Les Ombres Restaurant
Location, Location, Location
I ate at the restaurant Les Ombres in the Musée du Quai Branly soon after it opened a number of years ago and was impressed by the sophisticated cuisine, the amazing sight of the Eiffel Tower looming over our heads … Read More
La Fin des Temps
Staging Murakami
I have recently become a hard-boiled fan of Haruki Murakami, the prolific, widely loved Japanese writer of impossible-to-define fiction that mixes genres as if they were ingredients for the craziest salad you ever tasted. I had just finished reading the … 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
Ni Vue ni Connue
Desperately Seeking Stardom
The premise for a new film starring Isabelle Huppert, Ni Vue ni Connue (All About Corinne), is certainly promising. Why not cast the celebrated multi-award-winning actress in the role of an unknown extra (figurante in French), Corinne Maclou, and surround … Read More
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
Photo of the Month
He's not delivering coffee to the apostles heading up to the new spire on Notre Dame, just walking past the giant photos on the hoardings around the cathedral, which is still being repaired. © 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).
November 3
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Notre Salut.
Cinéma du Panthéon, Paris
November 6
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Bataille de Gaulle 1.
Balzac, Paris
November 7
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Bataille de Gaulle 1.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
November 2-8
Indie, rock, electro
The Pitchfork Music Festival puts the spotlight on the indie music scene.
Various locations, Paris
November 5-8
Abstract art fair
For the 80e édition of the Salon Réalités Nouvelles, each of the 120 participating artists will show a work of abstract art as well as a small-format piece priced at €250 or €350. There will also be a section on the arts and sciences.
Césure, Paris
October 9-November 8
World music
Music and dance from around the globe are featured during Ville des Musiques du Monde.
Various locations, Paris & Seine-Saint-Denis
November 8
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Bataille de Gaulle 1.
Club de L’Étoile, 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
November 11-15
Photography books
Eighty international photography book publishers gather to show their wares at Polycopies.
Bateau Concorde Atlantique, Berges de Seine, Paris
November 12-15
Photography fair
Some 200 leading photo galleries show works by their artists at Paris Photo.
Grand Palais, 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
October 31-November 16
Jewish world music
Concerts of Jewish/Yiddish music at the Festival Jazz’N’Klezmer.
Various locations, Paris & other French cities
November 19-21
Lesser-known wines
The Salon des Outsiders specializes in wines “whose taste is better than the label would lead us to believe.”
Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris
November 26-November 30
Crafty techniques
Are you into tufting, scrapbooking or embroidery? You might want to attend the Salon Créations & Savoir-Faire.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
November 11-23
Poetry festival
Readings, concerts, performances and more with writers and experts at Festival Paris en Toutes Lettres.
Maison de la Poésie and other locations, Paris
November 20-23
Open studios in Montmartre
Artists open their studios to the public for Portes Ouvertes d’Anvers Aux Abbesses.
Various locations in Montmartre, Paris
November 14-24
LGBTQIA+ films
Chéries Chéris, Paris’s international LGBTQIA+ film festival, returns.
MK2, Paris
November 5-28
Focus on photos in Saint Germain
Festival Photo Saint Germain: Special photo shows in Left Bank galleries, museums, cultural centers and bookshops.
Various locations, Paris
November 27-28
Wine fair
The Grand Tasting features both big-name wineries and up-and-coming ones, along with master classes and food-and-wine pairing workshops.
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
October 8-November 29
Half off your meal
Restaurants in Paris and around France, some with Michelin stars, offer special meals at a 50 percent reduction for the Festival TheFork
Various locations, France
November 2-30
Photomania
The festival Photo Days brings photography shows to 100 venues, including galleries, museums and festivals.
Various locations, Paris and environs
December 10-13
Independent winemakers’ fair
French winemakers bring their vintages to Paris for the Salon des Vins des Vignerons Indépendants.
Porte de Versailles, Paris
November 27-December 24
African music and film
The Africolor cultural festival puts African music in the spotlight.
Various venues, Paris & suburbs
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.
Various venues, Paris & Île de France
November 22-January 4
The lights go on
The holiday lights on the Champs-Élysées. will go on Nov. 16, an event closed to traffic and open to the public.
Champs-Élysées, Paris
November 4, 2026-January 31, 2027
Dance festival
The Fondation EDF’s Dans(e) la Lumière festival presents dance performances and art exhibitions inspired by light.