EXPLORATION DE PARIS

Good is Paris ; The city of light.

Paris has a rich culture and history which is why I wanted to explore the city further. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with the Eiffel Tower being the most visited paid attraction in 2012.

I want to explore Paris on a deeper level, and create something that allows a tourist to have a very Parisian, ‘live like a local’ experience. I have researched into places that are considered to be less touristy and give a cultural and real experience of the city.

I have looked into different areas of the city that I want to explore further. Obviously because its an exhibition of Paris I need to include information about places to go and things to do etc.

Three main things that stand out to me in terms of research would be places in Paris to visit, French Cuisine and the language. I’d like to look into the language because I think visually this could look good when designing my products, it also fits with the theme as ‘my good’ is Paris.

The main topic I want to focus on is Parisian culture.

The final outcome will be a travel pack for a not so tourist experience, deliverables that this could include would be:

publication itinerary bookapppost cardsletterhead

The true experience; Living like a local

Sunday:Hit a market (or market street). Everyone loves a Paris marché. Some of the city’s best are open on Sundays, like the vast and bustling Marché Bastille and the organic market on the rue Raspail. But for my money, the market streets are even better. Two favorites are rue Cler in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and rue Montorgeuil not far from Les Halles. Both streets are lined with cafés.

Shop with the masses. While much of the city can feel sleepy on Sundays, there are a few neighborhoods where you’ll always find crowds: Montmartre, the Marais and the Champs Elysées. Although entirely different in their charms, they offer one common attraction: shopping. The Marais boutiques along rue des Francs Bourgeois (and its neighboring side streets) include the regulars (Maje, Claudie Pierlot, Zadig & Voltaire) as well as smaller jewelry, textile and clothing designers.

Bring on brunch. Many restaurants don’t do Sunday dinner but the increasingly popular brunch or traditional French lunch are still safe bets. More and more restos are featuring weekend brunch menus (we like the massive pancakes at Le Favorite on rue Rivoli) or try a classic brasserie like Brasserie Gallopin for a hit of old-school Paris.

Musing about museums. I’m always impressed by the French devotion to culture and how they expose their little ones to it at such an early age. Weekends are perfect for museum outings, especially the first Sunday of each month when most museums are open for free.

The French love flea market shopping so much, they even have a word to describe it. Treasure hunting at les puces (chiner) is a time-honored tradition for Parisians and also a favorite Sunday pastime. If the massive markets of Clignancourt are more than you can manage, try the smaller (and cheaper) marché at the friendly Porte de Vanves. From vintage hotel silver teaspoons to original oil tableaux, there are treasures here for every budget and style.

An element of tourism Although I want this pack to be focused on a ‘non-tourist’ experience, I feel there are attractions in Paris that are just too popular to miss, therefore I will have a small section of my travel pack dedicated to a more tourist experience, the ‘must do’s’ of Paris.

the louvreA behemoth of a museum, the Louvre has galleries and wings so vast you could easily spend a day feasting your eyes on treasures like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Egyptian mummies - not to mention on the building itself, which sports sumptuous architecture erected and remodelled over the centuries by the rulers of France. When cultural overload sets in, take a breather in the Café Mollien at the top of the grand Mollien staircase.

As cutting-edge as ever, the ‘extra-skeletal’ Centre Pompidou is home to modern art treasures by (amongst others) Braque, Dubuffet, Matisse and Ernst, plus ever-changing temporary art exhibitions that ensure that no two visits are ever the same.

Centre Pompidou

The most famous edifice in the world, the Eiffel Tower, was originally erected as a temporary exhibit for a World Fair. It provides heart-stopping views over Paris and is visible from most vantage points across the city

eiffel tower

The views from Notre-Dame cathedral’s towers are nothing short of stupendous, especially on a cloudy day, when the skies spin a moody hue across the River Seine and on towards the Eiffel Tower. From the top you also get the best view of the cathedral’s famous gargoyles - cheeky little chimeras whose ugly mugs watch over the city below. Unbeknown to most, they’re not originals; architect Viollet-le-Duc added them in the mid 19th-century when he restored the cathedral to its former glory.

notre dame The views sweep in geometric splendour between the arc of la Defense and the Louvre. It’s also a plum spot for observing Parisian driving techniques: the unmarked traffic island creates speedy anarchy with cars nipping around invisible lanes like beetles with a death wish. In fact, have an accident here and it’s automatically 50/50 on the insurance claim, no matter whose fault it is. Back on solid ground, spare a thought for the Unknown Soldier whose grave sits solemnly in the centre of the arch.

