Paris Events in May

Top 5 Paris Events in May 2013

You never need a reason to visit Paris. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Although visitors come here throughout the year but the best time to visit Paris is during May.

May is the spring time here when the thermometer starts rising after chilling Paris winter. Weather in May is comfortable with occasional rain but mostly it’s a sunny climate. The temperature is pleasant with minimum of 10˚C and maximum of 18˚C.

The trees in Paris come into full bloom and the city’s many manicured gardens become picturesque during this time. People mostly enjoy the sunny afternoons strolling in these beautiful gardens.

May in Paris is the time of celebration as well.  Lots of events take place during this time. So, if you have plans to visit the city during spring time get yourself an updated catalog of its many events and plan your visit accordingly. Given below is a list of the top events of May 2013 in Paris.

May 18^th: May 18^th is Museum Night in Paris.  On this day the doors of over a thousand museums in Paris remain open for public till well past midnight. Special events and performances are organized in many places for visitors. As a matter of fact, entries to museums are free for all those who visit.

May 17^th -June 5^th: If you are a sports enthusiast then you can’t miss visiting the famous Roland Garros ground to witness ace tennis players clash for prestigious French Open. It is one of the most coveted sports events in the world. Many tennis greats like Steffi Graf, had made their debuts in Roland Garros. In the history of tennis this ground had hosted many historical matches. This year French Open will start on May 17^th and will continue till June 5^th .

Whole month of May: Foire du Trône or Paris fair take place throughout the month of May. It is an annual event that natives and visitors alike look forward to. It is a fun event that kids will enjoy most. So, if you have kids then the best place you can take them is to Paris. The event is a continuous carnival with country fair, ferris wheels, and roller coasters, with whole lot of cotton candies and ice-creams.

May 24^th-27^th: This year the annual event of Artists’ Open House in Belleville Galleries will take place between May 24^th and 27^th . This is your opportunity to come face to face with some of Paris’s greatest contemporary artists and their works. It is expected that around 250 such artists will open their doors for public to visit their works and spaces.       

 

Paris in May

Paris is the city of romance. Life is a continuous carnival here. Whichever way you turn you can see a never ending celebration of life. But besides being the romance capital of the world, Paris is also a business hub, a fashion destination and a hot tourist spot. Every year Paris streets get teemed by thousands of international tourists and you can find among them honeymooning couples, vacationing families, admirers of painting and sculptures and various other sorts. Paris has something or the other to offer everyone.

Although Paris receives tourists year long but in May the city offers a visual delight to visitors. The words that best describe Paris during May are blooming and buzzing. The city really transforms during the spring. It becomes lively with teeming tourists, luscious blooms and excitements. If you really want to experience the true spirit of Paris then May is probably the best time to travel to the city.

At this time of the year the weather remains most pleasant – an ideal condition to stroll outside and enjoy the city and its never ceasing activities. During May the city’s many manicured gardens come into full bloom – transforming it into a Technicolor picture gallery. You can simply spend your time in one of its many cafeterias – discussing life’s many aspects, indulging in some romantic novels or simply sipping into the colorful life that passes by you. Do uncommitted window shopping in world’s one of the best shopping destinations.

You can spend as much time as you want outside. The days during this time are longer and nights shorter. So, you get ample time to soak in Paris’s sunlight while enjoying your coffee in its many famous courtyards.

If you are a lover of paintings then Paris can offer you some of the greatest creations by the genius. Paris museums are the cause of envy for many. They flaunt some of the greatest collections from medieval period, to renaissance and even of the modern era. May 18^th is celebrated as museum night and Paris museums remain open for public till late at midnight. As a part of the celebration, entry to these museums on this day is free.

Paris during May is also a gourmet delight. After day long excursions you can reserve your evening for a romantic dinner in many of city’s eateries.  Paris culinary is celebrated worldwide and when you are here, indulge yourself in some of chef’s best creations. Parisian foods celebrate the time with opulent vegetable, meat and sea food dishes.

Paris nightlife in May is as exciting as the day time. So, don’t forget to get a taste of that too while you are there.

The Fun in the Funfairs in Paris

Paris may be considered a snooty place filled with rude people.  Parisians and rudeness have kind of become synonymous, yet no one knows how this stigma came about!  If you too have developed the notion that Paris is only for sombre contemplations of artsy paintings and the brooding silences of museums, then you should really come and take a look at some of the awesome funfairs in Paris.  The whole year is dotted with several funfairs happening at different parts of the city.

Among all the fairs, the Foire du Trône is the most spectacular and the most famous.  Spread over an area of 10 hectares the fair house over 350 attractions and rides.  Way back in the year 957, the first fair was set up under the reign of King Lothaire.  It was called Saint Antoine fair back then and was a little more than an open-air market in those days.  Today, however, is a whole different story.  The funfair has attained a magnitude that rivals the loudest theme parks all wrapped up in its very special French flavour, which, you will not find anywhere else in the world.

