Jean-Michel Othoniel Guest Edits Whitewaller Paris

If you find yourself in Paris for the fall fairs, take note: Paris is booming! The Petit Palais is the place to go during FIAC. It faces the Grand Palais, and it is always a dream to see how old architecture can dialogue with contemporary art. The Fondation Louis Vuitton is also a great place to visit for its unique architecture and spectacular shows. If you’re going to the 1st arrondissement, check out the soon-to-open Collection Pinault–Paris at the Bourse du Commerce. Until then, you can always see for free The Kiosk of Nightwalkers, the Métro station entrance I created at Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre, visible day and night in the heart of Paris. It has been a real meeting point in the city for 17 years.

But the best is always to try to organize a studio visit to discover the artists living in Paris. You would be surprised to see what is in process and what we have in mind. Currently, I’m working toward a few upcoming shows: at Perrotin New York (March 3–April 15, 2018), at the Musée d’art moderne et contemporain of Saint-Etienne (May 2018), and at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (July 7–October 10, 2018).

Paris is also one of the rare cities in the world where, as a visitor, you can be invited to people’s places to eat; Parisians love to organize dinners at home. If you are from abroad, feel free to contact me. I will be happy to cook for you if I am in town!

When I go out, I love Le Bar des Prés, the restaurant of our super-nice French star chef Cyril Lignac, which opened last year. He brings back the friendly feeling of Saint-Germain around a real delicious French cuisine. In the same area, the old Café de Flore is still a place to go if you are by yourself—it is always joyful. In the north of Paris, I just discovered a fantastic restaurant that is a mix of Asian and French, Le Servan, owned by two young women chefs. It is located in the new young district of Paris, full of bars and galleries.

At the end of a long week, Les Puces de Clignancourt are always a source of wonder and fun. If you want to relax, the garden of the Musée Delacroix is a special place in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. And if you have the chance to visit the place in spring, you will smell a unique rose with a very special name: Othoniel Rosa.

— Jean-Michel Othoniel