The Paris Chapter: 3 - 9 July
Namaste France, outdoor cinema, art classes, risography, Australian film, swimming in Canal Saint-Martin, kilo charity sales and more.
How to better love your own city? Pack a little adventure kit - something to write on, something to read, and a solid snack line-up - and set out with a curious eye.
Our brains are efficiency machines, meaning they’re all too eager to stick a label on that place / person we regularly see, and forgo deeper exploration. Curiosity asks: “Can you look again?” What detail can you notice that you didn’t before?
It’s the Zen concept of beginner’s mind in action, but I find ‘photographer’s mind’ (possibly my own made-up term) more to the point: when you seek beauty and intrigue, you’ll start finding it everywhere.
We feel most alive when we are paying attention. Exploration thrusts us back into the ever-compelling world of firsts, rich in discovery and delight. It need not mean traversing the globe; exploring your own environment can be every bit as profound, if you are present.
Art salve
Musée des Arts et Métiers (3e)
One of my favourite museums in the city, my dorky inner eight-year-old lit up in glee at the halls upon halls of inventions, spanning the earliest sundials through the trials of medieval astronomy, to the birth of the printing press and technology as we know it today.
Marvel at the tenacity of the human spirit, the desire to go further, to know more, to answer that eternal question: “But why?”
La pièce de la résistance: the soaring cathedral showcasing early airplanes and vintage cars, proof of the exquisite virtue of empty space.
9€ full price admission, www.arts-et-metiers.net
Escape to…
Les Alpes. You know that dream where you wake with the sun, gently unfurl your body to a view of snow-capped mountains, nourish yourself with delicious healthy food, bathe under a glacial waterfall, frolic in wildflower-filled meadows, spend the whole day feeling like your strongest, most connected self… well, this your chance to live it.
Lara Zilibowitz and Benny Holloway have had one spot open up on their French Alps retreat, running 11-16 July. Lara’s Body Poetry technique fuses yoga, Tantric philosophy, meditation, art therapy and dance, the practices accompanied by Benny’s spontaneous sound journeys (a marvel in their own right).
I’ve had the pleasure of being in the Alps twice with them, and it’s nothing short of spectacular. If you’re in need of a reset, go to.
Special last-minute pricing: Pay just 1995€ (a saving of 775€) for twin share accommodation for the 5 nights / 6 days. Find out more
What’s on
Mon 3
She Means Business, Station F (13e), 5.30pm
Celebrate female entrepreneurs and take a step toward entering the ring yourself, with this afternoon of pitch sessions, round tables, panel discussions and networking drinks at Station F (the world’s largest start-up campus).
[FR] Free. Reserve your spot
Concert Trio Aralia, Reid Hall (6e), 7pm
Soft chamber music from the Aralia Trio (Iris Scialom, Magali Mouterde and Théodore Lambert) to set the tone for the week.
Free. Reservation required
Wed 5
Riso Day, Le Consulat (11e), 2.30 - 8pm
Want to learn more about risography, the art of digital screen printing? Talks, workshops, demonstrations and - why not? - a DJ set.
[FR] Free. Registration required
Understanding the environmental impact of tech, Bpifrance (9e), 7pm
For those interested in the confluence of sustainability and tech, this evening features a panel discussion, start-up pitch and cocktails in Bpifrance’s impressive atrium.
[FR] Free. Registration required
Little Tornadoes, Australian Embassy (15e), 7.30pm
Take a trip Down Under with this screening of Little Tornadoes, a film exploring an Italian immigrant’s integration into a small rural town. Enjoy a glass of fine Australian wine while there, and browse the impressive collection of Aboriginal art.
[EN] Free. Reservation required
Thur 6
Namaste France, La Seine Musicale (Boulogne-Billancourt), through Sun
Immerse yourself in Indian culture in this four-day festival of music, cooking, yoga, photography and Bollywood dance. The artisanal market features works from 20 creators, specially selected for excellence in their craft.
[FR] Free entry (reservation required for concerts and workshops). Full program
Le Food Market, Belleville (19e), 6 - 10.30pm
The monthly open-air food market celebrates its eighth anniversary tonight, with raffle prizes, music and more. As always, there’s no groceries to buy, just ready-to-go dishes by chefs from local restaurants.
Free. Full details
Sophie Marceau, Divan (15e), 7.30pm
The acclaimed French actress will be signing copies of her new book, La Souterraine - a mix of stories and poems exploring what it means to be a woman.
