The fabulous new exhibit Once Upon a Time on the Orient Express at The Institut du Monde Arabe celebrates the 130th anniversary of the legendary train service traveling from Paris to Constantinople starting 1883.
Four of the train’s original cars with polished shiny royal blue exteriors and sun yellow graphics are now parked in front of the museum. After patiently waiting in line single file, I entered the intimate cars. The swanky cars had golden velvet club chairs and Lalique glass inserts. Each car had tables set with various props including a fez, half drunk glasses of whiskey, playing cards, tea posts, pale pink satin gloves, and old copies of Le Figaro, making you nostalgic for the glamour and intrigue of an era gone by.
In a tongue and cheek move, scenes form various movies that took place on the Orient Express have been reproduced. One car features a screen showing the James Bond film From Russia with Love with James Bond’s immaculate tuxedo hanging along side and his gun
. In another car, artifacts from Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express are displayed. In fact, Agatha Christie met her husband on the Orient Express. So romantic! Other artifacts include Graham Greene’s old typewriter, and Josephine Baker’s costumes.
SNCF,the National Railway company of France is sponsoring the exhibit and plans to re-launch The Orient Express next spring beginning with voyages from Paris to Vienna and later extending its former glory going to Istanbul.
If you want to experience dining in one of the Orient Express cars, chef Yannick Alleno has created a special menu for the exhibit. A four course dinner menu for 120 euros and 160 euros, which also includes matching wines, is offered.
Once Upon a Time on the Orient Express
Till August 31
Institut du Monde Arabe
1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 75005
Metro: Jussieu
Open 10AM everyday except Monday
Advice: Get there early, as the lines are long, so plan on waiting 20 – 40 minutes.
http://www.imarabe.org
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
