Star of new film Papadopoulos & Sons and period favourite Upstairs Downstairs, actor Ed Stoppard takes us on a whistle-stop cultural adventure around one of his favourite cities, Paris.
BEST MUSEUM
MUSÉE GUSTAVE MOREAU
Moreau is not to everybody’s taste, his style being somewhat reminiscent of William Blake. But this museum, housed in the building he lived and worked in, is worth the visit simply to revel in the grandeur and pomp of the décor itself, never mind the hundreds of pieces of art. The highlight is his studio, found at the top of an iron spiral staircase. Truly a window into the mind of the artist.
14 rue de La Rochefoucauld, 75009 (tel: 01 4874 3850; www.musee-moreau.fr)
BEST GALLERY
MUSÉE RODIN
To walk in the garden of this museum on a warm spring day is to enjoy one of Paris’ great attractions. And the sculptures themselves – simply breathtaking! Everywhere you look are some of the most exquisite pieces of art in the city. And, of course, some of the most iconic works in the world.
79 Rue de Varenne, 75007 (tel: 01 4418 6110; www.musee-rodin.fr)
BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
HAMMAM AT THE PARIS MOSQUE
When I lived in Paris as a student, my friend Phil and I went one weekend to the hammam at the Paris Mosque in the 5th arrondissement. For the uninitiated, the hammam is the steam baths and this is one of the most elegant and extensive. I distinctly remember finding Phil in a small room where the temperature was so high that any sort of movement was painful on the skin. Perfect after dragging yourself around the capital.
39 rue Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire, 75005 (tel: 01 4331 3820; www.la-mosquee.com)
BEST EXHIBITION
BRANCUSI AT CENTRE POMPIDOU
Well, like or loathe the building itself, the Centre Pompidou does often have some of the most interesting exhibitions in Paris. I remember the Brancusi in 1995. Failing that, the Picasso Museum in the Marais, obviously.
19 Rue Beaubourg, 75004 Paris, France (tel: 01 4478 1233; www.centrepompidou.fr)
BEST OFF-PISTE CULTURE
PÈRE LACHAISE CEMETERY
Just off the Place de Clichy is a pool hall, called Billiards de Clichy I think. It is big and old and smoky and reverent and very, very cool. If you want some air, go to Père Lachaise, the largest of Paris’s cemeteries to the east of the city. Magnificent tombs and headstones abound, including Oscar Wildeʼs (minus penis – look it up) and Jim Morrison’s, covered in adoring graffiti.
16 Rue du Repos, 75020, (tel: 01 5525 8210; www.pere-lachaise.com)
Papadopoulos & Sons is out nationwide exclusively at Cineworld from 5 April and thereafter at selected cinemas throughout the country.
