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).

April 28

French movies with English subtitles

Lost in Frenchlation presents Peau d’Âne, directed by Jacques Demy.

EICAR, Ivry-sur-Seine
April 29

French movies with English subtitles

Lost in Frenchlation presents Les Demoiselles de Rochefort’ (The Young Girls of Rochefort), directed by Jacques Demy.

L’Epée de Bois, Paris
May 3

Free stuff exchange

Help save the environment by recycling stuff at the Giant Free Troc Party swap event. Online registration (required) opens on April 16 at noon.

Académie du Climat, Paris
May 1-4

Charitable art sale

The Solid’Art contemporary art fair is also a charitable event that raises money to send children from low-income families on vacation.

Carreau du Temple, Paris
May 1-11

All things bread

Samples, stalls and more from French bakers at La Fête du Pain.

Parvis de Notre-Dame, Paris
May 7-11

African cinema

NollywoodWeek Paris promotes cinema from Nigeria and the wider African diaspora. Pictured above: a still from the short film The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyi Ajayí, directed by Abbesi Akhamie.

Cinéma l’Arlequin, Paris
May 8-11

Pop-up restaurants

Paris’s best chefs offer bite-sized samples of their fare at Taste of Paris.

Grand Palais, Paris
May 9-11

New independent films

Filmmakers from around the world are spotlighted at ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival.

Les 7 Parnassiens, Paris
May 9-11

All things opera

Opera houses across France open their doors to visitors and put on performances and workshops for Tous à l’Opéra!

Various locations, France
Through May 11

Retail heaven

You can buy just about anything at the century-old Foire de Paris, a gigantic pop-up store. For free admission, click here.

Porte de Versailles, Paris
May 17

Late-night art

Museums stay open into the night for free and hold special events for the Nuit Européenne des Musées. 

Various locations, Paris & Europe
May 16-18

Stimulating books

The Paris Ass Book Fair gives “an important place to marginal and untimely sensibilities, desires and aspirations, and to affirm a joyful approach to art and publishing, a taste for provocation and the absurd, an urge to stimulate minds and bodies.” 

Palais Tokyo, Paris
May 18

Festival of Colors, Love and Spring

Celebration of the joyous Fête de Holi. Don’t wear your best clothes in case you are caught in a shower of color.

 Jardin d’Acclimatation, Paris
May 16-18

Studio-hopping

Some 150 artists open their studios to the public for Portes Ouvertes des Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville, an occasion to discover not only artworks but also hidden gardens and courtyards in this lively quarter of Paris.

Various locations, Paris
May 12-19

Jazz festival

Concerts, conferences and master classes abound at Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Various locations in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
May 23-24

Up-and-coming artists

The Festival Sous le Radar presents emerging French and international musicians of various stripes.

Communale, Saint Ouen
May 19-25

Brewer’s bash

Local bars will feature craft beers May 19-25, and 60 French microbrewers will be on hand for the Paris Beer Festival (May 24-25) at Ground Control.

Various locations & Ground Control, Paris
May 20-25

Go outdoors!

Guided walks, exhibitions, open gardens and more will take place across the country for Fête de la Nature. 

Various locations, France
May 21-25

Cutting-edge design

The biggest and best in contemporary design gather for the international art festival Révélations.

Grand Palais, Paris
May 22-25

Free performances indoors and out

The Festival Onze Bouge presents free concerts, theater, dance performances and street art.

11th arrondissement, Paris
May 24

Champagne à gogo

Meet producers, taste their bubbles and attend master classes at the Champagne Tasting fair.

Maison de la Mutualité, Paris
May 16-25

Cello festival

Concerts, dance and more at the Beauvais International Cello Festival.

Beauvais, France
May 25

Giant bike rally

The Convergence Francilienne brings together riders from all over the Île de France, who converge at Bastille in Paris and parade to Invalides for a picnic. See website for routes.

 Île de France and Paris
May 1-30

Celebrating cycling

Mai à Vélo celebrates and promotes all things cycling. Events in Paris include tours and cycling challenges.

Worldwide
Through June 1

Young European photographers

The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers.

Centquatre, Paris
June 5-8

Charity fashion sale

Hundreds of fashion brands have donated clothing to be sold at a 70 percent discount at the Grande Braderie de la Mode de AIDES.

Magasins Généraux, Pantin
June 6-8

Gardens galore

For the Rendez-vous aux Jardins, public and private gardens all over France open their gates and offer educational tours, concerts, tastings and more. This year’s theme is the rock gardens.  

Various locations, France
Through June 21

Drawing season

Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.

Various venues, France
June 6-22

Meet the trees

The festival Les Nuits des Forêts will draw visitors into French forests with exhibitions, shows and immersive events, by day and by night.

Domaine départemental, Sceaux
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