Sources: Paris Convention and Visitors Office, Paris Mayor's Office
The below calendar applies to June 2008.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
- Foire Saint-Germain (Street Fair)
La Foire Saint Germain is a street fair that has been held in Paris since the medieval period. The streets of the St Germain des Pres district are abuzz with concerts, theatre performances, antique fairs, and even poetry workshops. A convivial event not to be missed.
When: Through July 6th
Where: Saint Germain des Pres District
Metro: Saint Germain des Pres
Visit the event website (in French)
- LGBT Pride (Paris Gay Pride)
The LGBT Pride Parade (Paris Gay Pride) takes the streets of the city of light by storm, and everyone's invited to the party. One of the year's most popular festivals for locals and visitors of all stripes, this year's festival kicks off at the Denfert-Rochereau metro station at 2:00 pm, winding through the city to Bastille on the right bank.
- Through June 8th: The 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.
- 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.
Arts and Exhibits
- Marie Antoinette
The Grand Palais is currently running a fascinating exhibition on the life of Marie Antoinette, the ill-fated last queen of France. This highly personal look at Marie Antoinette is sure to shed a different light on one of history's most reviled monarchs.
Through June 30, 2008.
Location: Grand Palais
3, avenue du Général Eisenhower, 8th arrondissement
Metro: Champs-Elysees Clemenceau
Information: 33(0)1 45 63 54 33
- Man Ray
The recently opened private museum La Pinacotheque de Paris is currently running an unprecedented retrospective on the works of Man Ray, one of the early 20th century's most influential and groundbreaking photographers. Through June 1st.
Location: Pinacotheque de Paris
28 place de la Madeleine, 8th arrondissement)
Metro: Madeleine
RER: Auber
Information: 33(0)142680201
Visit the website
- Camille Claudel
Camille Claudel is one of history's greatest sculptors; unfortunately, she has often been most remembered for her passionate relationship with mentor and fellow sculptor Auguste Rodin. This exhibit allows visitors to encounter Claudel's work in depth.
Through July 13th, 2008.
Location: Rodin Museum
79, rue de Varenne, 7th arrondissement
Metro: Varenne
RER: Invalides
Visit the website
- Vlaminck, Fauvist Instincts
A lesser-known master from the fauvist period, Vlaminck entered a period of intense experimentation at the outset of the second world war. This retrospective at the int(From the Paris Tourist Office): " Vlaminck, one of the biggest fauvist painters, on the intimate Luxembourg Museum is a must for enthusiasts of 20th century painting. Through July 20th.
Location:Musee du Luxembourg
19, rue de Vaugirard, 6th arrondissement
Metro:Saint-Sulpice
RER: Luxembourg
For more information
- Patti Smith - Land 250
(From the Paris Tourist Office): "For many, Patti Smith is a legend. No real rock child [is unaware] of this 70’s New York punk-rock muse. In a career [spanning] 30 years, the American star was sucessively a committed poet following Rimbaud and Genet and an internationally successful artist thanks to the song "Because the Night" (...)
The Fondation Cartier is presenting the public with “Land 250”, a large personal exhibition dedicated to the multiple aspects of the artist and musician Patti Smith’s artistic production. Poetry, drawings, photographs, films, and music show the manifold artistic fields explored by Patti Smith, and her rich universe".
Through June 22nd, 2008.
Location:Fondation Cartier
261, boulevard Raspail, 14th arrondissement
Metro: Raspail
RER: Denfert-Rochereau
