Inspiring Places to Visit If You Are an Art Buff (Part 1)

         There are cities that are ideal for recreation, luxurious dinners or even wild partying. Art is an oasis for the passionate and the sensitive ones. Of course, art and history are like soul mates so a city without history cannot be considered a centre of the fine art. So, arm yourself with critical thinking and let’s walk down the path of inspiration.

           Our first stop in our tour is the city of light, Paris. The dwelling of painting, architecture and literature can magnetize you, to the point that you believe you belong there. The masterfully designed and built structures appear out of the blue all over town and make you crave for more. Paris is not at all a rude lady (since Paris is a refined lady for me), so it gives you the stimulating experience that you want quite lavishly.

   The majority of the museums aid you to connect with your inner artist without even acknowledging it. The Louvre, hosted in a stunning 17^th century palace, is the most renowned museum in Paris and it encompasses art from various periods and nations.  Its hosts statues and sculptures from Mediterranean (including Greek pieces like Venus de Milo) and Eastern civilizations. The art gallery’s stars are Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa with her mystic smile (as Nat King Cole portrayed her) and Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People which encapsulate the notions of feminine ambiguity and independence of mind and expression respectively.

              Furthermore, Picasso’s museum, in one of the most historic buildings in Marais district, houses more than 3000 works of arts. His versatile talent included different types of art such as drawings, ceramics, sculptures in metal or wood and of course his marvellous paintings. The Musée National d'Art Moderne, second only to MOMA in New York, grasps the essence of the modern art. Paris became the refuge abode of the artists during the 20^th century due to the momentous events of the World War I and II.  Prevailing Spanish, French and American representatives of art movements such as Cubism, Expressionism, Fauvism and Surrealism inundate the walls of the museum.

               However, art is not only sheltered in museums and galleries but it is free roaming the streets of Paris in my beloved petit restaurants and secretive jazz clubs. I would highly recommend to all the gourmands the restaurant ‘’Les Bougresses’’ in the Rue de Jarente which is a precious little diamond with the proper antique decoration and exquisite tastes and flavours. After the splendid dinner, I propose a little music meaning one of the numerous jazz little spots. My first choice would be the Baiser Salé ( founded in 1983) in the rue de Lombards which is a place with an enchanting piano and an impressive band but also a screen that shows recordings of many legends of the jazz history. Talking about entertaining self-education here…

             

        At the end of the day, I hope that all you potential visitors find your own unique cosy corners for you and not just be dazed and blinded by the touristic spots of the city. Even the street performances of ethnic and jazz music are moments that you will remember for a long time. This wonderland is full of  amazing places (appropriate for every desire and every pocket ) ready to be explored…

                           

 Alors, Bonne Chance and Bon Appétit mes chers …