Matt Coco: The Respiration of a Monster Lurking in the Depths
After the Deluge
The French artist Matt Coco often takes a natural or human disaster as a starting point for her installations. She sees catastrophes not just as an endpoint but also as a potential new beginning. “I try to transpose that moment … Read More
L’Esquisse Restaurant
Artful Cooking in Montmartre
The butternut season is upon us. It’s wonderful how Parisian bistros follow the seasons, but we will soon be getting tired of this vegetable, which seems to have been only recently discovered in France. As one of the few winter … Read More
Paris Update Press Review
This Week's Good Reads about Paris and France
Outcry over Notre Dame restoration The scary word “Disneyfication” has been used to describe the proposal for the renovation of the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral, which calls for sound and light installations and multilingual explanations of Christianity. (Artnet News) … Read More
Winter sun in the Tuileries Garden. Photo: Ron Fox
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).
December 11-21
Special sale of original and reasonably priced holiday gifts created by a group of Paris artists associated with the Cinémorphe immersive theater collective. Open 4pm-9pm. Closed December 13-14. Above: drawing by Macdara Smith.
10, rue Bichat, 75010 Paris
Throughout December
Christmas markets
Mulled wine and gifts galore: a full list of Christmas markets in Paris.
Various locations, Paris
December 12
Santa Dash
Thousands of people in Santa costumes take to the streets of Issy-les-Moulineaux for the 44th edition of the Corrida de Noël, a 10K run.
Issy-les-Moulineaux, Île-de-France
December 11-22
Culture in the 12th arrondissement
Festival 12×12 showcases the best sculpture, photography, dance, music and theater of the 12th arrondissement.
Various locations, 12th arrondissement of Paris
Through January 5
Elizabeth Taylor retrospective
The iconic American actress’s career is explored through screenings of her films. Photo: La Cinémathèque Française.
La Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Through January 30
Evolution in lights
L’Évolution en Voie d’Illumination: this year’s Jardin de Plantes festive illuminations will focus on the process of evolution.
Jardin de Plantes, Paris
Through January 2
A number of light installations will light up the Parc de la Villette during the festive season. A lantern parade will take place on December 4.
Parc de la Villette, Paris
Through January 2
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte will be decorated with lights inspired by animals from fables for Vaux-le-Vicomte en Lumières.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Île-de-France
December 26-January 2
Holiday wonderland
The Festival du Merveilleux returns, celebrating all things fairground.
Musée des Arts Forains, Paris
Throughout December
Magical châteaux, ice skating and family fun: a comprehensive list of Paris’s Christmas events.
Various locations, Paris
Through January 8
Student art show
Students at Beaux-Arts de Paris present original work during Le Théâtre des Expositions.
Palais des Beaux-Arts, Paris
December 17-January 11
Anselm Kiefer
The renowned German artist presents “Pour Paul Celan,” an exhibition about European collective memory that incorporates the poetry of Romanian poet Paul Celan.
Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris
Through December 18
Looking forward
GESTE Paris 2021, an art exhibition/conference will include meetings with artists and installations on the theme of imagining the future. Make an appointment on the website.
10 Rue Croix des Petits Champs, Paris
Through January 1
The Music of Cole Porter
The show “Cole Porter in Paris” celebrates the music of one of the best-known American ex-pats in Paris during the Roaring Twenties.
Thêatre de Châtelet, Paris
Through December 22
African music and film
The Africolor cultural festival puts African music in the spotlight.
Various venues, Paris suburbs
Through January 9
Art of tomorrow, today
Performances and installations using new technology are on show at the Biennale Némo.
Various locations, Île-de-France
Through December 31
Contemporary arts festival
The Festival d’Automne presents leading talents in art, dance, film, theater and more from around the world.
Various venues, Paris & Île de France
Through January 16
Fashion meets film
Some of cinema’s most iconic costumes along with the films in which they appeared will be on show at the Cinémathèque, selected by a legend of haute couture for Cinémode Par Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
December 9
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents A Good Man, directed by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
Ongoing
Save the Musée de l’Éventail
A crowdfunding campaign is underway to help save the Musée de l’Éventail, Paris’s museum of fans and fan-making.