Domaine de Villarceaux
To the Manor Born
Layers of history unfold for visitors to the Domaine de Villarceaux, a historic monument in the Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin Français. On this sprawling estate, we are far from Versailles, with its strict symmetry and formal gardens. Nature dominates at … Read More
Le Savarin Restaurant
Parisian in the Best Sense
Le Savarin is one of a small empire of excellent restaurants in Paris’s ninth arrondissement, collectively known as the La Pantruchoise (the others are La Pantruche, Caillebotte and Le Coucou). I was quite taken with Le Savarin when it was … Read More
Les Plaisirs et les Jours de Jacques Guérin
Collector of Literature and Literati
Very occasionally the most interesting and surprising memoirs are not about famous writers, composers or painters but rather about people who moved in their circles. Les Plaisirs et les Jours de Jacques Guérin, an evocation of the industrialist (he was … Read More
Photo of the Month
Sunset on the Champs-Élysées. © 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).
September 9
U.S. elections fundraising event
The organization Democrats Abroad is holding a fundraising event that includes a reception, an exhibition of images by top American photographers, “Le Regard Américain,” and a silent auction of the photos.
Gallery Ithaque, Paris
September 10
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Vénus Électrique.
Balzac, Paris
September 10
Street food
The street-food pop-up Le Food Market celebrates its 100th edition. Free entry and food stands a-go-g0..
Boulevard de Belleville between Métro stations Couronnes and Ménilmontant, Paris
September 12
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Intouchables.
Studio des Ursulines, Paris
September 10-13
Huge food fair
The Village International de la Gastronomie is an outdoor celebration of the foods of 63 countries, with hundreds of chefs on hand and a focus on Italy this year.
Place de la Concorde, Paris
September 11-13
Mobile meals
The Saint-Maur Food Trucks Festival is France’s biggest food truck festival, with 60 trucks chosen for their locavore policies, in a festive atmosphere.
Place des Marronniers, Saint Maur des Fossés
September 8-13
Tribal art walk
Dozens of galleries put on special shows of world art for Parcours des Mondes.
Saint Germain des Prés, Paris
September 11-13
Left-wing fun
The Fête de l’Humanité, the Communist Party newspaper’s annual festival, will feature numerous concerts, debates, exhibitions, etc.
Base 217, Plessis-Pâté/Brétigny-sur-Orge
September 9 & 12-13
Paris history brought to life
The Fête de Paris celebrates the history of Paris, concentrating on theater this year, with a wide variety of events, many of them free and some of them in costume.
Jardin des Grands Explorateurs, Paris
September 11-13
Spotlight on Brazil
The festival Lavage de la Madeleine culminates on Sunday with a parade from the Place de la République to the Église de la Madeleine for the symbolic washing of the church steps.
Various locations, Paris
September 13
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Vénus Électrique.
Balzac, Paris
June 21-September 14
Olympic gold
The golden hot-air balloon that wowed the world during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics returns to the heart of the city for the summer. Pictured above: the Olympic vasque in the Tuileries Garden. Photo: © Augustin Probst
Tuileries Garden, Paris
September 10-19
Design mania
One hundred design-related events happen all over the city during Paris Design Week.
Various locations, 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
September 11–20
Big top festival
The pop-up Village du Cirque festival features all types of performances.
Pelouse de Reuilly, Paris
September 17-20
Dance festival
Échelle Humaine presents works by leading contemporary choreographers.
Lafayette Anticipations, Paris
September 18-20
Meet the press
During the Festival du Monde, the prestigious daily newspaper Le Monde opens its doors to the public to meet its journalists, visit its facilities and attend workshops and debates. Concerts and DJ sets will be held on the building’s forecourt.
Le Monde headquarters, Paris
September 19-20
Heritage days
The doors to normally closed monuments and other buildings open to the public for the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine.
Various locations, Paris
September 19-23
Fine Art for sale
Fine Arts Paris (formerly FAB Paris) brings together a hundred top-level art dealers for its autumn show.
Grand Palais, Paris
September 24
Flea market party
The streets of the famed Saint Ouen Flea Market come alive from 7pm to midnight with concerts and performances for La Fête des Puces. To attend, request an invitation on the website of one of the markets (Marché Vernaison, Marché Biron, MarchéPaul Bert Serpette, Marché Dauphine, Marché Malassis and Puces de Saint-Ouen).
Le Marché des Puces, Saint-Ouen
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
September 25-26
Timeless music live
American singer Crystal Petit interprets the music of Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and other soul and pop artists for The Mahogany Sessions.
Le Peloton Studio, Paris
September 26
Feminist family festival
The WeToo Festival is a “festive, familial and political experience” with performances and talks for children, teenagers and adults.
Le Point Fort, Aubervilliers
September 24–27
Meet the authors
Every two years, Festival America features a strong lineup of American authors. In addition to readings and interviews, there will be master classes, exhibitions and a chance to meet your favorite writers in the bookshop. Don’t miss this stellar literary event.
Various locations, Vincennes
September 24–27
Open studios
The artists of Menilmontant open the doors of their studios for the weekend of Portes Ouvertes des Artistes de Ménilmontant.
Various locations, Paris
September 24–27
Free films on the Eiffel Tower
Cinéma Paradiso Tour Eiffel offers free films with a view to the lucky winners of its lottery (online in September).
Eiffel Tower, Paris
September 26-28
Drinks festival
The Cocktail Street festival will welcome 50 bars and a dozen street food stands.
La Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris
October 7-11
Sustainability
The Festival Atmosphères looks to the worlds of cinema, the arts and science to find sustainable solutions for the future. Free entry.
Courbevoie
September 25–October 4
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
September 30-October 4
Dueling Duets
A series of concerts of two-handed piano pieces at the Rungis Piano-Piano Festival.
Various locations, Rungis
October 23-25
MENA Art
Menart is an international modern and contemporary art fair devoted to artists from the Middle East and North Africa. This year’s theme: Where Is Home?
116, rue de Turenne, Paris
Through October
Free outdoor entertainment
The Festival des Places offers free concerts, dance workshops and more on the squares of Paris.
Various locations, Paris
November 12-15
Latino art fair
The Mira Art Fair brings selected galleries to Paris to present the work of Latin American artists.
Maison de l’Amérique Latine, 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.