Picasso and the Comic Strip/Picasso the Poet
Outing Picasso's Inner Poet and Comic Artist
Picasso liked to read the funny papers, and one of his suppliers was none other than Gertrude Stein, who would save the “Katzenjammer Kids” and other comics for him from American newspapers. That’s just one of the many interesting facts … Read More
Le Hérisson Restaurant
The Friendly Hedgehog
If you just happened to be walking past the restaurant Le Hérisson in Belleville, it might not occur to you to go in for something to eat. The smashed glass on the partition separating the terrace from the sidewalk does … Read More
French Science Fiction: Valérian and Laureline
Sci-fi James Bond, Without the Sexism
Valérian and Laureline are the eponymous heroes of a sci-fi graphic series like no other. For one thing, the 24 tales, which appeared over a span of over four decades, between 1967 and 2010, echoed societal changes during a period … Read More
The Bassin de la Villette. © 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 September 1
Paris beaches
For the summer months, the banks of the river and canals are transformed into miniature beaches for Paris Plages. Above: © DR.
Various locations, Paris
August 15-September 19
Outdoor classical concerts
Concerts in the park at Festival Classique au Vert every weekend.
Parc Floral de Paris
Through August 2
Huge art factory
For Plaine d’Artistes, La Villette gives over all of its indoor and outdoor spaces to artists of all kinds, for the public to watch and participate in their artistic processes. Free entry.
La Villette, Paris
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
Throughout the summer
Family fun
The Domaine Saint-Cloud presents a summer of outdoor events designed to be safe and enjoyable in this unusual summer.
Parc de Saint Cloud
Through September 3
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
Through October 11
Flowers in Bercy Village
Bercy Village presents a summer Sky of Flowers, with 2,600 blossoms, painted in a classic style by Audray Roy-Camille, suspended above the village’s central street.
Bercy Village, Paris
Through September 12
Free stargazing
Experts with the Astronomy Association of Paris freely offer their skill and kit to show us the stars for Paris Sous les Étoiles.
Throughout Paris
Through August 2
Summer arts festival
Dance, music, theater and many other art forms come together for the Festival Paris l’Été 2020.
Various locations, Paris
Through August 23
Art in real-time
Each weekend throughout the summer, French visual artist Franck Scurti’s artistic process will be open to the public as he makes the Grand Palais his studio during Au Jour le Jour.
Grand Palais, Paris
Throughout the summer
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 30
Classic films in 35mm
The Cinémathèque Français reopens at last with Révisions Nos Classiques, a retrospective of classic films in 35mm.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Through August 29
Son et lumière
A sound and light show, La Nuit aux Invalides, brings together 3,000 years of French history.
Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris
Through August 11
Retail sales
The official biannual six-week sales period.
Retailers all over France
August 30
Vintage cars galore
Over 600 vintage vehicles will drive through the streets of Paris for the summer Traversée de Paris. The procession will set off from Vincennes and drive through every arrondissement of the city.
Vincennes, Paris
September 4-6
Free amusements in historic Marais sites
The Festival Les Traversées du Marais brings everything from art installations to cooking classes, readings and dance performances to the monuments, courtyards and gardens of the Marais.
Various locations
September 2-13
Future film
Cutting edge filmmakers operating at the margins of the genre are celebrated during the 26th edition of L’Étrange Festival.
Forum des images, Paris
Through September 14
Designer photography
An exhibition of photos by a man better known as a fashion designer, “Manfred Thierry Mugler Photographe,” is being held in the covered passageways Bercy Village.
Bercy Village, Paris
September 3-12
Design mania
One hundred design-related events happen all over the city during Paris Design Week.
Various locations, Paris
August 28-September 9
Banlieue art
Thirty artists exhibit work inspired by films shot in the suburbs, old and new, from La Haine to Les Misérables, for Jusqu’ici Tout Va Bien.
Palais de Tokyo, Paris
September 8-13
Tribal art walk
Some 60 galleries put on special shows of world art for Parcours des Mondes.
Saint Germain des Prés, Paris
September 30-November 13
Melodrama on film
For Tant qu’Il y Aura du Mélo, the melodrama or “woman’s film” is reassessed in a new light.