc de Triomphe – Every 20 min (depending on opening hours) exit n.2 Charles de Gaulle Etoile Station- 44 avenue de Friedland). Musee Rodin, 77 Rue de Varenne. The Centre Pompidou, Place Georges-Pompidou.

Languages: French is the main language but as the capital city many Parisians speak some English.

Travel: The Eurostar from St Pancras International, London is direct to the Gare Du Nord station in Paris. Flying is also an easy option but factor in transport from Charles de Gaulle airport in to central Paris.