The Paris Chapter: 16 - 22 Oct
Paris+ par Art Basel, Palais D'Iéna, astronaut chats, the attention economy, a culinary masterclass, innovation conference, new French wine and plenty more.
What makes you feel most alive?
Art moments, creativity talks, philosophical discussions, book chats, sustainability sessions, sensory experiences, innovation workshops, classes strengthening the body and the soul…
This week’s line-up is a solid overview of favoured activities: stimulating the mind, igniting the senses, encouraging an ever-deeper exploration of the mysteries and the marrow of life.
To play on Thoreau, “I went to the woods Paris because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
But truly: what has Paris taught you about living? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear.
Escape
Senlis
Medieval villages get me every time, as an Aussie who grew up with no such things. Senlis* lies an hour-ish north of Paris and is a verified delight to wander, over 2000 years of history unfolding one charming avenue after another.
Some anchor points for your visit (not too many, as the goal is to explore for yourself):
Château royal de Senlis et prieuré Saint-Maurice
Folies Potagères, a delightful teahouse run by the lovely Marie and her daughter
La bohème (just next door) for a heartier bite
La Cathédrale Notre-Dame
To arrive by public transport, from Gare du Nord take the train to Chantilly-Gouvieux then the 645 bus - it should take around 1h30 all up. Check here for further details.
If you came by car, stop in at Étangs de Commelles on the way home for a relaxing stroll around the little lake / snooze on its grassy banks, and a glance at Château de la Reine Blanche.
*Fun fact: despite all French rules to the contrary, here you pronounce the ‘s’.
Events
Missed the last edition and want to know what’s on this weekend, 14-15 Oct?
Mon 16
Vernissage, Institut Suédois (3e), 6pm
The opening of painter Sara-Vide Ericson’s first exhibition in France, her figurative canvases transforming personal stories into universal myths.
Free. Full details
Formes conference, Musée Yves Saint Laurent (16e), 6.30pm
Peek behind the scenes of their latest exhibition in this talk between the museum’s director, Elsa Janssen, the Associate Dean at The New School Parsons Paris, Marco Pecorari, and the guest artist in the exhibition, Claudia Wieser.
[EN] 7€ inc museum access. Book your spot
Au cœur du Vivant (10e), from 7.30pm
Part of the Amour Vivant festival (running until Sun), this sensory event is an invitation to “experience life in a different way”. Renowned philosopher and author Fréderic Lenoir will share his teachings, accompanied by a handpan and punctuated by moments of meditation and audience connection.
[FR] 20€. Reserve your place
Salsa Cubaine, Studio Massaro (11e), 8.30pm
Wish to describe your Monday as “sensual and energetic”? Take a beginners course in the Cuban style of salsa, able to be danced solo or with a partner.
[FR] 10€. Book your spot
Tues 17
Want to purchase tickets for Palais Garnier’s 2024 season? Mark your calendar for 12pm when they go on sale. View the line-up
Relationship crisis, SciencePo (7e), 5.30pm
A discussion between curator Jean de Loisy, artist Tomás Saraceno and philosopher and professor Frédéric Gros on creative approaches to reinventing our relationship with the environment and our sensory experiences of it.
[EN] Free. Reservation required
Rencontre Emmanuel Laugier, Jeu de Paume (1e), 6.30pm
Meet with the poet behind Chambre distante, a book of 111 poems written from 111 photographs (taken from the nineteenth century to the present day).
[FR] Free. Reserve your spot
Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, Reid Hall (6e), 6.30pm
Delve into a French classic, with this 60th anniversary screening of Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (1964), starring Catherine Deneuve. Still one of the most unorthodox musicals released - every single line is sung, not spoken.
[FR/EN] Free. Reservation required
Masterclass, Bourse de Commerce (1e), 7pm
A masterclass with Michel Bras, chef of the Halle aux grains restaurant at Bourse de Commerce, celebrated for his balance between culinary and artistic creation. He’ll be conducting a 90min workshop around his new book, Cheminement, followed by drinks and book signing.
[FR] 14€ inc museum access. Reserve your spot
Wed 18
Visit Palais d’Iéna (16e), from 10am, through Oct 31
A rare chance to see inside the architectural treasure that is Palais d’Iéna, for this joint exhibition between Michelangelo Pistoletto and Daniel Buren that was designed specially for the building.
Free. Full details
The New French Wine, American Library (7e), 7.30pm
Jon Bonné’s The New French Wine is the result of eight years of research, 800 producers and 7000 different wines. He’ll be discussing the French wine industry with journalist and author Lindsey Tramuta.
[EN] Free. Reservation required
Impulsion, La Place (1e), 8pm
Pauline Duarte, head of Epic Records (one of Sony Music France's historic labels), will be discussing the ups and downs of her 20-year music industry career with journalist Ouafae Mamache.
