Cranach At The Musée du Luxembourg
  • 12
  • Mar
  • 2011

If you are interested in old paintings, one exhibition not to be missed is the of Lucas Cranach. It is shown at the small and cosy Musée de Luxembourg. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance through internet or in a Fnac, otherwise you will need to queue for hours.

We loved the exhibition and the intention of it. The exhibition’s intention is a good one: to present Cranach’s work within an artistic and historical framework, exhibiting his  work side by side with that of certain of his contemporaries, most notably Albrecht Dürer, as well as providing some enlightening explanation about the roles played by the many historical figures Cranach painted.  It is clear and gives a nice idea of the art at that time. But I was most impressed with his nudes.

Here we can clearly see Cranach’s feminine ideal repeated over and over, most strikingly perhaps in the figure of Justice, an elegant figure, feline features, alabaster skin, the whole draped in an all but invisible gown of gossamer. Yes, she may be dripping with sensuality and her expression may be one of barefaced suggestiveness, but it’s alright because really she’s an allegory of Justice and she is wearing clothes !

Cranach at Musée du Luxembourg,,19 rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, tel; 01 40 13 62 00; M° Mabillon or Saint-Sulpice

Le Comptoir du Relais
  • 06
  • Mar
  • 2011

Last weekend we ate at Le comptoir and it was a real treat. They don’t take reservations, means or you queue or you eat rather early. We were seated between 18.30h and 19h.

The service was correct and friendly. We did choose from the menu on the blackboard. A wonderfull first course was a kind of soup from the south. As main course we took the rumsteak with vegetables. A little red wine made it a feast. The cheese platter was OK but not exceptional, but the dessert ( caramel with salt – icecream) was very very tasty. For this nice evening we did pay 128 Euro which is a fair price for the quality you get.

Next to Le comptoir you have the Avant Comptoir, a little bar to take a nice wine or apéritif and soms nibbles ( platter of freshly cut ham , njam ). They serve also sandwiches and pancakes. The sandwiches with ham and cheese are to die for. And the pancakes come with not so traditional ingredients. Next time we pass by, we will definitely jump in.

Le Comptoir du Relais, 9 Carrefour de Odeon, 75006 Paris, tel. 01 43 29 12 05, M° Odéon