Free Music and Early Summer Cheer Spill into the Paris Streets :
La Fête de la Musique is a lively street music festival held every June 21st in Paris, and is one of the year's most popular events in the city of light. Hundreds of musicians gather in the streets, bars, and cafes of Paris, giving free performances of everything from jazz and rock to hip-hop and electronic music. To get a taste of authentic Paris culture, don't miss the Fête de la Musique on a June trip to Paris. The mood is light and the opportunity to get to know the city's
neighborhoods, bars and cafes like a local is rarely better than during this convivial event.
Fête de la Musique Practical Details:
The Fête de la Musique is held every June 21st (the day of the summer solstice) and generally starts at sundown.
To find out what performances are scheduled around your hotel or in a specific Paris arrondissement for the 2009 event, check this page (in French). Please note that schedules are subject to change at all times, so it's generally best to check again the day of the event.
How To Get the Most Out of the Fête de la Musique:
Everyone has their own strategy : some prefer to sift through the program and elect a few carefully selected concerts; others prefer to wander the streets and stumble on great(or mediocre) concerts. Personally, I prefer the second approach. The year I discovered the Fête de la Musique, a friend and I snaked aimlessly from the Beaubourg Neighborhood, up to Republique and Belleville in East Paris, getting a taste of everything from thrash metal to Yiddish folk music. By letting yourself happen upon performances, you'll get to dabble in different ambiences and, well, perhaps get more out of this unique night.
Riding the Metro During the Fête de la Musique:
As you might expect, the
Paris metro is often full to the hilt for the occasion of the Fête de la Musique.
Paris buses will have problems circulating, too, as many streets are blocked off to install stages. Think about walking to get back to your hotel-- you'll likely save time and may just get a peek at a few more memorable concerts on your way back. Make sure to bring a good
Paris city street map out with you.
