Guests staying at one of the Grands Hôtels Parisiens who visit Le Cabinet de sa Majesté can expect to stumble upon microscopes and their accompanying slides, animals horns, chain mail, and insects in glass receptacles, among other strange objects. To add to the fun, diners eat on Singer sewing tables and the film ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ plays in the restrooms.

This restaurant, which just recently opened, offers a completely unique experience that visitors will not find elsewhere in Paris. Despite its newness, the Cabinet de sa Majesté, with its intentionally unfinished walls and its attic atmosphere, already seems like it has been around for ages. And this sense of age only enhances its charm.

Another special feature of the restaurant is the cocktail bar, which doles out intriguing creations that visitors can taste along with small plates of Chorizo-fried Camembert cheese  or Bresaola. Those who want a more substantial meal can opt for filet mignon in a Parmesan crust served with risotto, beef tartare or even a classic cheeseburger. For dessert, diners can enjoy treats like fresh fruit salad or chocolate and speculoos pastry.

The Cabinet de sa Majesté has a selection of dishes to suit all tastes in an area of Paris — the Oberkampf neighborhood — that is rapidly becoming very popular amongst the locals. Therefore, visitors to Paris should make sure to check out this hidden gem.

Le Cabinet de sa Majesté
4 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi, 75011
Open from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; open from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 pm. Monday and Saturday

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, bubble tea is a drink that originated from Taiwan, having made its first appearance in the 1980s. Authentic bubble tea is a mix of cold or hot tea, milk and black « pearls » of tapioca. You can drink the pearls along with the tea thanks to an extra thick straw that accompanies this treat.

The texture of the pearls is unlike anything else — semi-hard gel globules that are about a centimeter in diameter. Half the fun of bubble tea is deciding how you will consume the bubbles: Drink the tea first and save the bubbles for last? Or chew the bubbles up along with the tea? Bubble tea can be as much a game as it is a beverage. Plus, in addition to providing amusement, the tapioca pearls in bubble tea are also nutritious.

Led by a young and dynamic team with a passion for this unique beverage, the Bubble Fever Café opened about five months ago in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The team hopes to make bubble tea as popular in the City of Light as it has been in other major cities around the world. To help themselves achieve their goal, the folks at the Bubble Fever Café have ensured that they stock a huge selection of bubble teas to satisfy even the most discerning of bubble tea connoisseurs.

Patrons can order their tea hot or cold, black with milk, or green and fruity. Creamy black teas include taro, almond, blueberry and vanilla flavors. Fruity green teas include mango, peach, and litchi tastes. The pearls themselves can also be customized, with coconut or fruit juice for example.

The end result is a drink that is the perfect refreshing treat for a hot summer day. Guests staying at one of Les Grands Hôtels Parisiens should not hesitate to cool down with a bubble tea during their stay in Paris.

Bubble Fever Café
5 Rue de Mirbel, 75005
Metro: Censier-Daubenton (Line 7)
Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Led by Manuel Legris — who became famous for the virtuosity he displayed with the Paris Opera Ballet, the Vienna State Ballet will be coming to Paris July 4 – 27, 2013. With its location in the center of Paris, the Théâtre du Châtelet is easily accessible from any one of the Grands Hôtels Parisiens.

It is not the first time that world-class dancers have come to this theater to show off their talents. Last year, the Alvin Ailey Company graced the stage of the Théâtre du Châtelet. Now, it is dancers from Vienna who will come to impress both inhabitants and visitors of Paris.

The Vienna State Ballet will be presenting an homage to Rudolf Nureyev, who is known for his considerable contributions to the Paris Opera Ballet, where he served as director in the 1980s. Not only does Nureyev have a strong connection to Paris, however, he is also strongly linked to Vienna, a city where he danced in his youth.

It is therefore appropriate that a tribute to the international ballet star would take place in Paris and be performed by a Viennese dance company. The entire dance program will consist of an assortment of works from contemporary ballet as well as the famous ‘Don Quixote.’ Both classic and contemporary at the same time, the Vienna State Ballet will show off its artistic range throughout the month of July.

Those who wish to catch a performance can visit the website of the Théâtre du Châtelet (in French) for information on specific shows and tickets. The ‘Etés de la Danse’ event represents a unique opportunity to discover the one-of-a-kind Vienna State Ballet.

