What’s On in Paris – February 2024

VACANCES SCOLAIRES (French School Holidays): The winter holidays for 2024 are February 10 through March 11th, depending on the region (Paris/Ile-de-France is February 10-26). This usually affects how crowded a particular city or resort may be, as well as train and hotel prices.

February 2
The birthday of the celebrated Irish author James Joyce will be celebrated in Paris today with the launch of a new literary history, “Dublin’s Graftonia” by Brendan Lynch, which highlights the role the city played in the lives of Joyce and many other Irish writers including Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. The event with the author takes place from 6.30pm in the Moicani Boutique, 12 rue de l’Odeon, 6th, where Joyce’s “Ulysses” was published by Sylvia Beach to mark his 40th birthday on February 2, 1922.

February 2-18
Les Extatiques is a contemporary art event transforming 5,000m² of underground tunnels and cellars below Paris La Défense into a series of urban art installations by the Interstices artist collective. Attendees will explore monumental installations, photos, paintings, sculptures, and digital works in an immersive journey guided by experts, unveiling the hidden art of La Défense, including the famed “monster” and Raymond Moretti’s studio. Tickets €11-17 (depending on how long you want to stay). Not accessible, not recommended if you’re claustrophobic.

February 3
The first Chinese New Year Parade in Paris for 2024 takes place in the Belleville district (the intersection of the 10th, 11th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements), departing at 2pm from 56 rue de Belleville (20th), and a big street food festival from noon until 9pm. Find more information about celebrating the Chinese New Year in Paris’s 13th arrondissement here.

February 3-4
The Salon du Vintage is back this weekend at the Carreau du Temple (4 rue Eugene Spuller, 3rd), with 100 exhibitors selling designer furniture, vintage fashion, vinyl records, and classic vehicles. “A moment of shopping, aesthetics, nostalgia, and ecology with a resolutely optimistic 70’s and 80’s soundtrack!” Open 10am-7pm. Entry €5, free for kids under 8, get tickets in advance online.

First Sunday – February 4
Today is the first Sunday of the month, which means many museums and monuments are open for free (most require reservations, check their websites): the Centre Pompidou, Orsay, l’Orangerie, Rodin, Picasso, Delacroix, Cluny, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, the Panthéon, Versailles (already full) and Fontainebleau. You might want to try one of the (slightly) less crowded establishments, such as Cité de l’Architecture, Arts-et-Métiers, Cité de la Céramique de Sèvres, Guimet, Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Cité Nationale de l’Histoire de l’Immigration – Palais de la Porte Dorée, Musée Albert-Kahn, Château de Vincennes or the Saint-Denis Basilica. Those which don’t require reservations may have long lines, so bundle up!

Through February 6
The twice-annual sales (soldes en français) kick off in shops all over France, with clothing and home goods up to 70% off. Even if “everything is cheaper online,” the sales are a great time to support small, independent shops, especially those that are usually a bit out of your price range.

Through February 9
Murmuration is a mesmerizing performance choreographed by Sadeck Berrabah at the 13e Art theatre, back for more dates after a successful summer run. “More than 40 dancers will make you travel and dream for 75 minutes.” Tickets €20-59. SHows in the afternoon and evening. Get a sneak preview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9IxogvCvxo&t=119s

February 10
Check out the Marché des Créateurs Erotiques, a naughty artisan’s market for WOMEN ONLY, selling sensual and sexy ceramics, embroidery, lingerie, jewelry, accessories, nail art, and many “surprises” to get you in the Valentine’s Day mood – whether you’re solo or attached! Open 11am-8pm, free entry, bar, at Chapelle XIV (14 Boulevard de la Chapelle, door code 19A38, third courtyard, 18th arrondissement).

February 10
The French charity shop Emmaüs is having a Kilo Sale today at La Félicita (the fun Italian foodcourt at Station F: 5 Parvis Alan Turing, 13th, Metro/RER Bibliothèque) from noon until 6:30pm. Free entry, women’s/men’s/children’s clothes are €12/kilo, one of the best deals in Paris, and all for a good cause!

February 11
The annual Carnaval de Paris, aka the Promenade du Boeuf Gras, takes place today with the theme, “Poetry, Painting, Philosophy: The World of Basile Pachoff,” in tribute to the man who organized the carnival for the past 30 years. The parade of costumes, music and dancing starts at the Place Gambetta in the 20th at 1pm and weaves its way to the Place de la République for the grand finale through 8pm.

February 15
This year’s Chinese New Year Food Market is 6-10pm on Boulevard de Belleville between Menilmontant Couronnes, 20th. Le Food Market is a monthly food event where local restaurants serve their dishes at the market at affordable prices, and clients can eat at the large tables set up along the boulevard. For this year’s annual Food Market celebrating Chinese New Year, there will be the typical dishes from the Belleville Chinatown restaurant owners as well as a performance of the famous Lion Dance. More info on their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1000249551070128/

February 17 through May 5
For the new exposition by Invader, one of the most famous street artists in the world, he’s taking over five floors of a deserted building (the former headquarters of Libération newspaper, 11 rue Béranger in the 3rd, which will be converted into a hotel at some point in the future) for a special exhibition of his pixellated tile street art. Tickets are €10, with specific time slots to visit, ONLY available online. Note that there is no elevator or other way to access the exhibit besides the stairs, and there is no coat check (and no heating, either, so…maybe keep your coat on). The spaces are going to fill up fast, book ASAP! If you missed out, they are going to open up more time slots, sign up here to be notified when they do.

