50 Reasons to visit Paris in 2017
This year is packed with great reasons to visit Paris, including world-class art retrospectives, free outdoor festivals, and grand “salons” that celebrate everything from chocolates to vintage clothing. Best of all for budget travelers, many of these events are absolutely free!
While you never really need any reason to visit, we thought we’d put together a list of 50 major events hosted by Paris in 2017, all of which seem pretty great to us. You can find many more listed on Paris’s official visitor website. On y va!
Related:
• 50 ways to save on your trip to Paris
• The top budget hotels in Paris
Events calendar: Paris in 2017
Funny, you don’t look 40! Photo: williamchatelain
January
1. Winter shopping sales!
January 11 – end of February
Most of the shops in town cut their prices and offer huge discounts every year during Paris’ “soldes” (sales), which begin city-wide on January 11. Sales last for up to six weeks! (Check out these favorite shopping neighborhoods.)
2. Richard Avedon show
Through February 26
The Bibliothèque National de France hosts “La France d’Avedon,” a show examining the role France has played in the photographer’s work.
3. The Pompidou turns 40!
January 31, 2017
Exactly 40 years after Beaubourg opened its colorful, glassy doors, the cultural center has a packed calendar of events to commemorate its big anniversary. Events will be held throughout 2017 in 40 French cities, and Paris will celebrate the opening from February 4-5, along with hosting major exhibits throughout 2017 (including the first-ever retrospective of the American artist Cy Twombly, through April 24).
Cheapo note: Remember to avoid fashion week (January 18-26, 2017), as the city’s hotels will be packed with fashion industry types (with expense accounts), and rates will be sky-high.
Vermeer’s “La Latière”, one of the iconic works on display at the Louvre’s exhibit.
February
4. Grand Salon d’art Abordable
February 17-19, 2017
In the mood to bring home some artwork? Stop by the 20th annual “Affordable Art Fair” at the Bellevilloise, where you can find something artsy for every budget, from €50-€5,000.
5. Louvre Exhibit: “Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting”
February 22 – May 22, 2017
In February, the Louvre opens one of its biggest shows of the year, an exploration of the works of Vermeer, shown alongside those of his Dutch contemporaries. Not to be missed.
6. Musée Marmottan Monet: Pissarro Retrospective
February 23 – July 2, 2017
The Marmottan Monet museum, dedicated to Claude Monet’s Impressionism paintings and the artist’s own personal art collection, hosts a retrospective on Camille Pissarro, “le Premier des Impressionnistes.”
On your mark, get set, CLIMB! Photo: josefstuefer
March
7. Race to the top of the Eiffel Tower!
March 16, 2017
Think you’re fast on a StairMaster? Step up to the “Verticale de la Tour Eiffel” challenge, and try to be the fastest to climb the Eiffel Tower’s 1,665 steps.
8-9. Picasso about Town
There are two major Picasso shows opening in March, sure to delight fans of the Spanish-born painter:
• The Musée Picasso focuses on what role the artist’s first wife, Olga, played in his work. “Olga Picasso” opens at the museum on March 21 (through September 3, 2017).
• Meanwhile, the Musée du Quai Branly looks at the artist from another angle — examining the influence of non-western art on his work in “Picasso Primitif” (March 28-July 23, 2017).
10. Printemps du Cinema
March 19-21, 2017
Cinephiles take note: The 17th annual “Printemps du Cinema” spring film celebration means €4 tickets to films at cinemas throughout the city. What a deal!
11. Grand Palais: Rodin Retrospective
March 22 – July 31, 2017
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sculptor’s death, the Grand Palais will host one of the year’s biggest art retrospectives, which will bring together for the first time works by Rodin and his contemporaries from a number of different collections. Think you can just show up? Get your tickets in advance!
Racing along the Seine during the Paris marathon. Photo: lilipop
April
12. Paris Marathon
April 9, 2017
Join (or simply watch) more than 57,000 runners, as they race along many of Paris’ main thoroughfares, including along the Seine, for the Paris Marathon. If you plan to visit for the marathon, be sure to swing by the “Salon du Running“, a runner’s trade fair, from April 6-8, 2017. (Not up for an entire marathon? Join in the half marathon instead, on March 5!)
