23MUSÉE DE L’ILLUSION – PARIS plus To step through the door of this museum of … illusion is to enter a surprising world where nothing is really what you expect it to be. LE BHV MARAIS You meet your own clones, you defy the Situated in the historic Marais district, oppo- laws of gravity in the upside-down room, you site the Hôtel de Ville, this department store think you’re losing your mind in the Vortex is a shopper’s delight for fashion and design. Tunnel and the photo session in the Infinity Its renowned DIY department, a veritable Ali Room is a must. Most of all, it’s a lot of fun, Baba’s cave, is well worth a visit. whether you’re alone, with friends or with 52 rue de Rivoli (4th). the family. The Smart Playroom is a perfect M Hôtel de Ville.o way to end a visit. 09 77 40 14 00. 98 rue Saint-Denis (1st). M Étienne Marcel.o www.bhv.fr 07 66 72 76 40. Daily. Sun to Wed: 10am- 8pm. Thurs to Sat: 10am-10pm. Full rate: €18. IGOR STRAVINSKY FOUNTAIN https://museedelillusion.fr At the foot of the Centre Pompidou, this fountain by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely is recognizable by its 16 coloured sculptures, playfully spouting jets of water. This pleasant spot is flanked by the church of Saint-Merri, several restaurants, and huge murals by street artists Jef Aérosol and Shepard Fairey. Place Igor Stravinsky (4th). 24MUSÉE DES ARTS ET MÉTIERS M Hôtel de Ville.o The museum’s treasures trace the history of TOUR SAINT-JACQUES technology since the 16th century, across This tower is the only remaining vestige of the seven domains: scientific instruments, church of Saint-Jacques-de-la-Boucherie. materials, construction, communication, It is accessed via the little park with the energy, mechanical engineering and trans- same name, and the view of Paris from the portation. The former abbey of Saint-Martin- top is quite spectacular. des-Champs serves as the setting for the Square de la tour Saint-Jacques (1st). collections presented chronologically. Visi- M Hôtel de Ville.o 01 83 96 15 05. tors can discover the charming La Joueuse Guided tours only, by appointment. de tympanon (The Dulcimer Player), an www.desmotsetdesarts.com automaton dating from 1784, the sphere of Foucault’s legendary pendulum (1851), and TOUR JEAN-SANS-PEUR even an airplane from 1897. The visit comes The last vestige of the Palais des ducs to an end in the Arts et Métiers metro sta- de Bourgogne (15th century), this tower tion, inspired by Jules Verne’s Nautilus. houses a masterpiece of French sculpture: 60 rue Réaumur (3rd). M Arts et Métiers.o the carved vault above the spiral staircase. 01 53 01 82 63. Daily: 10am-6pm, except Mon, 20 rue Étienne Marcel (2nd). 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. Fri: open until 9pm. M Étienne Marcel.o 01 40 26 20 28. Permanent collections/full rate: €8. Joint ticket www.tourjeansanspeur.com (permanent collections + temporary exhibition)/ full rate: €9. www.arts-et-metiers.net GAÎTÉ LYRIQUE An art gallery, concert hall and centre of artistic creation, the Gaîté Lyrique explores digitalculture in all its forms. It boasts an eclectic programme. 3 bis rue Papin (3rd). M Réaumur – Sébastopol.o 01 53 01 52 00. https://gaite-lyrique.net 28| HISTORIC HEART