Calendar of events : Things to do

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Calendar of events

Calendar of events 2008 : Here is a month by month calendar of the festivals, annual events and notable dates in Paris and around. The purpose is not to list every fairs or festivals (which is very difficult as there is always something going on in the city of lights) but to select the special events & exhibitions  that make Paris unique - It can be either the Beaujolais Nouveau, the 14th of July, the fashion show or a Camille Claudel exhibition at the Rodin Museum... This page features the 2008 Winter and Spring season.

Events, shows, fairs and festivals in Paris

Paris hosts a big variety of special events throughout the year from paintings exhibitions in the world renowned museums (Louvre, Orsay, Marmottan, Rodin, Jacquemart Andre, Grand Palais ...). Please review our selection of exhibitions or festivals that will take place during your stay.

Festivals & fairs in Paris - Summer & Fall 2008

Great things to do & places to see

Winter 2008 in Paris : January, February, March

January 2008

- January - Ice skating at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall)
- 24-27th Jan : Fashion Show, Paris Expo, 15th district. One of the most famous fashion event in the world.
- Till Jan 28th : Gustave Courbet exhibition at the Grand Palais : 120 paintings & masterpieces, 30 drawings
- All month : Impressionism at Marmottan museum - Monet and Manet paintings
- 1st - 13th Jan : Fragonard Exhibition at Jacquemart Andre Museum
- January : Vauban architectural work under Sun King at the Architectural Museum
- 1st - 13th Jan  : Arcimboldo paintings exhibition at the Senate - Luxembourg Museum.

February 2008

- All month : Rodin & photos exhibition at the Rodin Museum - This large-scale exhibition, devoted to the photographic collection of the Rodin Museum, will present 200 photographs for the first time since the Salon des Pictorialistes held in 1993.
- 19-22nd February - Premiere Vision Fabric Show : Twice a year, no fewer than 700 weavers from 28 countries present collections in synergy with both the fashion calendar and the apparel industry demands.
- 23rd Feb - 2nd March - Paris Agricultural Show : All animals (Cows, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, sheeps, farmyard animals, ...) Local products, culinary specialities, green tourism, tastings and other attractions.
- 20 Feb - 20 Jul : Vlaminck Paintings - Important Fauvism paintings exhibitions at the Luxembourg Museum.

March 2008

- 14 to 17 march : Sea Food and Wine Exhibition at Paris Expo Champerret.
- 28 to 31 March : Large wine fair (600 producers - free tasting) at the Paris Expo Champerret center.
- March 15 - 16 June : Exhibition about Queen Marie Antoinette at the Grand Palais
- March 12 - June 8 : Goya’s engravings at the Petit Palais - Appointed court painter because of his talent, Francisco Goya y Lucientes, better known as Goya, was a major 18th century Spanish painter.

Spring 2008 in Paris : Exhibitions & fairs in April, May & June

April 2008

- From 15 Apr : Camille Claudel Exhibition at Rodin Museum - 80 sculptures... Most of the young sculptor masterpieces are exposed. More about > Rodin Museum in Paris
- 6th Apr : Paris Marathon will take place on Sunday 6th - Start & finish on the Champs Elysees Avenue.
- Mid April - September - Les Grandes Eaux Musicales at Versailles Castle : Water in sheets, sprays, jets, spouts and cascades - On Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays except 1st May (Admission charge to Gardens from 9am to 5pm) - Good to know : You don't need to queue for the castle entrance - Go directly to the gardens to buy a ticket (You will gain a lot of time)
- All month : Exhibition about Queen Marie Antoinette at the Grand Palais
- 2 Apr to 7 Apr Modern Art Exhibition at the Grand Palais at the Grand Palais

May 2008

- From 30 Apr to 12 May 2008 : Paris trade fair at Paris Expo - 1 000 exhibitors from here and there meet in Paris to share with you their traditions, their craftsmanship or gastronomy…Escapism, meetings and discoveries are the stages along this festive journey through France and the 5 continents.
- May 1st : Labour day - Many shops closed & most of French don't work - Demonstrations in the streets.
- May 8 : Commemorating End of WW2 - Great parade on Champs Elysees Avenue in the Morning - A large French flag is deployed under the Arch of Triumph in Paris & French president lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
- Sunday 25 : Grand Steeple Chase de Paris : The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is the most prestigious jumps race in France (due to its degree of difficulty). It is also – courtesy of the sponsorship provided since 2000 by Gras Savoye, France’s leading insurance broker – the best rewarded.
- 25 May - 8 June Roland Garros French Tennis open - 16th district - 2 weeks of men's and women's Grand Slam. Tickets can be purchased at the beginning of the month online and of course at the entrance during the event. Will Federer win in 2008 the last missing Grand Slam on his records ?

June 2008

- Jun 1st - Prix du Jockey Club - Horse race at Hippodrome de Chantilly.
- 20 or 21st of June - Music Fest citywide. Organized & non organized free concerts at place de la Bastille and place de la Republique, and in La Villette and the Latin Quarter.
- Late June : La Course des Garçons de Café (Waiters Race), - Starts & ends at the City Hall. More than 500 participants - waiters only - dressed.
- Jun 28, - Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade, Parade from place de la République to place de la Bastille.

Festivals & fairs in Paris - Summer & Fall

Calendar of events in Paris : Fairs, festivals - shows & exhibitions

This site is meant to help you in planning your trip to Paris : Ground transportation - shared or private transfers - tours & things to do - attractions and city guide, travel tips and hotels or restaurants reviews... The best places to see and the best things to do during your stay. Discover the city of lights using different tour routes. Shuttle Paris offers a selection of guided city tours to choose from - The City of Romance. The calendar of events on this page features January to June 2008 for summer and fall please follow the link. Copyright 2005-2008 © Shuttle-Paris.com