Something for the Weekend (28th - 30th September)

Some suggestions for things to do in Paris this weekend.

Bastille Quartier Libre festival

Organised now for a third time, this annual festival aims to celebrate the independant traders, artists and craftspeople of the Bastille district (although why a hairdressing and wine selling chain are involved remains a mystery). Events are taking place in shops, galleries, workshops, bars and restaurants across the area on Saturday and Sunday, with one or two highlights. Most interesting might be the brunch organised on the rue des Taillandiers. The street will be closed on Sunday and covered with grass, and the restaurants and traiteurs of the area are preparing 'brunch boxes' that you can eat as a picnic on the grass!

Download the full programme here.

Love Life Parade

The Bastille district will be a busy place this Sunday. Alongside the Quartier Libre festival the Place de la Bastille will also be the starting point of the Love Life Parade, a Solidarité Sida (AIDS) charity event. The parade will be a procession of thirty floats, each of which will be a stage for live music performances by many of France's leading bands and artists (Skip the Use, Zebda, Naive New Beaters). The procession begins at 2pm, with an arrival at Opéra estimated at around 7pm (via the Rue de Rivoli and Palais Royal).

Biennale de Belleville

Centred on the Pavillon Carré de Baudouin and the CENTQUATRE arts centre, the biennale de Belleville aims to bring together the numerous art galleries in this district of Paris around central themes and programmes.

Until October 20th

http://www.labiennaledebelleville.fr/

Portes ouvertes des atelies de Menilmontant

It is a curiosity of the calendar that during the Biennale de Belleville there should also be an open days weekend of artists' studios in the area. Whilst the Biennale de Belleville focusses on international artists and wants to put Belleville firmly on the world map of art, this event is more a celebration of local amateurs. As usual with these events though, the art is almost secondary to the opportunity it offers to visit bucolic courtyards which are normally hidden behind closed doors.

http://www.ateliersdemenilmontant.org

Going back in time at the Hotel de Ville

Nine giant screens, each 10 metres across, will be installed on the Place de l'Hotel de Ville this Saturday evening, displaying virtual images of the history of Paris.

5,000 years of the history of the city will be displayed on the screens, mixing docufiction recreations, aerial views and 3D images. To get a better idea of what this might entail, watch the trailer!

From 9pm, Saturday 29th September. Free entry

Something for the Weekend (September 21st - 23rd)

It's another very busy weekend in Paris. Here's a few suggestions to help your plan your time carefully!

Park(ing) Day

Park(ing) Day started in San Francisco in 2005 and has since then spread across the world. It is a kind of anti-car 'Occupy' movement, encouraging people to find alternative uses for parking spaces in cities. A number of events are being organised in Paris and across France on Friday, including picnics, parties and pop-up art galleries, with the event HQ being set up alongside the Palais Brogniart (Bourse).

Click here for the full list of events: http://www.parkingday.fr/

The Fête des Jardins

Every weekend seems to see some kind of fête or other organised in Paris, and this weekend is no different. Indeed, there are at least two, including this event that aims to get people into the city's parks. The most interesting thing about this particular event is not the activities organised in the public parks, but rather the access it gives to unseen gardens, mostly surrounding religious buildings on the left bank.

A full list of gardens taking part can be found here.

Whilst you're in some of these parks, you may notice that there are bandstands that never seem to be used. A festival, Kiosquorama, running throughout September and October is trying to put them to good use, organising free concerts with up and coming French bands each weekend. Visit the official site for a full list of parks/concerts: http://www.kiosquorama.org/

Fete de la Gastronomie

The other 'fête' this weekend is to celebrate French food (as if it isn't already being celebrated every day of the week). A whole host of events is being organised across France this weekend, including tastings, cooking lessons, special offers in restaurants and many other things that have probably been fully booked for months.

See the official website for full details: http://www.fete-gastronomie.fr/en/events/. Typically, although an English version of the website is available, it only translates the section titles and headers, not the descriptions of the events themselves. But then all visitors to Paris speak French don't they..?