February 18
The biggest Chinese New Year Parade in Paris takes place today in the 13th arrondissement from 2:30-5pm. The dragons, lions, dancers, drummers, and traditionally-costumed participants will do a full loop of the neighborhood, starting at 44 Avenue d’Ivry, then Avenue de Choisy, then Boulevard Masséna before finally finishing at Avenue d’Ivry. People start gathering from 12:30pm, so if you hope to get a spot so you can actually see, you’ll need to get there early! Find more information about celebrating the Chinese New Year in Paris’s 13th arrondissement here.

February 23
The Lantern Festival is the first festival after the Lunar Chinese New Year. On this occasion we celebrate the first full moon of the 2024 lunar calendar, welcoming the arrival of spring. For this Lantern Festival, the Paris Chinese Dance Company presents The Magic Night of the Festival – a classical Chinese dance show. “Through graceful movements and melodious music, you will take an extraordinary journey through the centuries of Chinese history. This show, a true artistic banquet, illustrates the charm of Chinese dance and also offers the public an immersive traditional experience.” At the Mairie du 13ème (Town Hall, Place d’Italie) from 6:30-7:30pm (festival workshops) and 7:30-8:30pm for the show. Free entry, space permitting.

February 24
The Chinese New Year celebrations wrap up today with a Festival du Printemps at the Mairie du 13ème (Town Hall, Place d’Italie, 13th). There will be an artisan fair, film screenings, stand up show, and workshops (including a cooking demo) from 2-7pm. All welcome, free entry. See the full schedule (in French) here.

February 25
The Auvergne département of Puy-de-Dôme (63) is hosting a special event this Sunday in the Bastille/Breguet-Sabin district (Paris 11th), “Le Puy-de-Dôme fait son marché”, a market with producers exclusively from Puy-de-Dôme. It will feature all the typical specialties of the department: Fourme d’Ambert, bleu d’Auvergne, Saint-Nectaire or even wines from the Côtes d’Auvergne appellation. From 8:30am-5pm along the Rue Sedaine.

Through February 25
Shanghai’s famous Dragon and Lanterns Festival, created in 1550, comes to Paris’s oldest amusement park, the Jardin d’Acclimatation (Bois de Boulogne, 16th) for the first time. There will be hundreds of spectacular lanterns and illuminated sculptures created by Yuyuan Garden artisans, as well as a Chinatown Market, demonstrations of Chinese craftsmanship, cuisine, and folk performances. Tickets €18 for anyone 12 and older, €12 for kids 4-11, free for kids under 4. Purchase tickets here.

Through February 25
A section of the Place de la Concorde has been fitted out with sports equipment and called “Concorde Park” (yes, in English) where the public can test out the free-access urban sports area. On weekends and during school holidays, numerous sports activities and animations are offered to everyone. Hosted by the City of Paris the sports facilities include a Parkour Zone (a physical discipline that involves moving efficiently through urban or natural environments using fluid and acrobatic movements to overcome obstacles), a Pump Track Zone (a wooden boardwalk style course with bumps and turns designed to be traversed without pedaling, relying on body movements for smooth navigation), 3×3 Basketball Courts, and an Urban Sports Initiation Area (dedicated to introducing people to urban sports like biking, roller skating, and scootering). Free and open to anyone, but expect a lot of school groups during the school vacations.

February 28 and March 13
Tickets for the Roland Garros French Open Tennis Tournament go on sale February 28th for premium tickets, and March 13th for the general public. Read this article on how to be prepared, they go quick!

February 29
Paris Wine Walks creator Geoffrey Fitch will be at the Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore (11 rue de Medicis, across from Luxembourg Gardens) tonight 6:30-9pm to launch his new book, ‘The Hidden Vineyards of Paris’ a guide to the vineyards of the city, their history and their locations.

Through March 31
 Aura Invalides is an immersive evening light show inside the Dôme des Invalides. “Showcasing the iconic monument’s rich architecture and heritage through light, video mapping, and music, AURA INVALIDES takes you on a spectacular journey worthy of its setting.” The experience lasts 50 minutes, during which time you’re free to stroll around at your leisure to enjoy the entire experience. Note that there are no toilets, no seating, no coat check, no strollers allowed, and there is no elevator or ramp for those who can’t go up/down the stairs. Open Tues-Sat with shows at 7:15pm and 8:45pm (and some at 10:15pm around the holidays). Tickets €9.50-€22 (cannot be purchased on-site, you need to buy them online).

Planning Ahead

Paris 1874: Inventing impressionism (March 26th-July 14th, 2024) Tickets are already on sale for the 150th anniversary of the Impressionist movement at the Musée d’Orsay. It’s highly probable they will sell out, so book asap!