Pristine Restaurant
Honoring the Humble
There is rarely anything pristine about a restaurant, but even though I found the name to be rather strange, Pristine had good press and was open on Sunday evening, so I headed over to the ninth arrondissement to meet up … Read More
Caluche Restaurant
Bottles Galore
When I arrived at Caluche, a pleasant bistro in the fifth arrondissement, I was not disappointed to find that the wild scene depicted in a colorful painting on the wall was not replicated in the restaurant. Perhaps on another occasion, … Read More
Daytrips From Paris, Exhibitions
Fondation Arp
Suburban Hideout for Swiss Dadaists
The sculptor and poet Jean Arp (1886-1966) may be best known to English-language cruciverbalists (yes, it’s a word, referring to a skilled crossword-puzzle solver) for his three-letter last name, which provides convenient fill for awkward gaps in a crossword grid, … Read More
Kitchen 32 Restaurant
Japanese Happy Meal
Choosing a restaurant by looking at its facade and peering through the window is usually not a good idea, but I lucked out the other day when I picked Kitchen 32 for dinner with my friend Jean-Michel. I was probably … Read More
Vivre, Mourir, Renaître
Life After HIV
There is something poignant in director Gaël Morel’s decision to situate his new film, Vivre, Mourir, Renaître (To Live, To Die, To Live Again), between 1990 and ’95; it was during that period that Morel first made his name as … Read More
Pagaille Restaurant
High Hopes Dashed
It’s rather worrying when the restaurant you plan to eat at is called Pagaille, meaning “chaos,” but I was confident that that was just some kind of ironic private joke on the part of the owners. Pagaille is one of … Read More
Canal Saint Martin. © Paris Update
What's Happening in Paris This Week
For full details about an event, click on the title to visit the official Web site (in English when available).
Through October 28
Food porn
“Sport & Food” is the featured theme for the Festival International de la Photographie Culinaire.
Various venues, France
October 29
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Fantomas, directed by André Hunebelle.
Epée de Bois, Paris
Through October 29
Film festival for kiddies
Mon Premier Festival features some 100 films and more for kids aged two and up.
Various locations, Paris
November 2
Free stuff exchange
Help save the environment by recycling stuff at the Giant Free Troc Party swap event. Online registration (required) opens at noon.
Académie du Climat, Paris
October 30–November 3
Chocolate paradise
Cocoa growers, chocolate makers, exhibitions, recipe demonstrations, performances and more at the Salon du Chocolat.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
November 4-8
Science film festival
Films on everything from dinosaurs to the search for extraterrestrials at Pariscience.
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris
November 5-9
Award-winning photography
Star photographers are on show at the exhibition of the Prix de la Photographie’s winners and runners-up.
Galerie 24-b, Paris
November 4-10
Indie, rock, electro
The Pitchfork Music Festival puts the spotlight on the indie music scene.
Various locations, Paris
November 6-10
Photography books
Eighty international photography book publishers gather to show their wares at Polycopies.
Bateau Concorde Atlantique, Berges de Seine, Paris
November 7-10
Mega-photography fair
Some 200 leading photo galleries show works by their artists at Paris Photo.
Grand Palais, Paris
November 7-10
Specialist book fair
Offprint Paris features independent, experimental and socially aware publishers of books on architecture, design and the social sciences.
Pavillon de l’Arsenal, Paris
October 24-November 16
World music
Music and dance from around the globe are featured during Ville des Musiques du Monde. Includes a new section on trance music.
Various locations, Paris & Seine-Saint-Denis
Through November 21
Art indoors and out
Contemporary art on the Île Seguin and in the Seine Musicale for the Extatiques festival. Free admission,
L’Île Seguin & La Seine Musicale, Paris
October 30-November 23
Focus on photos in Saint Germain
Festival Photo Saint Germain: Special photo shows in Left Bank galleries, museums, cultural centers and bookshops.
Various locations, Paris
Through November 24
Half off your meal
Restaurants in Paris and around France, some with Michelin stars, offer special meals at a 50 percent reduction for the Festival TheFork
Various locations, France
November 14-25
Poetry festival
Readings, concerts, performances and more with writers and experts at Festival Paris en Toutes Lettres.
Maison de la Poésie and other locations, Paris
November 15-26
LGBTQI+++ film
Chéries Chéris, Paris’s international LGBTQI+++ film festival, returns.
MK2, Paris
November 22-27
Fine art fair
Leading art galleries will participate in this year’s top-rated art fair, FAB (formerly Fine Arts Paris & La Biennale).
Grand Palais, Paris
November 2-30
Photomania
The festival Photo Days brings photography shows to 100 venues, including galleries, museums and festivals.
Various locations, Paris and environs
November 29-30
Wine fair
The Grand Tasting features both big-name wineries and up-and-coming ones, along with master classes and food-and-wine pairing workshops.
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
November 28–December 1
Independent winemakers’ fair
French winemakers bring their vintages to Paris for the Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
Through December 1
Rom-coms revisited
Refaire l’Amour explores the world of the eternally popular rom-com, from treasures to trash, and including screwball comedies and Bollywood versions.
Forum des Images, Paris
30 November–December 1
Open studios
Ateliers d’Artistes du Père Lachaise Associés presents Journées Portes Ouvertes, during which the area’s artists open their doors to the public.
20th arrondissement, Paris
November 15-December 24
African music and film
The Africolor cultural festival puts African music in the spotlight.
Various venues, Paris suburbs
Through January 26, 2025
Contemporary arts festival
The Festival d’Automne presents leading international talents in art, dance, film, theater and more.
Various venues, Paris & Île de France
Through January 31, 2025
Dance festival
The Fondation EDFs Dans(e) la Lumière festival presents dance performances and art exhibitions inspired by light.