What’s On in Paris – September 2021

It’s La Rentré! And with 65% of the French population fully vaccinated and the Pass Sanitaire required in most (but not all) monuments, concerts, and venues, there are plenty of events taking place around Paris.

September 3-5
Les Traversées du Marais is a free three-day cultural festival with 47 cultural events in the Marais district on the theme of “revival” for this 7th edition. The newly re-opened Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is the honored location for this year. See the website for the full program here.

September 4-5
The Musée de la Grande Guerre (Great War Museum) in Maeaux, just 30 minutes outside Paris, is hosting the annual reenactment of the first WWI battle of the Marne with over 300 reenactors from around the world: “Chat with these enthusiasts in period clothing and discover in a vivid way the daily life of French, German, American or Scottish soldiers at the front, or the lives of civilians in the rear. Visit the soldiers’ bivouac and attend demonstrations of cannon firing, firing of weapons or even the troop review!” There will also be aerial combat demonstrations on Sunday. Visit the official website for more information (including the practical info on getting there from Gare de L’est in English).

September 4-5, 11–12
The Fondation Good Planet in the Bois de Boulogne is hosting “Miam!” a food festival for sustainable agriculture over two weekends in September 11am-7pm. Workshops, cooking classes, film screenings, debates, and plenty of amazing food. Free entry, classes on a first-come, first-to-participate basis.

September 4-18
If you live in Paris and are wondering how to get more involved in local activities, neighborhood art classes, language groups, sports clubs, or volunteer opportunities, then don’t miss your arrondissement’s “Forum des Associations” which brings together every possible group, big and small, who set up tables and hand out flyers in either the local town hall or other public space. Check out the Mairie de Paris’s website to find the dates and address by arrondissement. Most are taking place the first and second weekends of September.

September 7-14
Attention shoe addicts! Over 120 pairs of shoes from Catherine Deneuve’s closet are up for auction to benefit the Restos du Coeur, with Louboutin, Yves Saint-Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Manolo Blahnik, Prada and Roger Vivier shoes (French sizes 37-39.5) worn in films or on the red carpet up for sale starting from €30-€150, but as it’s a charity auction, the prices might go much higher. They will be on display at Artcurial (7 rond-point des Champs-Élysées, 8th) September 7th-10th and 13th from 11am-6pm, and auctioned online only here from the 7th through the 14th.

Through September 8
The Paris Jazz Festival takes place every weekend at the Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes. “The free festival (you only pay entry to the park, €2.50) makes for a brilliant summer outing: everyone brings picnics and enjoys them in the sunshine amid colored flowers, woodlands and lakes, while listening to some virtuoso jazz – it’s also hugely popular, so get here early.” From 3pm until 7pm, no advance ticket purchase necessary. The schedule can be found on the official website.

Through September 8
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 Septe 1st film is British, Sept 8th film is French). See the schedule here. 

September 9-November 14
The Galerie Sakura (21 rue du Bourg Tibourg, 4th) is hosting an exhibition “Sneakers Generation” featuring 400 international artists who have created an original artwork using the legendary Air Jordan 1 Mid triple white as a canvas. Each will be sold for the same price of €450. Check them out online even if you’re not interested in buying (they’re going fast!), or visit the gallery, open Tues-Sat noon-8pm and Sunday 2-7pm.

September 9-12
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 9 – October 2
Come check out the latest Exposition BAF BAF, or “Back and Forth, Britain and France”, a collective of British and French artists promoting cultural exchange and interaction. During the exposition they’ll be hosting bilingual art and language workshops every Saturday for all ages, including a “False Friends/Nos Faux Amis” language workshop by Patrick Simkins, and “The Sketchbook as Place for Exchange” with Franco-American artist Marcus McAllister for just €5/person. See the full schedule here and sign up to get your spot by sending an email (in English or French) to bafbafart@gmail.com. Exhibit open Wed-Sat 2-7pm at Le 6b, 6-10 quai de Seine, Saint-Denis.

