All but cherry blossom

On the tail end of Easter, Paris is gearing up for spring, for summer, for the Olympic Games, for anything that isn't dreary rain and grey skies that make everything feel like it's on standby.

This month’s felt particularly long and yet here we are, already in April. I’m looking forward to finally holding a copy of Jane Bertch’s The French Ingredient, about how she founded her super-successful cooking school in Paris, and Carrie Solomon’s beautiful book of French bohemian recipes. A legendary place to dance is rising from the ashes on the outskirts of Paris, young photographers are at a festival, and I’ve shared old and new spots I’ve loved eating at. Two guest writer friends share their insider knowledge: Kate’s got an Olympic Games cheatsheet for us and Flo’s back with the lowdown on proper sushi in Paris. Happy April! Roxy x

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4 things on my radar this April

Get to know the new generation of European photographers during Circulation(s) at Le 104, a hybrid arts venue with a good bistro, bookshop, second-hand shop and an arts incubator. There’s always something going on here, including watching the local kids practice their dance routines in the open-plan hall. This month, 20 up-and-coming photographers experimenting with CCTV footage and AI will be showing their work until 2nd June.

Ever wondered what it’s like to create a cooking school that teaches visitors from all four corners of the globe how to make croissants and macarons? How does France and its wealth of produce from rich and diverse landscapes inspire chefs who have made Paris their home? Questions North Americans Jane Bertch of cooking school La Cuisine and chef Carrie Solomon who was based at Aube café until recently, delve into in their new books The French Ingredient (find out more in my chat with Jane) and Bohème Cooking (get to know Carrie as she answers my questions here).

Dance the night away on the vestiges of the Babcock boiler-making factory in La Courneuve (north of Paris). A playground for graffiti artists, the warehouse (AKA ‘rave house’), which used to host legendary techno nights up to seven years ago, is now taking up a firm spot on the official electronic music circuit. The line-up is led by underground collective Kumquat events, known for organising raves in offbeat places. Babcock Factory opens with a massive event on 5th April and more to come.

Browse art from galleries of the French scene at this year’s edition of the annual Art Paris fair from 4-7th April. I’m not a big fan of these huge impersonal art fairs, but they do give you a glimpse of a lot of diverse art in one place, which is handy. There will be a mix of artists and galleries presenting work with a focus on fragile utopias, which is certainly in line with the times. Crossing my fingers I’ll make it this time.

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On the menu

Places I’ve loved this month, including heart-warming steak-frites and giant, gooey cookies.

Clockwise: OTTO founders Eric Trochon, Stéphane Offner and Tony Alvarez; the dining room at Candide; Thibault Sombardier at Mojju; a spread of South Korean food at Mojju; exterior of César; giant gooey cookie at César.