Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature.

Amanda Henderson almost doesn’t need an introduction around here. You would have seen me go on about how amazing she is in this post and also in my interview with her (btw, if you haven’t read it – you totally need to. She is very cool). For those of you that don’t know her, Amanda is the mastermind behind Gloss Creative, the design company that provides creative concepts, design and direction for events and sets for many of Australia’s style conscious companies. After reading this post, I now wish I was going to Paris after Milan. Alas, Belgrade, Barcelona and Madrid will have to do this time… – x dana

You know what it’s like. We all love the pilgrimage to Milan design week. Just ask Dana, she’s lapping it up right now, boosting her already substantial inspiration stocks at ‘Zona Tortona’ and the rest to generously share with us on her return.

As if Milan with incredible installations and exhibitions aren’t enough to give you a visual overload, here’s one more to tip you over the edge into sensory bliss, but its not in Milan. Most pilgrims end up in Paris either before or after Milan design week. If there is one thing not to miss in Paris this year its Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature. This ‘hunting’ museum, if you could call it that, is the ultimate mix of set design, interior design and visual communication experience I’ve had anywhere. This is the real deal.

This is the visual merchandising lesson that will last me a lifetime. Paris.Unlike describe it better than I could (see the article here)-

Fans of Deyrolle and Jules Verreaux will gush over the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature’s (Museum of Hunting and Nature) stuffed cornucopia of taxidermy, fine art and antique firearms. Here, the eternal struggle of man versus beast is displayed in a manner so sophisticated and eclectic even die-hard PETA members might cop to admiration. Inside, the museum’s silk brocade walls, traditional trophies and paintings coexist harmoniously with contemporary pieces by artists such as Jan Fabre, Gelitin and Marc Dion.

It’s not the only reason to head here. Sequestered behind the grand facade of Hotel de Guénégaud, the museum is perched in a mid-17th century building designed by architect François Mansart. After virtually three years of extensive remodeling, the museum opened its doors to the public last year, brandishing a completely redesigned space that artistically bridges the gap between past and present.

So here are my images of this inspiring place. In true visual merchandising style, low on words, big on pictures.

Apart from room after room of wonderful curiosities, the  presentation of each room is surprising, for me its was Jeff Koons puppy (top image) sitting on the marble fire place ready sound the horn signalling  the next hunt or the super modern art on the ceiling amongst the  many rooms filled with countless animal ‘trophies’.

How to tell someone not to sit on a seat without using a single word.  Place a single spikey thistle on a chair. Brilliant.

Upstairs  finds a forest installation made entirely of cardboard complete with its own soundtrack (image below).

After you’ve been through this incredible place you can make the most of the afternoon in Paris, Drop into the Carnavalet Museum, a museum devoted to the history of Paris, only the French would commemorate with imagery this beautiful.

Soon after you’ll be ready for a brisk walk around  the Marais many cool, interesting  shops to Café de Musées for  lunch with friends – another visual feast awaits you the food so fresh its still crying. Here is how my  journalist friend describes it…

Situated halfway between the Musée Picasso and the Place des Vosges, the Café de Musées is that rare Paris institution: a reasonably priced local bistro devoted to fresh food, perfectly prepared. Have a drink at the sleepy Café de Sévigné, hidden down a quiet side-street that fronts onto one of the Marais’ 18th-century gardens, then proceed up the road to the bistro, which, despite a nightly throng, never disappoints. Highlights include the perennial steak and chips, vegetable cocotte (a casserole of seasonal vegetables with a hint of marjoram oil and wilted lettuce), the chef’s house-smoked salmon, artichoke homemade terrine de campagne and berry tarts, and anything involving mushrooms, particularly the chicken cocotte with trompe de mort.

The side trip to Paris may seem a little extravagant after all you’ve seen in Milan, but I say not, just pure common sense and travel efficiency right?

Dana I hope you enjoy your trip to Milan, design hunter and collector!