Paris Events


	Paris Events January Comme A Vienne Opera Comique Here's a musical tradition to welcome in the New Year. The Viennese New Year's Day concert, aparody of Vienna's Musikverein by Opera Comique each New Year's Day at the Salle Favart in Paris. Call (33) 825 00 00 58 for more information. Salon du Mariage Anyone planning a wedding should not miss this exposition for future brides complete with fashion shows and consultants provided by the local merchants. Hosted by The Carrousel de Louvre in early January. Call (33) 4316 4747 for more information. French Holiday Fair The Salon des Vacances is a one-stop way of learning about regional events and travel options throughout France, held at the Porte de Versailles Convention Center in late January and early February. Call (33) 43 95 10 10 for more information. February Andros Trophy Finals Tthe Stade de France hosts some of the world's biggest names in car racing for this annual competition of skill and daring on an iced track. Held in early February. Call (33) 55 93 00 00 for more information. Open Gaz de France The Stade Pierre de Cubertin hosts the best female tennis players in the world at this annual competition for a prize of over a half-million dollars. Call (33) 4431 4431 for more information. International Circus Festival of Tomorrow See top circus performers from all over the world in one place, in mid-February at the Cirque d'Hiver, when they hold exhibitions and workshops for newer performers. Call (33) 47 00 12 25 for more information. Festival of St. Valentine Here's your chance to be romantic. The city of Paris re-assigns its many illuminated, digitized message boards to display sentiments of love, and allows individuals from all over the world to post their messages on them as well via www.paris.fr. on Valentine's Day. Call (33) 892 683 000 for more information. March Paris Fashion Week The Carrousel de Louvre hosts the final leg of a world-wide tour of fashion designers and models, as they exhibit their latest creations in early March. Call (33) 4316 4747 for more information. Festival of the Imagination The music and art of the world's cultures is celebrated throughout the month of March at the Maison des Cultures du Monde, as representative top artists and musicians come to lecture and exhibit their crafts. Call (33) 45 44 72 30 for more information. April Festival of Short Shorts For two evenings in April, the Forum des Images screens entries in this semi-annual competition of the latest short films, videos and animations of under 3 minutes, for which a prize is awarded to the winner on the final night. Call (33) 44 76 62 00 for more information. Paris Marathon This foot race commences with a food festival featuring spaghetti bolognaise, then proceeds around the monuments flanking the Champs Elysees and extends out to the town of Auteuil. Held during the month of April. Call (33) 41 33 15 68 for more information. May May Day Everything is closed in Paris on May 1, except the Eiffel Tower, and the Bastille is the focus of an annual parade down the Champs Elysees, organized by the labor unions. Call (33) 323-6316 for more information. Annual Jazz Festival From the conclusion of the Foire de Paris in early May through the month of July, jazz musicians from all over the world come to play in the Parc Floral every weekend. Call (33) 55 94 20 20 for more information. Les Pestacles Hour-long theatrical programs are presented each Wednesday for children between 3 and 10 years of age at the Parc Floral. From mid-May until mid-September. Call (33) 55 94 20 20 for more information. June French Open Le Golf National course in the suburbs of Paris hosts this famous annual tournament towards the end of June. Call (33) 3043 3600 for more information. Paris Pride Parade The annual festival of the gay community, with live entertainment, refreshments and assorted festivities extends from Republique to Boubourg along the Champs Elysees in the Marais distict. Call (33) 892 683 000 for more information. Le Carre Rive Gauche The antique art dealers of Paris display selected objects on the rue de Bac along the Seine, an annual event which includes a cruise that stops at selected points of interest. Held in mid-June. Call (33) 42 60 70 10 for more information. July Cinema Festival and Dancing Classic films are screened at the Parc de la Villette most evenings as the sun is setting, where you can bring a picnic and enjoy perfect evenings, and you can dance to live orchestras and bands from all over the world on Sundays. Held during July and August. Call (33) 40 03 75 75 for more information. Garden Tours The Parc Andre-Citroen, Parc de Bercy and the famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery created by Napoleon offer guided walking tours of their beautiful gardens in English and French, where you will learn a great deal about Paris history and culture. Held during July and August. Call (33) 40 71 75 60 for more information. August Arenes de Montmartre Traveling theatre troupes perform in the tradition of the Italian commedia dell'arte at this outdoor playhouse through mid-September. Call (33) 48 40 27 71 for more information. L'Etrange Festival The off-beat is celebrated in this annual film festival at the Forum des Images. Held from late August to early September. Call (33) 44 76 62 00 for more information. Classical Music Festival The Parc Floral hosts the Festival Classique au Vert open-air concerts presented by orchestras from all over the world during August and September weekends. Call (33) 55 94 20 20 for more information. September Geste d'Arte The Viaduc des Artes hosts jewelers, glass blowers, sculptors and other craftsmen in this annual exposition of the arts, beginning in September and extending throughout the Fall on a variety of dates. Call (33) 44 75 80 66 for more information. Festival Ile-de-France A number of cultural and ethnic venues of significance to French history and culture present a variety of live music and other programs as the end of summer is celebrated throughout the month of September, and into October. Call (33) 58 71 01 01 for more information. October Grape Harvest Festival The vineyards of Montmartre, the only wine-growing area in Paris, are showcased in this annual celebration of the grape with tastings, theatrical performances and other festivities, on the first weekend in October. Call (33) 46 06 00 32 for more information. November Paris International Photo Fair La Maison Europeenne de la Photographie and other venues throughout Paris dedicate the month of November to exhibiting works which inspire amateur photographers and encourage an interest in photography as an art form. The Paris International Photo Fair, the central event, is held in mid-November at the Carrousel de Louvre. Call (33) 44 78 75 08 for more information. December Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass Celebrate a full and traditional French catholic mass at the Eglise de la Madeleine, built in the 18th century, during the holiday season. Call (33) 44 51 69 00 for more information.