For its 7^th edition, the Nature Festival focuses on bugs. Invisible or underrated, they nonetheless take part in nature’s renewal. They truly are the architects or gardeners of the flora. Thus, without earthworms and other soil small inhabitants, soil would remain sterile and compact. They take part in pollination, manure’s manufacture, wood recycling or deterioration of dead materials. During 5 days, free events, organized in the country in Paris and all over France, will help you discover the stakes of bugs’ preservation. The goal is to re-discover nature and to be amazed by it with your family. Will you be part of it?

7^th edition of Nature Festival, from May 22nd to May 26^th, 2013.

Discover the complete list of events taking place in Paris.

You must admit it, when you are shopping, you are often tempted by food’s packaging even though you don’t need it! We buy with the eyes, because on the shelves, packaging is the only one charming us and making us buy. The Museum of Arts and Crafts dedicates an exhibition to packaging, “These packages that change our lives”, well deserved.

An improvement of our daily lives
Packaging revolutionized households’ comfort with its creation and especially that of women of the 50s. Solidity, easy opening or lightness, it improved daily lives. But, for several years now, the question of its recycling is being an issue. Packaging pollutes and it is necessary to do something to transform it. Compaction, selective sorting, everything is done so that households can participate in environmental protection while keeping their comfort. Scientists are even allegedly working on edible packaging for the future! An exhibition you have to go see without waiting anymore, it might change your life as a consumer!

Balls stocking – Claye – Souilly 2007
Part of the ‘Food packages, innovation is in the box!’
Space from the Materials permanent collection – ©Didier Raux

Exhibition “These packages that change our lives”, from February 19^th to June 9^th, 2013.
Open Tuesday to Sunday included, from 10a.m to 6p.m.
Late night opening on Thursdays until 9:30p.m.
Full rate: 6,50€ / Reduced rate: 4,50€.

Museum of Arts and Crafts
60, rue Reaumur
75003 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 53 01 82 00
Subway: Arts et Metiers, Reaumur-Sebastopol

Dealing with the use and the representation of flora in 19^th to 21^st century tapestry, this exhibition from the Goblins Gallery presented by the Mobilier National (National Furniture) will strongly interest artists who love nature.

An ode to vegetable nature
You have to know that at the beginning, nature was represented in plenty but not in a pictorial way on tapestry. Then, with time, it was more and more schematized and complex, little by little being inspired by work of painting or photography. Thus, it was represented in a realistic or an abstract way, almost appearing as a symbol. You will see through the exhibition Goblins by Nature to what extend this form of expression can be diverse and varied as much in tapestry as in furniture, even in lace! The journey highlights ancient and contemporary pieces made by Jean Lurçat, Monet or Dom Robert.

Photo credit: David Hugonot Petit

Exhibition “Goblins by Nature – In Praise of Greenery”, from April 9^th to January 19^th, 2014.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11a.m to 6p.m.
Closed on May 30^th and 31^st, 2013.
Full rate: 6€ / Reduced Rate: 4€.

Galerie des Gobelins
42, Avenue des Gobelins
75013 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 44 08 53 49
Subway: Gobelins (L.7).

It won’t be only the actor’s fans that will rush for the theaters starting from April, 17^th, but also all activists of environmental and ecological cause. Co-written and produced by Matt Damon, the movie “Promised Land” stages a salesman from an oil company (played by the actor) who has to convince a Pennsylvanian farmer to cease the drilling rights of his lands. The goal is to mine shale gas, which will lead him to anger a lot of opponents he will have to face. Delphine Batho, Ecology Minister, says that the movie, directed by Gus Van Sant, is an eloquent work about the methods of oil companies. She also says the movie is clearly militant, revealing the development of shale gas in the United States. A lot of previews have been organized in order to generate a discussion and above all mobilization!

Promised Land, in theaters april 17^th in France.
Directed by Gus Van Sant, distributed by Mars Distribution.
Length: 1h46.

Discover the trailer:

Faguo is a sneakers brand, trendy and responsible. The concept? A tree is planted each time a pair of shoes is bought. At the Gavarni Hotel, we love it!

Creators with lots of ideas
Two young students from a business school started this success. Nicolas and Frederic, long-time friends, both keen on fashion and both wanting to undertake, began the adventure after a trip to China. It is there that they realized sneakers were everywhere, no matter the age, the genus or the level of wealth. So they decided to created an elegant and vintage sneaker, but they needed another dimension for their company…

An eco-responsible process
Ecological dimension! For each pair sold, a tree will thus be planted in France, in Calvados. The small coconut button sewed on the side of each shoe is a reminder of this. It is in 2009 that Faguo was born and it was immediately successful thanks to blogs and social networks. In addition to the planting of trees, the brand decided to act against global warming by favoring sea route transportation (to reduce CO2 emissions) and by avoiding overpacking. The nice canvas shoes are made in China, with a high production quality and a permanent control of the workers’ working conditions. Next step for Faguo: a conception with 100% ecological materials!

You can order your pair of Faguo directly on the brand’s official website, or at the 15^th Corner store.

Faguo is at 15^th Corner (open Monday to Saturday, from 10:30a.m to 7:30p.m)
122, rue du Théâtre
75015 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 45 57 74 83
Subway: Commerce (L.8).

To go out for a drink in Paris, follow the advices of the Gavarni Hotel and go for one of these beautiful cocktail bars.

1/ The Mini Palais, 8^th district
It is in the elegant surroundings of the bar and restaurant of the Mini Palais, down the Champs Elysees, that you will enjoy the best cocktail of this beginning of the year. Thanks to the barman Chef Alexandre Chialva, your taste buds will fizz with surprise while tasting the fresh cocktails, perfectly mixed and original prepared by the young man. We recommend you the creation cocktails, like the Shiva’s Call with tandoori spices, or the Wineberry, with Saint-Emilion. To be tried with friends or with your loved one.

