The Eiffel Trocadéro Hotel, Xavier´s Moraga´s second ecologic establishment, has just opened its doors to the public; we’ve decided to dig in on one of its green particularities: the walls made of plants. Florist, landscape artist, and creator, Naturalys is an enterprise specialized in stabilized plant design. After the installation of 3 amazing walls in the entrance, Loïc Derrien, the man behind this work, accepted to answer us some questions.

Green Hotel Paris – Introduce us to your work?
Loïc Derrien: Aware of the difficulty for an establishment that’s very demanding of its interior, to maintain a plant and flower made decoration through out the year, we’ve been doing plant walls for professionals (restaurants airports), and mainly for the hotel industry, for the last 6 years. We get our plants from our franchised network and from more than 200 partner florists Flowerbox.

Green Hotel Paris – In what does this process consists?
L.D.: The stabilized plants and flowers are 100% natural and environmentally friendly. They are the result of a unique plant conservation process that consists in the replacement of the sap for a natural glycerin-based stabilizing treatment product. This product allows the conservation, freshness and softness of these plants for even a decade, with no cost. This means that they don’t need water, earth or light.

Green Hotel Paris – How to look after a plant wall?
L.D.: Plant Walls are made for an interior use only. The must be kept away from direct sun exposure coming from behind a window. However they handle pretty well the air conditioning, the heating, the lighting, total darkness and even smoke. Contrary to artificial plants, stabilized plants are not static, dust won’t stick to them. Occasionally cleaning them will be enough, just using just a simple hair dryer.

Green Hotel Paris – Can all plants be stabilized?
L.D.: No, they have to hang on a minimum 5 months after the stabilization process to be considered stable. So that excludes plants and flowers that need a lot of water, because of this characteristic they’re fragile for this process, for example: orchids and tulips. Nevertheless, we count with over 50 stabilized species of plants.

Naturalys
33, Chemin de la Rollande
84140 Avignon
France
T.: +33 (0)4 90 81 07 16
contact@naturalys.fr
www.flowerbox-gallery.com

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Louis XV, who was a true botanical enthusiast, had launched the construction of the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, located at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, these exotic greenhouses complex settled in the heart of Paris, bring your mind far away. Today, more than 260 trees, bushes and plant collections came from all around the world – as the Gingko Biloba, the Wutong an the Katsura tree – are housed in these botanical gardens. Some varieties are very rares, as the pandanus of Madagascar (fragile little blue flowers, which smell vanilla) the cycas, and the Paper Bark Tea Tree, came from New Caledonia. But the Serres d’Auteuil don’t host plants only, in the central pond we can see rare varieties of fish living and the aviary welcomes beautiful exotic birds as the Weiro and the Zebra Finch. Spend a sunny afternoon here, and you’ll feel like thousand miles away!

Greenhouses are open all year long from 9am to 4.45pm.
The Garden is open from 9am until the sunset. Free entrance.

Photo Credit: Mairie de Paris – G. Maroussie

Les Serres d’Auteuil
1 bis, avenue de la porte d’Auteuil et 1, avenue Gordon Bennett
75016 Paris
T.: +33 (0)1 71 28 50 82

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Every year, after a rough winter, the sun comes back and ruins our fragile skin. This is why we have to protect it as much as we can. Fortunately, we are not alone, for 20 years, Les Artistes de Nature work hard to extract the best from nature and giving it to us. They are present in every Eco-friendly fairs and shows of France and Europe, looking for latest novelties and they develop cares composed of organic plants, in their laboratory. We particularly love the musk rose from Chile cream, already praised by internet. Of course, Les Artistes de Nature support sustainable development and fair trade too, by collaborating with little French growers instead of big companies. The motto is simple, respect Nature and she gives her best to you!

Open from Monday to Thursday, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6.30pm. From 12pm to 7pm on Fridays.

Les Artistes de Nature
11, rue Trousseau
75011 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 43 55 55 77
adn_jpol@yahoo.fr

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Sunny days are definitely back, so, hikers and other nature lovers are far too many to come at Destination Nature! This year, the fair is based on Switzerland and coastal tourism. We can expect 52,000 visitors for this 28^th edition, in fact this is the perfect event to plane your next holidays, in France or anywhere else in the world. Exhibitors promote their destinations and unusual trips, equipment suppliers shows the latest novelties while guides and adventurers share their experiences. Official  tourism office are there too, they give a lot of information about outdoor activities to do. An event unmissable to spend unforgettable holidays!

The Tourism fair Destinations Nature takes place from March 30^th to April 1^st from 10 am to 7pm at Porte de Versailles. Admission €8 (on concession €4).

Salon Destinations Nature
1, place Porte de Versailles
75015 Paris
France

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We were just 1 billion, 200 years ago. Forty years after we were 4 billion! And, since 2011, we passed the mark of 7 billion. Now, the question is: how long our earth can keep on taking? How can we live together, share the natural resources, and even anticipate migrations following from global warming? What future can we imagine? Yann Arthus-Bertrand, chairman of Goodplanet Foundation, highlights the stakes linked to the world population growth in a book. It unites personal touching portraits of people from 5 continents and relevant interventions of experts. An optimistic book, full of information, delivering a humanist message, necessary to learn how to live in peace.

Vivre Ensemble, 7 milliards d’humains, by Yann Arthus Bertrand and the GoodPlanet Foundation, La Martinière editions. Price: €12.

