The Paris Chapter: 2 - 8 Oct
La Nuit des Idées, Nectar, Nocturne des Puces, drink & draw, decoding culture, stand-up comedy, clothing repair workshops, a gin festival, plant market and more.
I love a good question. I love them here, there, anywhere (to borrow from Dr Seuss), but autumn has always felt like their season: the natural turn inward as the air cools, the desire to chase the sun equal to wanting to curl up quietly in a patch of it; a blaze of glory - those auburn flutters - beckoning us to partake.
Near-on 90 days left, a friend noted this week, the final project runways gradually going, going, gone. All those things we wanted for the year, the aspects of ourselves we wished to live into, adventures we dreamed of, passions we yearned to birth: What of them?
Rilke espouses loving the questions, suggesting that we’re never ready to live the answers, only the questions themselves. I love the idea of leaning into the mystery, of embracing contemplation as a pathway to deeper connection, to others and ourselves.
In early September, I started an experiment, throwing an offer online: book a 15 minute call, where I ask you only really deep questions. Strangers from all over the world have been sharing their inner selves with me, and it’s been so beautiful that I’m extending it an extra week. Book here, if you’re hungry.
Art salve
Musée Zadkine (6e)
The perfect pocket museum - my term for the little ones hidden in plain sight around the city (Atelier Brancusi being another).
Sculptor Ossip Zadkine lived and worked here for 40 years, alongside his wife, painter Valentine Prax. On show: his distinctive Cubist pieces, set throughout the house, external atelier and charming little garden. An easy add-on if you’re in the vicinity of Jardin du Luxembourg.
Free. https://www.zadkine.paris.fr/
Events
Missed the last edition and want to know what’s on this weekend, 30 Sept - 1 Oct?
Mon 2
Drink & Draw, Le 18 Oberkampf (11e), from 7pm
Life drawing alongside a lovely selection of wine; not a bad way to start the week. The ticket includes a wine tasting, a full glass from the selection, and two hours of art time (supplies provided).
[FR/EN] 22€ including wine. Reserve your spot
Tues 3
La Danseuse, Carreau du Temple (3e), 7.30pm
The new season of their film club kicks off with La Danseuse, a telling of the rivalry between Loïe Fuller and Isadora Duncan (shown in Cannes Un Certain Regard, 2016). Followed by a Q&A with the director, Stéphanie Di Giusto.
[FR] 8€. Buy your ticket
After the Protests, American Library, 7.30pm
An examination of “the untreated wound at the heart of French society: the question of race”, by a panel of international journalists from The New York Times, the Guardian, TF1 Television and TIME magazine.
[EN] Free. Reservation required
Soirée Mix, Théâtre de la Cité (14e), 8pm
A sonic experience with I:Cube and Cabaret Contemporain, offering both ambient electro and acoustic instruments making electro effects.
24€. Buy your ticket
Wed 4
Rencontre Hugo Clément, Fnac Bercy (12e), 6pm
The journalist and environmental campaigner will dive into the topic of his new book - "If we want to save our species, we have to invent a new way of living on earth" - with co-author Vincent Ravalec and illustrator Dominique Mermoux.
[FR] Free. Full details
Nectar, Judy restaurant (6e), 7.30pm
An evening of integrated wellness: mindful rituals, deep connection and organic food & wine. This month is an all-Aussie affair, with guest speakers Sarah Wilson (New York Times best-selling author) and Dominique Gassin (naturopath, author and founder of Judy). Hosted by yours truly - come say hi. Two spots remaining!
[EN] 37€ inc food & wine. Buy your ticket
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Thur 5
Salon de la Photo, La Villette (19e), 10am - 7pm, through Sun
Cultural, educational and technical content for hobbyists and pros alike. Exhibitions, workshops, portfolio readings, masterclasses and more.
[FR] 13€. Buy your ticket
La Nuit des Idées, Panthéon (5e), from 6pm
An amazing line-up of roundtables, conversations and debates, exploring issues such as the dynamics of accumulation, the challenge of demographic growth and its links to production, and the acceleration of lifestyles.
