What’s On in Paris – April 2026

VACANCES SCOLAIRES (French School Holidays) IN PARIS: April 18 – May 4. This usually affects how crowded tourist sights may be, as well as train and hotel prices.

April 1- July 14
The National Archives Museum presents Lafayette: Between France and America, a free exhibition marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and exploring the life of the Marquis de Lafayette, the “hero of two worlds.” Through rare documents, caricatures, and memorabilia, the show traces his role in the American Revolution and the political upheavals of France, highlighting his enduring — and sometimes controversial — legacy. Text in French and English, free entry. At Le Musée des Archives Nationales – L’Hôtel de Soubise (60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 3rd). Closed Tuesday.

April 4
Want to dress up and dance the night away in style? Paris Follies au Dancing de La Coupole (102 bloulevard du Montparnasse,14th) is hosting their “Last Ball on the Titanic” costumed ball, with live jazz, burlesque performers, Doors open at 10pm, tickets €26 in advance, €30 at the door, Roaring 20s/Gilded Age dress code.

April 4-19
Book your free time slot to picnic under the cherry blossom tress at the Parc de Sceaux’s annual Hanami festival. As I mentioned in the March Secrets of Paris newsletter, the Parc de Sceaux — a vast park just 25 minutes south of Paris on RER B famous for its cherry blossom orchard — will now require reservations to be able to sit in the specific sections of the park under the blossoming trees from April 4-19th (in order to reduce the crowds trampling the tree roots). The reservations are only needed for relaxing or picnicking; you can still observe them on foot or sit elsewhere in the park without reservations. The reservations are free, and new time slots will be open each day (the site is currently only in French, you’ll need an auto-translator): https://www.oandb.fr/fr/event/billetterie-hanami-2026

April 5th (and every 1st Sunday)
Many museums and monuments in Paris are open for free the first Sunday of the month. In April, that includes the Musée du Quai Branly, Musée d’Orsay, Musée des Arts et Métiers, Musée Guimet, Musée Picasso, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Musée Delacroix, Musée de Cluny, Musée National de l’Histoire de l’Immigration, Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, Musée Gustave Moreau, 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. Be sure to check each museum’s website, as some still require you to have a timed ticket; even if the entrance is free. 

April 5-6
April 5th is Easter Sunday (Pâques), and the following Monday is considered a bank holiday in France (Lundi de Pâques), so many municipal services will be closed. However, most museums and monuments will have their usual opening hours both days.

April 7–12
The Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art (JEMA) return across Paris, France, and Europe for a week of free open studios, demonstrations, workshops, and special events highlighting traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artisan practice. This year’s theme, “Cœurs à l’ouvrage,” emphasizes the collective dimension of craft and its deep regional roots, with opportunities to meet artisans, visit rarely accessible heritage sites, and explore training schools and cultural venues. Thousands of events take place citywide; full program and locations available on the website. Some places require reservations (open March 30th), which fill up fast!

April 8
Brown University in Paris welcomes New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Janet Skeslien Charles for a talk on her novel Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, which recounts the work of the American Committee for Devastated France during World War I. The discussion highlights librarian Jessie Carson’s efforts to bring books and comfort to children in occupied northern France, including the creation of traveling bookmobiles and the country’s first children’s libraries. The event begins at 7pm at 57 boulevard Saint-Germain (5th), hosted by the Brown Club of France, and is followed by a rooftop reception (with views of Notre Dame). Tickets €20; advance reservation required.

April 8 – September 6
The Picasso Museum ‘s newest exposition is The Metamorphoses of Guernica, a 15-minute virtual reality experience exploring the creation and legacy of Guernica by Pablo Picasso. This immersive journey moves from the 1937 Paris International Exposition and the bombing of Gernika to Picasso’s studio and the painting’s later travels to Madrid, narrated through the voices of Juan Larrea and Dora Maar. Designed as both a sensory and historical experience, it offers a new way to understand one of the 20th century’s defining anti-war works. Tickets €7, in the museum auditorium during opening hours (Tue–Sun 10am–6pm).