arc de triomphe

Exploration de Paris ; a not so tourist approach

Oui,discover the real Paris, Parisian culture & lifestyle.

culture du café

The number of French cafes has steeply declined over the past few decades, as the country’s celebrated cafe culture has battled against legal and societal challenges – most recently a smoking ban, but also a general reluctance to adapt to a younger clientele. Yet in Paris, where the romantic’s idea of a good time is to while the afternoon away on a sidewalk table, nursing a petit noir (an espresso) and observing passers-by, cafes are still a long way from oblivion.

I have looked into cafe culture, as I still feel it is a prevalent part of Parisian culture. I have researched into recommended cafes in the city, both tourist and not so tourist. These are a selection.

Every Parisian has a favourite haunt – one that may have no distinguishing feature besides being around the corner from his apartment or workplace – and nothing will make you feel local like finding one of your own. But in the meantime, here’s a selection of notable spots that place a particular emphasis on the ambiance and the quality of the coffee.

The Café des 2 Moulins'claim to fame came in the form of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s instant classic film Amélie, which used it as the heroine’s charmingly vintage place of employ. Ten years after the film’s release, tourists still pop in on their pilgrimage tour of Amélie’s Montmartre, but it has largely gone back to being a comfy neighbourhood café – minus the tobacco counter, which has been nixed in favour of more sitting room.

The scatter of tables and bright red chairs on the sloping pavement is the perfect vantage point from which to observe the lively street market.• 15 rue Lepic, 18th, +33 1 4254 9050. Métro: Blanche

If it feels like you’re on top of the world, it’s because you are: La Mer à Boire overlooks the Parc de Belleville, one of the highest points in Paris, which offers a gorgeous vista of the cityscape all the way out to the Eiffel Tower. At the first sign of balmy weather, the large paved terrace is in high demand with the young local crowd, but inside is just as nice: the bright orange cafe offers free Wi-Fi, and serves as a gallery for cartoonists and graphic novelists, as well as a concert hall for young musicians on weekend nights.• 1 rue des Envierges, 20th, +33 1 4358 2943, la.meraboire.com. Métro: Pyrénées

Mer à Boire

The Rules:Paris cafés are world-renowned, and for good reason: sitting and sipping in a Paris café is among the finest common pleasures of this wonderful city. The same is true for all the major cities in France, of course...but we’re dealing with Paris here.

To enjoy a Paris café fully, you must understand the rules. Rules? – for having a coffee in Paris? Surely not. Well, maybe not, but here are some pointers:

2. Smoking is prohibited inside all cafés and restaurants, but not at open-air tables. Depending on the breeze, smoke from outside tables can waft into the café. If you’re particularly sensitive to tobacco smoke, choose your table accordingly. This particular little annoyance needs attention, not least because it means that non-smokers are obliged to sit inside, even on a hot and muggy day. Still, it’s a marked improvement on the days when, if you asked for a non-smoking table inside a restaurant, you could well end up just a foot from a ‘smoking’ table.

3. Café means coffee: the correct term for the place where you have a coffee is café-bar, because Paris cafés serve all sorts of drinks, hot and cold, including herbal teas (infusion and tisane),

1. There’s no rush. Drinks are priced to allow you to take your time at the table, chatting with friends, people-watching, reading a newspaper, writing notes or postcards. The waiter won’t harry you. One cup of coffee allows you to sit at the table for quite a long time, but probably not all day.

mineral water, beer, wine and pastis....well, just about anything!

4. Cafés serve food as well, from croissants and tartines in the morning to soups,croque monsieur and other lunchtime dishes, to elaborate dishes for dinner. Even though they are not restaurants, you can order the equivalent of a three-course dinner with wine or beer at a café.

5. Many cafés offer service non-stop, meaning they’re open from morning till night. This is useful to know, because many restaurants traditionally close during the late afternoon between lunch and dinner.

Cafe Culutre 6. To call the waiter, say ‘Monsieur’ (not ‘Garçon’). Adding ‘S’il vous plait’, also helps, as does saying ‘Bonjour’ when you first arrive, and ‘Au revoir’. Forget these little niceties, and you could end up waiting longer than you’d like.

