Art

The Louvre, the Centre Georges Pompidou, and the Musée d'Orsay display some of the most inspiring and well-known artwork in the world---but depending on your mood, culture could just as well be hidden in an independent gallery, an air-conditioned movie theatre on the Champs-Elysées, or in the makeup-covered hands of a mime. No matter where you stroll, dance, or groove to the beat, you will be following in the footsteps of someone who came to Paris in search of inspiration. A generation of hungry intellectuals was lured to Paris by the call of handcrafted jewelry, academic and artistic freedom (not to mention warm croissants) during and after World War II, and under the influence of potent espresso, and even more potent red wine, they set the dramatic tone for the artistic community that prevails in Parisian cafés today.