What's On in Paris - September 2019 ⋆ Secrets of Paris

September 2-8
To celebrate International Greeters Day, the Paris Greeters will be offering a series of special walks for the curious traveler who would like to meet the locals.

September 6 Lost in Frenchlation — bringing French films to an Englsh-speaking audience — presents ‘L’Auberge Espagnole’ the cult French comedy (starring very young Roman Duris and Audrey Tautou) which follows the well-trodden journey of a young man embarking on the European “Erasmus” student exchange program, highlighting the trials, tribulations and unforgettable experiences of moving to a new city. The event, which includes an optional pre-film “Amélie ” walking tour of Montmartre at 6pm, drinks at 8pm and screening at 9pm at the Cinéma Studio 28, 10 Rue Tholozé, 18th. Tickets at the door only, €9 (student discount €7.50). Walking tour tickets only available online here.

September 6-8
Les Traversées du Marais is a frethree-day cultural festival with “26 voyages” in cultural centers of the Marais district.e See the website for the full program.

September 7-22
The Fondation Good Planet in the Bois de Boulogne is hosting “Miam!” a food festival for sustainable agriculture over three weekends in September 11am-7pm. Workshops, cooking classes, film screenings, debates, and plenty of amazing food. Free entry.

September 10
The hit indie, art-house film “Wrestling Jerusalem” has one screening in Paris tonight, in English with French subtitles, at Les 3 Luxembourg at 7pm. The movie is about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and one man’s quest to understand it. He does so by playing 17 characters on all sides of the conflict. It’s a pretty epic performance and the star will be there for a post screening conversation. Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/174173720

August 31 (then every weekend through October 27)
Most of the former railway surrounding Paris remains closed to the public, but you can visit a section on the northern end for the Fête de la Petite Ceinture hosted by Le Hasard Ludique (128 avenue de St Ouen, 18th). From noon until 10pm, the 2000m² space will have a big BBQ lunch, DJ sets, pétanque games, activities for kids, international cuisine, and bar with organic wines and local beers. The rails close at 10pm but the party continues at Hasard Ludique (in the former station), see the full program here.

Through September 8
The historic luxury jeweler Maison Chaumet (165 blvd St-Germain, 6th) is opening its 200 years of archives to the public for a free exposition on the inspiration nature has had on their collections through beautiful drawings, sketches, early photography, and the gems themselves. You need to reserve online for your free self-guided tour slot.

Through September 10
Don’t miss the unique street art collaboration La Forêt Escargot at the Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad (19th). You’ll see the giant, strange snail sculpture on the square next to the canal, and if you pay the small €5 entrance fee you’ll see the whimsical works by 26 street artists working with only found and recycled objects for their “snail forest”. Watch the trailer here. Credit cards only from €15 or more; no reservations needed. Open daily 3-10pm.

Through September 11
The open-air rooftop Bar à Bulles at the Machine de la Moulin Rouge (nightclub next to the famous cabaret) is holding weekly open-air cinema nights on Wednesdays from 9:30pm, free with reservation (includes headphones), wait-list from 8pm the night of the screening if you can’t get a spot in advance. Films are in their original versions with French subtitles (the two September films are American). See the schedule here. Reserve your spot here.

September 20
If you’d like to join the worldwide protest march for the climate in Paris, 350.org has organized it for 12:30pm at Place de la Nation (12th). You can sign up for info here: https://act.350.org/event/globalclimatestrike/17621?

September 20-21
Sinfonietta’s “Music by the Glass” returns for another season: “We are delighted to welcome mezzo-soprano Eva Zaïcik, selected as a «Révélation lyrique» in 2018, and the four baroque musicians Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Sophie de Bardonnèche, Louise Pierrard and Justin Taylor of the ensemble Le Consort in a program of rarely heard French cantatas from their new CD “Venez chère ombre”. Our unique Music by the Glass chamber series creates a blend of culture and privileged conversations, chamber music and excellent wine, offering an intimate experience to our guests.” On Friday night the concert will be at the Musée Gustave Moreau in the 9th’s Nouvelle Athènes district, and on Saturday it will be in the elegant Reid Hall (Columbia University’s Paris headquarters in the 6th). At 8pm, followed by wine reception. Tickets €25, €15 for students under 26. Register here.

September 20-22
Check out the best food trucks of the Paris region at the 3rd annual St-Maur Food Truck Festival. Yes, you have to cross the Paris ringroad to the suburbs to get there, but it’s worth it! Bring a big appetite.