7. Tips, also known as the service charge, are included in all the prices printed on menus. So, you don’t need to leave anything additional. Of course, if it amounts to small change, why not?

‘Monsieur’

Pâtisseriesin ParisI looked further into French cuisine/cafe culture and patisseries in Paris, as I feel as a nation they take pride in their palete.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a new wave of chefs is pursuing another idea entirely: what they want to do is to recapture childhood emotions by revisiting the classics of French pastry and applying their contemporary knowledge to create modern versions of traditional dishes.

Without a doubt, world-famous pastry chef Pierre Hermé can be credited for revolutionising the art of French pâtisserie. Over the past decade, shrugging off the weight of tradition, he has created super-modern confections that rely on new ideas, techniques and flavour combinations, and his success has inspired a generation of pastry chefs.

Whether your inclination is classic or modern, these artisans offer fresh and vibrantly flavourful pastries that are sure to hit your sweet spot.

The sleek boutique on rue de Bonaparte can feel intimidating, but the staff are, in fact, quite helpful.• 72 rue Bonaparte, 6th, +33 1 43 54 47 77. Métro: Saint-Sulpice.

Pierre Hermé

After years of working out of his tiny private lab, and providing his chocolate and caramels exclusively to restaurants and hotels, self-taught chocolate whiz Jacques Genin opened his first public store in the upper Marais. The gorgeously designed, loft-like space houses a comfortable tea salon where you can enjoy classic French pastries, served fresh from the upstairs lab. Try the made-to-order mille-feuille (napoleon, €8), or the chocolate tartlet.• 133 rue de Turenne, 3rd, +33 1 45 77 29 01. Métro: République.

Jacques Genin

A relentless alchemist of flavours, Pierre Hermé produces luxurious and whimsical creations that impress the eye as well as the taste buds. He is perhaps best-known for his macaroons, which come in a rainbow of quirky flavours, but you would do well not to ignore his take on traditional confections, such as the vanilla flan (€5) and his outstanding croissant and pain au chocolat.

French restaurant etiquette ; Dining in France like a local.

In France, as opposed to the US, you can’t just show up to a restaurant at any hour of the day or night expecting to be served. Meals occur at particular times; outside those given hours, you will be loathe to find anything except unappealing brasseries, shriveled sandwiches, and fast food. To spare you the hassle of some of my early experiences, here are a few tips on French restaurant etiquette:

Breakfast is not often eaten out in France (a quick coffee and croissant at the local café will do)

Brunch is becoming more popular in Paris. Normal brunch hours are 11am-3pm.Lunch is 12-2pm with most Frenchies showing up at 1 (some restaurants serve till 3).

Dinner is 8-10 pm. Some restaurants open at 7:30 and some serve until 11 pm or later.

DirectionWith the research gathered I feel I can make an informed design decision about where to take it from here. I have a clear idea of where the research can take the final outcome and what processes and style I would like to try and create.

Publication design

I have looked into publications I think would work well with my subject. The ones that I’ve looked at our similar in the sense that they are to do with travel or a specific place.

A lot of the ones i’ve looked at focus mostly on the photography, which is something I plan to use when making my own publication. I’ve looked at the general design of the publications, but also how they are displayed if its across a range of products.

I want to try and create something that will keep my products together with consistent style.

Processes

I think this looks good, clean cut, nothing too over complicated with the design. I like the embossing of the logo, this gives it a professional touch. The design of the publication is simple, it looks as though it works as a folder, this is something I could consider when making my ‘exhibition of.’ Somewhere to enclose information and bring it all together neatly rather than loose designs. The basic design works with it being hole punched on the right hand side, the centre of the margin. Then string is tied to keep it in place.

This is something that, if I used a suited stock, could make the overall design look well executed. The wooden sleeve has been made to slot the book/s in perfectly. This is something I’d consider if I was going to make two or three small publications, as the idea of a case to keep them all together would appeal to me. The front of the case has also been laser cut with the initials of the book on. This is something that could work well if I found something iconic or recognisable, i.e the Eiffel Tower.

embossing laser cutThis is something that I think could work quite well over the range of products. Something subtle and consistent throughout the travel pack.

foiling

For the brief I plan to create the travel pack using a range of different processes and using my own photography to display Paris in a light that appeals to my target audience.

Good is Paris ; The city of light.