What’s On in Paris – April 2025

VACANCES SCOLAIRES (French School Holidays): Spring break for the Paris region schools is April 12th-28th.

March 8–April 5
Les Éphémères de Gérard Zlotykamien is on view at a pop-up space at 1 rue Alphonse Boudard (13th arrondissement, right by the Bibliothèque Nationale Mitterrand), open Wednesday to Saturday from 2–7pm. This free exhibition features 200 works painted on burlap sacks by one of the pioneers of street art in France. The gallery is also offering a 240-page exhibition catalogue for €20, and free copies of Le Point d’Ironie #69, created by Zlotykamien.

March 31 – April 6
The Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art return for their 4th edition, celebrating craftsmanship across Paris and beyond. This week-long event offers an immersive look into the world of artisans through open workshops, live demonstrations, conferences, and guided visits. Under the theme Traits d’union, the 2025 edition highlights the connections between tradition and innovation, local heritage and global creativity. Free and open to all, this is a unique opportunity to meet artisans, discover rare skills, and explore the diversity of European craftsmanship. Full program available at journeesdesmetiersdart.fr (filter events by “entrée libre” for the ones that don’t need reservations).

April 1-5
The Open Studios at Caserne des Minimes welcome visitors from 11am to 7pm as part of the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art. Located at 3 rue Saint-Gilles, this former military barracks now houses artisans specializing in textile design, jewelry making, and heritage textile manufacturing. Discover Denovembre’s handcrafted scarves, La Duchesse aux Pieds Nus’ limited-edition vermeil and precious metal jewelry, and Société Choletaise de Fabrication’s historic weaving and braiding techniques. Free entry.

April 3–27
Franco-American artist Marcus McAllister presents his latest series of dreamlike acrylic paintings during a month-long residency at Galerie Polysémie’s Espace Cécilia F (4 rue des Guillemites, 4th arrondissement). The exhibition is open Wednesday to Saturday from 3–8pm and Sunday from 11am–6pm. Vernissage on Thursday, April 3 from 6–9pm and closing tea on Sunday, April 27 from 3–6pm. Free entry.

First Friday – April 4
Tonight is the Free First Friday at the Louvre, where the evening visit (from 6pm-9pm) is free the first Friday of the month (except July-August). Tickets are required, and are only available two weeks in advance, and time slots fill up fast! Book online here: https://www.louvre.fr/expositions-et-evenements/evenements-activites/les-nocturnes-du-mercredi-et-du-vendredi

April 4-21
Celebrate the Hanami spring festival, or the flowering of cherry trees (sakuras in Japanese), at Domaine de Sceaux (south of Paris on the RER B). You can picnic on the designated lawns while admiring the pink and white cherry blossoms. The best time to see the trees in full bloom in the last two weeks of April. Note that the park is PACKED on the weekend afternoons, so if you go, get there early to claim a good spot. Free access. See the website for the full schedule of events each weekend.

April 5
Unstoppable You: Live Your Best Life in Paris is a half-day conference designed to empower English-speaking women in Paris, taking place Saturday April 5th from 2pm to 6pm at the International School of Paris (45 rue Cortambert, 16th arrondissement). Co-hosted by INSPIRELLE, the event features inspiring speakers (including keynote Genie Godula of France 24), interactive workshops, one-on-one speed coaching, and expert advice on careers, business, health, relationships, and thriving as an international woman in France. Tickets are 40€, with discounts for INSPIRELLE members, ISP parents, and students.

April 5
The Art of Glass Painting with a Master Stained-Glass Artist takes place at Bibliothèque Forney (4th arrondissement) from 3pm to 5pm as part of the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art. Renowned master glass painter and Meilleur Ouvrier de France Josette Trublard will share insights into the history, techniques, and craftsmanship of stained glass. Through live demonstrations, including a reproduction of the Histoire de Psyché stained-glass panels from the 16th century, she will discuss restoration, contemporary creation, and career paths in the field. Free entry, no reservation required.

April 5-6
The Open Studios at Cour de l’Industrie take place from 11am to 6pm as part of the Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art. This historic industrial courtyard in the 11th arrondissement, dating back to 1673, is home to 50 workshops featuring artisans and artists. Visitors can explore studios specializing in wood sculpture, gold leaf gilding, art restoration, textile design, wallpaper making, and theatrical wig craftsmanship. A food stand from Cantine will be available in the first courtyard. Free entry. More details at www.37bis.net.