Being the biggest and the most popular funfair in Paris, expect all the usual items like the giant Ferris wheel, roller coasters and cotton candy.  But it also has new thrillers like the Star Flyer and The Power Max; one gives you an awesome view of the city while the other make your head spin, both guarantee some dizzying fun!  This funfair starts off at the March 29^th and continues onto the 26^th of May in the year 2013, which means two whole much of fun, games and good old family fun.

If the magnanimity of the fair scares you, (it gets an annual visit of about four million) then there are more quaint fairs to make you feel a bit more at ease like Fête des Loges.  Okay we lied, it is not really quaint!  It too takes up about 7 hectares of space and sees about three million visitors per year.  Bigger the better, isn’t it?  What sets this one apart is its beautiful surrounding.  Set in the neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-en-Laye forest, connects you back with nature while performances, carousels and lotteries keep you happily busy.  When you find all that fun rumbling your tummies, stop by at the numerous refreshment stalls, restaurants and traditional guingettes for your scrumptious fill.

A Look at Some Trade Fairs in Paris

Paris is never stagnant or dull.  With all kinds of events happening at all times of the year, Paris will keep you on your feet.  If you are looking through trade fairs in Paris for the year 2013, rest assured that no matter what your interests are, you will find a trade fair to quench your interests.

Here is a list of some of the trade fairs you can expect.

Industrie Paris

This fair will feature some industrial equipment, which will interest those who work with production technologies.  One will find tools, machines and software that one needs in these industries.  There are many innovations on offer that will draw professionals from all over Europe, and beyond.  The fair will be complete with conferences, demonstrations and explanatory animations.

Time: 16.04.2013 - 19.04.2013

Place: Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center
Parc d’Expositions

Note: Professional Audience only

International Cosmetic Fair

The women might be more than interested to take a trip to this fair.  The capital of fashion hosting a cosmetic fair is almost too good to miss.  It will help you understand your cosmetics better as you delve deeper into the scientific, technical and commercial aspects of the cosmetics industry.

Time: 16.04.2013 - 18.04.2013

Place: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Note: For professionals and general public

French Wine Fair

Take trip across France through your senses!  This fair features wines from different districts of France. There will be individual wine makers and bigger institutions bringing their product to the table giving you the chance to take a wine trip across France without travelling!

Time: 22.05.2013 - 25.05.2013

Place: Espace Champerret

Note: For professionals and general public

eCar Tec Paris

eCar is a new concept that is gaining ground in Paris.  This fair will acquaint the industry professionals as well as the general public with the whole process starting from construction of appropriate infrastructure to the fuelling of the electric vehicles.  Take a step towards the future of cars!

Time: 16.08.2013 - 18.08.2013

Place: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

Note: For professionals and general public

Trade fair for interior design

In this fair, you will find all the talent in the interior designing industry in one place, putting their best foot forward.  Professionals can use this fair to make some valuable contacts while the general public can take home some valuable ideas!

Time: 06.09.2013 - 10.09.2013

Place: Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center

Note: For professionals and general public

 

 

The Oldest Restaurant in Paris

Paris, the gastronomical capital of the world, abounds in fine dine restaurants, boulevard cafes, and quaint eateries. The tradition of cafes and restaurants dates long back, with Le Procope being the oldest restaurant in Paris.

Located in the heart of the Saint-Germain des Prés district, Le Procope was founded in 1686. Le Procope first started as a café where gentlemen of fashion would come for a drink of coffee or to eat a sorbet served up in porcelain cups. Gradually, Le Procope became the favorite hang-out place of the French literary giants for centuries.

According to sources, writers such as La Fontaine, Voltaire, Rousseau, Balzac, and Beaumarchais were all regulars at the café. In fact Voltaire was so captivated by the spirit and the increasingly democratic mix at the Le Procope café that his writings are seen to reflect the ambience of the café at that time.

Le Procope is famous for seafood, which is prepared using special house-recipes of the restaurant. You can also enjoy the original taste of the traditional French cuisine, such as “Foie Gras Frais de Canard Chutney à l’Abricot, Panettone Toasté”, “Grosses Gambas Plancha Riz Parfumé au Curry”, “Côte de Veau Rôtie en Douceur, Parfumée à la Sauge, Pomme Purée Maison”, and “Millefeuille à la Vanille Bourbon”.

The décor at le Procope is a luxurious one, with crystal chandeliers, Pompeian red walls, huge oval mirrors adorning the walls, 18th century oval portraits of prominent people that have been patrons, and a grand old piano. The waiters were dressed in quasi-revolutionary uniforms.

