Events and festivals are a good opportunity to get better acquainted with the Parisians. Initiatives from the new city administration have expanded upon the already abundant list of activitiess. Many of the events are free.

HOLIDAYS

1 January;

Easter Monday;

1 May

(Labour Day);

8 May

(Victory Day);

Ascension Day;

14 July

(Bastille Day);

15 August

(Assumption of Mary);

1 November

(All Saints’ Day);

11 November

(Armistice Day);

25 December.

On the most important holidays most museums are closed, while many shops and restaurants, cinemas and theatres remain open.

EVENTS

FEBRUARY

Chinese New Year: flamboyant procession around the Place d’Italie (dates vary)

MARCH

Foire à la Brocante et au Jambon: large antique trade fair (March/April and October). RER A: Chatou-Croissy

Banlieues Bleues: first-rate jazz festival in Saint-Denis and other suburbs (until the beginning of April). www.banlieuesbleues.org

APRIL

Paris Marathon: begins at 9am on the Champs-Elysées (last Sunday of the month)

Printemps des Musées: springtime at the museum. Free admission at all museums (one Sunday between March and May)

JUNE

Paris Jazz Festival: free concerts with international jazz greats in the Parc Floral des Bois de Vincennes (every weekend until July)

Concours International des Roses: international competition for new roses in the Parc de Bagatelle

Festival de Saint-Denis: classical music festival (approx. four weeks until the end of May). www.festival-saint-denis.fr

Fête de la Musique: free concerts on nearly every street corner in the city (21/22 June)

Gay Parade: a gay and lesbian procession from the Porte Dorée to the Bastille (fourth Saturday)

JULY

Bastille Day: large military parade on the Champs-Elysées and fireworks on the Place du Trocadéro, folk festivals with dancing on public squares the night before (14 July)

Tour de France: final stage on the Champs-Elysées (last or second to last Sunday)

Paris-Plages: various beach activities for five weeks beginning in mid-July. www.paris-plages.fr

Quartier d’Eté: several free concerts in parks and on small squares (mid-July to mid-August)

Open-air Cinema: free drive-in theatre at Parc de la Villette (mid-July to mid-August)

AUGUST

Rock en Seine: well-known rock music greats perform for three days in the Parc de Saint-Cloud. www.rockenseine.com

SEPTEMBER

Festival d’Automne: autumn festival with spectacular contemporary theatre, music and dance performances (until December). www.festival-automne.com

Journée du Patrimoine: free admission to public buildings otherwise closed to the general public (third weekend)

OCTOBER

Fête des Vendanges: grape harvest on Montmartre (first Saturday)

Fiac: extensive contemporary art fair (five days of the month).

Nuit Blanche: Paris stays up all night with music and art happenings in unusual places – such as city hall (usually the first Saturday). www.paris.fr