Something for the Weekend (17th – 19th September)

This weekend is all about the Journées du Patrimoine, but of course this is not the only event taking place in Paris over the next few days. You’ll find below my suggestions of interesting heritage places to visit where you won’t be expected to queue for two hours beforehand, as well as another couple of events if heritage really isn’t your thing.

Les Journées du patrimoine
I have already made some suggestions on this blog (Palais d’Iena, Musée des Moulages, Siège du Parti Communiste, 100 years of the Nord-Sud line), but here are a few more that may interest you :

The Lycée Jacques Decour
It's always interesting to visit places that are completely outside of our daily routines, and a 19th century school building is probably not the type of place where most of you would generally go. Visit for the typical period architecture and layout, and also for a glimpse into how the French school system works.
12 avenue Trudaine – 75009, Saturday 2-6pm

Mémorial du Bazar de la Charité
Built on the spot of a terrible fire that cost the lives of over 150 members of the aristocracy (with around 95% of the victims being female), this chapel is always open to the public daily. What is more rarely seen though is the memorial section at the rear which explains the tragedy in more detail and celebrates the lives of the victims.
Rue Jean-Goujon, 75008 Saturday - Sunday 14:00 to 17:30

The IAU building
As this Friday is Parking Day (see below) why not ccombine events by visiting a converted car park and garage? Used today by a regional urbanism organisation, the building was originally created to house the Le Monde newspaper in 1990 by the architects Pierre du Besset and Dominique Lyon.
15, rue Falguière, 75015

The full programme of Patrimoine events can be found here.

PARK(ing) Day
You may not be aware of the fact, but this Friday (17th) is PARK(ing) Day, ‘an annual, worldwide event that inspires city dwellers everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good’. Several events are being organised in France, but the one that looks most interesting to me is a walk through some of Paris’s car parks with Dédale and Promenades Urbaines. The walk, above and under ground, will investigate evolutions in the architecture of car parks, and how they can be incorporated or adapted in the city.

Confirm a place on the walk by sending a mail to promenades@promenades-urbaines.com, then meet on the piazza of the Centre Pompidou at 4pm on Friday 17th. The walk will last approximately three hours and is FREE!

Apéro et quizz
The most interesting record label and shop in Paris, Fargo, will be organising its second 'apéro' this Saturday. Turn up at the shop at 6.30pm for a drink and to meet the team (and why not buy some vintage vinyl or artist tour prints), then join everyone next door at the American Bistrot for a music quiz on the theme of 'Chess Records'.
Fargo, 42, rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011