With such an interesting mission, the museum prides itself on its ability to present different kinds of exhibitions than what visitors might expect. Organizing interactive exhibits revolving around civic and artistic themes, the museum never takes itself too seriously and approaches all of its events with a sense of humor.

From now until January 5, 2014, the Musée en Herbe is presenting an exhibit that showcases the paintings and architectural creations of the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Created in collaboration with the Hundertwasser Foundation of Vienna, the exhibit will reveal an artist whose work has not been shown in Paris since the 1970s.

A diverse range of the artist’s oeuvre is included in this exhibit — from his major works to his architectural studies to his personal objects. All of these pieces come together to shed light on the inventive nature of Hundertwasser, who stood out from the crowd with his ecological activism and avant-garde style.

Guests staying at one of the Grands Hôtels Parisiens now have the chance to see the painter who created more than 1,000 works, all characterized by the fusion of organic forms and brilliant colors. Visitors of the exhibition will also discover the spiral symbolism and allegories of nature that were fixtures in this innovative artist’s oeuvre. In addition to paintings, Hundertwasser’s architectural style, which featured vegetalized roofs and uneven flooring, is highlighted as well.

Musée en Herbe
21 Rue Hérold, 75001
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursdays until 9 p.m.
Tickets: €6

The term ‘sound system’ refers to a grouping of speakers and audio components that allow sound to be transmitted loudly in an open space. Usually, the sound system is somewhat portable, which means that it can follow the musician or speaker to any location. From rave parties to community gatherings, sound systems have facilitated widespread human communication and connection. Present in countries across the globe, an appreciation for the sound system is one thing that a variety of diverse cultures have in common.

To honor this technological achievement, the Gaîté Lyrique has planned activities such as a screening of the documentary-fiction ‘Babylon,’ which recounts the story of sound systems on the reggae scene in England during the Margaret Thatcher era. Other activities include a dance party with DJ crews and an audio workshop. Visitors can also enjoy the numerous art pieces installed around the center, which demonstrate the connection between music and visual art.

Guests staying at one of the Grands Hôtels Parisiens can explore this playful and informative exhibit by stopping by the Gaîté Lyrique in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. They can also check out the other events offered at this cultural center, which regularly organizes concerts, screenings, workshops and art exhibits revolving around uncommon themes.

With its stone walls, old-fashioned chimney and velour armchairs, A Casaluna provides an ambiance that is cozy and inviting. Mirrors and old portraits in gilded frames complete the quaint look of the restaurant, where some visitors may have their first encounter with Corsican culture.

On the menu, there are a wide variety of typically Corsican foods, from sardines to sun-dried eggplant. As an appetizer, diners can try the fresh sardines marinated in grilled red pepper confit or a plate of cured and smoked meats imported straight from the Corsican village of Murato. Moving on to the main course, dishes are available such as lamb en croute with parsley, thyme and bay leaves or veal and olive stew served over pasta with a traditional sauce. To compliment each dish, a large selection of French wines is also on hand.

To finish the meal with a bang, diners can sample  crunchy meringues served with vanilla cream and raspberry-myrtle sorbet and mini tarts made with lemons from the the Saint-Antoine convent. Working with a variety of fresh and authentic ingredients, A Casaluna combines Parisian sophistication with Corsican rusticity. The end result is a unique culinary experience that will no doubt leave diners surprised and satisfied.

A Casaluna
6 Rue de Beaujolais, 75001
+33 (0)1 42 60 05 11

The annual festival represents one of the city’s biggest jazz events, and this year — like every year — it will welcome a large number of talented musicians who will present their personal interpretations of this diverse musical genre. To celebrate this diversity, the festival invites musicians from all corners of the globe over the course of eight weekends. More than 30 concerts have been planned, so visitors will have plenty of opportunities to discover different kinds of jazz.

Each weekend of the eight-week festival will be dedicated to a different theme. In chronological order, the themes are as follows: Exodus, Discoveries, Soul Blues, Jazz on the Beat, Latin Jazz, Dance Jazz, Homage to South Africa and the Classics of Jazz. For each theme, solo musicians, groups and dancers will light up the stage with good beats. Performances will take place on the main stage with other activities taking place throughout the park.

