A walk in the 16th district, from the Musée Marmottan to Daroco!

The Musée Marmottan-Monet is famous for its very important collection of impressionist works by Monet, of course, but also by Berthe Morisot. For its reopening, it extends its exhibition devoted to Cézanne, often considered to be one of the major figures forerunning the 20th century’s modernity. It takes a new slant focusing on the painter from Aix en Provence’s relationship with Italy. Despite never actually going to Italy, he was nevertheless attracted and greatly influenced by the old Venetian masters, such as Tintoretto, Bassano and even El Greco. Thus, he studied the former’s dynamic and diagonal compositions, and he took the latter’s slender grace that is obvious in La Femme à l'hermine. The first part of the exhibition reveals the important influence of Latin culture on his work thanks to exceptional loans of masterpieces from private collections, while the second part examines Cézanne’s influence in turn on early 20th century Italian artists such as Boccioni or Morandi not mentionning the Novecento painters. Why not compare Cézanne’s Bathers with those by Morandi or Fausto Pirandello! And let’s contemplate Morandi’still lifes and Cézanne’s ones to notice the same process of abstract and nevertheless sensual simplification. An exhibition with an original approach and a very worthwhile outing! 

Then, why not relax in the same district, near the Seine and the new Beaugrenelle mall, where a Galeries Lafayette branch has just opened? Facing the emblematic Radio France building, Daroco replaces the Zebra Square and has opened a second restaurant following the success of the first one near the Paris Stock Exchange. Although it is still difficult to enjoy the highly original decor of the bar inside -a fresco signed by Supakitch and Koralie-, you can sip delicious cocktails outside by the blue Klein facade, on the terrace respecting the latest sanitary distancing measures. A festive atmosphere to enjoy a Da Ginto, the restaurant’s signature cocktail, served -why not?- with focaccia and sardines marinated with grilled pistachios. Followed by a succulent veal chop or a simple Margherita pizza. Bonus - this new Milan-style trattoria serves food all day including on Sundays!