Henry Wessel, Fil Noir, Marguerite Bornhauser
Dark Stories
American photographer Henry Wessel (1942-2018), the subject of the exhibition “Henry Wessel: A Dark Thread” at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP), had the unusual habit of not looking at the contact sheets of his photos until a year had … Read More
Trois B
Juggling with Three Balls
I love meatballs. Who doesn’t? Well, vegetarians, I guess, but even they can eat at Trois B, a new restaurant in the 19th arrondissement specializing in “balls.” It is not the only one, however. The first one, reviewed here, had … Read More
Saint Petersburg
Finding France in Saint Petersburg
What’s so French about Saint Petersburg? Quite a lot, surprisingly. I was recently invited to visit the watery Russian city on the Gulf of Finland, with its canals, river and sea, and found it to be almost a museum of … Read More
The Pont Alexandre III. 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).
June 21
Dancing in the street
The Summer Solstice festival, the Fête de la Musique, brings free music, good and bad, into the streets of Paris and now the world.
Various locations, Paris
Throughout June
International cuisine
For the Refugee Food Festival, restaurants in Paris and around the world will invite a refugee chef into their kitchens to concoct specialties from their home countries, from Georgia to Syria and Sri Lanka.
Various locations, Paris
June 20-23
Street art festival
The Festival Et 20 l’Été livens up the street of the 20th arrondissement with music, theater, dance and more.
Various locations, Paris
June 21-23
Rock for AIDS
Book now for the three-day AIDS-benefit rock festival Solidays.
Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris
Through June 25
Franco-American film festival
The Champs-Elysées Film Festival presents American independent films, French and American short subjects, and premieres attended by cast and crew.
Various locations, Paris
June 29
Fun on the canal
At Canal on Scène, activities for kids and teens during the afternoon, and dancing and a “pyrotechnic spectacle” for everyone in the evening.
Bassin de la Villette, Paris
June 22-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
June 28-30
Improv Weekend
Three days of theatrical improvisation during the Les 72h d’Impro de Paris festival.
Various locations, Paris
Through 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
Throughout the summer
Musical migrations
Take a holiday without ever leaving Paris as bands play music from across the world at Poisson Lune.
Palais de la Porte Dorée, Paris
Through June 27
Chinese cinema
The Festival du Cinéma Chinois en France brings films and stars to cities in France, including Paris.
Various locations
June 19-23
Digital innovation in film
The Festival of Digital Creation and Virtual Reality looks at new-generation creations.
Forum des Images, Paris
Through June 23
Jewish cultural festival
The Festival des Cultures Juives presents films, theater, concerts, exhibitions and conferences.
Various locations, Paris
June 25
Free concert
Talented violinists perform in the Marais at 12:30. No reservation necessary.
Eglise des Blancs Manteaux, Paris
June 27-29
Outdoor films
Films sous les Étoiles offers free films in the park.
Parc de Saint Cloud
Through June 29
Multidisciplinary music festival
From the Manifeste website: “Learn and unlearn, code and decode the world; four verbs that define a festival.” If that grabs you, this festival is for you.
Ircam & Centre Pompidou, Paris
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
July 7
Bag of Books Sale
SOS Help hosts their popular annual sale, where as many books as you can fit in a standard bag will cost you just €5.
St. Joseph’s Church, 50 avenue Hoche, Paris
Through July 11
The sexual revolution on screen
Films highlighting drag, politics and freedom are screened for Libérations Sexuelles, Révolutions Visuelles.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Through July 21
Young European photographers
The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers.
Centquatre, Paris
Through July 6
Spotlight on accessibility
For Paris Disability Month, events take place throughout the city to combat prejudice and increase accessibility.
Various locations in Paris
Through July 28
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
June 30-July 3
Cheap Cinema
See first-run films for €4 in participating cinemas during the Fête du Cinéma.
Various locations, Paris
Through September 22
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
Through July 3
Classical music festival
The Festival de Saint Denis features both stars and young talents.
Various locations, Saint Denis
Through 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
Through October 15
More than a food market
Experience a new 5000 square-meter food market with a focus on healthy eating, featuring art and performance, at Le Marché Pop.
77 avenue du Docteur Arnold Netter, Paris
June 22
French film with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Vif Argent, directed by Stéphane Batut. This special screening is a premier ahead of the film’s theatrical release on August 28, presented by its crew and preceded by rooftop drinks.