Thursday, January 5, 2012

Paris in 2012: what not to miss this year

For those living in the city, or for those just planning a short visit, here is a list of some of the most interesting cultural events of the year, and some of the key dates.

Art Superstars

Once again, Paris will be hosting plenty of big name exhibitions this year. Book in advance if you want to avoid long queues!

Debussy, la musique et les arts
How Debussy was influenced by poetry and the visuals arts.

Musée de l'Orangerie
21st February - 11th June


Matisse
The first major show of the year shows how Matisse influenced modernism.

Centre Pompidou
7th March - 18th June


Degas et le nu

First major retrospective on Degas in Paris since 1988 focusses on his nudes.

Musée d'Orsay
13th March - 1st July


Edward Hopper

Grand Palais
10th October - 28th January 2013


Salvador Dalí

The year finishes with a major retrospective on the work of the Spanish surrealist.
Centre Pompidou

21st November - 25th March 2013


Paris the Superstar
Paris will also be the star of several exhibitions, notably photographic, this year.


Eugène Atget
A unique opportunity to discover some previously undisplayed work from one of the city's most famous eyes. Also the opportunity to discover Emmanuel Pottier, a contemporary of Atget who is still almost unknown.
Musée Carnavalet
18th April - 29th July

Doisneau, Paris les Halles
Doisneau exhibitions are relatively common, but this one features just his pictures of Les Halles when it was still the 'belly of Paris', including many later pictures in colour.
Hotel de Ville
8th February - 28th April

Paris vu par Hollywood
How Hollywood has featured Paris, from early recreations in US studios to more recent filmings on the city's streets.
Hotel de Ville
16th May - 25th August


Other Superstars  
Two other exhibitions promise to be quite spectacular, without any particular star names.

Phares (lighthouses)
Over more than 1,000m², the history and life of lighthouses, and how they have influenced literature and the cinema.
Musée national de la Marine
7th March - 4th November


Beauté animale

An exhibition in which only pictures of animals feature, with over 130 materpieces from the renaissance to today.

Grand Palais
21st March - 16th July


Events 
Here are the key dayes for the major events in the city this year. 
 
Paris Face Cachée
A new initiative aiming to show the hidden side of the city, through a series of events and activities across one weekend. More information on this event soon on Invisible Paris.

February 4th and 5th

La Nuit des musées
The European Nuit des Musées, when museums across the continent open their doors late into the night, will be held this year on May 19th. 

Journées du Patrimoine 
The country's heritage days will be held ove the weekend of the 15th and 16th September.


Paris Plage

The eighth edition of Nuit européenne des musées, where museums open their doors until late into the night, will be held on Saturday 19th May. 

Nuit Blanche

The Nuit Blanche 2012 will be held on the night of Saturday October 6th. Expect more information on themes and featured districts later in the year.
Paris Plage will run once again alongside the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette in July and August. Exact dates will be communicated later in the year.

1 comment:

French Girl in Seattle said...

Great post, thanks! I am going to plan my upcoming stay in Paris around some of the exhibits you listed. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)