April 9
Lost in Frenchlation hosts a screening of L’Attachement (in French with English subtitles) at Luminor Hôtel de Ville (4th), with drinks at 7pm, the film at 8pm, and a Q&A with the director following the screening. Winner of Best Film at the César Awards, the film explores unexpected emotional bonds and human connection. Tickets €12.20.

April 9–12
Art Paris 2026 returns to the Grand Palais for its 28th edition, bringing together around 165 galleries from 20 countries in a major spring showcase of modern and contemporary art. This year’s thematic sections include “Babel – Art and Language in France,” exploring the relationship between text, image, and symbols, and “Repair,” examining themes of care, memory, and resilience in contemporary creation. Alongside the main fair, visitors can explore solo presentations, emerging-gallery platforms, design editions, exhibitions, and talks. Open daily from noon (closing 8pm, 7pm Sunday); tickets €30–€35.

April 9–13
The PAD Paris (Pavillon des Arts et du Design) returns to the Jardin des Tuileries (1st), bringing together more than 75 international galleries for one of the leading fairs dedicated to design and decorative arts. Mixing historical pieces with contemporary creations, the event showcases everything from collectible furniture and ceramics to jewelry, lighting, and modern art. After two preview days for collectors, the fair opens to the public from Friday (11am–7pm, 6pm Sunday). Tickets €30.

April 10–12
The Salon Saveurs des Plaisirs Gourmands – Printemps returns to Espace Champerret (17th arrondissement) for three days of high-end food shopping and tastings, bringing together around 100 producers from France and beyond. Expect a wide range of products—from cheeses, charcuterie, and seafood to chocolates, preserves, and wines—alongside a dedicated bistro area for on-site dining, producer-led tastings, and a Friday evening nocturne (until 8pm) highlighting new and innovative food brands. Open Friday 10am–8pm, Saturday 10am–7pm, and Sunday 10am–6pm. Entry €7 online, €10 on site, or free with code PFSAVP26 when purchasing on the website.

April 11-12 (and 13 for pros)
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 €65/day. 

Through April 12
While the Fondation Louis Vuitton prepares for the major Calder exhibition opening April 15, the building remains open at a reduced rate for visits to the permanent “Architectural journey” exhibition on Frank Gehry’s design, including original scale models, drone footage, sketches, and access to the terraces with their panoramic views. And don’t forget: your ticket also gives you free access to the Jardin d’Acclimatation next door, a scenic shortcut between the Foundation and the metro station. Open Wed-Sun 10am-8pm, tickets €5. 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi – Bois de Boulogne, 16th

April 12
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.

Through April 15
The exhibition Pas comme les autres brings together the work of 45 painters, sculptors, and video artists from the Artistes de la Glacière association—current and former students of the City of Paris’s Ateliers des Beaux-Arts. Centered on the theme of “the street,” the show explores urban space as a shared site of freedom, constraint, and creative expression. Special events include a performance by Ensemble Orage and the opening reception on April 2 (5pm & 6:30pm), a dance performance by Compagnie Je, Elles et Lui on April 10 (6:30pm), and participatory “collective plagiarism” drawing sessions onApril 7–8 (2–5pm). Free entry. At the Mairie – Town Hall of the 13th arrondissement (1 place d’Italie, 13th).

April 15 – May 3
The Théâtre du Châtelet presents Top Hat, the stage musical adapted from the beloved 1935 Hollywood film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, for a limited run of just 20 performances. Featuring Irving Berlin’s iconic songs (“Cheek to Cheek,” “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”) and a large live orchestra with spectacular tap-dance numbers, this lavish stage adaptation recreates the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age; it is performed in English with French surtitles and runs 2h40 (with intermission). Tickets €12–€119. Théâtre du Châtelet, 1 place du Châtelet, 1st.

