Plan Your May Trip to Paris
May Day
As important as Christmas and New Year’s Day, May Day celebrates the working Parisian with a Union’s parade and much celebration. The entire city, except the Eiffel Tower, closes down. Many bars and restaurants also remain open to welcome party goers on this Parisian equivalent of Labor Day. Most of the celebrating takes place near Place de la Bastille. May Day events are free.
Il barbiere di Siviglia
This comedic opera by Rossini continues to be insanely popular. Conductor Marc Piollet simply delights. Il barbiere has various dates through May at the Opera Bastille. However, May is the last opportunity to see this hilarious event. Most performances begin at 2:30pm or 7:30pm. Admission varies from 5 – 130EUR.
Festival des Tres Courts
Translated to Festival of Short Shorts, this program offers over 50 short films, less than three minutes apiece, at cinema venues all over France from May 2 – 4, including Paris. Movie goers and a jury of judges vote for the most original and best films. Winners are revealed on May 4. Hours and admission vary to venue.
Iphigenia en Tauride
Opera national de Paris breathes new life into Gluck’s Iphigenia en Tauride. Ivor Bolton conducts Freiburg Barockorchester and Choeur Accentus. This dramatic story full of love, lust and death has various showings through May, with one final show in June at the Opera national de Paris. Hours are regularly 8pm and 2:30pm on Sunday’s. Admission ranges from 7 – 160EUR.
Festival Presences: Musical Creation
This contemporary music fest is organize annually by the Paris Maison de Radio France and held at Cite de la Musique. The festival runs from May 9 – 11 this year and features admission free concerts for the public.
North Sumatra: The Batak
May 16, 2008 is the last call to see Branly Museum’s beautiful display of artifacts on the Batak people who live in the mountainous region of Sumatra. These people are almost completely cut off from the western world and the museum’s collection of ancestral artifacts and mythological stories is fascinating. Branly is open from Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 7pm. Closing is extended to 9pm Thursday – Saturday. Admission is 8.50EUR, concessions 6.
La Nuit des Musees
For one night each spring museums through Paris as well as the rest of France stay open from 7pm - 1am. The best part is that admission is free! Nearly 1000 museums all over France participate in this highly anticipated evening. This year the event takes place on May 17. This event is organized by the French Department of Culture.
Foire du Trone
Europe’s largest funfair, which attractions millions each year, shuts down on May 18, 2008 until 2009. The Foire dates back to 1131 and is still chock full of food, drink and fun! The funfair is located at Pelouse de Reuilly. Hours run from 12pm – 12am, 1am on Saturday’s only. An admission pass for 25 rides is 35EUR.
Correspondences
The rousing display of Charles Sandison’s take on Impressionist art is closing on May 18, 2008. If you have not yet seen his reinterpreted Blue Water Lilies by Monet, it is strongly recommended you get to Musee d’Orsay by the closing date! Museum hours run from Tuesday – Sunday 9:30am- 6pm. The museum is open late on Thursday’s until 9pm. Admission is 8EUR, concessions 5.50.
Bastille Antiques Fair
Dealers from all over France converge to Place de la Bastille biannual for Brocante. Visitors can browse hundreds of stalls from May 8 – 18. Fair hours run from 11am – 7pm. Admission is 7EUR.
I Capuleti e I Montecchi
Canadian director Robert Carsen’s fourth and final production this season for Opera national de Paris’ revival of Bellini’s beloved I Capuleti e I Montecchi is a must see for opera lovers everywhere. The event is to be held at Opera Bastille on various dates from May through June. Hours are 2:30pm Sunday’s and 7:30pm weekdays. Admission varies from 5 – 150EUR.
Convergence, Beyond Imagination
Cite des Sciences innovative showcase of technology of today and tomorrow closed on May 25, 2008. Convergence takes a look at our tech savvy world full of mobile phones, internet devices, MP3’s, webcam and digital television. It leaves guests thinking, “What’s next?” Hours run from Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm. Adult admission is 8EUR, fewer than 25 and family passes are 6EUR and fewer than 7 are free. A Happy Hour for students runs from 3pm – 6pm and costs 3EUR.
Quinzaine des Realisateurs
Entitled Directors’ Fortnight, this highly anticipated event runs parallel to the Cannes film festival. All films shown at Cannes are shown in Paris from May 15 – 25 for a fortnight. Hours, venues and admission vary.
The Great Paris Steeplechase
The pinnacle of the French racing season, the Great Steeplechase includes huge crowds, celebrations galore and a 324,000EUR purse for the winner. The race takes place May 25 at the Hippodrome d’Auteuil.
Cosmomania
May 25 is the last day to take in Cite des Sciences fascinating exhibition on space exploration. The museum is open from Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm.
Cao Fei
Paris’ Le Plateau is currently exhibiting the controversial work of Chinese artist Cao Fei. The exhibition will be open up until May 25 and uses an incredible mix of mediums including video, text and sculpture. Le Plateau is open Wednesday – Friday 2pm – 7pm, weekends 12pm – 8pm.
Celine Dion
Beautiful songbird Celine Dion will be in Paris from May 19 – 25 at Palais Ominsports. Admission for her ballad packed concerts run from 78 – 205EUR. All concerns begin at 8pm.
Pompidou Centre is tapping into the interactive boom that the internet has created with its festival dedicated to internet art. Admission is free however registration is required for the closing party and award ceremony. Hours are 10am – 9pm.
Le Carre Rive Gauche
Held in the prestigious Paris corner of Rue du Bac the Le Carre Rive Gauche antiques fair features unique antiques from over 100 of the best dealers in the world. Many of the dealers have a unique niche including Tang dynasty pottery and medieval furniture. Visitors are sure to find a treasure trove of precious gems to take home. The fair is set up from May 30 – June 1, Friday and Saturday 11am – 10pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm. Admission is free except for what you buy.
International Photographic Flea Market
Just as the name suggests, this flea market brings together an impressive amount of both new and seasons photographers selling their works. The market is set up in Bievres, just south of Paris. The market runs over the weekend of May 31 from 2pm – 9pm on Saturday and 8am – 6pm on Sunday. The exhibition will be on display from 9am – 6pm on Sunday. Admission is free.
