November 1-30
Think you’ve got a novel in you just waiting for a bit of coaxing out? Join thousands of others in France for National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. Nanowrimo France has its own group and Facebook Pageorganizing different events around town to help participants get to that mythical 50,000 word count by the end of the month.
Through November 1
The last big electronic music festival of the year, the Pitchfork Festival, takes place over three days at the Grande Halle de la Villette (Parc de la Villette, 19th). One-day passes €49, three-day passes €110.
Through November 2
If you don’t have enough Halloween candy to put your body into diabetic shock, head over to the annual Salon du Chocolat, the city’s largest fair dedicated to the delectable sweet in all of its formats, from bean to bar. It takes place at the Porte de Versailles – Paris Expo, tickets €14 (get the tickets in advance online to avoid lines). Open 10am-7pm. Note: eat a full meal before you go to stave off the munchies. There are enough free samples to make everyone blissfully ill by the end of the day. 🙂
Through November 2
A bit like a smaller, cosier version of the Foire de Paris, the Foire d’Automne at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is a trade show of food and wine, home decor, beauty and fashion, and all French arts de vivre. Open 10am-7pm, entry €9.
Through November 2
Shop for local produce, meats, dairy products, honey, oils, and other products directly from 120 local farmers at the Pari Fermier food fair, at the Parc Floral (Bois de Vincennes). Open Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday until 6pm. Entry €6, or go to the website to print off a free invitation for two.
November 2
The Popcorn Project is hosting a Sunday brunch with a screening of The Addams Family, with food by La Camion Qui Fume, Gü desserts, organic juice, Champagne and a DJ set following the film. It starts at 11am at the Cinéma Etoile, tickets €35 (buy online in advance).
November 2
Get your tickets now for an exceptional concert at the Opéra Bastille featuring the world-famous choir, symphony orchestra and soloists of the Astana Opera (Kazakhstan), just after their performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC. The first part of the program includes works by Rakhmadiev, Rachmaninov and De Fallaperformed by Denis Matsuev on piano and Erzan Kulibaev on violin, followed by extracts from Verdi’s opera Attila with Ildar Abdrazakov of the NY Metropolitan Opera in the role of Attila. Tickets €15-€60 from the box office or FNAC; the two-hour performance begins at 6:30pm.
Through November 3
The Grand Galerie d’Evolution at the Jardin des Plantes (Natural History Museum) is hosting a fabulous new exhibition, Nuit, an exploration of the night in all its aspects from scientific to imaginary, presented in four sections: the night sky, noctural life in the natural world, a night of sleep, and myths and monsters of the night. Open daily except Tuesday from 10am-6pm (nope, not open at night). Entry €9, €7 for kids and students 4-24 years.
November 4- December 4
Don’t miss the free photography exhibition The Manhattan Darkroom: Photos of Henri Dauman at the Palais d’Iéna, a gorgeous neo-classic monument near the Place Trocadéro that is rarely open to the public. Open daily (see website for hours).
November 5
As part of their series Evenings with an Author the American Library is hosting Peter Watson, who will be discussing his book “The Age of Aetheists”. Free entry, from 7:30pm.
November 5-8
The boutique charity organization Emmaüs (105 Boulevard Davout, 20th) is having a “Kilo Sale” where mens, womens and childrens used clothing are sold for €10/kilo (that’s a lot of clothing). Daily 11am-7:45pm.
November 8-16
The 39th annual Salon Marjolaine, the largest organic fair in Paris, takes place this week at the Parc Floral (Bois de Vincennes) with 550 stands selling everything organic you could imagine: produce, meats, cheeses, artisan oils, wines, essential oils, herbs, teas, cosmetics, beauty products, household cleaning products, clothing, shoes, accessories, home decor, books, gardening supplies, as well as stands for environmental tourism, different green activist groups such as Greenpeace, etc. There are also plenty of food stands for lunch onsite, a vestiaire, and a little shuttle from the metro Château de Vincennes to the entrance of the Parc Floral. Open 10:30am-7pm. Entry €9, but you can get a €3 discount voucher on the website to print out in advance. You can also see my article and video from my visit in 2010.
November 8-11
The Château Vaux le Vicomte is hosting its annual Palais au Chocolat. The palace will be decorated with chocolate artworks created by some of the biggest names in chocolate. There will also be a series of demonstrations, chocolate-making workshops for adults, special ateliers for kids, plenty of tastings, a presentation on whine and chocolate pairings, and may more sweet surprises in a magical setting. Tickets are €16.50 (€13.50 for kids 6-18), which includes access to the château and gardens and exhibits throughout the estate; you can reserve them in advance online. Open 10am-6pm.
November 8
It’s cold outside, perfect weather for a bowl of hot soup! Head up to Montmartre on the Place des Abbesses for the 4th annual Amoureusement Soupe festival of soup to profit the France Parkinson charity. From 11am-5pm there will be a dozen different soups available for €7/bowl.
November 8-9
The American Library is having their monthly used book sale on Saturday from 10am-7pm and Sunday from 1-7pm.
Through November 11
The French actually celebrate Toussaint (or All Saints Day) on November 1st, which is more festive in Mexico. Join in the annual Mexican-style El Día de los Muertos at the Belleville art gallery Association pour l’estampe & l’art populaire featuring the artworks inspired by the “Jour des Morts”. Open daily 3-8pm.