[FR] Free. Limited places available. Full details
Duo Pianissimo, Maison de l’Argentine (14e), 7pm
A repertoire of Argentine music played on two pianos, with contemporary works and personal compositions performed by Concepción Rillo and Damián Balarino.
Free. Full details
Nocturne des Puces, Saint-Ouen, from 7pm
The famous flea market (largest in the world) kicks off its four-day festival with an evening of concerts, culinary tastings and fashion shows.
Free. Full details
Decoding Culture, American Library (7e), 7.30pm
Author W. David Marx and author/actor B.J. Novak will be exploring the mystery of culture, diving into facets such as where it comes from, who makes it, and how trends become trends.
[EN] 15€, including cocktail reception. Buy your ticket
Fri 6
Festival des Réparations, L’Académie du Climat (4e), through Sat
Learn how to care for and repair your clothes and accessories, as part of a push to reduce clothing consumption. Workshops cover screen-printed patches, upcycling jeans, invisible knitting, sneaker renovations (love that term) and more.
[FR] Free. Registration required for workshops.
Vivre la Nature, Reid Hall (6e), from 6.45pm
An evening with four indigenous representatives, from the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, on how to preserve the forests. Topics include the pressures they face on their lands, their relationship with the environment and solutions for protecting it.
[FR] Free. Registration required
Free entry, Louvre Museum (1e), from 7pm
Get free entry to the museum the first Friday evening of each month. Essential to book in advance (tickets go quickly).
Oh My God She’s Parisian!, Théâtre Bo Saint-Martin (3e), 7.30pm
Take in a new English-language comedy show with the American University Paris. Stand-up comedian Julie Collas will be exploring the question: “What is a Parisian?”
[EN] 20€. Buy your ticket
Sat 7
Festival Vivaces, Jardins Passagers (19e), from 10.30am
Gardening advice, plant markets, biodiversity workshops, a science-poetry stroll, and discussions on the role of nature in a city.
[FR] Free. Learn more
Journées de l'Artisanat, Belleville (19e), through Sun
Fifty craftspeople will be demonstrating their trades: ceramics, dressmaking, jewellery, upholstering and more. Workshops, round tables, expos et al.
[FR] Free. Full details
Maison Monday, LaGrandeMenuiserie (7e), through Sun
Punch, sweat and stretch it out with a full two days of workouts - from Punch Boxing, Dynamo Cycling and Riise Yoga - and workshops.
[FR] Workshops free, classes at studio cost (or 49€ for three). See the schedule
Ginsiders, Carreau du Temple (3e), through Sun
Gin-thusiasts, ahoy: a weekend of testing, talks and masterclasses awaits. The ticket includes unlimited cocktail tastings and some take-home goodies.
From 29€. Buy your ticket
Jazz concerts, Jardin du Luxembourg (6e), various times
Embrace the fine weekend weather (topping 27C!) by adding a little jazz to your park date.
Free. Full details
Création Africa, Gaîté Lyrique (3e), through Sun
Showcasing some of the best examples of contemporary African creation in the television, animation, comics and video game sectors.
[FR] Free. Full details
Sun 8
Brunch, Gaîté Lyrique (3e), 11am
Brunch, but make it baroque. Want a serve of painted ceilings, marble fireplaces and gilded columns with your pancakes? The food is prepared by Bande de Cheffes, a catering service helping exiled women find work, and everything is eco-responsible.
32.50€. View the menu
The Confessions, Odéon–Théâtre de l'Europe (6e), 3pm
Need an excuse to check out some English-language theatre (aside from tickets starting at just 7€)? Director Alexander Zeldin will be on stage for a Q&A following this performance. Set in Australia, the play tells the story of Alice, traversing her individual tale along with collective changes over the last 80 years.
[EN] From 7€. Book your ticket
Méditation au Violin, Le Centre Element (3e), 3pm
A sound healing bath combining the violin and traditional crystal bowls, the goal being to help you release emotions and reboost your energy.
€30. Book your spot
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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
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