BEST OF PARIS
TOP SIGHTS, AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
Welcome to Paris
Paris is a city that transcends time, infused with the energy of generations of artists, writers and philosophers whove strolled its boulevards and cobbled lanes, debated on its cafe terraces, and shopped at its street markets.
La Ville Lumire (the City of Light) was so named because of its leading role in the Age of Enlightenment, and the name is as apt as ever today. The metropolis is awash with world-class landmarks that need no introduction the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame among them along with a trove of specialist museums and galleries. The citys creamy-stone, grey-metal-roofed apartment buildings, lamp-lit bridges and geometrically laid-out formal parks are also an integral part of its fabric.
Yet contrary to its magnificently preserved cityscapes, Paris has never stood still, but has constantly evolved throughout the eras, leading the way in industrial, artistic, scientific and architectural endeavours. And this innovation continues today, with pioneering green transport initiatives, dazzling new architectural projects including the glittering metallic faade encasing the Philharmonie de Paris concert hall and the translucent rainforest-inspired canopy covering the former-wholesale-marketsturned-shopping-mall Forum des Halles and visionary creativity evident everywhere from neobistro kitchens to fashion ateliers and radical street art. Welcome to Paris.
Paris skyline from the Arc de Triomphe / S.BORISOV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Plan Your Trip This Year in Paris 2017
Art fairs, music festivals, open-air cinema and epicurean events are just some of the highlights of Paris calendar in 2017, with many more in the works: check www.parisinfo.com for updates.
Top Festivals & Events
JulyAugust
14 July
January
25-27 August
7-8 October
River cruise along the Seine / MATT MUNRO/LONELY PLANET
Maria and the Diamonds on stage, Rock en Seine / BERTRAND GUAY/afp/getty images
a Parisian cafe terrace / MATT MUNRO/LONELY PLANET
French ptisserie / MATT MUNRO/LONELY PLANET
01 | January |
The frosty first month of the year isnt the most festive in Paris, but cocktails as well as the winter soldes (sales) certainly brighten the mood. |
1 January
Grande Parade
The New Year kicks off in style when carnival floats and brass bands make their way along the av des Champs-lyses.
22 January
Louis XVI Commemorative Mass
On the Sunday closest to 21 January, royalists and right-wingers attend a mass at the Chapelle Expiatoire (www.monuments-nationaux.fr) marking the execution by guillotine of King Louis XVI in 1793.
Late January
Paris Cocktail Week
Each of the 50-plus cocktail bars that take part in Paris Cocktail Week (www.pariscocktailweek.fr) creates two signature cocktails for the event. There are also workshops, guest bartenders, masterclasses and food pairings. Sign up for a free pass for cut-price cocktails.
From 28 January
Chinese New Year
Paris welcomes the year of the rooster. The largest lantern-lit festivities and dragon parades take place in the citys main China-town in the 13e. Parades are also held in Belleville and Le Marais.
Grande Parade / KIEV.VICTOR/SHUTTERSTOCK
02 | February |
Festivities still arent in full swing in February, but couples descend on Frances romantic capital for Valentines Day, when virtually all restaurants offer special menus. |
1 February31 March
6 Nations Tournament
During 2017s 6 Nations rugby tournament, fixtures will take place at Paris premier stadium, the Stade de France (www.rbs6nations.com), in St-Denis.
Until 26 February 2017
Rtrospective Bernard Buffet
February is your last chance to catch the retrospective of Parisian artist Bernard Buffet (19281999) at the citys modern-art museum, the Muse dArt Moderne de la Ville de Paris (www.mam.paris.fr), in the 16e.
Late FebruaryEarly March
Salon International de lAgriculture
This appetising nine-day international agricultural fair (www.salon-agriculture.com) brings produce (and animals) from all over France, which is then turned into delectable fare at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, 15e.
Salon International de lAgriculture / BIGMAGIC/SHUTTERSTOCK
Stade de France / Xavier Laine/getty images
03 | March |
Blooms appear in Paris parks and gardens, leaves start greening the citys avenues, festivities begin to flourish and days get longer the last Sunday morning of the month ushers in daylight-saving time. |
Mid-March
Printemps du Cinma
Cinemas across Paris offer filmgoers a unique entry fee of 4 per session over three days sometime around the middle of March (www.printempsducinema.com).
Mid-MarchMid-April
Banlieues Bleues
Big-name acts perform during the Suburban Blues jazz, blues and R & B festival (www.banlieuesbleues.org) from mid-March to mid-April at venues in Paris northern suburbs.
2326 March
Salon du Livre
Frances largest international book fair (www.salondulivreparis.com) takes place over four days in late March at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, 15e.
Salon du Livre / ANADOLU AGENCY/HEINTZ JEAN/GETTY IMAGES