November 14-15
The Marais boutique of the Emmaüs charity is having a retro-vintage sale at 54 rue de Charonne, 11th (metro Ledru Rollin). All proceeds go to the charity.
November 14-16
Looking for unique items made in France? Check out the Made in France Expo at Paris Expo-Porte de Versailles to visit over 300 stands in all sectors (food, clothing, home decor, high-tech). The entry is €0, but you can get that reimbursed at the first stand where you make a purchase, or you can get a free invitation by registering in advance on their website.
November 18-24
The 11th annual Frimousse des Créateurs is a special auction of dolls decorated by famous designers and artists to benefit UNICEF. They will be on display (free entry) at the Théâtre du Châtelet until November 23, and the auction takes place on November 24.
November 19-23
Shopping for some supplies for your creative projects? Head down to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles for the annual Création & Savoir Faire show. Scrapboooking, knitting, gardening, baking, sewing, crafts, and decorating ideas for the holidays. Entrance €12.50, open 9:30am-6:30pm (until 9:30pm Friday).
November 19-23 and December 5-8
here are two long weekends in Paris for the Salon Saveurs des Plaisirs Gourmands. First, in November at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, with over 150 stands of fine gourmet goods, the finale of the French Championship of Amateur Chefs, and a little food truck village. Then in December at the Espace Champerret with a “Marché de Noël” theme, 350 stands, and a pavillion dedicated to Italian foods. Tickets are €10, print them off at home.
November 20
Although it’s rather low-key in France compared to the hype it gets in America, the annual Beaujolais Nouveau festival takes place in wine bars throughout Paris today. Read all about the history and the different varieties (good, bad, ugly) and where to celebrate in Paris in this excellent article by Aaron Ayscough, The Redemption of Beaujolais Nouveau (read the 2014 update here). And for fun, here’s a link to the little video I made at the Beaujolais dinner I attended in 2010 with Meg Zimbeck of Paris by Mouth and Bryan Pirolli.
November 20
Tonight at 6pm the Christmas lights on the Avenue des Champs Elysées will be inaugurated by Mayor Anne Hidalgo and the actor Omar Sy. The theme this year is “Scintillance”. The lights are all low-energy LED bulbs powered entirely from a solaire energy farm outside Paris (since switching to this method in 2006, the city has reduced the kilowatt consumption by 97%). The lights will be up until January 7. Note: Geta head start on Christmas events here.
November 22
The Chamber is a private cocktail club that organizes special events for guests. Today is Tea & Tipples from 3-5pm: “We’ll have afternoon-appropriate cocktails, bubbles, soft drinks, sweet and savory snacks by Gateaux Mama and, of course, tea. This is not your granny’s teatime. Or maybe it is….if you’re granny is devilishly divine, enjoys a nip or two and lives in a gorgeous apartment to which she invites her fabulous friends.” This event takes place in a private residence on Montmartre. Details on location will be forwarded upon confirmation of attendance. The event is limited to a maximum of 12 guests. €54 for non-members.
November 22
Tonight is a unique opportunity to combine wine/Champagne tasting with a live musical performance of the works of Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Strauss, etc. Organized by Philippe Catz of Vinissime (wine tasting classes in the Butte aux Cailles) at the Studio International des Arts de la Scène (16 rue de l’Espérance, 13th, M° Corvisart or Place d’Italie), the performers are Cherise Lukow (soprano), Nana Sawauchi (Soprano), Christophe Caul (Tenor), Julien Rouquès (Barritone) and Karl Baraquin (pianist). There will be a selection of wines and Chapagnes (with written tasting commentary provided in English for those who don’t understand French). It starts at 8:30pm and is €40/person (or €70 per couple, €25 per student). RSVP and register online here.
November 27-November 30
Get in the winter spirit in St-Germain-des-Près, where Rue Princesse and Rue Guisarde have been transformed into “Saint-Germain-des Neiges ski station”, with snow, chalets and activities promoting skiing holidays in France. Free entry.
Through December 21
Don’t miss the newest musical comedy show at the historic Folies Bergère, “Love Circus”, a high-energy burlesque show around the theme of love with dancers, acrobats, and singers performing French, American and British songs (many which you’ll recognize in the preview clip here.) This is an awesome alternative to the Moulin Rouge (which, in case you didn’t know, is only sung in French), and won’t be full of busloads of annoying tourists. Tickets €29-€84 (by seating area), no dinner included, discounts for booking online.
Through December 31
Looking for a super sexy Parisian cabaret show that isn’t full of tourists? Don’t miss the second season of the Mugler Follies, at Le Comedia Theatre, a show written, costumed and directed by the famous fashion designer Thierry Mugler (currently the artistic director for Beyoncé’s world tour). The show alone starts at €29, but you can also opt for Champagne, dinner or Sunday Brunch (food by Fouquet’s).
Through January 4
The enormous Village et Marché de Noël des Champs-Elysées is back for another Christmas season of vin chaud, regional specialties, warm mittens and tons of original gift ideas in the Artisan Village. There are also food stands, ice skating, little rides for kids, Santa appearances, and of course the giant Ferris Wheel, La Grande Roue de Paris, at the Place de la Concorde. Open daily noon-midnight, no entry fee. From the Place de la Concorde until the Rond-Point des Champs-Elysées.
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