Ellsworth Kelly: Shapes and Colors & Matisse: The Red Studio
Connected by Color
I felt great gratitude to the Fondation Louis Vuitton on my way out to the Bois de Boulogne to see its two new exhibitions: “Ellsworth Kelly. Shapes and Colors” and “Matisse: The Red Studio.” Why? Because the subject was not … Read More
Eunoé Restaurant
All Sins Forgiven
Eunoe is the name of a river invented by Dante for his Divine Comedy. After passing through Purgatory, the dead take a dip in the River Lethe, where they forget their earthly sins, then in the River Eunoe, where they … Read More
Nina Khemchyan: Echo
Meditations on Sin and Repentance, from Venice to Paris
A catwalk of contemporary artistic fashions and a display case for the projection of cultural soft power, the Venice Biennale has grown in size and extravagance over the years as powerhouse nations have vied to outcompete one another for the … Read More
After the rain. 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).
May 23
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Madame Hoffman, directed by Sébastien Lifshitz.
Luminor, Paris
May 25
Champagne à gogo
Meet producers, taste their bubbles and attend master classes at the Champagne Tasting fair.
Palais Brongniart, Paris
May 20-26
Brewer’s bash
Local bars will feature craft beers May 20-26, and 60 French microbrewers will be on hand for the Paris Beer Festival (May 25-26) at Ground Control.
Various locations & Ground Control, Paris
May 24-26
Gallery walks
Explore dozens of modern and contemporary art galleries during Paris Gallery Weekend.
Various locations, Paris
May 26
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 26
Gigantic picnic on the avenue
The Champs-Élysées will turn into a picnic site for 4,000 people, complete with a red checkered tablecloth, for Le Grand Pique-nique des Champs. Picnic baskets prepared by Parisian chefs will be handed out to the lucky winners of the online drawing. Go to the website to participate.
Do thatChamps-Élysées, Paris
May 22-26
Go outdoors!
Guided walks, exhibitions, open gardens and more will take place across the country for Fête de la Nature.
Various locations, France
May 23-26
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
Through June 2
Young European photographers
The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers. Pictured: “Ilinx” by Jeremy Appert.
Centquatre, Paris
Through June 2
Indoor/outdoor street art
The Colors festival invites street artists to decorate an abandoned house, this one in a Paris suburb. Reserve online.
37, ave. Roger Salengro, Champigny-sur-Marne
May 31-June 2
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. The Château de Chantilly, for example, will offer guided tours, a concert and other activities in its stately gardens. This year’s theme is the five senses.
Various locations, France
May 31-June 2
Street art festival
Over 40 street art companies, including circus performers, dancers and puppeteers gather in the center of Nanterre for the three-day Parade(s) festival.
Nanterre Centre-Ville
May 31-June 2
Art & history in Fontainebleau
This year’s guest country is Mexico and the subject is sports at this year’s Festival de l’Histoire de l’Art, a weekend of free conferences, debates and guided tours celebrating art new and old.
Château de Fontainebleau
May 31-June 2
Charity fashion sale
Hundreds of fashion brands, including agnès b., Chloé and Christian Louboutin, have donated clothing to be sold at a 70 percent discount at the Grande Braderie de la Mode de AIDES. Admission: €2.
Château de Fontainebleau
May 29-June 5
Local literature festival
The libraries, bookshops, museums and universities of Paris’s literary fifth arrondissement open their doors for Quartier du Livre, a week-long celebration of the written word.
Various locations, Paris
June 2-7
Literary lessons
This year’s weeklong Paris Writers Workshop will feature small-group masterclasses, agent consultations, panel discussions, and more. The Fiction/Novel and Creative Nonfiction masterclasses are full, but there are still a few spaces in Screen and TV Writing (Diane Lake), Short Fiction (Kevin Brockmeier), Travel Writing (Don George), and Poetry (Heather Hartley). Open to writers of all levels.
Reid Hall, Paris
May 20-June 8
Mini-plays
Mises en Capsules presents the best in short performance pieces.
Théâtre Lepic, Paris
May 31-June 9
Cello festival
Concerts, dance and more at the Beauvais International Cello Festival.
Beauvais, France
June 7-16
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
June 13-16
Jazz in the park
Food trucks and a bar will be onsite at the outdoor Sceaux Jazz Festival,
Domaine départemental, Sceaux
Through June 21
Drawing season
Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.
Various locations, France
Through June 22-July 6
Local Olympics
Paris offers ordinary citizens the chance to participate in its Olympiades des Arrondissements and win tickets to the real thing. Sign up online to participate or to reserve free tickets for the events.