In addition to concerts, there will also be workshops to allow people to experience jazz in a more hands-on way. Musical games and educational activities are on the menu for every day of the festival. With so many performances and activities, Paris inhabitants and visitors can spend eight wonderful weekends amusing themselves to the sounds of jazz. The entire agenda of the festival can be found on the website of the Paris Jazz Festival. This event offers a unique chance to experience both new forms of music and a dreamy floral landscape at the Parc Floral.

The entire country of France will be celebrating the Fête de la Nature from the 22nd until the 26th of May, which provides the Museum of Natural History with the opportunity to plan a weekend of activities, workshops and guided visits. Roughly forty such activities will be offered for free throughout the weekend.

Visitors should make sure to see the Village de la Nature, which welcomes 19 tents each with its own activity ranging from educational stands on bees and bats to workshops on protecting water resources. These activities will go on from 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. on both days of the festival at the Jardin des Plantes. There will also be a puppet show performed in the open air, which will be especially appreciated by younger viewers.

For those who have always dreamed of learning how to draw natural landscapes, the official illustrators of the Museum of Natural History will offer introductory workshops in the park’s zoo as well as its gardens. From the first observations to the more complex techniques concerning zoology and botany, these artists will be there to answer any questions that beginners might have.

In addition to exhibitions that are part of the Museum’s normal agenda — like the Planet Frog exhibit — there will also be special conferences and guided visits through the park’s various gardens, allowing visitors to take advantage of the rich natural offerings of the extraordinary Jardin des Plantes.

Kawamata’s installation is called ‘Collective Folie,’ and it has manifested itself as a giant wooden tower constructed by university and high school students as well as residents from the neighborhood surrounding the Parc de la Villette. With the continual help of those who participate in various workshops that will take place throughout the installation’s run, this tower will repeatedly mutate and transform, under the direction of Kawamata.

Anyone who wants to can participate in one of these transformative workshops, as long as they are over the age of 12 years old. The workshops will be filmed for a documentary project, so participants have the possibility of being immortalized on film as they create art in this unique experiment. Workshop members will pick up tools and planks of wood in order to contribute to the construction and deconstruction of this work of art. ‘Collective Folie’ is more than just an art piece on display, it is an invitation to become a part of the artistic process.

Workshops are planned for May, June, July and August. Visitors must make a reservation by phone (+33 1 40 03 75 75) in order to participate, but participation is free of charge. Even those who do not wish to actively contribute should make sure to check out this one-of-a-kind and perpetually changing tower at the Parc de la Villette.

Guests staying at one of the Grands Hôtels Parisiens can see this open-air installation while also enjoying the other activities offered by the Parc de la Villette, like concerts and dance performances, in a natural setting next to the Canal de l’Ourcq.

The renovation of the old theater has been expected by anxious Parisians for a long time now, and many had even given up hope that the historical spot would ever open its doors again. However, despite the odds, Le Louxor will indeed welcome spectators to enjoy a variety of films within its walls.

Located in the 10th arrondissement, Le Louxor represents one of the landmarks of the neighborhood. Named a French national heritage site in 1981, the neo-Egyptian style of the theater stands out among the Parisian buildings. It is therefore appropriate that the exhibition dedicated to the history of the Louxor will be taking place at the Mairie (Town Hall, in English) of the 10th arrondissement.

Projects to save Le Louxor from ruin began in 2001, but it was not until 2008 that an architect was brought on to design the renovation. The work was finally completed this year and included the rehabilitation of the Grande Salle (‘the grand room’) as well as the creation of two new rooms, all in keeping with the dazzling Egyptian theme of the original design.

Guests staying at one of the Grands Hôtels Parisiens can go to the Mairie of the 10th arrondissement to see the exhibition entitled ‘Le Louxor – Palais du cinéma’ (‘Le Louxor – Palace of Cinema’). From its original construction to the different stages of its reconversion and renovation, this exhibition presents a variety of documents, photographs, old programs and artwork that tell the story of this national treasure. The exhibition is divided into seven different themes that will allow visitors to discover everything about this beautiful and historical movie theater.

‘Le Louxor – Palais du cinéma’
Mairie du 10e
72 rue du faubourg Saint-Martin, 75010

Until May 25, 2013
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday until 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Free entrance