IS’ CULTURAL NEWSLETTER

First edition 09/04/2013

Hey Guys!

You’re surely wondering what the hell is this new mail we are bothering you with.

Don’t worry; this isn’t another spam from somebody wanting to sell his kettle. No, actually we hope this is something that is going to be really useful to you: a newsletter especially designed for you, that is going to be published each month:

In it we’ll try to give you all the tips and good addresses you need to enjoy the capital but also Jouy’s closer but often neglected neighbourhood, Versailles.

We are also going to advise you about events, shows, exhibitions, parties and so on that might interest you and for which the communication isn’t always efficient enough to break through.

And we finally plan to organise regular outings in the capital or Versailles the weekends like the visit to the Pantheon that took place on Eastern Monday and the bicycle tour that is due on Saturday the 13 of April.

We hope you’ll enjoy this first edition!

Is’ new cultural pole.

PS: All the information you’ll get in the newsletter is going to be recorded on our soon to be website so don’t hesitate to visit it as soon as we inform you that it is online!

I)  VERSSAILLES:

1) Good addresses 2) Events 3) Tips

II)  PARIS:

1) Good addresses 2) Events 3) Exhibitions

III) IS’ EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPUS

For your evening, you should once try « Les Caves du Roi Soleil » (“The cellars of the Sun King”). It will offer you a unique setting for a successful party: this disco/pub is established in very old cellars, with many small alcoves, and mix old times with modernity. It is open every night from 8pm to 3am and the entry is free. Here is the program: v  Monday, Tuesday: lounge bar atmosphere v  Wednesday: striptease night v  Thursday: Theme night (you can find the theme each week on their Facebook page) v  Friday, Saturday: 2 dance floors, 2 atmospheres v  Sunday: lady's night (open bar for girls)

v  VERSAILLES JAZZ FESTIVAL: From April 12th till April 19th, a jazz festival will liven up the city of Versailles! Many concerts, jam sessions and a master class will take place at the Trianon Palace, at the theatre, at the Conservatoire of Versailles (music school) and outdoor, with some famous artists like Michel Portal and Bojan Z. Between 10 and 20 euros per concert. Reservations on fnac spectacles For more information see: http://versaillesjazzfestival.eu/VJF2013/Accueil.html

During a sunny day (it will come soon, don’t be depressed!), let’s try a restful walk through the park of the Palace of Versailles. Breathe some fresh air; take advantage of the atmosphere and admire the magnificent panoramas… You may also be tempted by some royal pleasures: have a picnic, take an ice cream in the gardens of the Palace, make a bike ride under the centenary trees, or try a boat tour with friends! Starting from april, a lot of musical events take place around the fountains to which you can attend for around 8 euros. There are also fireworks each Saturday that will cost you around 20 euros. Click here for more information

PARIS

v  BAR-RESTAURANT-LOUNGE “DANS LE NOIR?”

The restaurant “Dans le Noir?” offers you a unique experience of a dinner in complete darkness, served by blind people. You will live a sensorial experience that will enable you to re-evaluate your perception of taste and smell. But it is also a social experience in which darkness encourages conviviality without any prejudices. You can choose to discover the Surprise Menu “Dans le Noir?” prepared by Chef Olivier Romain and Christophe Garnier.

v  PARIS GREAT MOSQUEE’S TEA HOUSE

Time for a break, rest yourself on the multicoloured enamel patio, in the shade of tents surrounded by flowers and birds, or in the little moorish café. There, under the panelling you can taste, north african pastries, "cornes de gazelles", "mamouls aux dates", "baklawas" at the same time savouring mint tea or coffee. Don’t come too late if you want to be sure to find places. It is really not expansive (2€ the tea) and incredibly beautiful. Open 7 days a week, from 9:00 am to 11:30 pm.

v  CHEZ GEORGES DANCING BAR: If you feel like dancing, the George Bar is a very nice place to go with your friends. It is a nice dancing bar where drinks are not too expensive, sandwiches cheap and delicious. The dancing is underground, in an old and beautiful stone cellar and the music is often a little bit vintage and funny, which gives this place a lot of charm and an original atmosphere. Be careful however: don’t arrive too late if you want to have a sit. 11 rue des Canettes, 6ème

v  THE FOIRE DU TRÔNE (CHARENTON)

During your trip to Paris, you can’t miss the most incredible French funfair. Every year, la Foire du Trône gathers mind-blowing attractions to make you live one of the best experiences of your life. Nothing is better than going there with friends in a sunny afternoon. It’s only at 15min from Gare de Lyon! From the 29 of March to the 26of June

v HORSE RACES SHOWS – RACECOURSE OF PARIS (VINCENNES)

