Sources: Paris Convention and Visitors Office, Paris Mayor's Office
Festivals and Seasonal Events
- LGBT Pride (Paris Gay Pride)
The LGBT Pride Parade (Paris Gay Pride) takes the streets of the city of light by storm on Saturday, June 29th. One of the year's most popular festivals for locals and visitors of all stripes, this year's festival kicks off near the Montparnasse-Bienvenue metro station at roughly 1:30 pm (on the Place du 18 Juin 1940), winding through the city to Bastille on the right bank.
- The 2013 French Open at Roland Garros
Tennis fans should not miss one of France's most exciting and important tournaments. Tennis greats like Steffi Graf made their debuts at Roland Garros, and the French Open continues to host some of the world's unforgettable matches.
When: Through June 9th, the 2013 French Open at Roland Garros takes Paris by storm.
- Fête de la Musique (Free Citywide Music Festival)
Every June 21st, free musical performances of all genres are on across the city, making for one of the year's liveliest and most convivial events.
Noteworthy Exhibits in June
- Marc Chagall, Between War and Peace
The Luxembourg Museum is placing a spotlight on one of the twentieth century's most singular artists, Marc Chagall, showcasing some 80 paintings, drawings and engravings. Chagall, a Russian-born Jew, placed an emphasis on the grand themes of love, death and loss in his borderline-surrealist imagery, and this exhibit examines some of his haunting works produced across two tumultuous World Wars and the period of peace in between. Expect crowds and book tickets early for this one.
Where: Musee du Luxembourg
When: Through July 21st, 2013
- "Autour du chat noir": Arts and Pleasures in Montmartre
The quaint Musee de Montmartre, dedicated to the history of the historic and artistically rich neighborhood, has extended the dates for its very popular exhibit focusing on some of the artists and works that made the area so famous. Bask in works from Toulouse-Lautrec (including his famous "black cat"), Vuillard, and paintings from the famed Nabis and Symbolist movements.
Location: Musee de Montmartre
12/14, rue Cortot, 18th arrondissement
Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt or Abbesses (line 12)
When: Through June 2nd, 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
- Marie Laurencin
Marie Laurencin is an important and influential painter of the early twentieth century, but is today under-recognized (except in Japan, where she's maintained significant fame). Working somewhere between fauvism and cubism, Laurencin joined the famed Paris school when Picasso introduced her to some of its more important members. A unique retrospective at the Musee Marmottan-Monet brings together some 90 works from Laurencin, which should hopefully earn the artist a renewed place in the western popular imagination.
When: Through June 30th, 2013.
Where: Musee Marmottan-Monet