Figures libres - an original night-time walk

Paris and the surrounding towns often seem completely divorced from each other, so it is interesting to see an initiative that attempts to stitch them together. Figure Libres, organised jointly by the town of Bagnolet and the 20th arrondissement of Paris, is an organised walk through the streets of the two areas. Featuring giant projections of the local residents on surrounding buildings, including the twin Mercuriales towers, and performances in the streets, it should offer an interesting perspective on a fascinating part of the city.

Click here for full details, including meeting points and times.  

Spectaculaire + 1st birthday of La Rotonde

La Rotonde restaurant and bar, housed in an old Ledoux tax collection office on the bassin de La Villette, will be hosting two parties this weekend. On Friday evening it will be celebrating its own first birthday. On Saturday and Sunday it will be the focal point of the annual Spectaculaire festival, an event which promotes upcoming cultural events in Paris with live performances and special offers.

Full details here: http://evenement.spectaculaire.com/

Festival America

A biennial literature festival, held in Vincennes, celebrating writers from the 'Americas'. Readings, discussions and signings are held across the town throughout the weekend.

See the official website for a full list of events and the writers taking part: http://www.festival-america.org/

Nouvel An Belge

As the official website says, after the Russians and the Chinese, the Belgians will be celebrating their new year...

Held across the 18th arrondissement, it is of course a celebration of Belgian creation, particularly the country's music scene. You might also find beer and frites on sale during the events!

Full details here: http://www.nouvelanbelge.com

Something for the Weekend (September 14th - 16th)

This weekend marks the real return to normality in Paris - and therefore the return of Paris Weekends! There's a lot happening in and around the city, so make sure you plan carefully!


The Journées du Patrimoine
France's annual heritage days weekend always offers a host of interesting possibilities. On the Invisible Paris blog I have listed the 10 I'm most looking forward to.

http://www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr/  


The Techno Parade
I have been in Paris long enough to remember the first edition of this procession of electronic music (in 1998), and it has changed a lot since that time. Originally an event to promote an alternative music scene, it has become more and more mainstream, with the parade dominated by major labels and the largest radio stations. Under the title 'Renew' this year though, organisers hope that they will be able to go back to the roots of the event, and find a more underground angle. This may not be the case on the parade itself, but you'll be sure to find this spirit in some of the official and non-official 'off' events organised in bars and clubs across the capital.

http://www.technoparade.fr/


The Battle of the Music Festivals
This weekend you'll find not one but two music festivals in the Paris area. One clean and chic in the Parc de Bagatelle gardens to the west of Paris, and one a little less polished to the east. I know which one sounds the most fun to me.

We Love Green
Positioning itself as an enviromentally friendly - or neutral - festival, We Love Green will feature sets by artists such as Charlotte Gainsbourg and James Blake alongside dry toilets and organic food vans.

Fête de l'Humanité
Ostensibly an event to raise money for the French communist party and its mouthpiece, the L'Humanité newspaper, the Fête de l'Humanité is today better known for the quality of artists it draws and the comparitively cheap ticket prices. New Order, Peter Doherty and Patti Smith will be performing, alongside chemical toilets and greasy burger vans! 


Rue Stick
Is there also room for a street art festival in this busy weekend? Yes there is! Rue Stick began as a guerilla movement, attacking en-masse blank walls across Paris (as featured on Invisible Paris), but today they work closely with towns who invite them to decorate their streets for a day or weekend. This time round you'll find them in Puteaux, at the feet of the La Defense towers.

http://rue-stick.com/evenement/rue-stick-a-puteaux

Something for the Summer

Paris Weekends is mostly away from the city for the summer, so rather than the weekly recommendations, you will find here a list of the principal activities on offer in Paris this July and August.

Beaches and Waterways

Paris Plages has now become a traditional summer rendez-vous in the city. In the last couple of years it has also spread out to the Basin de la Villette which offers a more laid back atmosphere and more emphasis on water sports (and a crazy golf course this year!). The event runs from July 20th to August 19th, and you'll find full details on all activities here.

