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February 5
It’s the Year of the Rooster! The Chinese New Year culminates with a grand parade in the 13th arrondissement (Place d’Italie), home to the city’s largest Chinatown. The traditional parade with over 2000 participants starts at 1pm from 44 avenue d’Ivry, 13th.
February 10-11
Sinfonietta presents a romantic classical music concert for Valentine’s weekend, hosting two enchanting evenings of chamber music followed by excellent wine and conversation with the musicians, offering a unique experience to our guests. Three up-and-coming young musicians will be playing Sergueï Rachmaninov’s Trio for Piano n°1 «Élégiaque» and Anton Stepanovich Arensky’s Trio for piano nº 1, op 32. The concerts will be Friday, February 10 at 20h in the Salons Parisiens (14th); and Saturday, February 11 at 20h in the legendary Reid Hall (6th). Tickets €25, reserve your places online.
Through February 19
Skate on the Eiffel Tower! This year the ice skating rink on the first level of the Eiffel Tower is back, free for those who already have a ticket for the Tower, open daily 10:30am-10:30pm. Skip the line by taking the stairs, it will help you warm up, too! Skates size 25-47 (EU), sleds and scooters for kids, gloves are required. This year’s theme is Ice Hockey, though it will be less brutal than the NHL!
Until February 19
Quintessence — another circus, at the the Alexis Gruss tents at the Porte de Passy (16e), from 20€ to 70€. Check out the teaser here.
Through February 21
The annual winter sales, aka Les Soldes. Honestly, the rules about when and how sales can take place in France since the economic crise have essentially made the sales irrelevant. There are sales all of the time now (often called “promotion” or “7 Jours BHV” or something like that).
February 26
The 20th annual Carnaval de Paris “Boeuf Gras Parade”starts today at 1pm from the Place Gambetta in the 20th (near Père Lachaise Cemetery). This is one of the last true “traditional” carnivals run by locals who are more into traditiona and creativity than “glitz”, so don’t expect a Venice or New Orleans style show! The theme this year is “ La Ronde des fruits et légumes autour du monde”, or “Fruits and Vegetables from Around the World”, so it should be fun to watch. 🙂 The parade finishes at Place de la République at about 6pm, followed by a festival in the square until 9pm. For more info on the exact route or if you’d like to participate, check out the official site in French here.
February 22 to May 22
The big exhibition of the spring looks set to be Vermeer at the Louvre, which promises to bring his greatest masterpieces and set them alongside those of his contemporaries to show how he was part of a dynamic network of ‘Golden Age’ artists. Admission (including permanent collections) €15, open daily (except Tuesdays) 9am to 6pm, until 9.45pm Wednesdays and Fridays.
February 25 to March 5
The country comes to Paris for the Salon International de l’Agriculture at the huge exposition centre at Porte de Versailles, now in its 17th year. The theme this year is socially responsible agriculture and food, so there’ll be an environmental twist to a show that always draws big crowds, especially children and families, to see thousands of farm animals and sample countless regional products. Want some tips on how to make the most of it? We visited back in 2009. And stay tuned for our update next week! Open daily 9am-7pm, €14/7 adult/child.
Through March 5
It’s your last chance to see the big winter art blockbuster, the Chtchoukine collection, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton. This week is all but sold out; for the final week (Feb 27 to March 5) the exhibition will be open from 7am for early morning visits with breakfast provided the Fondation, with later nighttime opening hours too. Book ahead to avoid the worst of the queues, and avoid going in the middle of the day when crowds are at their peak. Tickets €16.
Through March 1st
At the Place de la Concorde is the Grande Roue Ferris Wheel. Each enclosed “car” holds six people. €10 for adult, €5 for kids under 10, open daily 11am-midnight.
Through March 6
The ice rink at the Hôtel de Ville is unfortunately on hiatus this year. However, a similar rink is available at Montparnasse. Free entry, €6 skate rental, gloves or mittens obligatory. Tlll 10 pm daily.
Other Paris Calendar Links
- For French Theatre with English Surtitles: Theatre in Paris
- For general events around Paris: Que Faire à Paris?
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing
- For indie/alternative music concerts see Gigs in Paris
- For art exhibitions in galleries and museum see Slash Paris
- For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism
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