The Paris Postcard: Celebrating Calder, Rousseau’s Dreamscapes, and a Spring Week You Won’t Want to Miss

le 17 Avril, 2026

Bonjour, mes chers amis, here’s your weekly roundup from Paris. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply dreaming from afar, the Paris Postcard delivers the best and latest happening (from my POV) directly to your inbox. There’s lots to see and do, so let’s jump in!

Today marks the opening of a remarkable exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, dedicated to Alexander Calder. The moment is especially fitting: one hundred years since Calder’s arrival in Paris, and fifty since his death. This exhibit brings together more than 300 works ranging from large-scale sculptures to drawings and gouaches, offering a fuller portrait of his creative world across scale and medium.

As a Chicagoan, I have a special appreciation for Calder—his iconic monumental works are woven into the fabric of the city, from the unmistakable presence of Flamingo at Federal Plaza to Universe at Willis Tower and numerous pieces at the Art Institute of Chicago. In fact, at my first job out of college, a giant Calder piece hung on the wall behind my desk. So, I think it’s safe to say…Chicago doesn’t just have Calder pieces—they are part of its identity.

After Calder, make your way across the city for a change of pace at the Musée de l’Orangerie for the Henri Rousseau exhibit. Here, the work of Rousseau draws you inward—lush, dreamlike, and quietly transporting. It’s the kind of place where time loosens its grip, and you find yourself lingering far longer than you intended. And, be sure not to miss Claude Monet’s Water Lilies—an iconic work that is part of the museum’s permanent collection.

As always, I encourage booking museum tickets well in advance and beware of fraudulent ticket, including counterfeit “skip-the-line” offers, mirror websites, QR codes, and unauthorized street sellers. Tickets should always be purchased through official museum channels—buying elsewhere can result in invalid entry or being refused admission at the door.

Also, just so you know….vacances scolaires (school break) starts Monday, April 18 and runs through May 4. Expect to see children filling the parks and promenades, lending a playful energy to everyday Paris!

This is a great time of year to pause for a snack in Jardin des Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg where you’re certain to find the joyful rhythm of children at play: setting sail to wooden boats in one of the basins, spinning on a carousel, or riding a pony. These are scenes that make Paris timeless, where the simplest pleasures often become the most memorable.

#ICYMI

In case you missed it, my latest post shares a practical (and well-tested) guide to bringing a taste of France home with you: How to Bring Cheese Home from France.

And for a bit of nostalgia, let’s revisit my 2008 blog post highlighting the cultural richness of the Alliance Française—and why joining remains one of the most rewarding ways to stay connected to the France. Just this week, I attended the annual Spring Symposium hosted by the Alliance Française de Chicago—a thoughtful lecture series available both in person and online, and a wonderful reminder of how vibrant and accessible French culture can be, no matter where you live.

xoxo, Jeannine