September 21-22
This weekend is the 36th annual Journées du Patrimoine, or Heritage Days, with the theme “Look Up!”. Over 350 historic sites will be opened to the public in Paris, many which are only open for this occasion. See the full schedule at the website (an English version is available and clearly marked) Some of the obvious sites like the President’s Elysée Palace will have long lines, but many other sites are happily free to visit or participate in a free tour.

September 20-22
You’ll find food specialities from Southwestern France at the 20th annual open-air food market on the Seine, Les Marchés Flottants du Sud-Ouest, for three days along the Quai Montebello and Tournelle (on the Left Bank, facing Notre Dame Cathedral, M° St Michel). Wine, armagnac, foie gras, saussages and sliced meats, cheese, olives, patés, tapenades, and — each day from 10:30am-3pm — fresh fruits distributed for FREE (the grapes and apples are amazing). There will also be live music, plenty of demonstrations and other activities. If the weather is nice, expect large crowds! Free entry. Open 10am-10pm (Sunday until 7pm).

September 21
Need an energy boost for the rentrée? Sign up for Wanderlust 108’s Paris “triathlon” – consists of a 5k, yoga, and meditation — in the Bois de Boulogne today from 8am-4pm (followed by optional extra workshops, open-air market and food options). Registration from €20-25.

September 22
The 5th annual Journée Sans Voiture (Car Free Day) bans almost all car traffic in Paris (busses, taxis, Ubers, and people returning to their residences can circulate) from 11am-6pm. Enjoy the chance to enjoy the city’s streets on foot, skates, bike, skateboard, or however you’d like to get around without a car.

September 24
WICE (Where Internationals Connect in English) are hosting an open house today to learn about their schedule of classes, outings and workshops, from 3-7pm at Forum 104 (104 rue de Vaugirard, 6th). Register on their website: www.wice-paris.org

September 25-29
Attention urban art lovers! The District 13 International Art Fair takes place at the Hotel Drouot auction house all week long. “District 13 wishes to reflect the various subcultures evolving around Urban art. With a refined selection, District 13 will host about 30 international galleries, among the most important and representative of this scene.” Entry €10 for one day or €15 for a 4-day pass. Open 11am-9pm (last day 10am-7pm).

September 26-29
One of the last artist open house for Parisian artist studios, don’t miss this weekend’s Portes Ouvertes des Artistes de Ménilmontant (20th arrondissement). The main gallery has maps and examples of different artsts’ works, Ménils8, 8 rue Boyer, 20th, metro Gambetta. Free entry, lots of events around the neighborhood during the festival.

September 27 – October 6
Escape to a little island on the edge of Paris for the 99th edition of the Foire de Chatou antique market,with this year’s theme on the 80s. Formerly known as the Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons (Ham and Flea Market), this popular twice-annual market has a mix of over 800 stands selling antiques and bric-a-brac, with an entire section dedicated to regional French foods, particularly pork in all its varieties. The Ile de Chatou, just north of Paris, also known as the Impressionists Island, is accessible via RER A from Charles-des-Gaulle-Etoile station in Paris, then either walk five minutes or take the free shuttle. Open 10am-7pm, entry €6.

September 28
Get out your earplugs, it’s time for the 20th annual Techno Parade de Paris! It starts at noon (so far location is a secret) and finishes at République for a huge party. Check out their FB page for better information on the practicalities.

Through September 29
Check out the free open-air exhibition of archival photos commemorating the August 25th 1944 Liberation of Paris on the facade of the Napoléon Caserne (4 rue de Lobau, 4th). The photos are organized in three parts: “Insurgent Paris”, “Liberated Paris” and “Paris Returns”.

September 29
The SOS Help English-language listening line is hosting its Autumn Book & Bake Sale today 12 pm to 4 pm at the American Cathedral (23 Avenue George V, 8th). Donated books in English are only 2€. They have books in every category, with a ton of general fiction, young adult, and children’s books. Be sure to tell your friends about this great way to get inexpensive books, meet other people in the English-speaking community, and support this organisation. They will also have a bake sale where you can get all kinds of fabulous homemade sweet and savory goodies as well as perk up with a little coffee!

Through November 3
New in 2019, the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte (the inspiration for Louis XIV’s Versailles) presents The Styx: River of the Underworld: “An exceptional adventure on the underground river which was diverted by Le Nôtre in 1654 during the creation of the French gardens, this specially designed trip is fun and interactive, and draws on La Fontaine’s text «The love of Cupid and Psyche ». Guided along on the Styx the river of the classical underworld equipped with headlamps and wading boots, you will go through a series of tests of agility and logic… An unprecedented and intense adventure performed by professional actors!” The cost is €60 per group (with 2-6 people per group) in addition to the château fee (kids have to be at least 1.3m tall). Note: this activity is only in French for the moment. Check out the other château events here.