Of course, this initiative has also lead to imitators around the world, some of which can be found in the neighbouring towns of Paris. Two examples this summer:

• Puteaux Plage from July 7th - August 12th. The theme this year is the London Olympics, and it has made something of a speciality of Beach Volleyball.
• Lutece Plage the Parc Asterix beach is also back for a second year!

A 'plage' is not just somewhere to go when the sun shines though, but also at night. La Plage at the Glaz'art bar near La Villette offers concerts, DJ sets and petanque throughout the summer.

Staying on a water theme, the 'L'été du Canal' festival aims to get people out exploring the Canal de l'Ourq which leads north-eastwards from La Villette. Boat trips are only €1 throughout the summer, and there are a whole series of events - from water sports to live concerts - planned en route. 

Cinema under the stars

Despite the recent wet weather, a number of outdoor film events are planned in the city this summer.

The main outdoor cinema festival is held each year in the La Villette park. This year's theme is 'Les Métamorphoses', and runs from 25th July to August 26th. The full programme can be found here.

The Cinema au Clair de lune festival organised by the Forum des Images also aims to get people out watching films under the stars (or streetlights) from August 1st - 12th. The full programme can be found here.

If you're outside Paris, chances are you might find a temporary open air cinema on your route. The Cinesites organisation tries to couple heritage sites with suitable films, and there are plenty of interesting combinations planned this summer!

Summer bars and venues

Several places in and around Paris dress themselves up (or down) for summer, putting on a series of special events. Here is a selection of some of the most interesting:

Wanderlust: Star of the summer (if the sun ever comes out) will certainly be the new Wanderlust installation alongside the Seine. Occupying much of a converted warehouse building (particular the rooftop terraces), it is offering bars (and eventually a restaurant), music, sports and a wide variety of activities. Entrance is free, but bar prices compensate somewhat...

La Bellevilloise: La Grande Prairie is a 500m2 loft with artificial grass, fake flowers and deckchairs, but also a cool venue with cocktail bars, massages and events scheduled throughout the summer.

Le Petit Bain: Having recently celebrated its first birthday, this floating wooden box offers a casual restaurant and Latino themed music throughout the summer.

Culture

Several cultural festivals are organised in Paris during the summer.

Paris Quartier d'Ete: The biggest festival of the summer, offering hundreds of events in a wide variety of locations in and around Paris, from July 14th to August 11th.

Music in the park: The Parc Floral remains one of the best places to chill out at weekends throughout the summer. The jazz festival runs until July 29th, when the Classique au Vert classical music festival takes over (until September 16th)

Something for the Weekend (July 6th - 8th)

Schools out for summer and the holiday season has truly begun. Here are a few suggestions to celebrate in style. 



A City-Wide Treasure Hunt
Is 7 a lucky number? On this Saturday the 7th, the annual city treasure hunt will be celebrating its 7th edition - but don't take that as a clue!

The theme this year is 'Paris city of love', with participants guided by the letters exchanged by two mysterious lovers. To solve the puzzle, you must find the romantic couple's final meeting point.

Organisers promise that participants will be sent "through unexpected, unknown and often surprising locations: hidden gardens, narrow passageways, underground caverns and other secret Parisian nooks and crannies". However, there are several possible pathways leading to the treasure, and the hunt is also open to those in wheelchairs or with pushchairs.

Finally, English speakers need not miss out as the enigmas and instructions have also been set out for them in English.

To take part, meet between 10am and 1pm in front of one of the following arrondissements which will become your starting point: 3eme, 6eme, 9eme, 10eme, 11eme, 12eme, 13eme, 15eme, 17eme, 19eme, 20eme or the 18eme.


For more information see: http://www.tresorsdeparis.fr/. 