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Sunny days are back, and families meet in the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Indeed, it’s full of activities as numerous as various and perfect for our children. Let’s have a tour…

Educational Activities
Children are totally keen on this Parisian park! Here they can watch a funny puppet show and many ateliers are organized for them (cuisine, gardening, magic and even sciences). They can also play with distorting mirrors or in the playground. Not to mention the amusement-ride village… This park has been made for children and parents are enchanted!

Nature and Animals
With the Enchanted River, Pony back ride is one of the children’s favorite activity. Many other wonderful attractions are waiting for the as the Seoul Garden where you can see cute deers, the Great Aviary where exotic birds are flying, and the Small Farm which initiates little children to rural world.

Restaurants
After all these emotions you’ll need to get strength back, fortunately, the Jardin has a wide choice of restaurants. The Terrasse du Jardin is perfect to enjoy sun, while the Grande Verrière has design tables, of course, both prepare a succulent cuisine. During afternoon, you can have a sweet break at Angelina, a so chic tea room, or a delicious cotton candy at the Café du Village. To summer up, whatever how old you are, everybody spend a good time at the Jardin d’Acclimatation!

The garden is open everyday from 10am to 6pm until March 31st, and until 7pm from April to September.
Prices are detailed on the official website.

Jardin d’Acclimatation
Bois de Boulogne
75116 Paris
France

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While we spend our day in ² area, let’s go for a stroll in the Musée National de la Marine , its current temporary exhibition has called our attention.

«Ballet des optiques».
Photo: Sébastien Dondain (Musée national de la Marine).

Although lighthouses seem familiar, do we really know their history? Today, they light our coasts up, but during the 19th century, Paris was the capital of lighthouses, and a high place of optical and mechanical experimentation. The Musée National de la Marines features this fantastic universe, through various points of view and an important installation. Essential mark for navigators, technological and architectural wonder, lighthouse still a major symbol of coastal history, halfway between myth and artistic inspiration. There is no time to waste, check this event now!

Picture extracted from, The Lighthouse at the End of the World, Jules Verne, published in 1905.

The World in 1901
D.R. Musée national de la Marine.

PHARES, an exhibition ran by the Musée National de la Marine, until 4 November 2012.
Open from Monday to Friday, from 11am to 6pm, until 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Admissions: €9.

Musée national de la Marine
17, Place du Trocadéro
75116 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 53 65 69 69
reservation@musee-marine.fr

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Did you know that PVC is the most used material for advertising poster? A surprising report knowing that it always has a very short life. So, we took an interest in Upcycling concept today, already seen in the article about Cyclum, clever accessories brand for men. Keep reading if you want to learn more about the second life of these giants.

Bilum
As a real conquistador, Bilum is the very first French brand using former giant PVC flex banners displayed on building fronts to make handbags and accessories with. Today, it brings back to life other various fabrics as plastic-coated cloth, flags, kakemono, sails and even airbags! The first collection was made with Agnes B. advertising PVC banners. Each piece is unique and 100% Eco-friendly.

Bilum
Les 3 photos sont de (c) Jeanne Rose

Bilum products are available at l’Appartement
16 rue Bellechasse
75007 paris

Réversible
In the same vein, Réversible is another hero for dying PVC banners, and other fabrics as vinyl floor to turn them into handbags and design furniture. Réversible isn’t only aimed to consumers, she works a lot for huge events too. Lately, she designed a limited collection of handbags for the last Biennale de Lyon and the Jazz Festival of Vienna, made with the former banners of the previous year.

Find Réversible products online exclusively.
T. : +33 (0)4 72 78 45 54

Recycl’ère
Recycl’ère surfs also the Upcycling trend too. But, instead of using PVC banners, she takes companies’ trashes back as inner tubes and creates belts, handbags and accessories. The shop is also an art gallery since it features Eco-friendly designers’ works as plastic artists, sculptors and fashion designers.

The outlet is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 2.30pm to 8pm.

Recycl’ère
16 Avenue de Saint-Ouen
75018 Paris
T. : +33 (0)6 18 27 28 00

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Few hours and the weekend begins, the question is: How can we avoid to waste our time? The Gavarni hotel knows the right answer. Check out the 25th Edition of the Salon Vivre Autrement, trade fair made for Eco-citizens like you.

A Year devoted to Eco-settlements and Organic Agriculture
For the 25 time, this ethical trade fair suggests a couple of eye-opening workshops liven up by people who live already differently. Of course, novelties have been scheduled like an Eco-settlements side, and workshops based on Organic Agriculture. Take part in 50 practical workshops about various themes as organic cuisine, detox diet, recycling and even gardening. More than 400 exhibitors are ready to share their know-how and experiences. On March 16th you’re going to start a new life!

Salon Vivre Autrement
Parc floral
75012 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 45 56 09 09
contact@salon-vivreautrement.com

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According to the Gavarni hotel staff, Passy area is a lovely place to walking around. Today, they bring us in a restaurant in front of the Seine, just minutes away the Eiffel Tower. Among emblematic Parisian places where we spend a very good time, a glass of wine in the hand, there is Le Tournesol. The inside decoration is totally in black and ochre, providing this special atmosphere that only the Parisian bistro got. And we love to coil up in its typical red couches, where we savor a succulent Cassolette d’encornet or a Bacon-cheeseburger garnished with homemade French fries. It already makes our mouths water!

Open everyday from 10am to 2am. Non-stop service from 12pm to 11pm everyday.

Photo credit: La Fourchette

Photo credit: La Fourchette

Le Tournesol
2, Avenue de Lamballe
75016 Paris
France
T.: +33 (0)1 45 25 95 94
reservation@le-tournesol.fr

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