Versailles: Visible/Invisible
Humbling Versailles
If you want to avoid the crowds next time you go to Versailles, skip the château itself and go to the Domaine du Grand Trianon to see the exhibition “Versailles: Visible/Invisible,” a continuation of the now-annual incursion of contemporary art … Read More
La Thith Cantine
No More Numbers
Remember when all Asian restaurants had overwhelming menus with pages and pages and pages of dishes? To avoid confusion, you had to order by the number assigned to each dish. Those restaurants still exist (I ate at one in Paris … Read More
Lourdes
Believe It or Not
Ever wonder what really goes on at Lourdes, aside from a roaring trade in bottled holy water, statuettes of the Virgin Mary, rosaries and a multitude of kitschy souvenirs? The new documentary Lourdes, by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai (both … Read More
Celebration of the 130th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower. Photo © Zaher Al Zaher
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 23-26
Cutting edge creators
The biggest and best in contemporary creation gather for the international art festival Révélations.
Grand Palais, Paris
May 16-27
Jazz festival
Concerts, conferences and master classes abound at Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Various locations in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
Through May 27
Joan Crawford retrospective
The iconic actress, whose career spanned silent cinema to the golden age of Hollywood, is celebrated in this retrospective.
Cinémathèque Française, Paria
Through May 30
Naples on film
In Napoli!, 30 films showcase the clichés and the realities of life in Italy’s most-filmed city after Rome.
Forum des Images, Paris
May 18-September 16
The Paris of yesterday
For the 80th anniversary of renowned Paris photography collection Roger-Viollet, Bercy Village is decorated with thirty black-and-white photos showing the architecture, history and daily life of 20th-century Paris.
Bercy Village, Paris
May 25
Literary evening
The Nuit de la Littérature, being held this year in Montmartre, presents 17 foreign authors reading their work in French.
Various venues, Paris
May 23-June 2
Flower Power
The iconic Hôtel Louisiane in Saint-Germain-des-Prés plays host to a unique exhibition of contemporary artists’ work on Paris in the 60s and 70s.
Hôtel Louisiane, Paris
May 25-26
Celebrations in the library
The French National Library opens its doors for La Bibliothèque Parlante, a weekend of readings and performances. A rarely-seen Victor Hugo manuscript will be on-show.
Bibliothèque Nationale de la France, Paris
May 24-27
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 Belleville.
Various locations, Paris
Through June 1
Plays from all over Europe
The Chantiers d’Europe festival presents theatrical performances from across Europe, this year keeping in mind the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Théâtre de la Ville–Espace Pierre Cardin, Paris
Through June 2
Unique photography exhibition
Objectif Photo returns for the second year running, exhibiting photos taken by nearly 800 elementary schoolchildren on the theme of fraternity.
Centquatre, Paris
June 5
Art festival by night
Over 50 galleries and collectors present works on the theme of nature at this year’s Nocturne Rive Droite.
Various locations, 8th arrondissement, Paris
Through June 6
Festival of innovation
The 100% festival showcases cutting edge theatre, dance, and art over several months.
La Villette, Paris
June 7-9
Street art festival
Over 40 street art companies, including circus performers, dancers and puppeteers gather in the center of Nanterre for the three-day Parade(s) festival.
Nanterre Centre-Ville
June 7-9
Art history in Fontainebleau
Art history specialists from across the globe gather at the Festival de l’Histoire de l’Art for a weekend of free conferences, debates and guided visits celebrating art new and old. Above: “Neighbor Boy Matts Bergom,” by Carl Larsson; this year’s festival will focus on the people of Scandinavian nations.
Château de Fontainebleau
Through June 26
Culture for all
Mouvement E. Leclerc presents the sixth edition of Festival Culturissimo, a collection of over 50 cultural events including theatre and cinema.
Various locations, France
Through June 30
Young European photographers
The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers.
Centquatre, Paris
Through 28 July
Art meets cinema
An imagined path is drawn between the lives of Pablo Picasso and his admirer, renowned Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini in the exhibition “Quand Fellini Rêvait de Picasso.”
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
May 23-22 September
Focus on graphic design
The Biennale International de Design Graphique Chaumont is a four-month festival of workshops, group discussions, concerts and conferences on the subject of graphics creation.
Various locations, Paris
May 30-June 9
Directors’ Fortnight
The features and short subjects entered in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs category at the Cannes Film Festival are shown in Paris.
Forum des Images, Paris
June 3-July 3
Classical music festival
The Festival de Saint Denis features both stars and young talents.
Various locations, Saint Denis
June 8-August 31
Balloons in Bercy Village
After her colorful umbrella installation was well-received last year, Portuguese artist returns to decorate Bercy Village with colored balloons. Other decorations and a bubble pool will provide summer entertainment.
Bercy Village, Paris
May 25
French film with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Mon Bébé (Sweetheart), directed by Lisa Azuelos.