Sources: Paris Convention and Visitors Office, Paris Mayor's Office
The below calendar applies to November 2012.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
- Artists' Studios Open House Days: Anvers to Abbesses
Artists and craftsmen working from studios in the Abbesses/Anvers corner of Montmartre are opening their doors to visitors from November 18-20. Get an inside look at contemporary art in a district that has always been a creative hotbed.
When: November 16-18, 2012
Where: Numerous locations around Montmartre-- visit the orientation office at 8 rue de Milton, 9th arrondissement for a map showing the locations of the workshops.
- The Autumn Festival
Since 1972, the Paris Autumn Festival or "Festival de l'Automne" has brought in the post-summer season with a bang by highlighting some of the most compelling works in contemporary visual art, music, cinema, theater, and other forms. Consult the official website for program details (in English).
When: Through December 2012.
- Mois de la Photo (Paris Photography Month)
November marks Paris photography month, an annual event launched in 1980 that sees dozens of museums and galleries team up to offer thematically related exhibitions, and featuring the work of established and up-and-coming lenses from around the world. This year, over 80 exhibitions are being coordinated for the Mois de la Photo, as well as film screenings, conferences, fairs and other events. The Paris Photo exhibition at the Grand Palais, running November 15th-18th, is a major part of the goings-on this month; fans of photography should definitely not miss out.
When: Throughout November.
For a full lineup of exhibitions, events, and practical information, see the official website.
Arts and Exhibits
- Edward Hopper Retrospective
A major and much-anticipated retrospective on the work of American painter Edward Hopper is expected to be among the Grand Palais' most-attended exhibits this year. Buy tickets early if you want to get a chance to see firsthand works from the artist famous for his lighthouses and late-night diner scenes. The massive retrospective is divided into two parts: the first highlighting influences on the young artist, who spent several years living in Paris, and the second part tracing the evolution of artist's work into its more mature phase, with signature paintings such as his 1942 "Nighthawks".
Location: Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais
When: Through January 28th, 2013
- Vincent Van Gogh - Dreaming of Japan and Hiroshige- The Art of Travel
This joint exhibition at the Pinacotheque gallery near Madeleine highlights a lesser-known Japanese painter whose work influenced the likes of Vincent Van Gogh and several Impressionist painters. Underlining that Hiroshige was one of Dutch artist Van Gogh's main influences, the exhibit invites visitors to compare the work of the Japanese master to several works by the artist best known for his "Starry Night". The Van Gogh exhibition includes 40 works, mostly landscapes, with a focus on those informed by Japanese painting techniques. It's recommended that you purchase a joint ticket to see both exhibits, although if you prefer to see only one, you can buy a ticket for one or the other.
Location: Pinacotheque de Paris
28 place de la Madeleine
Metro: Madeleine or Opera
When: Through March 17th, 2013.
- Trompe l'oeil (Tricking the Eye)
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
- Bertrand Lavier Since 1969
An exhibit consecrated to contemporary French sculptor, multimedia and installations artist Bertrand Lavier at the Centre Georges Pompidou invites spectators to engage with space and materials in ways that collapse boundaries between genres and norms .
When: Through January 7th, 2013.
Where: Centre Georges Pompidou
More November Events in Paris: Shows and Trade Fairs
More on Visiting Paris in November: November Weather and Packing Guide
