Paris Events
Christian Lacroix
Much like fashionistas abound in Paris, so do fashion designers and Christian Lacroix has reigned supreme on the scene for 20 years. To mark his anniversary date, the Musee de la Mode et du Textile has allowed Mr. Lacroix to invade their archives to present a collection for the public so they can get inside his mind to see, in person, what inspires the legendary designer. The 400 piece collection is extensive and detailed and of course features 80 of Lacroix’s own designs.
The exhibit runs at the museum from now through April 6, 2008 and is open daily, except for Monday’s. those interested can find further information at Christian Lacroix’s website or at the Musee de la Mode et du Textile’s own homepage.
Mass at Madeleine
If you happen to find yourself in Paris, France for the holidays, a great way to get into the holiday spirit is by joining hundreds of others at Eglise de la Madeleine on Christmas Eve for their conventional take on the French Christmas Midnight Mass. The annual mass encourages participants to take on the “sights and smells” of a traditional Christmas in France.
The doors open at 10:00pm and the free ceremony begins at 10:30pm. Those interested in attending mass can look at Musique Classicque a Paris or Eglise de la Madeleine websites for further information on the church and event.
Homage to Guernica
Finally! Another excuse to visit the brilliant Musee National Picasso – the Homage to Guernica exhibit. The exhibition is a 60 year commemoration to the bombing of Basque city in Spain on April 26, 1937. The violence resulted in over 4,000 deaths and stirred Picasso’s infamous Guernica painting. Although Picasso’s Guernica is set to remain in Reina Sofia museum in Madrid, Paris’ Musee National Picasso has organized a special section dedicated to the work of photographer Gille Peress, who was present during the bombing and will showcase works with the theme of “Mass Graves.” The exhibition promises to be completely eerie and awe-inspiring all at once.
The museum is located in Hôtel Salé and the exhibition runs from now through January 7, 2008. For further information please check the Musee National Picasso website.
La Maison du Chocolat
From September through June each year, the boutique chocolate store La Maison du Chocolat opens in Paris and is tended to by world class chocolatier Robert Linxe, who opened the first store in 1977. His sinful sweets now span the globe outside of Paris in Tokyo and New York City. Linxe travels from boutique to boutique to insist to customers that they must savor the chocolates the way they were intended, by cutting it in two and allowing it to meltdown slowly in the mouth.
The boutique is now open until June 29, 2008 from Monday through Saturday 10:30am – 7:00pm and Sundays 10:00am to 1:00pm. Please check the yummy La Maison du Chocolat website for more details.
Saint Oeun-Clignancourt Flea Market
Every Saturday, Sunday and Monday the Saint Oeun-Clignancourt Flea Market opens stands from 7:00am – 7:00pm. To the untrained eye it is a massive jumble of 2,000 stands spanning 10 miles with thousands of people bustling about but this is not just any flea market. It rivals some of the biggest and best in the world and sells everything from antique rocking chairs to vintage Chanel jewels. It is advised if you have your heart set on a designer steal that you get there at the opening bell and don’t leave until you’ve scoured every single stand in the one market of ten devoted that is devoted to your yearning.
The flea market is located in Porte de Clignancourt and is free, unless of course you empty your wallet there on Parisian goodies.
The Nutcracker
A classic Christmas time favorite, the Nutcracker is now performing at the Vienna Opera House from December 18 through January 15, 2008. You must hurry, as several shows have already completely sold out. Please see the Vienna Ticket Office for more information.
New Year’s Party at the Exotic Favela Chic
Favela Chic is known for its yin versus yang spin offs. For starters the interior is a mixture of Catholic and Voodoo inspired decoration. The table hockey corner is covered in feminine twinkling lights. The flyers boasted the club as a mixture of Desordre et Progres, translating to Disorder and Progress, a clever take on Brazil’s motto of “Order and Progress.” They do say opposites attract and the phrase is apparent in this favored club that is a mixture of Parisian culture with Brazilian spices as the cherry on top.
The New Year’s bash starts at 8:00pm and plans on going until the wee hours of the morning. Please see La Favela’s website for more information.
Gibus New Years Bash
Known as one of the best R & B, Hip Hop dance halls in Paris, Gibus Club is throwing a New Year’s Eve party to remember. DJ Kiss, DJ Skeez 101 and DJ Battle will all spin the wheels of steel for party goers. Celebrities like Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Kanye West have frequented its dance floor and now you can too for an entrance fee of 45EUR which includes one drink, one glass of champagne and entrance from 10:00pm until the wee hours of the morning.
Curious to see what this bash is about? You can check out Gibus website for more information on select packages and the complete entertainment 411.
