What’s On in Paris – April 2023

March 27-April 2
The Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art is a European-wide festival of artisans who open their workshops to the public. The website is all in French, but a little auto-translate help is all you need to find the artists, jewelry makers, designers, furniture makers, ironsmiths, and more wherever you are in France (use the “near me” function to find the open studios). Free entry.

March 31-April 2
As part of the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art, the artisan studios of the Villa Mais d’Ici are open to the public. Meet metalworkers, lute maker, leatherworker, costume designer, show props makers, puppet makers…free entry from 2-6pm, at 77 rue des Cités in Aubervilliers (metro line 7).

March 31-April 2
The Storie Boutique of handmade, artisanal textiles is back this weekend for a pop-up appearance at the postcard-pretty Atelier MBC (6 Rue Huyghens, 14th) in the heart of Montparnasse, 11:30am-7:30pm

April 1-2
Vive la Révinlution is a natural wine fair at HOBA, a sustainable food court and event space in Martin Luther King Park. There are tastings, wine pairing workshops, cooking with wine demonstrations, an urban cellar fair, and live DJ. ENtry is €9, tickets for the workshops are here: https://hoba.paris/evenement/vive-la-revinlution/#billeterie

April 1-2
The Hôtel Bohême is the regular fair for 45 French designers in fashion, jewelry, beauty, and home decor, at 71 rue Fontaine au Roi, 11th, open noon-8pm (Sunday 11am-7pm), free entry. Visit the website for the full list of designers.

April 2
The Marathon de Paris takes place today in central Paris; be aware of closed roads and don’t forget to cheer on the runners!

April 5-11
British comedian Eddie Izzard will be previewing her new show, The Remix, in English at La Nouvelle Seine (peniche), a «Best of» show from her 35-year comedy career. Tickets €30, limited space, book now!

April 11-July 8
Murmuration is a mesmerizing performance choreographed by Sadeck Berrabah at the 13e Art theatre. “More than 40 dancers will make you travel and dream for 75 minutes.” Tickets €20-59. Get a sneak preview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9IxogvCvxo&t=119s

April 13
Le Food Market is a monthly open-air food festival on Boulevard Belleville (between metro Ménilmontant and Couronnes) with over a dozen stands serving up tasty dishes of all kinds for less than €10 (kind of like a gathering of static food trucks, but without the wheels) from 6pm-10:30pm. It can get quite crowded, so get there early to avoid waiting (there are huge tables to sit and eat).

April 13
The Ukulele Boudoir is back with their Cabaret du Uke de Paris tonight on the peniche Anako (Bassin de la Villette, across from 34 Quai de la Loire) from 7:30pm, free entry. Bring your uke and play along, or just watch and eat and drink and sing along.

April 14-16
Bercy Beaucoup, the tiers-lieu (“third space”) on the edge of the 12th arrondissement, is having their seasonal reopening party this weekend with cocktails, food and live concerts at La Javelle guinguette, and a plant and gardening supplies exchange at Plant B. This is an inclusive , open-air space (dress accordingly for the weather), free entry, everyone welcome of all ages. La Javelle is open Friday 5pm-midnight, Saturday/Sunday noon-midnight; Plant B is open Saturday/Sunday 1-6:30pm. The info desk to learn more about Bercy Beaucoup’s projects is open Saturday 1-7pm.

April 22
Attention vinyl fans, Disquaire Day, or Record Store Day, is celebrated today at over 200 independent record shops in 90 cities all over France (43 in Paris) and Belgium. In addition to unique collections and records available for purchase, there will be live events, DJ sessions, showcases, and arts expositions. Participating record stores in Paris: All Access Paris, Balades Sonores, Betino’s Record Shop, Born Bad Record Shop, Crocodisc, Gibert Joseph Saint-Michel, Ground Zero, Le Rideau de Fer, Le Silence de la Rue, Major Tom, Maquis Megastore, Music Avenue Paris, Musiques Musiques, Patate Records, Potemkine, Quinze.Bis by Gibert, Rock Paradise, Souffle Continu, Supersonic Records, Toolbox Records.

April 27-May 8
The annual Foire de Paris (Paris Fair) is one of the biggest events of the year, occupying the entire Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (15^th arr.) with hall after hall of food and wine, home and garden, fashion and accessories, travel and world cultures, arts and crafts, the famous Inventions Contest, and a street art competition. It’s chaos, it’s fascinating, and there’s always something interesting to learn (or buy, or eat). Just don’t go on the weekend unless you like being trampled! Buy your tickets in advance and avoid lines; entry €11 (€15 at the door).

Through June 3
CAPITALE(S) is a free exposition at the Hôtel de Ville (4th) celebrating 60 years of Paris street art, featuring the most influential artists, including Invader, Miss Tic, André, Swoon and Banksy. In the Salle Saint-Jean at 5 rue de Lobau, free entry with reservations online, Mon-Sat 10am-6:30pm (Thursdays until 9pm).

Through November 5
Immerse yourself in the art of the iconic Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha at the interactive digital show at the Grand Palais Immersif (110 rue de Lyon, 12th). Tickets €6-€20. Reserve your time slot online.