Offbeat Erotica

It will come as no surprise to the faithful of BP: Paris is replete with sexy goings on. Besides the usual flesh marts and shows, here are some offbeat venues reported in a recent Zurban (a mag for the young and hip of Paris). Eros in the Art Museums of ParisOK, so you think you’ve seen it all at the Louvre, the d’Orsay, the Centre Pompidou. Maybe so, but there’s a bi-lingual guide in Paris, Bruno de Baecque, who offers private and group tours featuring the erotic (or other aspects) of museum art.   Nudes and semi-nudes abound in the museums, but de Baecque knows also where to find the erotic in other—and ostensibly non-sexual—works of art, and he offers to tailor the tour to your personal interests. (His bio says he’s in analysis, so you can assume he’s not going to be shocked if your interests are not the kind you tell your mother-in-law.)   De Baecque is an actor and author who doubles as a guide because he loves to share his knowledge of art—and because it’s tough to make a living acting or writing. If you have limited time in Paris and/or want to keep your museuming focused, check him out.   Bruno de Baecque www.vusouscetangle.net Tel: 06 82 29 37 74   A Shrink Like Few OthersHer name is Helene leChevalier and she runs an institute for sexual research and self-discovery based on Tantric Yoga, a major branch of yoga where the perineum—the area between genitals and anus—is considered the center of human sexuality.   According to her website (only in French, alas) the institute offers periodic sexuality workshops called, enticingly enough, bistro sexo. She also offers one-on-one therapy, message boards and e-mail counseling, plus instructions on various erotic/spiritual activities including “internal massage.” Yes, her website includes course contents.   Les Carres d’Helene www.helenelechevalier.com8 rue Turgot in the 9th arr., Metro AnversTel 01 45 26 34 43   And Now the Film: Eros TherapieRemember “The Balcony,” Genet’s play about a fantasy bordello in an unnamed Latin American country? Well, now there’s a French film, Eros Therapie, on the same theme that may have been inspired by Les Carres d’Helene (see above). It offers a smorgasbord of kink, plus some humor, plus some French psychobabble. It’s playing in several major cinemas, but only in French. The director, Daniele Dubroux, cheerfully admits to being fascinated by “insolence, the grotesque, and the unreal” and says she’s a fan of Roman Polanski and M. Night Shyamalan. She also mentions that while she has little use for the film critics who pontificate on French TV, she’s got a French film critic, whom she affectionately describes as “completely nuts,” to act in the film. Also in the film: Julie Depardieu, daughter of you-know-who.   Eros Therapie, opened August 25 and currently playing in 33 movie houses in Paris. French only.   The Vice That Dares Not Speak Its Name…That’s a Victorian euphemism for homosexuality. No need today to beat around the bush. Even mainstream French media deal with gay and lesbian themes. For example, Zurban has an item about a “naked cruising bar” in Paris called L’Impact.   The joint is described (in French) as having black walls, blood-red beams and orange lights. It’s inhabited by 100% naked guys (except the help, who wear jock straps). The bar is for making contact, and the basement for what happens afterwards. There’s even a giant bed for those who think that three (or more) is not a crowd. Condoms and a French version of KY jelly are free.   L’Impact www.impact-bar.com18 rue Greneta in the 2nd arr., metro Etienne-Marcel Open daily until 3 am (6 am on weekends!)Tel: 01 42 21 94 24   …And Two Who Do, GladlyAmong the dozens of websites offering offbeat “sex services” of in Paris, there are two that Zurban singles out: www.layana-slave.com and www.sabrinaricci.com.   The “slave” in Layana’s domain name refers to her Slavic origins, not to her SM role. But there’s no shortage of roles (or of fee levels) detailed on her site. She will gladly strip from whatever outfit is requested—soldier, nurse, cat woman, etc.   Ms. Ricci appears to be a major entrepreneur; her site offers films (her bio mentions some 40 porn flicks in which she cavorts with various genders and combinations thereof), toys and intimate clothing (includes items she says she’s used herself), links to other sites, etc. She’s an adroit marketer: members of her fan club get a 10% discount on her goodies. Very much adults only.