From 19th March to 28th June, come to admire enchanting horse races shows every Tuesday and Friday evenings in the racecourse of Paris in Vincennes. This is an unforgettable experience, with 2,700m of epic race in a spirited atmosphere. The entry costs only 3€ (1,50€ if you are under 25).

v  THE HISTORY OF FRANCE THROUGH ADVERTISING (bibliothèque forney)

In this exhibition, you will be able to observe a selection of 150 advertising documents – posters, newspaper advertising, drink or cheese labels… – telling you the History of France, through a humoristic way of presenting French heroes and great personalities. You will also be able to admire the artistic dimension of French advertising through the decades. Until the 27th of April from Tuesday to Saturday (1PM-7PM) 4 euros 1 rue du Figuier 71004 PARIS: métro 1 Station St Paul

v  PARIS HAUTE COUTURE EXHIBITION (HÔTEL DE VILLE) From 2nd March to 6th July, the Paris Hôtel de Ville gives you, through this unique exhibition, an opportunity to admire some exceptional examples of haute couture dresses or outfits, chosen from among the most beautiful pieces in the Galliera museum collections. And all this for free! From 03/02 to 07/06 10AM to 19PM Everyday except Sundays

v  «  L’ANGE DU BIZARRE  »: EXPOSITION AT THE FAMOUS MUSEUM OF THE QUAI D’ORSAY

  At the beginning of the month, the Quai d’Orsay Museum launched its new exhibition, placed under the sign of a very peculiar artistic movement, dealing with the part of shadow, irrationality and excess that lies underneath the bright lights of Romanticism. Using different artistic supports (movies, paintings, drawings, sculptures), the exhibition is a kind of travel through the imagination of great spirits: old legends, infernal landscapes, figures of Death, frightening creatures such as vampires, werewolves, witches…

Nothing to see with Twilight or Buffy the Vampire Slayer: from the scary atmosphere of the XVIIIth century’s Gothic English Novels, to Surrealism from the early XXth, this exposition cleverly makes us dream through the ages of Dark Romanticism. You might particularly enjoy the movie corners where you can sit and watch a few extracts of Rebecca (Hitchcock), Dracula (Francis Ford Coppola), …

Audio guides are available in English, and every piece of art is commented in English and in French. We advise you to take two hours to visit the whole exposition, which is quite long.

From the 5th of March to the 9th of June, closed on Monday, opened from 9.30 to 18 on every other day except Thursday (opened until 21.45). For more details, click here.

TIPS: If you feel hungry or thirsty after the exhibition, Place St Michel is only at one RER C station far from Orsay. We advise you to go Rue Saint André des Arts and have a “crêpe bretonne” with a glass of homemade cider in one of the little “crêperies” of this very famous street. After, you can wander between Notre Dame and Rue de la Huchette: it is always crowded and lively and if you feel like dancing, you can go to Chez Georges

IS’ EVENTS OUTSIDE OF THE CAMPUS

v  PARIS BIKE TOUR: Saturday the 13th of April Now, you all know Paris: you've been there, you've walked into the streets. But do you know its stories? Its History? No? Then come to the bike tour. Yes? Then come anyway. On the menu, a three hours bike tour of the most famous (and less famous) places of Paris, with professional tour guides that will share with you the secrets of the city of the lights. Ride next to the tour Eiffel and in front of the golden dome of the Invalides, stroll along the world famous royal castle of the Louvre (yes, it's more than just a museum...) and set wheel on the Ile de la Cité, where you might catch a glimpse of Quasimodo hiding up in the cathedral spires... A technical stop in a bar is also on the schedule. Oh, and there are only fourteen spots left. So better hurry! Price: 19€ (all inclusive: transport, bike rental and bar stop) Meeting: 11h30 at the bus stop on the campus

v  IS TOUR TO THE PARC ASTÉRIX, Saturday 27 april

Want to delve into the world of the most famous comic hero of France? To meet Zeus and bash some romans after having drunk the famous magic potion that makes you invincible? Then come with us to the Astérix park!

Meet Panoramix, Obelix , Assurancetourix and all the protagonists of the irreducible Gaulois that resist now and always to the roman invader. Dare to ride the Zeus' Thunder and the Oziris rollercoasters, brave the waters of the Roman River or savour sweets while wandering across the park, dressed like a true Gaulois warrior. It's a day of fun, adrenaline and bliss that awaits you in the park: come with us! You will not regret it. The ancestors of all french people await you... By Toutatis! 32€ with campus contribution, 45€ otherwise (includes transport, entrance) Meeting: 8.15 am at the bus stop in the campus