[FR] From 3€. Buy your ticket
Nadezhda in the Dark, Shakespeare & Co (5e), 8pm
What does it mean to have hope? Author Yelena Moskovich will be exploring the central theme of her “queer anthem for doomed youth”, Nadezhda in the Dark, in conversation with Alice Pfeiffer.
[EN] Free. Full details
Finding this useful? Forward it on
Thur 19
Paris de l’innovation, Hotel de Ville (4e), 9am - 6pm
A full day conference for entrepreneurs, investors, incubators et al interested in ecological and social transitions. Connect with city officials and other potential partners, alongside plenty of panel discussions.
[FR] Free tier with limited access. Full details
Ma vie sans gravité, Fnac Ternes (17e), 6pm
A moment with the youngest Frenchmen to visit the International Space Station, Thomas Pesquet, looking at his time in astronaut school through to his 396 days viewing the world from above.
[FR] Free. Reservation required
Futurs déviants, Césure (5e), 6.45pm
How might imagining a more pleasing future allow us to better live it? A participative seminar looking at how the practices of anticipation could help us collectively take control of what happens next.
[FR] Free. Full details
Chairs Troubles, Beaux-Arts de Paris (6e), 7pm
Can you draw a portrait of an artist using only their work? Publisher of Éditions 1989, Anaïs Ngbanzo, dives into the traces we leave behind, in this conversation examining her two year study of composer Julius Eastman, and the performance that followed.
[FR] Free. Full details
Study for No, Lafayette Anticipations (4e), 7pm
Artist Issy Wood will be performing alongside three musicians, in the context of her solo exhibition Study For No. Her intimate songs balance “her ethereal voice” with electronic and experimental pop influences.
Free. Full details
La Financiarisation de la Nature, l’Academie du Climat (4e), 7pm
An evening exploring questions such as “How much is the Amazon rainforest worth? What is the market value of the work carried out by bees?”; the idea that placing a dollar figure on free resources might change the protection they receive.
[FR] Free. Full details
The Attention Economy, American Library (7e), 7.30pm
Does your attention belong to you, or to others? Scholars Graham Burnett and Justin Smith, co-authors of In Search of the Third Bird, look at how we can pay better attention (to ourselves, others, and issues that matter) via literary, psychological, philosophical, and artistic approaches.
[EN] Free. Reservation required
Fri 20
Asia NOW, Monnaie de Paris (6e), through Sun
Over 65 contemporary art galleries will be presenting more than 220 artists, hailing from Central Asia through to the Asia-Pacific. The three-day showing features a number of conversations and performances.
From 15€. Buy your ticket
¡Viva Villa!, La Gaîté Lyrique (3e), 2pm - 12am
A programme of concerts, screenings, dialogues and workshops, uniting over 80 French artists and researchers who’ve recently completed residencies abroad.
[FR] Free. Full details
Also Known As Africa, Carreau du Temple (3e), through Sun
France's foremost contemporary art fair focusing on Africa, now in its 8th outing. This year’s theme is curatorial practice, with a schedule of round tables, performances and "cartes blanches" exploring it from all sides.
16€. Buy your ticket
Concert, Bourse de Commerce (1e), 7pm
Two live performances, by KESSWA and Sun Ra Arkestra, paying tribute to artist Mike Kelley’s key influences and his formative years in Detroit, in honour of his current Ghost and Spirit exhibition at the museum.
24€ inc museum access. Reserve your spot
Paris+ par Art Basel, Grand Palais Éphémère (7e), through Sun
Over 150 galleries showcasing modern and contemporary art, covering painting, photography and sculpture through to video, installations and digital art.
From 30€. Full details
Sat 21
Et maintenant? La Gaîté Lyrique (3e), 12pm - 12am
A chance to reflect on our shared future, via comic book battles, café debates, performances and DJ sets… key topics include our relationship with the living world, democracy and time.
[FR] Free. Full details
Bal Tarentelle, l’Académie du Climat (4e), 8.30pm
Enjoy the tarantella, a traditional dance from Puglia, its festive, circular nature here brought to life by I Carbonari and their line-up of guitars, tambourines, violins, mandolin, flute and cello.
Free. Full details
Sun 22
Deepen the yogic experience, Rasa Yoga (5e), 2 - 4pm
Former high-level basketball athlete, Nike trainer, sports educator and yoga teacher Théodore Zachée is hosting a workshop aimed at yoga practitioners of all levels. The session includes visualization, breathwork, asanas and meditation.
[FR] 40€. Book your spot
Out & about
Play outside, play outside, play outside, it will only get colder from here…
The Paris Chapter is designed to help you have a deeper, richer experience of the city, as an expat, Frenchie or traveller. Feel free to tell me what you’re most looking for, and to send event details and tip-offs my way (email below).
Help others have a better week in Paris
Thanks for being here,
Jenni
About | Art salves | Escapes | Previous editions
Thank you! ❤️