Helen Levitt on Display
New York native Helen Levitt has a keen eye for capturing children in daily life situations in the busy, littered streets of Brooklyn, Harlem and the Lower East Side of New York City. Acknowledged for her ability to capture the “melting pot” on film, the Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson has put up an exhibition of Levitt’s best and most favored photos.
The exhibition runs through December 23, 2007 and costs 5EUR for entrance and 3 for concession. Please see the Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson for further information.
La Batofar
The Siene’s infamous red boat, Le Batofar, is hosting its annual Christmas special, Here I Come Club Night. Tasty treats, crave worthy cocktails and a mixture of music abound here as the boat chugs slowly down Paris’ Siene River.
The Christmas special kicks off on December 22, 2007 for one night only. The price is 12EUR and the boat is open from 9:00pm until the wee morning hours. You can visit the Le Batofar website for more details.
Le Triptyque New Year’s Party
If you are up for it, Le Triptyque is throwing a massive 11 hour New Year’s party for serious club goers who think they can handle it! Fantastic DJ’s like Millimetric, Popof, Yan X, Alexx and Choco will be spinning tunes for the dance marathon.
Prices are 25EUR to start and then another 15EUR from 6:00am into the morning. Please see Le Triptyque’s website for further information.
Love Paris But Hate the Congestion?
If you love Paris but feel the strong urge to find a way around the congestion, at least once a week, the hippy dippy folks of Paris Respire, have your perfect, restful retreat. Every Sunday from March through December, several main areas around Paris have banned traffic and opened up their individual areas to skaters, bicyclists and pedestrians. Thanks to the green work of the Paris Respire, some of the participating areas are Bois de Boulogne, Saint Martin canal, Montmarte, Luxembourg and the banks of the Siene.
For specific times and more traffic jam free locations please see the Paris Respire website.
Merry Go Round Delight
The city of light is known for its spectacular light show and the warm glow that abounds during the holiday season. However, a little known event that coincides is the placing of festive merry-go-rounds about the city. The Maneges de Noel feature carved horses as well as other animals and are placed in select location around the city including the Hotel de Ville, Place Saint Sulpice and the Square du Temple.
The kid friendly merry go rounds are opened daily from 10:30am – 7:30pm through December 31, 2007. The ride is free and anyone is welcomed.
Mystery of Christmas
Every year, the Notre Dame Cathedral puts on its production of the nativity story. This year, the show follows the theme Light from Light, or Lumine, Lumiere Nee de la Lumiere, in the native tongue. Performances take place approximately every half hour on the front stoop. It is quite a sight to behold, the lights, the stained glass and the cathedral soaring in the background; all of which is kid friendly. After the show, you can visit the playground located around the other side of the church or opt to take a tour through the striking halls.
The performance is free and runs through December 31, 2007. Please see Notre Dame’s website for more information.
Queen New Year’s Celebration
Queen, one of Paris’ premium gay clubs, will host a star studded event this New Year’s Eve. Thousands of people are expected but only the lucky will gain entrance. Dress to impress and your sure to get into this lavish event.
The cost is 20EUR which includes entrance a one free drink. The doors open at 11:30pm and the party is expected to go until dawn. Please see Queen’s website for more information.
Randonnee du Rallye Tour Eiffel
Ever want to take a full day to trek from famous attraction to even more famous attraction around Paris? Well now you can! For 1.80EUR, walkers can opt to take one of three circuits around the city, all of which end up at the stunning Eiffel Tower.
The annual event kicks off on January 5, 2008 at 11:00am. For further registrant and circuit information, please look at the Godillot Familial Association Website.
Salon de la Plongee Sous-Marine
To get us through the long winter months, sans beach, the 10th Paris International Dive Show is making its way to Porte de Versailles to get us in an oceanic mood. Both professionals, enthusiast and curious souls are welcomed to see anything and everything dive related.
The Dive Show runs from January 11 – 14, 2008 from 10:00am – 7:00pm and costs a low 9EUR, while 8 and unders are free. Please see the Salon de la Plongee Sous-Marine website for more information.
The Third Mind
The Palais de Toyko has given artist Ugo Rondinone, a New York native, the reigns. Rondinone has set up an exhibit, which he curates himself, that is entitled the Third Mind. He has taken a mixture of works by 31 contemporary artists and pieced them together to create one large element that reflects each artist in a whole new light.
This thought provoking exhibition runs from September 27, 2007 through January 3, 2008 at the Palais de Tokyo. The cost is 6EUR, concessions 4.50 and 18 and unders are free. Please see the Palais de Tokyo’s website for further information.
