À Vous de Jouer
Play It Again, Jane Doe
What could be more soothing than to hear Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” being played live amid the bustle and stress of a train station or airport? Once, I even came upon a highly professional troupe of musicians and singers performing … Read More
Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace
Up, Up and Away (Maybe)
I have a sad announcement to make: I now know that there is no hope for me ever becoming an airline pilot, despite expert training at the Museum of Air and Space in Le Bourget Airport, just outside of Paris, … Read More
Trois B Restaurant
Vegetarian Manqué
The food at the bistro Trois B was wonderful, but, unusually, a major part of our enjoyment of a meal there could be credited to the co-owner and only server that evening, Victor Allenou, a friendly, easy-going Breton who switched … Read More
Réespiration
Breathing in Unison
Sometimes the most interesting exhibitions are held in the strangest places. A couple of weeks ago, I received an intriguing invitation to see a new “immersive” work of art in, of all places, the pulmonology department of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. I … Read More
Notre Dame has reopened, but work continues on its rebuilt spire. © 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).
April 4
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Magma, directed by Cyprien Vial.
L’Entrepôt, Paris
Through April 6
Laundresses unite!
The Festival Italissimo celebrates Italian culture with interviews with authors, films, exhibitions, writing, and translation workshops and more. Writers on hand will include Dacia Maraini, Emanuele Trevi, Erri De Luca and many others.
Various locations, Paris
April 6
Laundresses unite!
The Carnaval des Femmes brings back to life the historic Fête des Blanchisseuses, a costumed parade first organized by Paris’s laundresses. Starts at the Place du Châtelet at 2pm.
Place du Châtelet, Paris
April 6
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Lumière, l’Aventure Continue (Lumiere! The Adventure Continues), directed by Thierry Frémaux
Luminor, Paris
April 2-6
Cutting-edge design
PAD, the world’s first design fair when founded in 1998, is still going strong.
Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
April 3-6
Art fair
Art Paris brings together 170 galleries from 25 countries, representing 990 artists.
Grand Palais, Paris
Through April 6
Half off your meal
One thousand 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
Through April 6
10 women directors
The festival Elles Sont Là pour Rester spotlights the films of 10 French women directors of the same generation.
Forum des Images. Paris
March 31-April 6
Artisanal open house
During Les Journées des Métiers d’Art, artisans open their studios, hold exhibitions and give demonstrations of such crafts as jewelry-making or woodworking.
Various locations, Paris
April 10
Street food
The spicy version of the street-food pop-up, Le Food Market: free entry and food stands a-go-g0..
Boulevard de Belleville, Paris
April 11
Mass dictation
Test your knowledge of written French at the Grande Dictée. Open to everyone. Free admission. Online reservations open on March 17.
Petit Palais, Paris
Through April 11
Suburban jazzfest
Banlieues Bleues brings major jazz acts to the northern suburbs of Paris.
Various venues, Pantin
April 4-12
Women behind the movie camera
The Festival International du Film de Femmes de Créteil is back for a new edition.
Various venues, Paris & Créteil & online
April 13
Paris marathon
It’s time to sign up for the Paris Marathon. The scenic route starts at the Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe, Paris
April 11-13
Massive book fair
The Festival du Livre brings together publishers, authors and book lovers.
Grand Palais, Paris
April 12-14
Specialty coffee festival
Paris’s bustling coffee scene is celebrated at the Paris Café Festival.
Carreau du Temple, Paris
April 24-26
Climate change summit
Entrepreneurs, activists and policy-makers working for the future of the planet come together for Change Now.
Grand Palais, Paris
April 10-27
Cutting-edge creativity
Festival 100% spotlights up-and-coming artists across a range of disciplines. Check website for exact dates.
La Villette, Paris
April 30-May 11
Retail heaven
You can buy just about anything at the century-old Foire de Paris, a gigantic pop-up store. For free admission, click here.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
May 3
Free stuff exchange
Help save the environment by recycling stuff at the Giant Free Troc Party swap event. Online registration (required) opens on April 16 at noon.
Académie du Climat, Paris
May 1-4
Charitable art sale
The Solid’Art contemporary art fair is also a charitable event that raises money to send children from low-income families on vacation.
Carreau du Temple, Paris
May 7-11
African cinema
NollywoodWeek Paris promotes cinema from Nigeria and the wider African diaspora.
Cinéma l’Arlequin, Paris
May 9-11
New independent films
Filmmakers from around the world are spotlighted at ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival.
Les 7 Parnassiens, Paris
May 9-11
All things opera
Opera houses across France open their doors to visitors and put on performances and workshops for Tous à l’Opéra!
Various locations, France
May 17
Late-night art
Museums stay open into the night for free and hold special events for the Nuit Européenne des Musées.
Various locations, Paris & Europe
May 12-19
Jazz festival
Concerts, conferences and master classes abound at Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Various locations in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
April 5-June 1
Young European photographers
The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers.
Centquatre, Paris
Through June 21
Drawing season
Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.