Paul McCarthy - Chocolate Factory

Paul McCarthy's exhibition originally consisted of two parts - the Chocolate Factory exposition, and a public sculpture in Place Vendôme.

In case you missed the news, the public sculpture was a 24 meter high green inflatable "Tree" in the shape of a butt plug. It lasted two days before being vandalised by closed-minded Parisians and consequently removed.

But the Chocolate Factory is still here, displaying McCarthy's distinctive works and ideas. The Chocolate Factory consists of a functioning kitchen creating the chocolates, and an immersive 8 room experience - based on the ideas of Christmas, consumption, commodity, capitalism, Western and American culture. Upon entering you become surrounded by flickering lights, ambiguous moaning, crazy-man scribbles and xmas chocolates. Let's just say you'll feel a little different when leaving compared to when you entered!

Love Lock Bridge - overburdened with love

The Pont des Arts (aka Love Lock Bridge) was recently in the news when a section collapsed under the weight of the locks. It's a pedestrian bridge that embodies an ancient tradition dating back to... err... 2008, where you symbolically seal your love into a lock, attach it to the bridge, and throw the key into the Seine.

The result - a bridge completely covered in locks...two bridges actually...

1.  Pont des Arts - between the Louvre and the Institut de France.

2.  Pont de l'Archevêché - near the south-east corner of the Notre Dame.

In true Paris style, the former is said to be for committed love, and the later for lovers.

Fields of Battle - Terres de Paix 14-18 (Jardin du Luxembourg)

Le Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the best gardens in Paris, and so it's worth visiting in it's own right. However, over the next few months you can also see a photo exhibition on display at the gardens, by photographer Michael St Maur Sheil. The exhibition takes a look at World War I, through photos of what remains in todays landscapes.

To give you an idea...photos include what remains of trenches, weapons, forts, mine craters, and of course, the cemeteries. Some stunning photography, and it's free.

There is also a giant walk-on map that gives you a quick history lesson on the movements of the World War I front lines.

The search for a decent takeaway crêpe...

I'll start by saying that when it comes to crêpes, you really need to find a good crêperie sit down restaurant. The range and quality is in a different league to your takeaway crêperie, and you get to enjoy it with a traditional glass of cider.

But where to go if you just want a takeaway crêpe? Where to go if you just want to tick the "eat a crêpe in Paris" box on your tourist to do list?

Unfortunately Paris seems to be swamped with sub-standard crêperie stands which are designed to suck money out of tourists. These are ok for a basic sweet crêpe (crêpes sucrées)...let's face it, it's a pancake with a blob of nutella on it...we're not talking rocket science.

Grom - the best ice-cream in Paris...possibly the universe

What could possibly be a better recommendation for my first post on my first blog. Grom - an ice-cream store originating from Italy. And fortunately for Parisians, they have a store in Paris (in 6eme). What makes it the best?

••  quality ingredients, whether it be the seasonal fruit, the milk, the cocoa, the coffee beans, the eggs or even the water (apparently??).

••  no artificial colourings or additives.

••  unique and innovative flavours and an ever changing menu.

All this equals ice-cream flavours with party in your mouth freshness.