13. Photography Month!
April is “Mois de la Photo de Grand Paris”, with more than 80 photography exhibits taking place in the greater Paris region. Check out all events here.
14. Walker Evans at the Pompidou
Photo fans should also be sure to swing by the Pompidou Center’s Walker Evans retrospective, which opens April 26.
15-16. Salon Sugar / VeggieWorld
April 20-22, and 22-23, 2017
Want to try something sweet? Snack your way through the Salon Sugar at the Parc Floral (April 20-22). Looking for a healthier expo? Go natural at VeggieWorld, France’s largest vegan party, held at Le Centquatre.
Hang out at the Louvre until midnight on May 20! Photo: doc_bosco
May
17. Walking and eating tours: Les Heures Heureuses
Pack both your appetite and your walking shoes for this three-day event, which pairs neighborhood walks with stops to taste local bites from more than 280 restaurants, for only €2 each. Check the website for neighborhood food maps and schedules!
18. Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés festival
May 11-22
Tap your toes along with world-class performers at the Saint-German-des-Pres Jazz festival, now in its 17th year. Visiting in June? Swing over to Parc Floral for the Paris Jazz Festival (June dates TBA).
19. Belleville Artists’ Open Studios
May 13-16, 2017
Head to the artsy Belleville neighborhood in northeast Paris as more than 250 artists open their studios to the public, free of charge. Meet artists and take home a unique and affordable souvenir!
20. Night of Museums
May 20
Stay out until midnight browsing the galleries at more than a hundred museums in the Paris region during the annual Nuit des Musées! Best of all, admission to city-run museums is free.
21. French Open tennis tournament
May 22-June 11, 2017
The world’s best tennis players race onto the clay courts to compete for the cherished title at the Roland Garros stadium. Get your tickets in advance!
Dancing in the streets during the Fete de la Musique. Photo: stijn nieuwendijk
June
22-24. Art blockbusters!
In June, several major art expositions will open to the public. Three of our favorites are:
• “Derain, Balthus and Giacometti“ opens June 2 at the Musée d’Art Modern de la Ville de Paris, with more than 200 works by the great modernists.
• “Portraits de Cezanne“ opens mid-June at the Musée d’Orsay, examining the great landscape artist’s lesser-known portrait works.
• David Hockney retrospective in late June at the Pompidou Center celebrates the artist’s 80th birthday with a major showcase of his work.
25. Fête de la Musique
June 21, 2017
Celebrate the beginning of summer with free concerts all over the city in performance halls, neighborhood squares, and street corners!
26. Summer Sales
June 28, 2017
Almost every shop in town gets in on the “Summer Soldes“, when they slash prices on clothes for nearly six weeks of sales!
“Paris Plages” turns the banks of the Seine into a beachy oasis. Photo: dkakiuthi
July
27. Christian Dior exhibit
July 6, 2017 – January 2018
A major retrospective on the wildly talented artist and designer opens at the Musée des Arts Décoratif on July 6.
28. Open Air Cinema
July 12-August 20 and July 28-August 13, 2017
The summer months will give film-lovers dozens of opportunities to catch some notable flicks in the great outdoors. The “Open Air Cinema Festival” (July 12-August 20) presents films with a cooking theme this year at La Villette, while the Cinéma au Claire de Lune (“Cinema by Moonlight”) series will be projecting a wide variety of films outdoors throughout Paris from July 28-August 13.
29. Bastille Day!
Friday, July 14, 2017
The French celebrate their national holiday in style, with a parade along the Champs-Elysées, fireworks over the Eiffel Tower, and “fireman balls” (yes, dancing with French firemen) at fire stations all over the city! Here’s our guide to celebrating in cheapo-style.
30. Paris Plages!
July 20 – August 21
Throughout the summer, “Paris Plages” transforms the banks of the Seine into a beachy oasis, with all the sporty fun and beach chairs that go along with it. Stroll along the sand or take a seat and soak up some rays.
31. Lollapalooza
July 22 and 23, 2017
That’s right, the American rock music festival Lollapalooza has expanded to Europe, and will be rocking out for two days of concerts at the Longchamp race track. Check the official website for more information and updates.
