Material Futures & Hidden Kitchens – A Week in Paris
Celebrating life in Paris, Paris Makers, and the strange, new, true and beautiful – forever!
Hi, and welcome to Paris, Puces. 🇫🇷
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⚡️ François Morellet arrives at Versailles, marking the centenary of the birth one of France’s great pioneers of geometric abstraction. Six major works are installed throughout the château and gardens, where neon, steel and mathematical systems cut through the lavish interiors with the radical, playful spirit that defined Morellet’s practice.
🌱 After working in some of Copenhagen and Berlin’s most celebrated restaurants, Montreal-born chef Jules St-Cyr has opened his first Paris restaurant, Bittikesu. Tucked away on a quiet street behind the Bassin de l’Arsenal, the space seats just 10 guests around a bespoke oak counter, reflecting his intimate approach to cooking. Drawing on wild foraging, produce from his own vegetable garden in Montreuil and close relationships with fishermen, growers and farmers, the menu evolves with the seasons. A wood-fired oven adds another dimension.
📦 To coincide with the recent opening of its third Paris boutique beneath the arcades of the Palais-Royal, Lemaire presents A Box of Impressions, a photography exhibition contained within a box rather than displayed on the walls. Co-curated by Lou Stoppard and Sarah-Linh Tran, it brings together works by more than 20 photographers, including Teju Cole, Paul Kooiker, Justine Kurland and Jeff Mermelstein, exploring observation, ephemerality and the shifting boundaries between public and private – a nod to Colette, who chronicled life from her Palais-Royal apartment, and a timely echo of the photography season underway in Arles.
🪑 JW Anderson has opened a summer pop-up in Paris at 15 rue du Louvre, bringing the label’s fashion collections together with a selection of craft, design and everyday objects. The space reflects Anderson’s expanding vision for his namesake brand, which continues to evolve as he takes on his new role at Dior. Among the finds are Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s oak lamps and stools, Jason Mosseri’s Hope Spring chairs, ceramics by Akiko Hirai, Lucie Rie mugs, Murano glassware, Welsh blankets and honey from Houghton Hall – what Anderson calls “things I like and would like to have around me”. Until 24 Sep.
♻️ And finally, a major step towards a more circular fashion industry in Europe. Since yesterday, the European Union has banned large companies from destroying unsold clothing, accessories and footwear under its new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Brands must now prioritize resale, donation, repair and reuse, with medium-sized companies following the same rules from 2030.
Thanks for reading :)
Kate
Welcome to Paris, Puces. on Substack. Expect the best of : LIFE IN PARIS 🇫🇷 each week, plus expert intel and tips from the world’s most epic FLEA MARKET✨ Art, Fashion, Design !
On Mondays: Life in Paris postcards - a curated mix of sights, bites and delights, celebrating Paris Makers, and the strange, new, true, and beautiful, forever!
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👉🏽 After years exploring the Puces de Saint-Ouen and researching for my book ‘The Paris Flea Market’, I now share that insider knowledge through bespoke buying and research tours – for collectors, decorators, architects, or anyone who wants to explore the markets with a deeper eye. Hit me up!