In times of global warming, pollution and extinction of many animal and vegetable species, the biggest worldwide companies seem to be adopting a green conscience. As proof, the Deauville Green Awards will reward the best corporate international films for the environment and sustainable development. 150 well known participants, to name a few: EDF, Veolia, Siemens, or even Canal+, are fighting over the trophy. The stakes are high. In your opinion, who will take home this award?

Deauville Green Awards, April 11th an 12th 2012 at the Casino Barrière theater in Deauville.

Théâtre du Casino Barrière de Deauville
2, rue Edmond Blanc
14 800 Deauville
contact@deauvillegreenawards.com

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In the 19th century, before being associated to a street or a hotel, Paul Gavarni was an artist. So, it appears natural that it was important to learn more about the story of this personality, exceedingly popular in Paris. This is the reason why, this week will be dedicated to his life and his work.

Caricaturist for Parisian Newspapers
Sulpice-Hippolyte-Guillaume Chevalier, was born in 1804, in Paris, he took the pseudonym of Gavarni in 1829, after several travels in Pyrenees. Watercolorist and draughtsman, he made more than two thousand lithographs in 40 years. Late in the 1820′s he worked for newspapers as la Mode, le Charivari (satirical and anti-monarchist journal) and L’Illustration, which received his series “Pipe Smokers”. He sketched with pleasure the society under Louis-Philippe and the Second Empire, sometimes with a bitter look.

Illustrator of Le Diable à Paris
He also took part to illustration of many books, published by Pierre-Jules Hetzel. Notably
Le Diable à Paris, which contains texts written by Honoré de Balzac and Georges Sand. He has also illustrated Carnaval à Paris, Enfants Terribles, and Fourberies des Femmes, among others. His last work, entitled Douze Mois, had been published in L’Illustration shortly afterward his death.

If you want to learn more about this great artist, don’t miss next articles on Wednesday and Friday, on the Gavarni hotel’s blog!

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Recommended by all culinary bloggers, the brand new (and first one by the way) address of the gifted Chef Akrame has opened in the beginning of the year and is already one of the best Parisian restaurants. This young Chef has cooked with the most famous Chefs such as Ferran Adria (El Bulli) and Pierre Gagnaire.

An acclaimed cuisine
No wonder he broke into the market so fast, he benefits from a very creative spirit and focuses on an innovative and subtle cuisine. Perfect cooking, conscientiously balanced dishes, product chosen following the season, Akrame’s cuisine has been praised several times and that is only fair. Rose-water pigeon and sweet potatoes in emulsion, braised yellow pollock, Comté coulis, green apple and celery, those all are very mouth-watering delicacies.

A mysterious menu
At Akrame, because this is also the name of his restaurant, menus are imposed. Several formulas are suggested depending on the appetite and the budget. Thus, you only discover the content once you are served. As the Chef likes to remind, allow yourself to be lead and surprised, and trust him.

Akrame is opened from Monday to Friday from 12pm to 2pm, and from 7pm to 11pm.

Prices : Formula Les Amis du Midi : 2 main courses at €25, 3 main courses at €35.
Menu Coup de Cœur : 4 main courses at €45.
Menu Gourmand (on lunch and evenings) : 6 main courses at €65.

Akrame
19, rue Lauriston
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.40.67.11.16
contact@akrame.com

See other gastronomic restaurants on the blog of the hotel Gavarni.

The conversion of forests into farmlands, the unruly slaughtering, the ineffective management of soils as well as the increasing number of human organizations are many reasons why each day, about 350 square meters of forest belts are destroyed worldwide. Yet forests play a prominent part in global sustainable development on an economical, sociocultural and environmental level. They are the very foundation of local knowledge and as ecosystems, they play an essential part in the protection of biodiversity and help reduce the effects of climate change. For these different reasons, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2011 international year of forests. This year is therefore dedicated to making people aware and reinforce the initiatives for managing, preserving and developing all types of forests. This action is about uniting governments, international organizations and the civil society so that our forests can subsist in the interest of present and future generations.

