The top 12 best tips for May in Paris
Mama has selected nine hot new events that are opening this May in Paris, plus a few honourable mentions that are continuing on through this month. so you don’t miss a trick!
It seems like yesterday that we were welcoming in the New Year and we are already in the 5th month of the year! Oui! May is upon us but with it a veritable feast of events, expos and musical inspiration awaits. Here are our top picks and please, let us know your thoughts in the comments or over on our Facebook page.
Festiwall
We at MLP love the street art in Paris, so it’s no surprise that we have included this once a year festival in our top ten. It’s a unique event that takes place over two days in mid-May. The event takes place in the 19th arrondissement, where some of the best examples of Paris street art will be displayed on the walls that flank the canals.
The artists will be present, so there will be a chance to interact with them and in addition to this, there will be free workshops. You will also get the chance to see artists creating street art live. Don’t miss it, there will be 2kilometres of creativity to admire along Canal d’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Denis. There’ll be food trucks and music too.
If you fancy buying some of this great artwork check out the sister exposition at l’
Festiwall. Saturday, May 18th and Sunday, May 19th. For more information check out the Wall 51 website.
Robots Expo
The Cite de la Science is a must loved destination for every family living in or visiting Paris. It is Europes largest Science Museum and located along the river surrounded by green spaces and play hubs. Always on point with their expositions, their May calendar of events is no exception and what struck our attention was the Robots exhibition.
Taking a serious approach to the subject from a scientific research perspective the Cite de la Science offers families an in-depth exploration. It’s educational. dynamic, fun and interactive with an extensive showcase of models that pose the question – how far have we really come in utilising this form of artificial intelligence in science and what still presents challenges to researchers? A thought-provoking expo that we reckon you should check out. It is a permanent exhibition that opened last month.
Cite de la Science. The Robots exhibition.
St Germaine Jazz Festival
Paris is synonymous with a rich history of Jazz and this festival is one of the first dates in a season that will be packed with events. The St Germaine Jazz Festival takes place in a number of venues surrounding this small ville in the 6th arrondissement,
with artists providing a suitable soundtrack to the festival for your aural pleasure. Get the inside scoop on the Jazz festival website where all the details of the event which takes place over the course ten days, are listed.
The St. Germaine Jazz Festival. Thursday, May 16th until Sunday, May 27th
The Night at the Museum
This special evening is a chance to take part in a global effort to celebrate museums. It will be taking place all over the world in one evening and you should not miss out. The European Night at the Museum is now a staple in the French calendar. It’s a free event and a great opportunity for you to go and discover some art and culture in this beautiful city. Almost every museum in Paris is involved and each one is putting their own spin on the event. The Museum of Modern Art, for example, has a DJ and live concert going on whilst you peruse their art and also at The Pantheon, you can listen to writers and poets as you check out the rich history located at this venue. Your biggest challenge will be finding the museum that you want to explore, so check out this list so you know what’s open and when. All are likely to be open until midnight or 1 am.
The Night at the Museum. Saturday, May 18th
Open House at Belleville
If you haven’t been to Belleville yet, then make this event your excuse to go. It’s a boho-chic ville with plenty to see. Great bars, shops and a ton of creativity. Every year, many of the artists open their workshops and invite you in to explore and be inspired and luckily, that date is just around the corner.
Villa-Belleville-Porte-Ouverte-Artistes-l-630×405-l-©-Federica-Nadalutti.jpg
On May 24th -27th more than 200 artists will be open for business and it won’t cost you a dime. The idea is to make art more accessible in the capital and to give Paris lovers the chance to enjoy the pleasure of uncovering new artists in unusual spaces. Now in its 30th year, this event has people visiting from across the world, just to get a glimpse! So if you are in Paris don’t miss out.
Porte Ouverte des ateliers d’artistes de Belleville – May 24-27
The Flea Market Sale
So if you know Paris, you’ll know that the Flea markets are out of this world. The idiom, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” could not be truer in this city. Every week there is a brocante happening. During May however you can pick up some great bargains. There are far too may for MLP to list but this handy map has got it all figured out. So explore, enjoy and gather those treasures people! It’s taking place throughout May.
The Art Black Women
The stunning Musée d’Orsay has a very special exhibition on at the moment. It documents the portrayal of black women in the arts from the abolition of slavery in France until the present day.
Benoist Marie Guillemine, née Laville-Leroulx (1768-1826). Paris, musée du Louvre.
Observed through the eyes of Théodore Géricault, Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Edouard Manet and many more, we get a glimpse of the artists’ interpretation and the models that were momentarily their muse. It is a unique opportunity to discover a rarely told chapter in the history of art.
The Musée d’Orsay, 62 rue de Lille. Until July 7th
Chinese Artists do Paris
For the first time, one of the most influential Chinese artists of our time is exhibiting in Paris. 150 photographs taken by Ren Hang will be on display at The Maison Européenne de la Photographie. He takes photos of family and friends but his perspective is quite different, offering up a visual assault on the senses with the use of light and dark in both colour, humour and backdrops.
In one space he pushes the envelope with an epic portrayal of the connection between nature and eroticism (a section that perhaps isn’t kid-friendly). Worth seeing before it ends on May 26th!
The Maison Européenne de la Photographie, 5/7 Rue de Fourcy, 75004 Paris
The Family Festival
Don’t miss…
The hot ticket: Courtauld Collection at Fondation Louis Vuitton
and…
Tutankhamun at La Villette
A special opportunity to see the treasures of the Pharaoh
Paris is the first stop for this amazing tour from Egypt that will allow the public to see the amazing treasures of the Pharaoh’s tomb before they return home to Egypt to the Grand Egyptian Museum which will open in 2022. The Grande Halle at La Villette is the venue for this special exhibition and tickets are selling like hotcakes so do buy in advance for your preferred date.
Have a wonderful time this May in Paris, there is so much for you and your family to enjoy. Follow us on Facebook for more daily tips, insights, great photos and blog post updates. Please like the post too if you find it useful or just to make us happy. 😀
Love MLP
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