Johnny Hallyday, cigars, Booba and passion fruits. Evoke one item of the list and you will trigger a smile of pleasure at Foucauld Duchange, co-founder and editor of PASSION. Still confidential, but highly sought after, the limited copies of this magazine are printed on several types of paper and bound by hand in Paris.
He is currently working with the team on an exhibit that will introduce PASSION and its contributors. Far from a contemptuous hipster, this esthete invites you to join their event, starting on April 23rd at 0fr gallery, and reveals you his favorite spots in Paris.
Foucauld Duchange
1/ L’Express Bar – 23 rue du Roule 75001 Paris
Is it the best place in the world? Maybe. At least, it is definitely the place where I feel best. The bistro is run by Basque people, at any hour you can order a three-course menu at €13.50, and wine bottles seldom exceed €20. From the bavette aux bulots-aïoli to the major Thursdays’ pot-au-feu, or black cherry jam on sheep’s cheese, everything is designed here to help you remember that life is worth living.
If I did not restrain myself, I would take all my meals, and spend all my time there. The Express is like the cigarette, there’s always an excuse to pay a visit: because we are happy, because we are stressed, because we are tired, because we just to get up, or to do like our other buddies…
The first issue of PASSION was almost entirely written in this place, and it’s the only bar where I was paid shots to make me go to bed !
2/ Librairie Gilda – 36 rue des Bourdonnais 75001 Paris
I often find a shelter in this second-hand bookshop to buy discounted books. Such books were often given to journalists through press offices. I even found a copy of Entrée des Fantômes, autographed by its author Jean-Jacques Schuhl. The former owner had carved out his name not to be spotted! I also enjoy digging in the pocket books trays, and when I need to feel better, I search for comics, especially by Reiser.
3/ A La Civette Р157 Rue Saint-Honor̩ 75001 Paris
This renowned Parisian tobacco shop has been operating for more than three centuries and is still the best I know. Apart from the precious pieces of advice given by the kind, expert staff, its enormous advantage is that defective cigars can be sent back to their suppliers, if necessary. Thus, you are ensured to buy perfect cigars, whatever its price.
It happens regularly that a seller has to open up three or four boxes, in order to find the best size with an impeccable wrapper and an optimum level of humidity.
As you go away from the shop, go to the gardens of the Palais Royal. The Café Marly or Le Nemours are ideal places to ignite your discovery, whether it is a modest Por Larrañaga panatela, or a double Saint Luis Rey corona.
4/ 0fr – 20 rue Dupetit-Thouars 75003 Paris
Bookshops are often a pretext for walking in the city, and I must say that 0fr often changes my itinerary, like a magnet changes the orientation of a compass.
First, they have a cutting-edge selection of everything from magazines to art, photography or fashion books. But they also buy ancient issues of Purple or Paradis, which is a dream for magazine collectors like me.
These days, I spend a lot of time in their attached gallery to prepare the PASSION exhibit, which will start on April 23rd.
5/ Chez Wend (a friend’s place)
I’m not sure whether Adrien will open his own place one day, but until then, I often finish my nights in his wake, when bars are closed down and flat doors would not open. We met in NYC and spent there unforgettable nights. Even through my love for daylight will always prevent me from living the same existence than his, I know we’ll keep the same vision of what a party or a club should be.
However, this doesn’t exist in Paris yet, and this is what we’re trying to create by PASSION parties.
PASSION magazine is sold online: http://fruitsdelapassion.bigcartel.com
Website: http://fruitsdelapassion.fr
Article: Paul Mouginot
