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).
Through March 25
Cheap films
For the three days of Printemps du Cinéma, films cost only €5 in participating cinemas
Various cinemas, France
March 25
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Ascenseur pour l’Échafaud (Elevator to the Gallows), directed by Louis Malle.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
March 28
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents God Save the Tuche, directed by Jean-Paul Rouve.
Club de L’Etoile, Pari
March 29
Shopping for a good cause
Toutocoto is an annual flea market with 600 vendors whose profits go to charities and schools.
Avenue de Longchamp, Saint Cloud
March 29
Emerging artists
The Chorus Festival presents a wide-ranging list of up-and-coming performers in concert, including previous winners of its Prix Chorus.
La Seine Musicale, Paris
March 22-29
International Documentary Film Festival
Cinéma du Réel presents a diverse range of films and includes two competitions.
Various venues, Paris
March 17-30
Dakar in Paris
This year’s Africapitales Festival focuses on Senegalese artists working in various disciplines.
Various locations, Paris
March 25-30
Music festival
Live concerts all over the town of Beauvais (one hour from Paris), many of them free, for the Festival Blues Autour de Zinc.
Various venues, Beauvais
March 27–30
Festival of drawing
Contemporary drawing on show at the Drawing Now art fair.
Carreau du Temple, Paris
March 27-30
Printmaking on parade
Galleries from across Europe present fine etchings, engravings and lithographs to celebrate the art of printmaking at the Paris Print Fair. Pictured above: “Double Portrait of the Brothers Konrad and Franz Eberhard” (1822), by Johann Anton Ramboux, being shown by the gallery C.G. Boerner.
Réfectoire du Couvent des Cordeliers, Paris
March 26-31
Drawing fair
The Salon du Dessin presents 39 top galleries specializing in Old Master, modern and contemporary drawings.
Palais Brongniart, 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
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 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.
Porte de Versailles, 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
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.