Eunoé Restaurant
All Sins Forgiven
Eunoe is the name of a river invented by Dante for his Divine Comedy. After passing through Purgatory, the dead take a dip in the River Lethe, where they forget their earthly sins, then in the River Eunoe, where they … Read More
L’Altro Frenchie Restaurant
An Italian Frenchie
As he was when Frenchie Pigalle first opened, the Frenchie empire founder, chef Gregory Marchand, was on hand to watch over the proceedings during the first full week of operation of his latest restaurant, L’Altro Frenchie, a.k.a. The Italian Frenchie, … Read More
Médée
Stage Magic
Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s opera Médée (called a tragédie lyrique) has had a lot of waiting to do. The dramatist Pierre Corneille wrote his version of the Medea myth as early as 1634, at the beginning of his career. Thomas Corneille, 19 … Read More
Madame de Sévigné
Dearest Daughter . . .
The fact that the life of Marie, Marquise de Sévigné (1626-96) has, as far as I am aware, never been made into a feature film before is perhaps unsurprising. How does one remain true to the reason her name is … Read More
Harbinger of the Olympics: giant statues of sports figures sponsored by Nike in front of the Palais Brongniart, the former Bourse de Paris. Photo: N. Hammond
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).
May 3
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Pas de Vagues, directed by Teddy Lussi-Modeste.
Club de L’Etoile, Paris
May 5
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 2-5
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 2-5
African cinema
NollywoodWeek Paris promotes cinema from Nigeria and the wider African diaspora.
Cinéma l’Arlequin, Paris
May 4-6
Open Studios in the 20th arrondissement
Artists open their studios to the public for Les Portes Ouvertes des Ateliers du Père Lachaise Associés.
Various locations, Paris
May 1-12
Retail heaven
You can buy just about anything at the century-old Foire de Paris, a gigantic pop-up store.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
May 18
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 11-19
All things bread
Samples, stalls and more from Pantin’s bakers at La Fête du Pain.
Parvis de Notre-Dame, Paris
May 13-20
Jazz festival
Concerts, conferences and master classes abound at Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Various locations in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
May 8-24
Classic rom-com
The top 20 romantic comedies, from When Harry Met Sally to Love Actually, will be screened during the festival La Comédie Romantique en 20 Films Indispensables.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
May 26
Picnic on the Champs-Élysées
Four thousand people will be chosen by lottery for Le Grand Pique-nique des Champs. The “world’s most famous avenue” will be covered for the occasion with a rather la red checkered cloth. Free picnic baskets will be handed out by local restaurants to all those lucky enough to get a reservation. Click on the link above to try your luck.
Various locations & Ground Control, Paris
May 20-26
Brewer’s bash
Local bars will feature craft beers May 20-26, and 60 French microbrewers will be on hand for the Paris Beer Festival (May 25-26) at Ground Control.
Various locations & Ground Control, Paris
May 23-26
Studio-hopping
Some 115 artists open their studios to the public for Portes Ouvertes des Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville, an occasion to discover not only artworks but also hidden gardens and courtyards in this lively quarter of Paris.
Various locations, Paris
May 26
Festival of Colors, Love and Spring.
Celebration of the joyous Fête de Holi. Don’t wear your best clothes in case you are caught in a shower of color.
Jardin d’Acclimatation, Paris
May 31-June 2
Street art festival
Over 40 street art companies, including circus performers, dancers and puppeteers gather in the centre of Nanterre for the three-day Parade(s) festival.
Nanterre Centre-Ville
Through June 2
Young European photographers
The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers. Pictured: “Ilinx” by Jeremy Appert.
Centquatre, Paris
Through June 2
Indoor/outdoor street art
The Colors festival invites street artists to decorate an abandoned house, this one in a Paris suburb. Reserve online.
37, ave. Roger Salengro, Champigny-sur-Marne
May 29-June 5
Local literature festival
The libraries, bookshops, museums and universities of Paris’s literary fifth arrondissement open their doors for Quartier du Livre, a week-long celebration of the written word, this year on the theme of travel.
Various locations, Paris
June 2-7
Literary lessons
This year’s weeklong Paris Writers Workshop will feature small-group masterclasses, agent consultations, panel discussions, and more. The Fiction/Novel and Creative Nonfiction masterclasses are full, but there are still a few spaces in Screen and TV Writing (Diane Lake), Short Fiction (Kevin Brockmeier), Travel Writing (Don George), and Poetry (Heather Hartley). Open to writers of all levels.
Reid Hall, Paris
May 31-June 9
Cello festival
Concerts, dance and more at the Beauvais International Cello Festival.
Beauvais, France
March 20-June 21
Drawing season
Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.