Open everyday from 10a.m to 2a.m.
Creation cocktail: 15€

Grand Palais – 3, avenue Winston Churchill – 75008 Paris – France
T.: +33 (0)1 42 56 42 42
resa@minipalais.com

2/ The Alcazar’s Mezzanine, 6^th district
Let’s go to Saint Germain des Prés, in the center of Paris, to discover our second favorite: the Alcazar’s Mezzanine. With its glass roof, its lounge and stylish atmosphere, this cocktail bar is famous for its reception, its resident DJs, of whom music compilations are not to be presented anymore. Cocktails stay traditional but they are perfectly mixed. The Mojito is our favorite one!

Cocktails: 13€
Open 7d/7, Monday to Friday from 7p.m to 1a.m, until 2a.m on Saturday and Sunday. Musical nights from Wednesday to Saturday.

62, rue Mazarine – 75006 Paris – France – T.: +33 (0)1 53 10 19 99
contact@alcazar.fr

3/ Sir Winston, 16^th district
Here, give way to colonial-inspired decoration, between English and Indian tradition. Exotic furniture, carpets, smoking room, the atmosphere purports to be cozy and intimist. This bar is known for its nice choice of whiskies (about fifty references) and for its cocktails that you sip in a world lounge and jazzy ambiance.

Open everyday from 9a.m to 4a.m.
Cocktails: 10€

5, rue de presbourg – 7506 Paris – France – T.: +33 (0)1 40 67 17 37
sir-winston@wanadoo.fr

In addition to bear the “Made In France” label, the new Malongo’s coffee pot Ek’Oh take up the challenge to be respectful of taste and flavors while following a multi-tiered ecological procedure.

Technology serving taste and ecology
Compact and automatic, it works with natural fiber sachets guaranteeing a gustatory quality with a smooth and delicious cream. So it is impossible to resist this perfect restoration of flavors stemming from this “old-fashioned” roasting. Regarding recycling, essential aspect of an ecological procedure, no worries because this high-tech jewel can be completely recycled. Also note that manufacturers had the brilliant idea to create a machine infinitely repairable thanks to a system of replaceable modules that can also come apart. Finally, if we want to talk about the sensitive subject of energy saving, no taboo because Ek’Oh consumes energy only when you are preparing a coffee, always staying switched on while never being on standby! In short, it is about a machine supporting the French know-how, following a more ecological line than ever, while being extremely powerful and stylish… There are reasons to believe that perfection exists!

Price: 150€

Ek’Oh coffee pot, from Malongo is available at FNAC stores.

FNAC store
148, avenue Victor Hugo
75016 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)8 92 35 06 66
Subway: Rue de la Pompe (L.9) or Victor Hugo (L.2)

Toubab, it is the story of a young committed designer in love with Africa, who decided to realize jewelry in the most ethical way, by creating her own brand.

Photo credit: Toubab Paris

Africa, an inexhaustible source of inspiration
Indeed, it is in the context of her studies that Maud Villaret went to Mali for an internship and comes back smitten by this country. Then, she began to build her extravagant creation made with wax, the traditional African material. Still nowadays, there are only unique items. Thus, you will be able to find a whole bunch of fashion accessories, (jewels, belts, purses, etc.), but also objects turned away from their primary function, just like these suitcases turned into decoration items.

An eco-friendly production
You have to know that the artist’s approach is above all human and helpful. In addition to an eco-friendly production process, some of these original creations are handmade in Burkina Faso and in Mali by local craftmen. The rest is a result of the work done by disabled people or by residents of social and professional rehabilitation centers. Cap in hand!

Ethnical objects lovers, you will be served.

Photo credit: Toubab Paris

Selling points in Paris:
You will be able to find Toubab brand at the Deux Mille Huit store, or on the official website.

Deux Mille Huit (decoration and designer’s accessories)
8, rue Vidal
75016 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 45 03 51 99
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm.

It is between December 16^th 2012 and January 13^th 2013 that the attraction on the Place de la Concorde functions again, like every year. The Ferris wheel turns again in the context of the Christmas Market of the Champs Elysées, for the greatest pleasure of those who are not scared of heights!

A fairy attraction
Visible from far away, high of 65m, the Ferris wheel offers an exceptional panorama on the light city. Up from your basket, you will overlook, with family or your lover, the Place de la Madeleine, the National Assembly, the Jardin des Tuileries, the most beautiful avenue in the world and the Eiffel Tower! The Gavarni Hotel advices that go at night to admire the illuminated monuments, a charm that the day won’t be able to make up for.

Photo credit: Guy Patry

From December 16^th 2012 to January 13^th 2013.
Everyday from 10.30am to midnight.
Price: 10€ / 5€ under 10 years old.

The Ferris wheel
Place de la Concorde
75008 Paris
France
Train station: Concorde (L.1, 8 or 12).

You would like to share your interest for environment with your beloved ones? Offer them organic presents! It is just the right time, the Blancs Manteaux Space welcomes the Noël en bio exhibition for the 7^th edition. You will dig out a whole bunch of ideas about what to put down the fir tree: cosmetics, clothes, and numerous diverse products. Make your choice among what the different exhibitors propose, you will for example find organic spices and Breton biscuits by Baramel, or even the organic teas by La Route des Comptoirs.

Noël en bio, from Friday December 14^th 2012 to Sunday 16^th.
Open everyday from 11am to 8pm.
Free entry.

Animation Space of Les Blancs Manteaux
48, rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris