Does anyone have information regarding a gentleman that hosts a weekly dinner party in his apartment in Paris? I had read an article about his soirees - you pay about 10E and he cooks a simple dinner for about 10 or 20 people (pretty much the first people to turn up at his door) and enjoy conversation with people from around the glove. It sounded very intriguing and fun, definitely something "different" for our trip to Paris.

I'd bet the article was about a guy named Jim Haynes who has been hosting these Sunday parties at his apartment for years.
I went to one a couple of years ago, It was, as you might imagine, an eclectic group.
If you Google Jim Haynes & Paris, you'll get details on how to arrange to attend.

http://www.jim-haynes.com/Articlesab...r_in_Paris.htm

There's also this one (I haven't attended so don't have personal knowledge)

Patricia Laplante-Collins has international dinner parties on the Ile St-Louis. There is always a Guest speaker, perhaps a Writer, Actor, Historian -- you name it, Patricia hosts them all. Patricia is proud to have a 21st Century Parisian Salon. Our mission is to simply enlarge our circle of acquaintances in a safe and stimulating atmosphere while promoting Cultural Achievement, The New Age and Paris Personalities. And we have fun! We are THE gathering place for the International Community of Paris. Enjoy! Discuss! Meet new and interesting people.

SUNDAY 16 JANUARY

CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY.
Thanks for reserving via return email! If you don't receive an email
confirmation by Sunday, please call Patricia's Tel: 01.43.26.12.88,
E-mail: [email protected]

Is anyone else guessing that Patricia's dinners cost more than the 10 euro of Jim's?

An article by Adrian Leeds in October 2004 states: "To reserve at Jim Haynes' Sunday Soirée, call him at 01.43.27.17.67 or email him at [email protected]. Bring a suggested donation of 20 euros to cover dinner and be sure to tell him Adrian sent you."

Am adding a link to a friend's blog called "Peel Me a Grape" where she posted about her dining experience at Jim Hayne's house (which, incidentally, she mentions was once Matisse's atelier!)

http://peelmeagrape.blogspot.com/200...im-haynes.html

There's lots about him if you google. We were talking about him last night on another forum.

Mimi, I would love to meet up with Jim Haynes - that would be so cool.

Mimi, did anyone who was chatting about him actually go to his home and meet him?
Imagine, if writers and artists opened their homes to people once a month,pay me 10E and come have dinner at my house! What fun that would be..although Jim Haynes looks a bit scruffy

Oh Mimi, btw- the question you asked me earlier today on a thread I cannot find, I guess the person you were asking about was not banned.

A few had and were negative, but this photo of beatchick's friend makes him look very nice. Otheres I've seem make him look scuffy.
I somehow got on a mailing list that has a woman who hosts dinners but for professional women, often with a guest speaker.

http://www.jim-haynes.com/
here's a photo

Here's Adrians piece on him
http://www.parlerparis.com/issues/pparis1-10-04.html

Boy he looks much better in that photo!

au chien lunatique looks interesting

http://goeurope.about.com/gi/dynamic...enlunatique%2F

Not that one needs to be handsome or that sort of thing, but the photo I made him look like a bit too seedy looking.

Yes! now they do look fun and the food must be fabulous! Thanks Mimi, I might have to look into this one

This was actually on my to-do list for our trip to Paris last week, but since we arrived on Sunday instead of Saturday as we had planned, we didn't make it. Oh well.

Nikki, I'm sorry you didn't go - I would loved to have read your perspective on it.

I guess some of us are so hung up on the superficial things in life. Too bad, as one can really miss something special. It does pay to do one's homework when visiting Paris!

Mimi, my friend said she loved meeting up Jim Haynes. She's a lot like you: very literary, very down to earth, very real.