French Lingerie 
As the treasure hunt reminds us, Paris is the city of love, so it seems entirely appropriate that there should be an exhibition of French lingerie taking place at the same time. This show celebrates 100 years of French creations, with displays of historic models as well as more recent state-of-the-art designs.

Until July 26th
Espace Pierre Cardin
http://www.lingeriefrancaise.com/en/



BitterSweet (Paradise) Festival 
From this evening (6th), 10 days of "indie pop folk rock electro" concerts in small venues across the city, as well as more unexpected performances in galleries, cafés and shops.    

For more information, including the programme, line-ups and audio clips of the artists involved, visit http://www.baladessonores.com/agenda/bsp2012/

Something for the Weekend (June 29th - July 1st)

June slips into July, and although summer still doesn't seem to have begun, there are still plenty of things to do in Paris. Here are a few suggestions. 



A Streetball tournament
I'm not sure what the differences are between streetball and basketball, especially when the game is not actually being played on or near a street, but this tournament - in the shadow of the Eiffel tower - should nevertheless be quite spectacular. 

For more information see: http://www.facebook.com/officielquai54. If you find the event sold out, note that the games will also be transmitted live on YouTube (http://www.quai54live.com/)



Paris Cinema Festival 
Paris is a city that has long been linked to the cinema, but without a major festival of its own. Although this particular festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, it is only now growing into an impressive international event. Alongside the traditional film screenings and competitions, the interest from this event comes from its peripheral events, including a live cine-mix with Jeff Mills and a cinema-themed flea market.

http://www.pariscinema.org/



La Plage 
A few weeks before the beginning of Paris Plages, another part of Paris will be artificially transformed into a beach with a few tons of imported sand. The La Plage festival takes place at the Glazart bar at the Porte de la Villette and will see a whole host of live outdoor concerts throughout the summer.    

http://www.glazart.com/LaPlage/



Electronic Siestas
If you're looking for a spot for a quick snooze this Sunday, try the Musée du Quai Branly. The museum's Jardin d'Eté has been open for a month already (despite the absence of summer), and this garden will be home each Sunday in July to a series of 'gentle' electronic music concerts. Although you're welcome to listen, you are also encouraged to lay down on the comfortable garden furniture and have a nice sleep!

More information here.

Something for the Weekend (June 22nd - 24th)

Plenty of things to do in Paris for this first weekend of the summer. Enjoy it! 



A Sporting Weekend
Several sport and game events are taking place in Paris this weekend.

The French American Football final
Yes, the French do really play American Football. If you don't believe me, head down to the Stade Charlety this Saturday at 3pm. The game, between the Black Panthers from Thonon-les-Bains and the Spartiates from Amiens, is completely free too!

For more information see: http://www.fffa.org/fr/football-americain/le-casque-de-diamant/edition-2012/edition-2012.html.


A Petanque festival
For something a little more leisurely (and French), stop at the Hotel de Ville where 20 terrains (what do we say in English? Courts? Pitches?) will be set up and ready to use, with the necessary metal boules also freely available. Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 9pm


A festival of board games
And if you're looking for something even more leisurely, how about a relaxing board game? Held - strangely enough - on a Boulodrome (a place where petanque is played) in the 12th arrondissement, it will offer the opportunity to try out hundreds of games - some of which are still in the prototype stage. 

More information: http://www.parisestludique.fr/


The Fête du Cinema 
From Sunday until Wednesday, buy one full price cinema ticket then get unlimited access to other films for only €2.50 each time. 

http://www.feteducinema.com/


The Salon Emmaüs 
This Sunday, from 9.30am to 7pm at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, will be one of the largest flea markets of the year - and it's all for a good cause! Entrance is only 3€, or free for the under 12s or the unemployed  

http://www.facebook.com/jemmaus.



The Highest Book Fair in Paris
A book fair not like the others! Paris Se Livre is being held, on Firday afternoon and all day Saturday, on the 56th floor of the Tour Montparnasse! As entry is free, it could give you the perfect occasion to discover this building and the impressive view it offers over Paris.