http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19849 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19849 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17480
It would be great - if it were true!

Last year's was a shambles. The authorities didn't (wouldn't) release guides until the night itself (and then didn't explain how to get them) and most Parisians had no idea what was open, or where.

We joined the crowds milling outside the Louvre (closed), tried the Musee d'Orsay (closed) and settled for a Bateau Mouche - which turned out to provide the long awaited guidebook once you'd bought your ticket.

The boat trip itself was pleasant, during which we could read the guide - to discover few places indeed were open at all, and the promised 'all night opening' of the Metro only applied to certain lines in certain directions.

The only bar we could find open and not crammed with similarly baffled tourists was Australian (not very Parisian). When we finally gave up, we joined the thousands of others equally trying to desperately get a taxi home in the sub-zero temperatures, and ended up huddled in a Metro entrance (closed) for warmth until the hordes had thinned enough for us to try and get back.

It can't be blamed on our being tourists - as we have French friends who live in Paris and who we'd joined to spend the 'event' with!

Hopefully this year's will be better, but I'd definitely check every detail out in advance, just in case!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17480 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16476 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16476 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16474
There, in a peaceful mansion, you'll find the largest Monet collection anywhere. See the entire range of his work, culminating in the Giverny Nympheas, displayed in a wonderful circular gallery.

Admire works of many other Impressionists, including one of the few women, Berthe Morisot, Manet's sister-in-law. Easy to get to (four buses, metro), opposite a delightful park, near good, cheap restaurants - a day out of Paris, in Paris!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16474 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16437
You can arrive as the setting sun catches the top of the glass pyramid (making for the perfect ‘I heart Paris’ portrait) then dash to all the best bits while everyone is making their way out.

As you stand tête-à-tête with the Mona Lisa, you might finally realise what all the fuss is about.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16437 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16367
The internal courtyards, lined with Andalusian mosaics, are offset by dark eucalyptus and cedar trim. The mosque's adjoining cafe and restaurant, serves excellent north African cuisine such as couscous, tajine and sweet mint tea to all.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16367 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16292
Glasses going back 800 years, including some (eg Elton John's) that are positively architectural. You tell me that a museum of contact lenses would look this good!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16292 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16225 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16225 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16182
A garden exclusively inhabited by flowers and plants depicted from the heights of British literature. For here is the Jardin de Shakespeare. A fenced-off and beautiful garden, in which you will find only plants mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. Shouldn't this garden be in somewhere in Regent's Park? Well no, because it's in Paris and more.

During the summer month on the natural stage at the end of the garden, companies come to perform repertories from The Complete Works in French and in English with French subtitles. Maybe we should do the same for Alexandre Dumas in Regent's Park?!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16182 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16130
There are very attractive gardens and a little museum which has exhibitions of the photographs and films that he commissioned between 1909 - 1931. This remarkable man sent photographers to remote areas of the world to record the people and how they lived. There has recently been a documentary on television about him and the amazing collection.

It is possible to purchase postcards and posters in the small shop. Unfortunately, the salon de the in the Palm house is not open because the building needs urgent renovation, but there are bars and brasseries next to the metro entrances. This was a fascinating place to visit and is off the usual tourist trail. Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15819
But his best ingredient was a bizarre sense of humour. In the Musée Fragonard, you meet a trio of dancing foetuses, ‘Sansom’ - a toothless man waving a jawbone, and a horseback rider with veins of brightly coloured wax.

Until the 1990s it was only open to those with a ‘specialist interest’.

Fragonard was deemed insane and lost his job. But perhaps he was only trying to bring a human face to medicine – a leering, monstrous, pop-eyed one at that.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15819 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15816 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15816 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15754
Tucked away on the rue Paul Valery in an architecturally stunning building, the museum features art from the African continent, focusing on single aspects of African art and culture in depth (e.g. Congolese sculpture, Gabon masks).

It also has a gift shop and a wonderful café that serves African dishes. While getting to know a city’s major museums can be hard work, the Dapper is a museum you can learn to love in an afternoon.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15754 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15747
Opened in the twenties, its history is closely entwined with the avant garde. It has been upgraded, but keeps its original atmosphere thanks to the impressive light fittings by Cocteau.

The charming garden bar is well worth a visit on it own. If your French isn’t up to it, look out for VO (version originale) which means the film will be shown in its original language with French subtitles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15747 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15746 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15746 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15680
Not visited as often as many buildings in Paris because it appears tucked away in the courtyard of the Palais de Justice.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15680 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15674
Try going on a Sunday morning when you will find a birdmarket on in the Marche aux Fleur. Amazing sights and sounds to be had. But don’t be tempted to buy a new pet! And don’t foget that the Ile St-Louis should not be missed.

Cross the bridge (pont St Louis) near the back of Notre Dame church and wander the winding streets full of evocative little Parisian shops and tiny bistros.

Its wonderful to explore and make your own discoveries.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15674 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15673 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15673