Cité du Cinéma
'Industrial Cathedral' Reborn
One of the glories of French cultural life is that on certain days of the year known as the Journées du Patrimoine, the public can visit museums, concert halls, old buildings, gardens and many places that are not usually open … Read More
Passerini Restaurant
Try It, You'll Like It
I have long avoided Passerini because I had the impression from some reviews I had read that it was a kind of trendy, pretentious and rather expensive place, not my favorite qualities in a restaurant. My friend Jean-Michel wanted to … Read More
Domaine de Villarceaux
To the Manor Born
Layers of history unfold for visitors to the Domaine de Villarceaux, a historic monument in the Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin Français. On this sprawling estate, we are far from Versailles, with its strict symmetry and formal gardens. Nature dominates at … Read More
Le Savarin Restaurant
Parisian in the Best Sense
Le Savarin is one of a small empire of excellent restaurants in Paris’s ninth arrondissement, collectively known as the La Pantruchoise (the others are La Pantruche, Caillebotte and Le Coucou). I was quite taken with Le Savarin when it was … Read More
Les Plaisirs et les Jours de Jacques Guérin
Collector of Literature and Literati
Very occasionally the most interesting and surprising memoirs are not about famous writers, composers or painters but rather about people who moved in their circles. Les Plaisirs et les Jours de Jacques Guérin, an evocation of the industrialist (he was … Read More
Photo of the Month
Paris monuments upstaged by the sky. © Paris Update
What's Happening in Paris This Month
For full details about an event, click on the title to visit the official Web site (in English when available).
September 26-28
Drinks festival
The Cocktail Street festival will welcome 50 bars and a dozen street food stands.
La Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris
September 29
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Vie d’une Femme.
Le Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
October 2
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Bataille de Gaulle 2.
Balzac, Paris
October 3
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Bataille de Gaulle 2.
Balzac, Paris
October 1-4
Sculptural ceramics
C14 Paris, the Contemporary Ceramics Fair, spotlights the latest in the art form.
Annexe de la Mairie du 14ième Arrondissement, Paris
September 25–October 4
Antique fair in a bucolic setting
A visit to the Foire de Chatou antique market and regional products fair just outside Paris on the “Impressionists Island” makes a great weekend outing.
Chatou, Île-de-France
September 30-October 4
Dueling Duets
A series of concerts of two-handed piano pieces at the Rungis Piano-Piano Festival.
Various locations, Rungis
October 1-4
Poetry on parade
Paris Lit Up’s IGNITE! festival features poetry readings and performances.
Various locations, Paris
October 4
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Cinema Paradiso.
Studio des Ursulines, Paris
September 25–October 10
Chanson française
L’Estival concerts feature French-language singers and groups.
Various locations outside Paris
October 7–11
Montmartre grape harvest
Montmartre goes all out to celebrate the Fête des Vendanges, with a parade, exhibitions, workshops, concerts, special menus in restaurants, wine tastings, a ball and more.
Various locations, Paris
October 7-11
Sustainability
The Festival Atmosphères looks to the worlds of cinema, the arts and science to find sustainable solutions for the future. Free entry.
Courbevoie
October 8–11
All about photography
The exhibitors at the Salon de la Photo, a trade fair for photo buffs, include manufacturers, importers, schools and professional associations.
Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris
October 9–11
Open art studios
Artists and collectives of Montreuil open their doors to the public for Portes Ouvertes des Ateliers d’Artistes.
Montreuil, Île-de-France
October 2-12
Fun with science
La Fête de la Science au Muséum goes all out to make science interesting to kids and adults in some of Paris’s leading museums.
Various locations, Paris
October 6-16
Originality onstage
The theater and music festival Temps Fort is organized by an innovative theater school, L’École Auvray, and La Nouvelle Compagnie. Two pieces will be presented each evening, among them Lucy Dixon’s original interpretation of Schubert’s Winterreise and a captivating monologue, Où Est Mon Chandail Islandais? by the school’s director, Eram Sobhani. Pictured here: Lucy Dixon in Winterreise. Photo: Fransisc Martinas.
L’École Auvray, Saint Denis
October 12-16
Theater in progress
During the Festival Fragments, emerging performers show excerpts from their unfinished theater and dance pieces.
Various locations, Paris and suburbs
October 12-18
Learning with food
La Semaine du Goût returns for a week of events for young people on the value of food – from the heritage meals can carry to the importance of a balanced diet.
Various locations, Paris
October 15-18
Celebrating France’s architecture
The Journées Nationales de l’Architecture aims to bring French people closer to their country’s finest contemporary architecture. The 2026 theme is “Rehabilitation: Building the Future”
Various locations throughout France
October 20–24
Art fair in a historic building
Paris Internationale, a contemporary art fair with 75 exhibitors, takes place in a building of architectural interest each year.
Quai de Valmy, Paris
October 20-24
Asian art
Asia Now: Dozens of galleries will show works by contemporary artists from across Asia.
Monnaie de Paris, Paris
October 20–25
On the cutting-edge
The Ceramic Art Fair is a new event devoted to ceramics and glass.
Maison de l’Amérique latine, Paris
October 23-25
Mega contemporary art fair
Paris+ par Art Basel fills the Grand Palais with contemporary galleries showing off their artists.
Grand Palais, Paris
October 23-25
African Art and Design
AKAA–Also Known As Africa, an excellent fair devoted to African contemporary art and design, returns to Paris.
Le Carreau du Temple, Paris
October 23-25
MENA Art
Menart is an international modern and contemporary art fair devoted to artists from the Middle East and North Africa. This year’s theme: Where Is Home?
116, rue de Turenne, Paris
October 22-26
Science film festival
Films on everything from dinosaurs to the search for extraterrestrials at Pariscience.
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris
October 22–26
Design fair
Leading design galleries show their stuff in a stately mansion at Design Miami Paris.
L’Hôtel de Maisons, Paris
Through October
Free outdoor entertainment
The Festival des Places offers free concerts, dance workshops and more on the squares of Paris.
Various locations, Paris
October 29-November 1
Heritage Fair
Le Salon International du Patrimoine Culturel, an event celebrating the French cultural heritage, spotlights lighting techniques this year.
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
September 16-November 1
Look pretty and shut up!
The Sois Belle et Tais-Toi! festival kicks off the Forum des Images’s new season with the spotlight on Delphine Seyrig and Maria Schneider.
Forum des Images, Paria
October 28–November 1
Chocolate paradise
Cocoa growers, chocolate makers, exhibitions, recipe demonstrations, performances and more at the Salon du Chocolat.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
November 12-15
Latino art fair
The Mira Art Fair brings selected galleries to Paris to present the work of Latin American artists.
Maison de l’Amérique Latine, Paris
May 30-November 15
Art among the departed
It’s a first: an art exhibition in a cemetery. And why not? There’s space, and the residents won’t mind. The exhibition “Demeure” includes works by some 20 artists.
Cimetière Parisien de Pantin, Pantin
April 3–December 31
Art indoors and out
Contemporary art exhibitions on the Île Seguin and in the Seine Musicale for the Extatiques festival. Free admission.
L’Île Seguin & La Seine Musicale, Paris
September 11-January 1, 2027
Contemporary arts festival
The Festival d’Automne presents leading international talents in art, dance, film, theater and more. Something for everyone.