Through February 17
At the Place de la Concorde is the Grande Roue Ferris Wheel (and the largest Christmas Tree in France). Each enclosed “car” holds six people. €10 for adult, €54 for kids under 10, open daily 10:30am-midnight.
February 12 – March 5
During winter renovations, part of the Musée Rodin’s gardens are closed; the good news is that you can visit the open sections for free during this time (okay, it’s nomally only €1 to visit the gardens; but now you can put that money towards a warm drink in the garden café afterwards). Don’t forget the opening hours of the gardens are: daily except Monday 10am-5pm (until sunset on Wednesdays when the museum stays oprn until 8:45pm).
February 13 – April 7
The very cool Gaïté Lyrique (3 bis Rue Papin, 3rd, M° Arts-et-Métiers) is hosting a new exposition, Arrrrgh! Monsters in Fashion, featuring “58 contemporary creators who, inspired by design, animation and sketches, use monster form and expression in their costume and clothing designs, from Alexander McQueen and Andrea Crews to Craig Green and Walter Van Beirendonck“. Tickets available on their site, €7. Open daily except Monday from 2-8pm (until 6pm on Sunday, until 10pm on Tuesdays). There is a very cool boutique next door selling all sorts of geeky gadgetry, not to be missed!
February 15-17
Shopping, Music & Art! It’s time for the latest weekend extravaganza known as Take Me Out, with 60 créateurs selling their clothing, jewelry, artworks, accessories, vintage wares, home decor, etc. There will also be a tattoo booth, live music, food stands, cooking workshops, live painting, and an art show. Free entry, at the Espace Blancs Manteaux (48 rue Vieille du Temple, 4th, Marais). From 2pm-10pm Friday, noon-10pm Saturday, and noon-8pm Sunday.
February 16 – April 23
Fans of the French novelist Honoré de Balzac won’t want to miss a free guided tour (en français), “Traversez les Passages Parisiens avec Balzac”. This 90-minute exploration of the historic covered passages of the 19th century that appeared in most of Balzac’s writings starts from the Colonnes de Buren at the Palais Royal at 11am. Reserve your spot by calling 01-55-74-41-80 or by email at dac-reservationbalzac@paris.fr. (Other dates March 10, March 12, and April 23; check out the Maison de Balzac website for more themed walks of Balzac’s Paris).
February 17
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the annual Chinese New Year Parade in Paris’ (and Europe’s!) largest Chinatown district in the 13th arrondissement (within the triangle of Avenue de Choisy, Avenue d’Ivry, and Boulevard Masséna). The free parade with its colorful dragons, musical drummers and costumed dancers starts at 1pm from 44 ave de Choisy, passing by the Avenue de Choisy, Place d’Italie, Avenue d’Italie, Rue de Tolbiac, Avenue de Choisy, Boulevard Masséna and back to Avenue d’Ivry. Another parade will take place the same day at 11am in the Belleville Chinatown (11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements), from Métro Belleville to Boulevard de la Villette, Rue Rebeval, Rue Jules Romains, Rue de Belleville, Rue Louis Bonnet, Rue de la Presentation and the Rue du Faubourg du Temple. Find the entire program of concerts, film screenings and parades here.
February 17
Heat up these chilly February evenings with a traditional Irish céilí dancing ball tonight at La Bellvilloise, presented by the céilí band, “Les Patients du Docteur Franck”. There will be an initiation into this informal Gaelic dance frm 6pm. Free entry; snacks and drinks from the bar.
February 17
Looking for a bit of retro vintage shopping? Check out the Fifties Sound “Vide-Grenier Retro Vintage” with 45 stands selling fashions, accessories, home decor, vinyls and burlesque outfits. Today 10am-8pm at Next Step: 11 cour Debille, 11th, M° Voltaire. The live swing concert with The Jallies starts at 5pm. Entry €2.
February 18
Part retro freak cabaret, part brilliant musical group, the Maxi Monster Music Show is performing a sneak preview of their summer tour “Soir d’Amour à Monte Carlo” at the Théâtre de L’Alhambra (near canal St-Martin, 10th) tonight at 9pm, tickets €27. Truly unforgettable!
February 19-26
The public is invited to the 30th annual International Environmental Film Festival, taking place at cinemas in and around Paris such as the Cinéma des Cinéastes (17th), La Clef (5th) and Télécom-Paristech (13th), with 145 films (fiction, short films, documentaries) and web-documentaries from 34 countries. Free entry (space permitting). Eight winners will be announced at the end of the festival.
February 22-24
The public is invited to attent the anuual Paris Cookbook Fair (at the Carrousel du Louvre) and Gourmand Awards Gala this weekend, with cookbook authors and publishers from around the world. This year will also combine the Wine Books. Check out the program for the list of talks, demonstartions and other events.
February 22-23
My dear friend Victoria is moving out of her gorgeous Paris apartment at Odéon and needs to sell everything this weekend. Get all of the details here.
Through February 23
Looking for something unique? Check out the Museum of Everything, a temporary, traveling museum of art created by “untrained, unknown and unintentional creators of our modern world” currently housed in a former Catholic school building in St-Germain-des-Prés (14 blvd Raspail, 7th). Exhibition 1.1 is set up in the old classrooms, and there is also a boutique and café. Open Wed-Sun 11am-7pm (until 8pm Fri-Sat). Entry €5.
February 23 – March 3
Cows, piggies, horses, sheep…it’s the 50th anniversary of the immensely popular Salon de l’Agriculture at Paris Porte de Versailles. Open 9am-7pm, Friday March 1st until 11pm. Entry €13, students and kids under 13 are €6; free for kids under 6.
Extended through February 26
Bartabas’ amazing equestrian show Zingaro is back for another season with Calacas, a macabre Day of the Dead theme with the Grim Reaper and his horseback brigade of skeletal demons. At 176 avenue Jean-Jaurès (metro Fort d’Auberviliers), tickets €42 (€30 for kids). Book soon, these shows always sell out! (Note: Dinner is served in the main tent after the Sunday show if you book at the bar BEFORE the show begins).
February 27
Hot jazz, extraordinary food, and a beautiful Art Deco setting: reserve now for the monthly “Swingin’ Relais” at Le Relais Plaza, the brasserie of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Menus from €75, or à la carte. Every last Wednesday of the month fom 8pm. A different band each month. Reserve at 01 53 67 64 00.
Through June 17
Looking for a romantic exhibition in a little-known museum? Don’t miss Sensuality and Spirituality: In Search of the Absolute at the Musée Henner (43, avenue de Villiers, 17th, M° Malesherbes; entry €5; closed Tuesdays, open until 9pm on first Thursdays of the month).
Through March 17
The Patinoire de Paris is a large ice skating rink in front of Hôtel de Ville. Free entry, €5 skate rental, gloves or mittens obligatory.
Other Paris Calendar Links
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing.
- For indie/alternative music concerts see Gigs in Paris
- For art exhibitions, museum news and openings see Paris Muse.
- For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism.
- For naughty events, see the Naughty Paris Guide.
- Major sporting events and festivals can be found at WhatsOnWhen.
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