Ercole Amante
Glorious Revival of a Rare Opera
Given the many constraints that female artists, writers and composers faced in the 17th and 18th centuries, it is a wonder that they managed to create as many completed works as they did. Among all these extraordinary women, composers perhaps … Read More
La Nature n’Est pas un Décor: De Monet aux Artistes Contemporains
Fair-weather Art and Nature
Every year, when the weather turns fine, I take a trip to Yerres, a short train ride from Paris, to see two reliably fine exhibitions and revel in the beauty of the English-style park graced with the handsome former home … Read More
Paul and Paulette Take a Bath
Odd Couple in Paris
One reviewer of the indie film Paul and Paulette Take a Bath, written and directed by Jethro Massey, called it “twisted,” but it seems to me that it is not the film itself but the main characters – and, by … Read More
Mantra Restaurant
Meditate on This
A mantra is supposed to be kept secret, but Paris is home to one mantra whose existence should be broadcast far and wide. I’m referring to the new (five-month-old) restaurant Mantra in Paris’s 9th arrondissement. Mantra, with chef Manogeran Shasitaran … Read More
Madame de Sévigné: Lettres Parisiennes
Lasting Letters
The 400th anniversary this year of the birth of that great letter-writer, the Marquise de Sévigné, afforded me the opportunity both to visit the wonderful new exhibition “Madame de Sévigné: Lettres Parisiennes” at the Musée Carnavalet (located in a building … Read More
Monaco Restaurant
Café Life Renewed
I am here to testify that there is more to the gastronomic offerings of the 13th arrondissement than Asian restaurants of various stripes. One non-Asian gem is Monaco, once a venerable but declining café, now a spacious, light-filled café/restaurant with … Read More
Orangutan Playground
Man of the Forest
The five orangutans who live in the Ménagerie in Paris’s Jardin des Plantes have a new outdoor playground. Formerly confined to a glassed-in enclosure, they can now make their way across an elevated bridge to a triangular structure entirely enclosed … Read More
Photo of the Month
Sunset on the Seine. Photo: Ron Fox
What's Happening in Paris This Month
For full details about an event, click on the title to visit the official Web site (in English when available).
June 16
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Tomboy.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
June 19
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Balzac, Paris
June 20
Free jazz
The La Défense Jazz Festival presents free outdoor concerts by well-known names in jazz.
Parvis de la Défense
March 20-June 21
Drawing season
Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.
Various venues, France
June 5-21
June 5-21
Meet the trees
The festival Les Nuits des Forêts draws visitors into French forests with exhibitions, shows and immersive events, by day and by night.
Various locations, France
June 10-21
Directors’ Fortnight
The features and short subjects entered in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs category at the Cannes Film Festival are shown in Paris.
Forum des Images, Paris
June 20-21
Celebrating two decades of early art
The Musée du Quai Branly celebrates its 20th anniversary with the weekend festival Branly 20 Ans with free concerts, shows and other performances.
Musée du Quai Branly, Paris
June 21
Dancing in the street
The Summer Solstice festival, the Fête de la Musique, brings free music, good and bad, into the streets of Paris and now the world.
Various locations, Paris
June 22
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents 120 BPM.
Cinéma du Panthéon, Paris
May 28-June 23
Classical music festival
The Festival de Saint Denis features both stars and young talents. Many concerts are held in the Basilique Saint-Denis
Various locations, Saint-Denis
June 3-27
New music
ManiFeste, IRCAM’s festival of experimental music, presents concerts and other events.
Various locations, Paris
June 27
Pride
LGBT in the streets. The Marche des Fiertés starts at 1:30pm. Check the website for location.
Paris
June 19-28
Classical stars
The festival Les Étoiles du Classique presents outdoor classical and jazz concerts, opera, dance performances and recitals.
Various locations, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
May 21-June 28
Outdoor cultural markets
The Foire Saint-Sulpice brings week-long markets – featuring rare books, antiques, stamps, ceramics, contemporary prints and poetry – to the Place Saint-Sulpice. Free admission.
Place Saint-Sulpice, Paris
June 19-28
Classical stars
The festival Les Étoiles du Classique presents outdoor classical and jazz concerts, opera, dance performances and recitals.
Various locations, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
June 25-28
Jazz festival
International jazz acts gather for Festival Django Reinhardt.
Parc du Château de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau
June 26-28
Rock for AIDS
The AIDS-benefit rock festival Solidays has a great lineup of concerts, talks and exhibitions.
Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris
June 26-28
Board games festival
Fans of classic games and creators of modern ones come together for Paris est Ludique!
Pelouse de Reuilly, Paris
June 14-29
Jewish cultural festival
The Festival des Cultures Juives presents films, theater, concerts, exhibitions and conferences.