First Sunday – April 6
For this first Sunday of the month, many Paris museums and monuments are open free to the public, including the Musée du Quai Branly, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, gardens of the Musée Albert Kahn, La Monnaie de Paris, l’Orangerie, and the Château de Versailles. But be forewarned: reservations are a must. Three chateaux don’t require reservations: Château de Fontainebleau, Château de Malmaison, and Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

April 10
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 at affordable prices (kind of like a gathering of static food trucks, but without the wheels) from 6pm-10:30pm. This month’s theme is “Spicy” (although the French version of what’s hot probably won’t phase too many Americans). It can get quite crowded, so get there early to avoid waiting (there are huge tables to sit and eat).

April 12-14
The Paris Café Festival returns to Le Carreau du Temple for three days of specialty coffee experiences, bringing together top baristas, roasters, and industry innovators. Visitors can sample exceptional coffees, discover the latest equipment and trends, attend expert-led talks, and enjoy coffee-infused cocktails, music, and a vibrant atmosphere. Open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, with Monday reserved for industry professionals. Tickets €22. https://www.pariscafefestival.com/

April 13
This morning is the Marathon de Paris, expect road closures throughout the Right Bank of the city close to the Seine. The race starts at 8am from the Arc de Triomphe, then passes the Place de la Concorde, along the Rue de Rivoli, past the Opéra Garnier, to the Place de la Bastille, the Bois de Vincennes, then back along the quays past the Eiffel Tower to the Bois de Boulogne and finishing back at the Arc de Triomphe.

April 15-29
The Handbags Online: The Paris Edit auction, hosted by Christie’s, presents an exclusive selection of rare and highly sought-after luxury handbags, including exceptional Hermès pieces. Running online from April 15 at 12am to April 29 at 2pm (CEST), this auction caters to discerning collectors looking for unmatched quality and craftsmanship. Bidding takes place online, with previews and inquiries available through Christie’s Paris at 9 Avenue Matignon.

April 17
Born in the Streets: Graffiti – Join Leanne Sacramone, Senior Curator at the Fondation Cartier, for a conversation with Margery Arent Safir (founder of The Arts Arena) about the groundbreaking 2009 exhibition that brought graffiti from New York’s streets into the Paris art world. Held at Columbia Global Centers – Ried Hall (4 rue de Chevreuse, 6th arrondissement) at 7pm. A champagne reception follows. Free entry, but reservations required at rsvp@artsarena.org.

April 17 – October 12
“Instants Données” is the latest exhibition at the Musée Maillol featuring 400 carefully selected photographs by the legendary French photographer, Robert Doisneau. Although best known for his post-card photos of Paris taken from the 1930s through the 1980s, the lovers kissing in front of the Hôtel de Ville, the “curved” Eiffel Tower, or even Picasso with “hands” made of petits pains. But he also documented the lives of Parisians we don’t normally see on camera: factory workers, poor children playing in the street, the homeless, prostitutes, miners, labor unionists on strike, humble café owners…. I loved him images of the suburbs of Paris, both the pre-war shanty towns and the post-war housing projects, “each ugly, but in different ways”, and the photos he took of artist and writer friends and their ateliers. Allow at least an hour to fully enjoy! Open daily 10:30am-6:30pm (Wednesdays until 10pm). Reserve online in advance, tickets €16.50 (€12.50 for ages 6-25).

April 20-21
Sunday the 20th is Easter, and the 21st is Easter Monday, an official holiday in France (so municipal offices will be closed).

April 26–27
Esprit Jardin takes place in Versailles (Place de la Cathédrale Saint-Louis and the Potager du Roi) from 10am to 7pm each day. This free weekend festival celebrates Versailles’ extraordinary green heritage with a pop-up garden, tours of the historic royal kitchen garden, workshops for kids and adults, a musical siesta, nature walks, performances, and tastings from local artisans (full program here, en français). Access via Versailles Château Rive Gauche (RER C).

April 25-27
The Urban Art Fair returns to the Carreau du Temple, bringing together over 30 French and international galleries showcasing works by more than 200 urban artists. Established in 2016, this annual event is a key meeting point for collectors, art professionals, and street art enthusiasts. The fair features exhibitions, live performances, artist signings, and short film screenings. Public opening hours: Friday and Saturday from 11am to 8pm, Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Tickets: €15 standard, €10 reduced, free for children under 12.

