Outdoor Entertainment
Through October 4
Don’t miss one of the most magical events of the summer, the Candlelit Evenings at the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte, just an hour south of Paris by RER and shuttle. Visit the family-owned palace and gardens that inspired Versailles by candlelight, including dinner in the gardens (or bring your own picnic) and a fireworks finale. Every Saturday evening, entry €19.50.
Through October 8
This weekend is the Grand Fête des Jardins Partagés celebrating all of the country’s communal gardens. You can see the list of Parisian gardens here. (In French only)
Through October 12
The ground level of Les Docks en Seine has been converted into a sort of alternative/grunge/skater hangout called Ground Control with bar and bistro snacks (beware: that hot dog is spicey!), fussball, pingpong, art expo, live concerts, and some arthouse cinema projected on the walls. “It looks like the setting for a One Direction video,” said a 20-something fan (I have to take her word for that). Very laid back, no entry fee, open daily 11am-2am.
Through October 12
The 31st annual funfair carnival, the Fête à Neu Neu, opens on August 29th in the Bois de Boulogne (Porte de la Muette, 16th, M° Rue de la Pompe). Open 2pm-midnight Mon-Fri, and noon to midnight Sat-Sun. Free entry, ATM, Vélib station, food tents and rides (tickets purchased onsite).
Exhibits & Cultural Events
October 4-5
The annual Nuit Blanche festival starts at sundown on Saturday and goes until sunrise on Sunday, with a diverse set of events scheduled throughout six of the city’s Left Bank neighborhoods and Hôtel de Ville. Follow the Time Out Paris Guide recommendations for the best of the evening in English.
October 8-12
The theme for the 81st annual Fête des Vendanges, the grape harvest festival, is Montmartre Fête les Poètes. Events include a parade, grape stomping, the food & wine tasting village, cooking demos, live music, and tons of other fun stuff. Check out the entire program, the online boutique (get your commemorative bottles of wine!) and other info about the festival here.
October 12
Stock up on fall reading material for a handful of euros and support the English-language SOS Helpline at their Autumn Book Sale today from noon-4pm at Orrick Law Offices (31 ave Pierre Ière de Serbie, 16th, M° Alma-Marceau). Paperbacks €1, hardcovers €2, all categories for adults and kids, as well as bake sale items. Those who want to donate books can drop them off during the sale.
October 16-17
Blending culture with social, Sinfonietta Paris brings you an evening of Mendelssohn and Brahms exquisitely performed by a brilliant ensemble of young professional musicians. At the Institut FInlandais (Latin Quarter, 60 rue des Ecoles, 5th) from 8-11pm. Tickets €25 (wine and hors d’oeuvres included). The address will be mailed once confirmed; the performance on the 4th December is in the 17th; on the 5th December it’s in the 1st. Register on the website; places limited.
October 29 – 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 delectible 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. 🙂
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 Falla performed 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 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 November 3, 2014
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.
Sporting Events
October 4-5
Horse racing fans won’t want to big one of the biggest events of the season, the 93rd annual Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at the Hippodrome de Longchamp (Bois de Boulogne, 16th).
Other Paris Calendar Links
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing and American Library in Paris.
- 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.
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