32. Tour de France finish
July 23, 2017
After pedaling literally all over the country, a swarm of thousands of cyclists descends upon the capital on July 23 in a mad race to the finish line. See all dates and schedules on the Tour de France website.
33. Concerts at the Hôtel de Ville
In July, the main square in front of the Hôtel de Ville hosts four days of free live concerts for its Fnac Live concert series. Come early, these concerts draw big names — and big crowds!
August
34. Parisians on Vacation
Wait, where is everyone? Although museums and sights are open during the month of August (including many of the fabulous art exhibits mentioned above), many of the locals are not around for the month. Many smaller shops and restaurants close up for most of August, as well.
So should you still come? Here are some thoughts on visiting Paris in August.
Cheapo note: August does tend to be the cheapest summer month to visit, as very few business travelers visit the city and many leisure travelers opt for the beach. Hotel vacancies tend to be higher, driving down rates.
Paris in September means perfect weather and fewer tourists. Photo: hollywood_north
September
35. Festival d’Automne
September – December
This four-month autumn arts festival draws more than 100,000 spectators to 40+ events celebrating contemporary theater, dance, music, visual arts and film. See website for calendar.
36. European Heritage Day
September 16-17, 2017
Gain free access to spots that are usually off-limits to visitors during this two-day Europe-wide celebration.
37. René Goscinny exhibit
The life and far-reaching work of Goscinny, creator of Astérix and Obélix, Petit Nicolas, and Lucky Luke, will be on display at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaisme.
38. Placido Domingo’s “Aida”
September 23, 2017
Opera fans take note: Placido Domingo will conduct Verdi’s “Aida” in a lavish production at the Stade de France for one night only. Tickets from €29.
39. Fête de la Gastronomie
September 22-24
Eat your heart out at the Fete de la Gastronomie, which offers tasting sessions, lectures, and workshops, all of which celebrate France’s rich culinary tradition.
The Hotel de Ville is all lit up for “Nuit Blanche” in early October. Photo: ancorena
October
40. Nuit Blanche
October 7-8, 2017
Artists take their work to the streets on the night of October 7, leading the public from one art installation to the next for the city’s “Nuit Blanche” celebration.
41-44. Major fall art openings
The fall art season offers several heavy-hitters at the big museums around town, most of which open in October. These include:
• October 4: Rubens at the Musée du Luxembourg showcases the artist’s portraits of European monarchs.
• October 9: Gauguin at the Grand Palais; a major retrospective of the artist’s career.
• October 10: “Picasso 1947” at the Picasso Museum, features the 10 major works the artist donated in 1947 to the Musée National d’Art Moderne.
• October 18: The Louvre will focus on Francois I’s relationship to Dutch art for its exhibit “Francois I and Dutch Art“.
45. Salon du Vintage
Weekend in mid-October
The Carreau du Temple in the Marais hosts the annual Salon du Vintage, which brings together purveyors of vintage clothing, furniture, vinyl records, and more.
46. Salon du Chocolat
October 28 – November 1, 2017
More than 500 chocolate makers, dealers, artists and gurus descend upon the Porte de Versailles to celebrate everything chocolate at the Salon du Chocolat.
Ride sky-high over central Paris on the “Roue de Paris”. Photo: ayustety
November
47. The “Big Wheel” goes up!
From mid-November through mid-May, the city’s Ferris wheel (the “Roue de Paris“) in the Jardin du Tuileries offers riders an exceptional view over central Paris.
48. Photo fairs
November 9-13, 2017
Photogs take note: Paris hosts a number of major photography-related expos in November, including the Salon de la Photo at the Porte de Versailles (November 9-13) and the Paris Photo Fair at the Grand Palais (November 9-12).
Paris gets into the holiday spirit. Photo: scrubs
December
49. Christmas window displays
The city’s big department stores get in the Christmas mood in December when they unveil their holiday window displays. From Galeries-Lafayette to Printemps and the Bon Marché, there’s a lot of holiday in store! Here are some tips for finding the best displays and getting in the holiday mood.
50. New Year’s eve celebration
Finally, head to the Champs-Élysées on December 31 to join the crowds gazing over at the midnight light show. Happy 2018!
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