Poule au Pot Restaurant
No Chicken in the Pot
I am in mourning for the old Poule au Pot, one of those historic restaurants in the Les Halles area, founded in 1935, where the market workers could satisfy their big appetites with hearty meals and where until recently you … Read More
The Water Lilies: American Abstract Painting and the Last Monet
Monet the Revolutionary and the American Abstractionists
The exhibition “The Water Lilies: American Abstract Painting and the Last Monet” at the Musée de l’Orangerie is an uplifting look at the influence of Monet’s late work – which progressively veered toward pure abstraction – on American abstract painting. … Read More
Hakata Choten Restaurant
Tampopo-Perfect Ramen
After tasting tonkotsu ramen last week at Sanjo, I was eager to try it again. Soon after, I happened to pass by Hakata Choten, another restaurant in Little Tokyo, which not only specializes in tonkotsu ramen but also has a sign boasting that it … Read More
Cinémathèque Française
A Feast of Film Treasures
The Cinémathèque Française is a treasure that is sorely underused by visitors to Paris. This great institution is frequented mainly by French cinephiles, who are legion, but it also provides a valuable service to the world of international cinema: for … Read More
The heavens smiled on the French soccer team last Sunday. Photo © 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).
July 13 and 14
Bastille Day festivities
Military parade on the Champs-Elysées, Paris, July 14, 10:30am. Fireworks, Eiffel Tower/Champ de Mars, Paris, July 14, 11pm (preceded by classical music on the Champ de Mars at 9:15pm). Firemen’s balls are held in most fire stations (click here for list), July 13 and 14, 9pm-4am.
Various locations, Paris
July 7-September 2
Paris is a beach
Paris Plages offers fun in the sun on the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette: sandy beach, pool, dance lessons, restaurants, volleyball, free concerts, boating and more.
Quais de la Seine, Bassin de la Villette, Paris
Through September 9
Swimming in the canal
The water in the Bassin de la Villette has been declared clean enough to swim in, and a free swimming area has been set up.
Bassin de la Villette
July 16-August 4
Summer arts festival
Paris Festival d’Eté is an annual festival of music, dance, theater and more from around the world.
Various locations, Paris
Weekends in July and August
Summer fun on the canal
The Été du Canal festival offers theme cruises (street food, music, art, etc.) and other activities like the construction of an ephemeral village, balls, restaurants and bars.
Canal de l’Ourcq
Through August 31
Summer garden
For its Jardin d’Été festival, the Musée du Quai Branly stages a variety of free events in its garden.
Musée du Quai Branly
Through July 21
Young Musical Talents
The Festival Européen Jeunes Talents gives promising young classical, jazz and contemporary musicians from all over Europe a chance to perform in Paris.
Archives Nationales, Paris
Through July 22
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €6).
Parc Floral, Paris
Through September 1
Son et lumière
A sound and light show, La Nuit aux Invalides, commemorates the centennial of the end of World War I.
Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris
Through 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
Through August 7
Bargains galore
The official biannual six-week sales period.
Retailers all over France
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 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
July 13
French film with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents César et Rosalie (1972), directed by Claude Sautet.