The air-conditioned restaurant is open, from 11.30 am to 1.00 pm, all days of the week, and some of the public holidays as well. To make you comfortable, the restaurant offers valet parking, allows you to take your pets, has rooms for hire, provides private reception rooms, and accepts groups. You can relax with a drink at the bar, get the menu in English, and pay using a variety of credit cards which are accepted. You can even enjoy one of the Special Evenings right at the cafe- may be a dinner-show that includes a play or show of your choice and a special “Theatre” menu served in the restaurant.

Le Procope has maintained the aura of being the oldest cafe in Paris and is a charming place with a very old world look and feel which allures each and every guest!!

Exhibitions in Paris

Paris is high on cultural heritage. Much of its phenomenal popularity can be contributed to the museums and galleries almost dotting all over the city. They organize art fair throughout the year, enjoying pouring attention from the art fanatics.

Here are a few from the list of must-see art exhibitions hosted by different museums and galleries in the heart of Paris.

Art Fair Art Paris will be organizing several art events in coming March. Visual art in Asia, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe is the main theme in upcoming art exhibition. The show will also host the paintings of 73 newcomers. Selection of paintings is done with an objective of adding more international dimension to the show. Total 20 countries will participate in the art carnival and 43% of the artists are non-French.

This year, Russia will be the ‘Guest of Honor’ in show. With an overt intention of exploring the art of the East, Art Fair Art Paris will reserve the central space for exhibition of Russian artworks from different parts of the country including Moscow, Rostov, Saint-Petersburg, Vladivostok, Don etc. The galleries dedicated to Russian art will show gradual evolution of art since 1930 to contemporary style in the country.

Marmottan Monet Museum will showcase 90 works of Marie Laurencin, a famous female painter of the 20^th century. The exhibition will be inaugurated on 21^st February. The retrospective is a way to pay tribute to the artist on her 130^th birth anniversary. This is the first time that her artworks will be exhibited in a Parisian art museum after 50 years of her death.

Musée du Luxembourg will host an art show from 21^st February in memory of Marc Chagall. The exhibition will showcase his works with an intension to explore how the political and social changes in Europe in 20^th century influenced his art. His works include drawings, paintings and engravings. The museum has approached the public and private collectors to procure the artist’s most memorable works which are reminiscent of his distinguished style in 20^th century. At that period, it was almost impossible for the artists and authors not to be influenced by the social and political events happening all around the world. 80 of his paintings will be on display in chronological order. The show will introduce the visitors to the artist’s vision of war before ending on a positive note.

If you are visiting Paris this month, make sure to visit the galleries to see the original works by the great maestros. However, anytime you visit the city, you will always get to enjoy the seasonal art offering by the renowned art galleries and museums.

 

Paris Art Galleries

“The City of Light” is proud to house three of the top ten crowd-pulling museums in the world. The Louvre wins the crown in international league whereas the Centre Pompidou and Musee d’Orsay rank 7^th and 8^th among the most visited museums worldwide. These galleries have been relentless in their effort to expose the rich cultural legacy as well as contemporary collections of the celebrity maestros and fresh talents. These art galleries and museums are of grave historic importance and open to everyone.

The Louvre

It will take almost a lifetime to know the Louvre inside out. The museum is known to house diverse collections of painting, sculpture and other decorative showpieces of 20^th century era. How can we forget the master strokes of Leonardo da Vinci in his two famous works, Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa? Other artists whose paintings find a pride of place here include Caravaggio, Vermeer, Rembrandt and the likes.

The Louvre is considered the most visited museum in Paris and rarely a miss on the must-see list of the tourists. Its art galas are different from what other museums and galleries exhibit in the sense that the Louvre has always tried to introduce the visitors to the historical aspect of art spanning from the medieval period to present days. Have a leisurely stroll in the adjacent Tuileries garden before or after visiting the art fair.

National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou

It was inaugurated in 1977 and famous for its vibrant collections of 20^th century artworks. The museum houses an overwhelming collection (50000) of painting, architecture, sculptors and other forms of visual arts. The museum makes sure to procure new artworks that reflect the contemporary culture in the arena of visual art. The two floors are dedicated to the art form ranging from Cubism to Surrealism. The section also includes the Pop art. These are the permanent collections and you can get to see them anytime on your trip to Paris. The temporary acquisitions too are the visitors’ delight.

Musée d’Orsay

It is just a bridge away from great the Louvre. The art gallery hosts the most prestigious works of the impressionist and post-impressionist period. The museum itself is an architectural beauty with its majestic three floors dedicated to both classic and contemporary style of painting and other artworks. Most of the acclaimed paintings by Van Gogh are housed in the museum. Other eminent artists’ laudable works are in the museum and waiting for your appreciative glance.