Cultural events and festivals in Paris
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Fairs, festivals and the Tour de France. There is something happening in Paris year round.
Foire de Trone is a yearly funfair located in Pelouse de Reuilly and Bois de Vincennes on the eastern side of Paris. The fair runs from the end of March to mid May from 2pm till midnight. Foire de Trone is one of the largest country fairs in France dating back over 1000 years. There are amusement parks with roller coasters, fairground rides, a giant Ferris Wheel as well as performers such as jugglers and acrobats. There is a free bus which runs from the city centre to the fair. The metro stop is Porte Doree (line 8). There is no entrance fee but there are charges for rides and activities.
Canal en fete is a “green” festival which takes place during the last weekend in June or early July on the Canal Saint-Martin (10th Arrondissement). The festival has stalls from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth as well as ones selling organic produce and fair trade.
Foire Saint-Germain in Saint Germain des Pres District (6th arrondissement). This is a street fair which dates back to medieval times. The streets of St Germain des Pres are filled with street theatre, concerts and stalls selling antiques, books and ceramics.
La Goutte d’Or en Fete is a music festival with theatre, exhibitions and music from around the world in celebration of the cultural diversity of the district. The festival is normally in the last week in June or first week in July in La Goutte d’ Or which is located in the 18th arrondissement.
Fete des Vendanges is a harvest festival celebrating the wine of the region with stalls selling regional produce. There is a parade, fireworks and concerts as well as performances of poetry and music. The festival takes place on the 1st or 2nd weekend in October in Montmatre. (Nearest Metro: Abbesses)
Nuit Blanche (White or Sleepless night) is an annual all night festival on the first weekend in October. There are night time tours of Paris’s museums, art galleries and many other cultural attractions including swimming pools; there is no charge for admission. There are also performances of music, film and dance.
Fete de la Bastille, Bastille Day is celebrated on 14th July to commemorate the storming of the Bastille during the French revolution of 1789. In the evening before Bastille Day there is dancing in Bastille Square and balls throughout the city. On the day itself celebrations start on the Champs-Elysees in the morning with a military parade led by the President. There are large crowds in the city centre and metro stations are closed. In the evening there are fireworks at the Trocadero near the Eiffel tower with bars and clubs staging their own celebrations.
Tour de France is at the end of July. The finishing line is on the Champs-Elysees.
Fete de la Musique is a music festival on the summer solstice, 21st June, the longest day. Musicians fill the streets performing free concerts at venues all around Paris.
Journees du Patrimoine: Nationwide heritage days, which means open house at many of Paris’s museums and public buildings. The visitor gets the chance to visit monuments not normally open to the public such as the Elysee Palace and many private homes open their doors to the public. This normally occurs on the weekend close to 15th September. Most places are free to visit.
Festival d’Automne: Autumn Festival is an annual festival from September to December with an eclectic mix of international art from theatre, music, dance to sculpture and ceramics. Centres and events vary, some are held at the Opera house comique and Pompidou centre.
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