[FR] Free. Registration requiredBlaBla Language Exchange, TimeOut (5e), 7.30pm
Practice your French/ English in an informal setting, with over 30 nationalities present and happy hour running all night.
[FR/EN] Free. Full details
French Touch, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann (9e), through Sun
This mini rooftop music festival kicks off a two month celebration of French creativity at the store. On the slate: a mix of styles from electro to rap, with renowned artists alongside up-and-coming young labels.
Free. Tickets assigned through lottery. Enter now
Fri 7
Non-Artificial Intelligence, Italian Cultural Institute (7e), 11am - 12.30pm
This roundtable, part of the Dolcevita sur Seine festival, is designed to exchange practices between key French and Italian players. With a strong focus on cinema, it explores questions such as “How can we reconcile mass appeal and quality, entertainment and content?”
[FR/IT] Free. Reservation required
Grande vente au kilo, Espace Césure (5e), 11am to 7pm, Sat also
The simple formula: "1 kilo of clothes = €10 + 1 good deed". Run by the Emmaüs Alternatives charity, a huge array of clothing, accessories, books and vinyls will be up for sale.
Free. Full details
Qi Gong, Les Temps du Corps (10e), 7pm
Start your foray into the energetic arts, with a guided Qi Gong class followed by a sound journey with tambour drums. If you’re unfamiliar with the practice, it’s similar to Tai Chi: a flowing movement class that helps create harmony within the body.
19€. Learn more
Spritz Piazza, La Caserne (10e), through Sat
If an Aperol Spritz is your summer drink, this is your spot. The pop-up Italian piazza has gelato, music, karaoke, ping-pong and other summer activities on the table, nestled amongst some very orange decor.
From 15€ (drink included). Grab your ticket
Matsuri Festival, Parc Floral (Bois de Vincennes), through Sun
A celebration of the best of Japan via street food, craft stalls, games, DJ sets, workshops and more. Of note: the Sake Station and Summer Shochu Bar, with over 1000+ variations of the iconic beverages available to try.
9€ one-day pass, 20€ three-day. Buy tickets
Rencontres Impulsions!, Pavillon Carré de Baudouin (20e), through Sat
Organised by La Fabrique de la Danse, this event showcases the practice of bringing dance to life, presenting extracts from the works of 12 choreographers, alongside a series of short films.
Free. Full details
1001 Images, 18e, 10pm
This travelling open-air film festival, now in its 15th year, aims to democratise cinema in neighbourhoods with less access to culture. This year’s theme is hip-hop and sport (“Corps Agités”), with screenings including four features, a short film competition, and a film chosen by local residents.
Free. Full details
Sat 8
Art unleashed indoor drawing session, Onzième Lieu (11e), 10.30am
Not your average art class: this peer-to-peer learning model encourages fearless experimentation, regardless of your skill level, with the end of the session inviting a discussion of each participant’s creative process (first timers n’ all).
[EN] Free. Registration required
Dolcevita sur Seine, Paris Plages (4e), through 12 July
A twin celebration spotlighting Italian culture along the Seine, with a corresponding all-things-French appreciation unspooling in Rome. The quays of Île Saint-Louis will be lined with deckchairs for open-air cinema sessions, in addition to concerts and photo exhibitions.
[FR/IT] Free. Full program
Paris Plages, various locations, until end of Aug
Less an event, more a public service announcement to let you know this opens today. Swim, canoe, kayak and paddle-board in the Bassin de la Villette, enjoy Tai-Chi, pétanque, table football, giant games and an outdoor library along the banks of the Seine, and free Olympic-themed sporting events in the Jardins du Trocadero.
Sun 9
Swim in Canal Saint-Martin, 10e, each Sunday, 12 - 4pm
For the dumb or the daring? You can now cool off in the Canal for a brief period each week - dive in opposite the Espace Jemmapes (where you can also shower and change).
Can I ask a favour?
If you enjoyed this edition, could you share it with two colleagues or friends who might appreciate it also?
Don’t forget to write me if you have a question on Paris, want advice on moving here or are simply keen to connect. I read - and am thrilled by - every message sent.
Equally, feel free to get in touch if you have an event you’d like considered for inclusion, or if you’re aware of one that you think other readers would love.
Thanks for being here,
Jenni