September 10-12
Check out the best food trucks of the Paris region at the 5th 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 10-12
The 7th edition of Art3f, the international contemporary art show in Paris, takes place at the Paris Expo- Porte de Versailles this weekend in Pavillion 5. Tickets €7 online in advance, €10 at the door, children under 18 free. Open Friday 2-10pm, Sat -Sun 10am-7pm.

September 10-12
The 86th annual Fête de l’Humanité is three days of live music (60 acts including headliners Dionysos, Yseult, Alain Souchon, Tryo, Sofiane, IAM), debates (because the French love a good debate), arts and cinema expositions, a bal populaire, a book fair, a 10k with over 600,000 participants on Sunday, and activities for kids. The main sponsor/organizer is the daily newspaper L’Humanité, whose motto is “Envie de Changer Le Monde” (The desire to change the world), so you can imagine it’s quite a leftie leaning festival where politics, social justice and liberty are the main stars. This year it takes place in La Corneuve (northeast suburbs), and three-day passes are just €30 (camping and parking also possible). Free for kids under 15.

September 11-12
Inspired by the troubadours, Les Mystères du Vieux Paris is a theatre troupe offering fun and educational walks through Paris as they recount the city’s most captivating historic moments through original songs by the Coudées Franches and the captivating storytelling of the Parisian tour guide Guillaume Bertrand. Their back this weekend with two tours: on Saturday at 6pm you can follow in the footsteps of the Hunchback, the Grand Veneur and his troubadours, and let yourself be “en-chanté” through the alleys of the Ile de la Cité for the Legendes de l’Ile de la Cité tour; on Sunday at 3pm their new show tells the story of the bloody civil uprising on 1871, the Paris Commune, in their tour “Sur les Traces des Communards”. Yes, only in French, but as it’s mostly song and acting as you stroll the streets of Paris, you can probably figure most of it out even if you’re not fluent. Tickets €25 for adults. PAss sanitaire not needed!

Paris Plage Trocadéro through September 12
For the first year, Paris Plage is extended to the Jardins du Trocadero with a great view of the Eiffel Tower, featuring many fun sporting activities (in preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics), including FIBA European 3×3 basketball championships (Sept 10 to 12, 10am to 10pm, free entry). There will also be live screening of Tokyo Omympics and Paralypics Games (Sept 2-5). Map and more details here.

September 16-19
The Taste Paris Festival is a “four day festival where you can sample some of the most delicious food in Paris in taster sized portions, served by the chefs themselves at their pop-up restaurants. Whether Michelin-starred, trend setters or future young talents, Taste of Paris warmly welcomes today’s most sought-after chefs to bring you a gourmet experience to remember.” This year it takes place in the Grand Palais Ephémère on the Champ de Mars (7th). Tickets are sold by “session”, and over the four days there are three daytime sessions and four evening sessions, for €22 for “Découverte” tickets and €70 for VIP tickets.

September 18
Lost in Frenchlation is hosting a special event during the 10th annual Champs Elysées Film Festival: drinks on Publicis Cinema rooftop (129 Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th) at 7:30pm, followed by the premier of the film “Nous” (“We”) by Alice Diop with English subtitles at 8:30pm, followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew after the film. Early bird tickets are €25 instead of €30 (includes two alcoholic drinks and unlimited soft drinks). The rooftop will give you an unforgettable view of the (wrapped) Arc de Triomphe, Christo’s new temporary work. Get your earlybird tickets ONLY online in advance here: https://www.weezevent.com/lost-in-frenchlation-x-champs-elysees-film-festival-present-nous. You can find other Lost in Frenchlation film events for September here.

September 18-19
This weekend is the 37th annual Journées du Patrimoine, or Heritage Days.  Over 550 historic sites will be opened to the public in Paris, many which are only open for this occasion. 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. The official website is a bit hard to navigate, but you can see some tips and a selection of our top sites to visit here.