Various locations, Paris
May 30-June 30
More Molière
During the Mois Molière, open-air plays and concerts are held in locations all over Versailles.
Various locations, Versailles
July 1-4
Silver screen at the Louvre
The Cinéma Paradiso Louvre festival brings free films, concerts and DJ sets to the Carrée du Louvre. Sign up online.
Carrée du Louvre, Paris
July 4
Free stuff exchange
Help save the environment by recycling stuff at the Giant Free Troc Party swap event. Online registration (required) opens on June 30 at noon.
Académie du Climat, Paris
June 5-July 5
Women composers
The Festival Un Temps pour Elles showcases works by women composers, performed in châteaux and other prestigious sites.
Various locations, Val d’Oise
June 27–July 5
Eclectic music festival
Days Off presents headliners like Babyshambles and many more.
Philharmonie de Paris
July 4-6
Outdoor cinema takes off
Every evening at 10:45, a film with a flying theme will be projected on the fuselage of a Boeing 747 during the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace’s Cinétarmac festival.
Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, Le Bourget
June 28-July 8
Cheap Cinema
See first-run films for €5 in participating cinemas during the Fête du Cinéma.
Various locations, Paris
July 9-12
All about Japan
Along with exhibitors hawking their wares, Japan Expo will feature concerts, readings, sports demonstrations and more.
Parc des Expositions Paris-Nord Villepinte
June 21-July 14
Chopin a go-go
Every summer, the Festival Chopin fills the Bois de Boulogne with the master’s piano music.
Orangerie du Parc de Bagatelle, Bois de Boulogne
June 17-July 19
Summer of books
Author readings, workshops and more: Partir en Livre is bringing back reading as a top summer activity for young people.
Various locations, France
June 24-July 21
Soldes
The official summer retail sales period in France.
Paris & most of France
June 21–July 25
Young musical talents
The Festival Européen Jeunes Talents gives promising young classical, jazz and contemporary musicians from all over Europe a chance to perform in Paris.
Various locations, Paris & Meaux
June 18–July 30
Fun in the Urban Jungle
Garden Parvis is a month-long series of events, from concerts to glitter parties, in Paris’s dedicated business district.
La Défense, Paris
July 4-August 2
Summer garden
For its Jardin d’Été festival, the Musée du Quai Branly stages a variety of free events in its garden.
Musée du Quai Branly
June 27–August 9
Summer fun on the canal
The Été du Canal festival offers theme cruises (street food, music, art, etc.) and other activities like balls, restaurants and bars.
Canal de l’Ourcq
July 2–August 13
A night at the zoo
The baboons and jaguars stay up late for the Nocturnes du Parc Zoologique de Paris, on Thursday evenings through August 13. Events for the kiddies, a bar for the adults.
Parc Zoologique de Paris, Paris
July 4–August 29
Open-air dance hall
African and Antillean music and food every summer weekend at the Guinguette Africaine de Suresnes.
Surennes, Île-de-France
June 27–August 30
Garden visits
Green spaces throughout the region hold cultural events for Jardins Ouverts en Île-de-France.
Various locations, Île-de-France
August 25-30
International rock festival
Big-time artists, including Tyler, the Creator; Lorde; and Nick Cave & the Bad Seed, headline at Rock en Seine.
Domaine de Saint Cloud, Paris
June 27–September 5
Free stargazing
Experts with the Astronomy Association of Paris freely offer their skills and equipment to show us the stars for Paris Sous les Étoiles.
Throughout Paris
June 28–September 6
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €2.70).
Parc Floral, Paris
May 22-September 2o
The world as we know it today
The wonderful Musée Albert Kahn, whose founder’s aim was to create ““a vast photographic inventory of the Earth’s surface … as it appeared at the beginning of the 20th century,” brings that goal up to date with Mondes en Commun, a festival of contemporary photographs of our world.
Musée Départemental Albert Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt
May 16-September 26
Candlelit château
Every Saturday throughout the summer, the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its grounds will be lit by 2,000 candles for the Soirées aux Chandelles.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Île-de-France
Through October
Free outdoor entertainment
The Festival des Places offers free concerts, dance workshops and more on the squares of Paris.
Various locations, Paris
May 30-November 15
Art among the departed
It’s a first: an art exhibition in a cemetery. And why not? There’s space, and the residents won’t mind. The exhibition “Demeure” includes works by some 20 artists.
Cimetière Parisien de Pantin, Pantin
April 3–December 31
Art indoors and out
Contemporary art exhibitions on the Île Seguin and in the Seine Musicale for the Extatiques festival. Free admission. Pictured above: “Les Voyages et Möbius,” Collectif XY.