April 16
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 16
FFRandonnée Paris’s monthly “Panamée” urban walk is a fascinating way to see the city with the locals. The April walk is a free, three-hour cultural stroll dedicated to the city’s historic Centraux Téléphonique. These walks often attract large groups (sometimes a few hundred people), but it’s not a tight tour format: the group naturally spreads out, there’s no obligation to interact, and many people come alone simply to listen and walk. Think of it as a moving, open-air lecture (en français!) through the city rather than a small guided tour. The walk departs at 7pm from Porte d’Auteuil (metro Porte d’Auteuil, line 10, sortie ‘gare routière’) and ends around 10pm at Place de la Madeleine. Free, no registration required, and open to everyone: just show up, dress for the weather, and be ready for a long evening walk, entirely en français.

Through April 17
The 43rd Banlieues Bleues Festival unfolds across Seine-Saint-Denis, bringing three weeks of jazz, global music, and experimental sounds to 10 cities and 15 venues including Pantin, Montreuil, Saint-Denis, and Aubervilliers. Known for its forward-looking programming, the festival blends established artists with emerging talent, alongside film screenings, collaborations, and special projects. New venues this year include the Studio Zéro at the Académie Fratellini and additional spaces in Montreuil. Concerts take place most evenings; tickets sold per event.

Through April 18
Street artist Jef Aérosol presents Interstices at Galerie Mathgoth (1 rue Alphonse Boudard, 13th), bringing together around fifty new stencil paintings alongside a newly released album of fourteen songs composed by the artist. Each work is paired with a QR code so visitors can listen to the corresponding track, creating an immersive exhibition where image and sound unfold together. Open Wed–Sat 2–7pm, free entry; opening reception March 12 from 6–9pm.

April 18
The American Library of Paris is hosting their annual Spring Garden Party in the gardens of the Musée de Montmartre (12 rue Cortot, , 18th) from 6-9pm, featuring live jazz, wine and canapés, along with private access to the museum and gardens. Tickets are €150, book online here.

April 23
The Théâtre Galabru hosts a one-night showcase of Les Femmes de Paris, a musical cabaret celebrating iconic women who shaped the city’s cultural image, from Édith Piaf to Josephine Baker and Jane Birkin. Performed by singer Nikki Nouveau with piano accompaniment, the show blends French chanson, jazz, and pop in an intimate setting. Starts at 9:30pm; tickets €25.

April 24
The Musée du quai Branly hosts Africa Fashion Soirée, a free, late-night event celebrating contemporary African creativity through fashion, music, and performance, in connection with its Africa Fashion exhibition. The program includes live performances, DJ sets, dance workshops, talks, screenings, and pop-up installations highlighting scenes from cities like Dakar, Abidjan, and Johannesburg. From 8pm to midnight; free entry subject to space (get there early, expect night-club atmosphere).

April 25-26
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, nature walks, performances, and tastings from local artisans (full program here, en français). Access via Versailles Château Rive Gauche (RER C).

Through May 1st (possibly longer)
LV DREAM (26 Quai de la Mégisserie, 1st) is hosting “Louis Vuitton Art Deco Exhibition,” a free, reservation-only exhibition tracing the house’s role in the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Spread across eight rooms and featuring over 300 archival pieces, it explores the brand’s connection to the Art Deco movement through rare objects and immersive displays. Extend your visit with pastries or cocktails at Le Café Maxime Frédéric, and stop by the Gift Store for limited-edition items. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 11am-7pm.

Planning Ahead

June 5–11
Author Stephen Clarke leads a week-long residential creative writing course at the Château de Missery in Burgundy, designed to help participants develop their voice through daily writing sessions, readings, and discussions. The program includes six nights’ accommodation and meals at the château, a visit to the wine capital of Beaune, and a concert, with a maximum of 10 participants. Contact organizers for pricing and registration details.