The Paris Chapter: 18 - 24 Sept
Rumba, ceramics, Mexican poetry, LEGO play, life drawing, an Irish pub quiz, rare book fair, gigantic antique market, food festival and plenty of roundtables.
An abbreviated intro this week, as I’ve been busy working on the launch of a new event series - details in the next edition!
A quote that’s been in my head the past couple of weeks:
“The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” ~ Robert Henri
And a question to muse on:
If you were braver, what would you do differently?
Escape
Fondation GoodPlanet, Domaine de Longchamp (16e)
A hidden gem. Tucked away in the midst of Bois de Boulogne, the foundation is dedicated to all-things eco, with immersive exhibitions, an orchard, outdoor concert arena and a sustainability school dotted through its 3.5 hectare grounds.
Their MIAM! Festival, on 23-34 Sept, features cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes, a treasure hunt, and a smorgasbord of vegan and organic food.
I won’t lie, it’s not the easiest to reach, requiring a metro to the edge of Bois de Boulogne (line 1 or 10), and then a bus/Bolt or a nice long walk through the park. It’s well-worth the adventure though, particularly when you allow time to play in their world music room, and to soak up their stress-erasing nature films.
Free. Reservation recommended for the festival. https://www.goodplanet.org/fr/
Events
Missed the last edition and want to know what’s on this weekend, 16-17 Sept?
Mon 18
Festival sous les pavés la terre (14e), 2 - 7pm
Keen to learn about zero waste and eco-eating habits (or meet others as into it as you)? This neighbourhood festival offers an organic produce market, tasting workshops and roundtable discussions.
[FR] Free. Full details
Cercle des femmes, Uman Projet (3e), 7.30pm
Women, set the tone for the week with a nurturing community circle. The evening includes guided meditation, a sound bath and deep conversation on the topic of self-love.
[FR/EN] 40€. Get your ticket
A decade of nerdery, McBride's Irish Pub (1e), 7.45pm
A special quiz night celebrating ten years of questions, answers and beer. The trivia is a mix of general knowledge; gather a team of friends or feel free to turn up solo.
[EN] Free. Full details
50 nuances de la rumba, Espace Cardin (8e), 8pm
Congolese guitars and wild rhythms is the promise of this spectacle honouring the rumba and its influence through Africa.
22€. Grab your spot
Tues 19
Adaptation mon amour, La Gaîté Lyrique (3e), 7pm
Explorer and scientific researcher Christian Clot examines the capacity of humans to adapt in real-life situations; earlier this year, 20 novices were confronted with extreme climate, travelling with him through equatorial rainforests, arid deserts and polar environments.
Wed 20
Prêts à changer…? Académie du Climat (4e), 6 - 8pm
“Are we ready to adapt our holiday dreams to climate change?” asks this roundtable discussion examining the responsibilities of the tourism sector.
[FR] Free. Reservation recommended
Projection-rencontre, Musée de l'histoire de l'immigration (12e), 6.30pm
An exploration of how migratory histories are passed on, through a screening of the short film Amira and talk with its director, Hee-Jin Kim. The film focuses on Marseille and the pull of our origins vs opportunities abroad.
[FR] Free. Reservation required
Scribe of Social Reality, American Library (7e), 7.30pm
Emmanuel Dongala, “the most accomplished novelist from Africa since Chinua Achebe,” will be discussing his latest work, The Stone Breakers: A Classic Novel of Labor Resistance, a tale of feminist uprising that’s been adapted to the stage in Africa, Europe and South America.
[EN] Free. Reservation required
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Thur 21
LEGO Serious Play (13e), 5.30pm
Discover the surprisingly adult benefits of Lego, with this hands-on, creativity-first approach to business strategy, problem-solving and collaboration.
[FR] 12€. Reserve your spot
La newsletter réinvente l'écrit, Résidence Creatis (11e), 6.30pm
An exploration of the power of the written word, the ability of newsletters to amplify it, and the future of books as digital serials. The panel includes journalists from Elle, Le Figaro, Tech Trash and more, followed by a cocktail reception.
[FR] Free. Reservation required
Vernissage: Mouvements, Galerie Variation (9e), 6.30pm
Photographer Sarah Ohayon showcases her love of capturing stolen moments, in a personal exhibition centred on movement and our resistance to change.
Free. Full details
L’avenir fait main, la Galerie du 19M (Aubervilliers), 6.30pm
To open her new exhibition, artist Carla Fernández - a fashion designer preserving the heritage of indigenous Mexican communities - features in a roundtable discussion with collaborators (mask-maker Felipe Horta among them).
[FR] Free. Reservation required
Tour de Poesía, la Maison du Mexique (14e), 7pm
For those with a Spanish tongue: an evening dedicated to Mexican poetry, with a selection balancing well-known poets with new discoveries.
[ES] Free. More details
Fri 22
Le Salon International du Livre Rare et des Arts Graphiques, Grand Palais Ephémère (7e), through Sun
Discover some of the world's rarest books, as an admirer or collector (the fair promises items for all budgets). To mark the 150th anniversary of Colette's birth, there will also be bookbinding demonstrations and readings of her work.
[FR/EN] 10€. Full details
Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons, Ile de Chatou, through Oct 16
Take a little trip from Paris for the 105th edition of this antique market. It boasts over 800 stands, along with - as the name promises - a section selling pork. Aprox 45mins from Paris on the RER A.
10€. Full details
Ceramic & Apéro (14), 7pm
One of the best ways to unwind from the week? Play with clay. Decorate a ceramic of your choice, while indulging in that other known remedy: wine. The price includes a drink, charcuterie board and all materials.
[FR] 40€. Reserve your spot
Le Beau Monde, 104Paris (19e), 8pm, through Sat
A theatrical exploration of our daily habits, through an imagined ritual aimed at passing on gestures and customs so common we don't question them.
[FR] 10-15€. Buy your ticket
Sat 23
Festival international de journalisme, La Villette (19e), from 2.15pm
A series of discussions covering everything from AI to mental health to the art of rubgy commentary, alongside an exploration of the dangers of social media to democracy.
Eastwood Symphonic, Fnac Paris Terne (17e), 4pm
To celebrate the release of his new symphonic jazz album, composer Kyle Eastwood (son of Clint) will talk process and family collaborations.
[EN] 18€. Buy your ticket
Sun 24
Ready-Set-Write, Unicorners (3e), 11am
Seeking an accountability gang? This three hour jam is for those who want to “grab a beverage, then shut up and write”. The session is divided into 45min work sprints and 15min breaks.
5€/hr, including drinks and snacks. Reservation required
Life drawing, Moderne Art Club (11e), 2pm or 5pm
Life drawing with a professional model, with poses lasting from two to 25 minutes. Support is available if you’re starting out, and equipment can be borrowed (though you’re encouraged to BYO).
25€. Reservation required
Out & about
Take a tour of the Sorbonne as part of the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (16-17 Sept). Details 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.
Merci Davidssen and Sarah for your event contributions!
Help others have a better week in Paris
Thanks for being here,
Jenni
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