A website has been created for the International Year of Forests within the Forum of the United Nations website on forests: www.un.org/esa/forests/2011.html

Check out other sustainable actions on the blog of the hotel Gavarni.

The departure for the big journey of Xavier Moraga – 50 day trip on the Inca Trail – is coming soon. Here are more information.

“Distance traveled from Paris to Paris: 45.000km (23.000km from Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires)
Highest point reached: Uturuncu Volcano: 6010m
Lowest point reached: Sea level
Point the most southern reaches 65 ° south latitude to Anvers Island (Ushuaia is 54 ° 48 ‘, the Antarctic Polar Circle is at 66 ° 34′ or 200km around the South Pole to 2500km)
Largest change in altitude: from Arica (sea level) to near Lake Chungara (over 4500m)
From March 10th to 28th we will not descend below 2400m, with an average altitude of about 3800m.”

We are waiting for your questions, suggestions, tips. Anything is welcome! If you would like Xavier to test some material in real conditions, give something to the local population etc.

Being an eco-citizen requires much energy. It is true that often we lack the will or time and many other things. But we forget that being eco-citizen is not an act or a behavior which is confined only in the evening returned home. It is possible to do it at work!

The first moves of a good eco-worker? Do not leave it on when you leave, which means turn off the printer and the computer!
At the coffee break or lunch, do not use covered or disposable plastic cups because it increases waste and energy spent to produce them. So we are reminded of what our grandparents did and you bring a towel and covers!

But the topic that annoys the most in business is paper consumption. It is essential to be moderated. So have a reasonable behavior!
Similarly, the color prints are not necessary every time (especially when it comes to print the last joke received by e-mail from the accounting department).
The recycling of ink cartridges of printers are very welcome, that you do not have a rainbow bin.
Finally, the best idea is to give a second life to paper, using the printed sheets (you know, your jokes received via email) as draft because of course nobody has the courage to print on the back.

Gavarni, the Green Hotel, is carrying out rebuilding work to enlarge its bedrooms. Some of the 25 bedrooms (including 4 suites) are being altered to become modular, accommodating between 1 and 3 people, with connecting doors between rooms. This means that families can have their privacy and children can enjoy a little more independence!

Renovation work is being carried out in a traditional, cosy style, using high-quality fabrics, wood and other materials. The work aims to incorporate high-tech features into the decor. It’s still very much a case of Parisian chic.

This refurbishment work incorporates an added green bonus, too; the Gavarni has made use of old furniture and materials that have been renovated and altered so that nothing is wasted and excess consumption has been avoided. It’s a straightforward idea: a table can be turned into a set of shelves! It’s easy – and green!

A major new feature of these new rooms is definitely the bathroom, which has a jet shower and a lead shower tray, preventing water leakage and ingress which accounts for a huge amount of water wastage. The lead is used for some distance up the walls beneath tiling, which avoids the problem of the grouting darkening. Eau Delice water jets spray 70% water and 30% air, leading to significant water savings.
The Gavarni will be continuing renovation work for a few weeks more before letting its customers have the full run of the place once again.

Hotel Gavarni, un hotel green à Paris

All the major French cities are now concerned: Toulouse, Nantes, Marseille, Paris and others. For some months now, the “ Neon Clan ” has been active all over France with illuminated signs in their sights.
Their objective is to protest against the “excessive” use of stores’ neon advertising signs by switching them off.

Doing so is very straightforward. The power switches for neon signs are located outside stores, so all you need is a suitable pole and/or a leg up to reach up and cut off the juice.
It’s an amusing – and non-violent – way for this masked band to combat energy-wasting and protest against the consumer society all in one go. Even if the means used by these clandestine eco-warriors are very simple, they are nonetheless effective: some retailers have already abandoned their lighting.

The group has a very clear message :
“This is a simple, non-violent act which does no damage to property. Our own neon-lettered logo will be switched off and “clan” disbanded only once stores switch off their signs at night.”