Eugene Onegin
Musical Triumph, Conventional Staging
The headline name for this new production of Tchaikovsky’s adaptation of Pushkin’s verse novel Eugene Onegin at the Palais Garnier is evidently Ralph Fiennes in his directorial debut for the Paris Opera. Not only has the much-lauded British actor spoken … Read More
Les Arlots Restaurant
Still the Best Bistro
It’s been quite a long time since I first ate at Les Arlots and loved it. I have tried to go back there many times, but it was always booked up on the date I wanted. In the meantime, backed … Read More
Atelier Mala & Xi’an
Stay Off the Streets!
On the strong recommendation of a friend, I ate recently at the Sichuan “street food” restaurant Atelier Mala. I put “street food” in quotes because it seems to me that street food is food sold in the street, not in … Read More
La Petite Périgourdine Restaurant
Keeping It Classic
You may have noticed that we’ve been reviewing a number of traditional restaurants here lately (Au Moulin à Vent, À La Renaissance, etc.). That’s mostly a coincidence, but in fact these types of restaurants are currently à la mode, not … Read More
Playing with Fire
Now You See Her ...
The room is empty, with only a Steinway Spirio grand piano in the center. Don your virtual reality headset, however, and suddenly the famed pianist Yuja Wang, dressed in a chic black-and-white-striped gown, is seated at the keyboard playing Maurice … Read More
Eva Jospin: Grottesco & Claire Tabouret: D’un Seul Souffle
Pagan vs. Christian Iconography
French museums are brilliant at putting on mega exhibitions like the current “1925-2025: 100 Years of Art Deco” (through April 26) at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs or “Sargent: Dazzling Paris” (through January 11) at the Musée d’Orsay, both of … Read More
L’Engloutie
The Dark Magic of the Alps
Louise Hémon’s first feature film, L’Engloutie (literally meaning “The Engulfed One” but due to be released in the Anglophone world with the title The Girl in the Snow), is inspired by her great-great aunt, Aimée Bigalet, who wrote of her … Read More
Les Marmottes Restaurant
Alpine Cheesefest
If you are longing for a few runs down the glistening slopes of the Alps, followed by a warming fondue, but are stuck in Paris, not to worry, you can at least have a good cheesy fondue or one of … Read More
L’Étranger
The Scent of Alienation
Some well-known and/or much-loved novels have proved notoriously difficult to portray onscreen. Books, for example, that rely on the internal thoughts of their heroines or heroes, such as Jane Austen’s Emma or Madame de Lafayette’s La Princesse de Clèves rarely … Read More
Photo of the Month
La Villette dressed in holiday red. © Paris Update
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).
February 12
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Anges & Cie.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
January 29-February 14
World music
The Festival Au Fil des Voix presents concerts by musicians from around the globe.
Various locations, Paris
February 13-15
Massive art show
Some 3,000 artists show their work at Art Capital.
Grand Palais, Paris
February 15
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents L’Âme Idéale.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
February 17
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Les Bronzés Font Du Ski.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
February 18-19
Choose science
The slogan of the Paris-Saclay Summit, which brings together Nobel Prize winners and leading scientists from around the world, is “Stop talking, start acting: choose science!” Topics range from AI to ion beams. Click here to sign up for free.
EDF Lab Paris-Saclay, Palaiseau
January 19-February 20
Dance festival
Performances by dancers of all ages, professional and amateur, all over Paris and its suburbs for Faits d’Hiver.
Various venues, Paris & suburbs
February 18-22
Literary festival
Festival Effractions brings together 40 writers to discuss the relationship between fiction and reality.
Various venues, Paris
February 18-22
Move your body
The Festival Everybody celebrates every body type with five days of dance classes, performances and more.
Carreau du Temple, Paris
February 13-March 1
Emerging artists
Forty contemporary artists from 15countries exhibit their art at the 68th Salon de Montrouge.
Beffroi de Montrouge, Montrouge
February 21-March 1
A barnyard in Paris
The Salon International de l’Agriculture brings the best of the country’s livestock and crops – and the products made from them – to Paris. Sadly, there will be no cattle at the fair this year because of the danger of spreading lumpy skin disease.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
Through March 8
Light in the darkness
Light Cycles immerses visitors in magical light shows amid the shadows of the park.
Parc de la Villette. Paris
March 11-15
Fêting film
This edition of the Festival de la Cinémathèque Française pays homage to Debra Winger and John Badham. A number of restored films will be screened.
Cinémathèque Française and other cienmas, Paris
March 13-22
Antique fair in a bucolic setting
A visit to the Foire de Chatou antique market and regional products fair just outside Paris on the “Impressionists’ Island” makes a great weekend outing.
Chatou, Île-de-France
Through March 28
Celestial lights
The Celestial Odyssey is a spectacular “video mapping” light show inside the Saint Eustache Church, further enhanced by a live choir but somewhat impaired by an occasional narration. Photo: Mikhail Syntenkov