What’s On in Paris – January/February 2021

As of January 1st, Paris remains under partial confinement, with an 8pm-6am curfew and closure of all restaurants, bars, theatres, museums, and cinemas through at least March 1st. We’ll be posting events as they’re scheduled throughout the month, however be sure to confirm for last-minute changes.

From January 2
The gardens of the Musée Albert Kahn (in Boulogne-Billancourt, metro Porte de Saint-Cloud), are re-opened to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 11am-6pm, tickets €4. Don’t forget your mask!

Through January 3 UPDATE: Only the gardens and boutique are open.
The privately-owned Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte always puts on a good show for the holidays, making it worth the hassle of getting there from Paris. Aside from the elaborate Christmas decorations in the château (the interior is closed for the moment, but you ca see the decorations in the stables), the vast gardens will be brilliantly decorated with twinkling garlands of light (bundle up, it gets windy in the gardens!). Gardens are open Dec 2-Dec 15, Wed-Sun from 2-7pm, then daily (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) from Dec 16-Jan 3. Tickets €14.90 (€14 for kids 6-17). Buy them online to avoid waiting in line. There is a hot drinks/snack stand. The weekends are the biggest crowds; come on a weekday or as early in the day as possible to avoid the sardine effect!

Through January 10 UPDATE: Only the gardens and boutique are open.
Just north of Paris, the princely Château de Chantilly is all dressed up for Christmas, with decorations, an illuminated winter wonderland in the château, gardens, and Grand Stables. The gardens are open starting the 12th, and the château will be opening starting the 15th. Entry to the Domaine + Show ticket: access to the entire Christmas offer + Christmas show is 30 € (€24 for kids 3-17). Family Domain tickets for access to the entire Christmas offer (excluding Christmas equestrian show) for 2 adults + up to 3 children is 43,20 € instead of 74,50 € (for the dated ticket).

Starting January 16
The gardens of the Musée Rodin  have reopened (the museum itself remains closed because of Covid).

January 20-February 16
To help small businesses recover Covid losses, the winter sales (soldes d’hiver) will start January 20^th instead of January 6^th, and will last for just four weeks.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday in February
The American Library in Paris is hosting free “Evenings with an Author” event on Zoom every Tuesday and Wednesday night at 7:30pm Paris time (CET). This month authors include Stephen Clarke, Susan Herrmann Loomis, Suzanne Nossel, Paul Richter, Dr. Fredrik Logevall, Lilianne Milgrom, Dr. Samuel Zipp, and Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library, based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris. RSVP required to get the Zoom link. See the full schedule here.

February 12 UPDATE: the parade and other events have been cancelled again for 2021
The Year of the Ox begins today for the Chinese New Year. Normally there are several events around Paris all week long, including the big Chinese New Year Parade in the 13th arrondissement (the largest Chinatown district in France), however as of January 1st, Paris is still under Covid confinement and cultural events have been postponed. Check back at the beginning of February for possible changes.

February 13
#ExploreParis is offering their first virtual tour in English for free today, a visit of contemporary artist Larissa Fassler’s exhibitions in France and the US. “The work of Larissa Fassler is presented in three art galeries : “Ground Control” at Galerie Poggi in Paris, “Tissus urbains” à La Galerie at Noisy-le-Sec (Paris suburbs), and “Critical Cartography: Larissa Fassler in Manchester” at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester (New Hampshire, USA).” Register for free to get the Zoom link here.

February 14
The Carnaval de Paris and Carnaval des Femmes (on March 22nd) are cancelled until 2022.

February 19-20
The legendary French street artist Jef Aérosol will be signing 300 copies of his art book,  L’ABC de Jef Aérosol (€20), Friday and Saturday from 2-6pm at the Galerie Mathgoth (13th, M° Bibliothèque). Any remaining copies will be on sale online starting Monday February 22nd.

Through March 14th
Free exposition at the Galerie d’Instant (47, rue de Poitou, 3rd) featuring portraits of the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo taken by Lucienne Bloch. Vernissage on the 15th at 7pm. Opening hours Mon 2-7, Tues-Sat 11am-7pm, and Sun 2:30-6:30pm.