Cécile Raynal: Petites Histoires en Réserve
Evanescence Captured in Clay
The magical Musée des Arts and Métiers is one of Paris’s neglected treasures. While hordes of visitors are trying to get a snapshot of Mona at the Louvre, only a handful are marveling at the early flying machines hanging from … Read More
Berty Restaurant
International Melting Pot
One of the new restaurant Berty’s claims to fame, in the press at least, is that it is run by an all-women team. That seems rather beside the point. The other news hook is that vegetables figure prominently on the … Read More
Parc des Oiseaux
Winging It in the Ain
The splendors of France are well known throughout the world: châteaux, vineyards, gorgeous scenery ranging from mountains to seashore, etc., but I doubt if many foreigners know about one treasure, the Parc des Oiseaux (Bird Park), one of the largest … Read More
Paris's Place de la République was transformed into a barnyard (complete with cows, sheep, ducks and geese) and flower-filled meadow last week to raise environmental awareness. © 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).
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 16-24
International cuisine
For the Refugee Food Festival, 15 restaurants in Paris (and in 13 other cities around the world) will invite a refugee chef into their kitchens to concoct specialties from their home countries, from Georgia to Syria and Sri Lanka.
Various locations, Paris
Through June 27
Dutch Sex Wave
The sexual revolution of the 1970s as seen in Dutch films.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
June 15
Fellini revised 
Immersive theater company Cinémorphe will stage 2 1/8, its reinterpretation of Fellini’s 8½, at the legendary Paris nightclub Les Bains.
Les Bains, Paris
Through July 4
Master of thrills
Retrospective of the films of Brian De Palma.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
June 21-24
Street art festival
The Festival Et 20 l’Été livens up the street of the 20th arrondissement with music, theater, dance and more.
Various locations, Paris
June 22-24
Rock for AIDS
Book now for the three-day AIDS-benefit rock festival Solidays.
Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris
June 15-22
Franco-American film festival
The Champs-Elysées Film Festival presents American independent films, French and American short subjects, and premieres attended by cast and crew.
Various locations, Paris
Through June 22
Carolyn Carlson’s summer festival
Festival June Events, founded by choreographer Carolyn Carlson, looks at the links between dance and music of all sorts.
Various venues, Paris
June 15-18
Jazz in the flea market
The Festival Jazz Musette des Puces, has been renamed the Festival Didier Lockwood in honor of the beloved French jazz violinist, who died this year, attracts some top talents. Free concert on June 16.
Various locations in the Saint-Ouen flea market
June 23-July 14
Chopin a go go
Every summer, the Festival Chopin fills the Bois de Boulogne with master’s piano music.
Orangerie du Parc de Bagatelle, Bois de Boulogne
June 15-17
Sweet salon
Everything you ever want to know about dessert at the Salon de la Pâtisserie.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
Through June 25
Jewish cultural festival
The Festival des Cultures Juives presents films, theater, concerts, exhibitions and conferences.
Various locations, Paris
Through June 30
Multidisciplinary music festival
From the website: “Learn and unlearn, code and decode the world; four verbs that define a festival.” If that grabs you, this festival is for you.
Ircam & Centre Pompidou, Paris
Through June 16
Short films
Côté Court, another festival of short subjects, has a literary bent this year.
Various locations, Paris and suburbs
June 9-10 and 16-17
Grand Palais opens to the public
For La Nef Est à Vous, the Grand Palais will be open to the public for free. Guided tours are available (reserve online).
Grand Palais, Paris
Summer 2018
Summer Party
The Mona Bismarck American Center opens up its townhouse and garden for a series of summer parties called Mona Darlin’ featuring electronic music.
Mona Bismarck American Center, Paris
Through July 5
Classical music festival
The Festival de Saint Denis features both stars and young talents.
Various locations, Saint Denis
Through Oct. 6
Dance in historic sites
Monuments en Mouvement offers free dance performances in national monuments like the Pantheon in Paris, the Abbaye de Cluny and châteaux.
Various locations
June 15
French film with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Gueule D’Ange (Angel Face), directed by Vanessa Filho.