April 27
Guest Preacher: Bishop Mariann Budde will be at the American Cathedral in Paris (23 avenue George V, 8th arrondissement). The Right Reverend Mariann Budde, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, D.C., will lead the Cathedral Forum at 10am, followed by preaching at the 11am Holy Eucharist. Her visit coincides with the European launch of her book How We Learn to Be Brave, first published in 2023. Free and open to all.

April 27 & May 25
Embroidery Workshops with Rebecca at Au Ver à Soie (102 rue Réaumur, 2nd arrondissement). Join textile artist and professional haute couture embroiderer Rebecca for beginner-friendly embroidery classes hosted in a historic Parisian silk thread shop. On April 27, choose from “A Brief Dictionary of Stitches” at 10am or “Vintage Floral Fancies” at 2:30pm. A second “Vintage Floral Fancies” session takes place May 25 at 10am. Workshops include hands-on instruction, all materials, and light refreshments, with the bonus opportunity to purchase silk threads directly from the 5th-generation Au Ver à Soie family. €150 per workshop, registration required, classes fill fast!

April 29
The Eater Guide to Paris Launch Event takes place at The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore (9 rue de Médicis, 6th arrondissement) at 7pm. Join author Lindsey Tramuta for a conversation moderated by award-winning baker and writer Dorie Greenspan, followed by a book signing. Copies of both Lindsey’s and Dorie’s books will be available for purchase, with snacks provided during the signing. Free entry, but arrive early to secure a seat.

April 30
Ivy Writers Paris is hosting On the Road tonight at Delaville Café (34 boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 10th arrondissement, métro Bonne Nouvelle) at 7:30pm. This free evening of poetry and music in English features readings by poets Jennifer K Dick and Lisa Pasold, with live performance by singer Bremner Fletcher. Drinks available at the bar before heading upstairs to the first floor.

Through June 22
Fighting in Exile: Artists and France 1939–1945 is on view at the Musée de l’Armée (Hôtel National des Invalides, 129 rue de Grenelle, 7th arrondissement) in the third-floor temporary exhibition hall, daily from 10am to 6pm. Included with general museum admission. This powerful show marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation through the lens of artists, intellectuals, and political figures who fled Nazi-occupied France and used art to uphold the values of liberty and resistance. Featuring works and stories from major figures such as Picasso, Calder, Fernand Léger, and Anna Marly. Only in French, so you may need a translator app on your phone.

Through June 30
Paris Noir: Artistic Circulations and Anti-Colonial Resistance, 1950–2000 at the Centre Pompidou (19 rue Beaubourg, 4th arrondissement) is the final exhibition before the museum closes for five years of renovations. The exhibit explores the influence of Black artists in France from the 1950s to 2000. Featuring works by over 150 artists from Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean—many never before shown in France—it traces the rise of diasporic creativity in Paris through abstraction, surrealism, and political figuration. Highlights include new commissions and a circular matrix inspired by Édouard Glissant’s concept of the “Whole-World.” Open daily (except Tuesday) from 11am to 9pm, and Thursdays until 11pm. Closed May 1. €17, concessions €14. Advance booking recommended.

Through September 7
The Bibliothèque Nationale de France (5 Rue Vivienne, 2nd) presents Le monde pour horizon, a year-long, three-part exhibition showcasing rare maps, prints, manuscripts, photos, costumes, and stage jewelry. Highlights include Hokusai’s The Great Wave and Toulouse-Lautrec’s Divan Japonais poster. With rotating exhibits every four months, visitors can return for new discoveries throughout the year. Open Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm. Tickets €10, reduced €8.

Through September 21
Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Louis-Senlecq (31 Grande Rue, L’Isle-Adam) presents Trois siècles à L’Isle-Adam, an exhibition showcasing the town’s history through paintings, sculptures, watercolors, engravings, vintage posters, postcards, and historical photographs. Visitors will explore L’Isle-Adam’s evolution from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Highlights include works by artists like Jules Dupré, depictions of the Oise River landscapes, and a focus on the town’s industrial and leisure history. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-6pm. €6.