Sources: Paris Convention and Visitors Office, Paris Mayor's Office
The below calendar applies to August 2012.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
- Paris Plages (Paris Beach) 2012
Through August 19th, a full-fledged beach with sand, games, cafes, and even boating will take over the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette in North Paris. Paris Plages has enjoyed enormous success since its launch in 2002 and attracted millions of visitors last year. On hot nights, sipping a drink at one of the open-air bars installed on the beach or enjoying live music is always enjoyable. Kids will also find plenty of things to do, from games to science workshops.
More on Paris Plages: See pictures from the beach boardwalk at Paris Plages 2010 and find a free concert in the "FNAC Live" festival lineup this year.
- Open-Air Cinema Festival at the Parc de la Villette
Dates: Through August 26th, 2012
Every year, Parisians and visitors spread out blankets at the ultramodern Parc de la Villette, where some 36 movies are shown on a giant outdoor screen as part of an open-air cinema festival in Paris. Starting to see why August is a great month for movie aficionados? In 2012, entry is free.
Arts and Exhibits Highlights in August
The Cinémathèque Française is hosting a major retrospective on iconoclastic filmmaker Tim Burton, who rose to mainstream prominence with cult classics including Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is the same retrospective conceived by the MOMA in New York. The exhibit, featuring some 700 works by Burton, includes the director's early drawings, sculptures (including several which were created exclusively for the exposition), costumes and accessories, models and film excerpts.
When: Through August 5th, 2012.
Where: Cinematheque Francaise
Read the full exhibit preview on our blog here
A show which opened last month at Paris's Arts Décoratifs museum celebrates the "trompe l'oeil" technique and the complex art of deception. The exhibit features over 400 works, from paintings and sculpture to textiles, highlighting techniques of trickery originating in ancient Greece.
Location: Musee des arts decoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli,1st arrondissement
Metro: Louvre-Rivoli or Palais Royal
Tel: +33 (0)144 55 57 50
When: Through November 2013
Visit the official website
Read our full review here
An important exhibit consecrated to contemporary German painter Gerhard Richter at the Centre Georges Pompidou gives an intimate glimpse into the work of one of the 20th century's most fascinating artists.
When: Through September 24th, 2012.
Where: Centre Georges Pompidou
A retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris dedicated to controversial (but always riveting) American comic artist Robert Crumb is guaranteed to make you uncomfortable-- but that's half the appeal.
Location: Musee d'art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
When: Through August 19th, 2012
This exhibit at the Pinacotheque gallery near Madeleine is highlighting how highly influential Alsatian art collector Jonas Netter essentially brought the works of artists such as Modigliani, Soutine and Utrillo to the attention of the greater public. Several never-before exhibited works by Modigliani await at this show, which also provides a glimpse into the explosion of artistic production in Montparnasse in the early 20th century.
Location: Pinacotheque de Paris
28 place de la Madeleine
Metro: Madeleine or Opera
When: Through September 9th, 2012
More Paris Events in August: Shows and Performing Arts
More on Visiting Paris in August: August Weather and Packing Guide