September 18-19
If you think the French haven’t fully embraced vegan food yet, head over to the Smmmile Vegan Festival at the Grand Halle de la Villette (211 ave Jean-Jaurès, 19th). Tickets are “pay as you like”, and the food court is open freely to the public. In addition to yummy vegan food (mostly by local vegan restaurants), there will also be live concerts, DJ sets, workshops, a section for different environmental/animal welfare groups, and public conferences.

September 19
The 7th 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 23-26
One of the last artist open house for 30 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 artist’s works, Ménils8, 8 rue Boyer, 20th, metro Gambetta. Free entry, lots of events around the neighborhood during the festival. Open 2-8pm (Thurs until 9pm).

September 24-25
Sinfonietta’s “Music by the Glass” returns for another season: “We are delighted to launch our new season with the artists of the Zadig Trio in an adventurous program of Rameau, Liszt and Saint-Saëns. Pieces arranged for trio with piano: Rameau’s Pièces de clavecin and Liszt’s symphonic poem « Orpheus » – frame the piano trio No. 2 by Saint-Saëns.” The unique Music by the Glass chamber series creates a blend of culture and privileged conversations, chamber music and excellent wine, offering an intimate experience. On Friday night the concert will be in the elegant Grand Salon of the Fondation des Etats-Unis in the 14th arrondissement; and Saturday in the modern residence of one of the patrons, located just off of Rue de la Tombe Issoire in the 14th as well.  Precise address and access details will be provided with reservation or online purchase. At 8pm, followed by wine reception. Tickets €25, €15 for students under 26. Register here. Pass Sanitaire required.

September 24 – October 3
Escape to a little island on the edge of Paris for the 101st edition of the Foire de Chatou antique market. 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 €7. 

September 27-October 2
Parisian couture designer Ana Quasoar is having a special sale to clear out her atelier: clothing and accessories from current and past collections, fabrics, lace, embroidery, and also special pieces from her own collection of vintage couture. The sale takes place at the art gallery, Lieu Idéal (31 rue Yves Toudic, 10th between République and the Canal St-Martin) from 11am-7pm.

September 29
“The Paris Library” author Janet Skeslien Charles will be interviewing Cara Black about her best-selling latest novel “Three Hours in Paris” tonight at the Red Wheelbarrow bookshop (9 rue Medicis, 6th) from 7pm. “Three Hours in Paris” is an electrifying spy novel set during the dark years of WWII. A must-read for fans of historical fiction!

September 30
Food writer Alec Lobrano launches his new memoir, “My Place at the Table: A Recipe for a Delicious Life in Paris” at the Red Wheelbarrow bookshop (9 rue Medicis, 6th) from 7pm.

Through October 2nd
The magical Candlelit Evenings at the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte are back! Open every Saturday from 2pm, candles lit at sunset, and fireworks show before the 11pm closure; reservations required. Due to Covid, the shuttle from the train station is no longer running (reserve a taxi or come by car, free parking). Read the Secrets of Paris article about it here.

Through October 3
“Wonderland” is a hybrid open-air event/festival in a disused section of the Petit Ceinture railway on the edge of Paris with food tents with guest chefs, skate ramp, boules court, basketball court, kids’ playground, open-air art installations, yoga sessions, beer garden, wine bar, and cinema nights. Entrance is at 103 Cours de Vincennes, 20th, metro Porte de Vincennes; open Wednesday-Friday 6-11pm, Saturday noon-midnight and Sunday noon-11pm. Entry free until 7pm then €2 (kids free with a parent).

Most Tuesdays and Wednesdays
The American Library in Paris is hosting free “Evenings with an Author” every Tuesday and Wednesday night at 7:30pm Paris time (CET). This month’s guests include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen (June 2nd), food writer Alec Lobrano (June 9th), and The Hudson Review editor Paula Deitz (June 22nd). RSVP required (most are free, €10 donation recommended). See the full schedule here.