Secrets of Paris Calendar of Events
August 28-October 10
Carnival continues for the fall in the Bois de Boulogne for the annual Fête au Bois, at Porte de la Muette (16th, metro Rue de la Pompe or bus 63). See the big ferris wheel and all the traditional carnival rides.
August 28-September 5
The 9th annual Festival Silhouette features German short films this year, free open-air screenings at the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Cenquatre, and the Gethe Institute.
August 26-Sepember 11
Free concerts at Les Trois Baudetes (64 boulevard de Clichy, Paris 18th) every night at 8:30pm featuring the latest French nouvelle-chanson singers (including the "2010 Young Parisian Talent" award winners Twin Twin on Sept 2). Restaurant open from 6:30pm.
August 21-September 12, September 17
Attention garden lovers, come vote for your favorite dahlia at the Parc Floral (Bois de Vincennes) through September 12. The 22nd annual International Dahlia Competition includes 72 hybrids from France, Holland, Russia, Germany and Latvia.
September 2, 18, 25
See the latest on the scene of African and Caribbean artists at the exhibition: Tout est Possible-All is Possible. Videos, sculptures, paintings and sketches from Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Senegal, Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Congo, Burkina Faso, and Zimbabwe. The opening vernissage is Sept 2 at 6pm. The apéritif reception is Sept 18 at noon, and the final cocktail reception is Sept 25 at noon. At the Cloître des Billets (24 rue des Archives, 4th). www.lagalerieafricaine.com
September 2-October 24
It's the 150th anniversary of the enlargement of Paris under Haussmann in 1860 which gave Paris it's current 20 arrondissements. Come see the exposition about the urban upheaval, "1860 Aggrandir Paris" at the galérie des Bibliothèques (22 rue Mahler, 4th). Entry €4. There are also guided history walks of the annexed arrondissements (in French) for €5. See the schedule here.
September 6
Wine-tasting dinner at Lapérouse featuring the "Pouilly-fumé" wines from Domaine Jonathan Pabiot. From 8pm, menu for €110/person, spaces limited. To reserve contact Claire Cauchetier: 01.56.79.24.31 / 01.43.26.68.04. See the site for the full menu : www.laperouse.fr
September 11
The vernissage for Jean-Charles de Castelbajac's solo show, "The Tyranny of Beauty" is today from 4-9pm at La B.A.N.K. Galerie (42 rue Volta, 3rd). Free entry.
September 11-12
It's time for the annual Festival de la Tomate at the Château de la Bordaisière (37270 Montlouis-sur-Loire), at the Loire Valley Château B&B of the Prince Jardinier. Come see his famous Tomato Conservatory with almost 700 varieties, as well as expositions on the importance of biodiversity and the fabulous dahlia gardens.
September 14
It’s the last vernissage at stylepixie gallery before they move to their new location, from 7:30-11:30pm. Come see the drawings and paintings of Charlowski, two artists (Gazio and Sandra Detourbet) who met and fell in love at the gallery. These events are a great way to meet other expatriates and mix with the French art world. At La Fabrique - Espace 49, 2 rue Edouard Vasseur 94200 Ivry sur Seine (50m from métro 7, station Pierre et Marie Curie)
Wednesdays through September 15
For the summer and early fall, the Sainte Chapelle is open late every Wednesday night from 6pm-9:30pm (last entry at 9pm), with guided tours in French at 6:30pm and 8pm. The prices remain the same for tickets, €8, free for kids under 18. www.monuments-nationaux.fr
September 18
Rock sans Papiers is a benefit concert to help and support seasonal workers and their families in France who are trying to get their legal working and residency papers. It's at Bercy POPB from 7pm, featuring over 20 bands and musicians, including Les Têtes Raides, Oxmo Puccino, Nosfell, Tryo, Les Wampas, Daniel Darc, and Cali. Tickets are €29, available at FNAC, Bercy.fr, Tickenet.fr, Carrefour Spectacles, and MesTickets.com.
September 18-19
Every historic monument in France is open free to the public this weekend as part of the annual Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days). This year's theme is "Les grands Hommes : quand femmes et hommes construisent l’Histoire". For more info see the schedule here.
October 1
American singer Tori Sparks will be performing tonight from 9:30pm at The Swan Bar (165 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 6th, 01 44 27 05 84). From the Village Voice: "Her dynamic live show is equal parts eye-popping soul-singing, and zany stand-up-style humor." Tori’s third album, The Scorpion in the Story, was co-produced with indie rock veteran David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Josh Rouse, Widespread Panic, Cowboy Junkies) , and features players such as Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell), Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Mindy Smith, Allison Krauss), Fats Kaplin (Mark Knopfler, Kevin Welch), and Barry Walsh (Gretchen Peters). Listen here: www.torisparks.com.
October 2
The annual Nuit Blanche cultural festival happens tonight all over Paris. So get yourself caffeinated and join in the fun! See the teaser video here.
October 2 (exposition from September 25)
Looking for affordable art? Today is the auction of 150 artworks from 68 up-and-coming artists at the 55th annual Salon Montrouge: paintings, sculpture, photography, video and installation pieces. Estimated prices: €80-€2000 (average price, €500). La Fabrique : 51 avenue Jean-Jaurès, Montrouge (metro Chatillon-Montrouge), exposition daily noon-8pm, auction Oct 2nd 11am-1pm. For more info: 01 46 12 75 70.
Other Paris Calendar Links
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing.
- For art exhibitions, museum news and openings see Paris Muse.
- For nightlife and performing arts see GoGo Paris
- For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism.
- For naughty events, see the Naughty Paris Guide.
- Major sporting events and festivals can be found at WhatsOnWhen.
