May 13
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Grand Blond avec une Chaussure Noire, directed by Yves Robert.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
May 15
Street food
The barbecue version of the street-food pop-up, Le Food Market: free entry and food stands a-go-g0..
Boulevard de Belleville between métros Couronnes and Ménilmontant, Paris
May 16
Love everybody
The Bal de l’Amour is a free outdoor ball with live music celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and all their friends and loved ones.
Place de la Bastille, 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 16-18
Springtime for French necropoles
This year’s Printemps des Cimetières examines the fauna and flora in French cemeteries with guided tours, one of which is titled “Talking About It Won’t Kill You.” Père Lachaise has a rich program on a variety of subjects, some of which must be reserved online.
Various locations, France
Through May 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 19
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Haine, directed by Mathieu Kassovitz.
Cinéma du Panthéon, Paris
May 22
Organic food festival
The Festival C’est BIO la France! celebrates the 40th anniversary of the “BIO” label in France, with food tastings, an organic food market and DJs from 8pm to midnight.
69, avenue Pierre Mendès-France, 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
The art of fitness
The Festival Jogging brings together the sports and art worlds, with a Brazilian party, shows, roller dance, a contemporary art exhibition, interactive installations, and sports and fitness classes.
Le Carreau du Temple, 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
June 6-22
The word is out
The festival Les Mots Libres celebrates writing in all its forms, with the participation of known and amateur artists, professors, musicians, actors, and local associations, bringing words to life through various shows, exhibitions, workshops, concerts, literary concerts, debates, readings and other performances. The spotlight this year is on words expressed through dance.