I was invited a few weeks ago to take a tour of the new BETC headquarters, Les Magasins généraux in Pantin, a suburb of Paris.
The visit started with a boat ride up the Canal de l’Ourcq. I boarded a small boat with about ten other journalists on the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement on a sunny end of the summer day with a clear sky and a nice breeze.
The voyage started on the Bassin de la Villette followed by the Canal de l’Ourcq, two bodies of water I hadn’t been on before. The canals pass through many areas of Paris I am not that familiar with and the architecture is different than the typical Haussmmanian buildings in central Paris. There are many newly built buildings and building complexes rising much higher than the standard six stories. Sometimes I didn’t feel as though I was in Paris,
We passed the Parc de Villette and there were some intriguing sculptures of American Indians. Many colorfully painted were barges moored on the docks, which had been converted into restaurants, bars, and one was a cinema.
BETC is a French based worldwide advertising and publicity agency with high profile clients such as Air France, Evian and Canal+. The new headquarters is not only a space for its 900 plus employees but a place for cultural and food events and a commitment to the city of Pantin. Pantin, a former warehouse and industrial district just outside of Paris, is becoming the new boomtown for forward thinking institutions such as art galleries looking for large spaces and businesses who need more space and can’t afford sky high Paris rental prices. Hermes and Chanel have already opened ateliers in Pantin. Could it be the Williamsburg of Paris in the near future?
Les Magasins généraux was a former graffiti ridden abandoned warehouse before BETC transformed the building. The reception was on the top floor, which had a garden, restaurant, and clear lookouts with vistas of Paris I hadn’t seen before.
BETC/ Les Magasins généraux has a food truck, organic restaurant and live music venue and in January 2017 will launch art, music, food and drinking events.
1 Rue de l'Ancien Canal, 93500 Pantin
BETC/ Les Magasins Généraux
Rooftop of BETC/ Les Magasins Généraux
View from rooftop of BETC/ Les Magasins Généraux
Eye Prefer Paris Postcards
I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.
Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.
Only $30 for a 3-month subscription plus shipping or
Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or
$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)
Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store
Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store
Click here to order a 3-month subscription from my Etsy store
Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more. In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.
Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 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
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
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: 195 euros per person (about $210)
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.
