June in Paris: Don’t Miss These Events
June 1, 2010
June is one of the very best times to be in Paris. It’s starting to warm up, but the temperature stays pleasantly cool enough to be outside all day. Parisians can feel it too – get ready to start seeing more and more natives abandoning their lairs in favor of sun-bathed café terraces. Heather from Secrets of Paris keeps a wonderful calendar of the best things to do in Paris. To help you make the most of your month of June, we’re sharing a few of her top picks here…
David Bloom
June 3 – I almost regret mentioning this here, because I don’t want to have to elbow any of my darling readers out of the way (just consider yourself warned). Expect big crowds at the first Nuit du Gâteau at the Maison du Chocolat (8 blvd Madeleine, 9th), free tastings of their newest creations from 7pm-midnight.
June 4-6 – The Jardins Jardin garden festival takes place this weekend at the Jardin des Tuileries (1st), with a focus on urban garden design and “exterior decorating”. Open from 10am until 8pm. Entry €11.
June 5 – Join the Paris Urban Adventurers for a Scavenger Hunt through the city to raise money for their 2010 charity drive: “This year we’re raising money for solar technology to allow families in developing African countries to study, cook, read and live even where electricity is lacking. So you get to have a good time, and feel good about helping others, all at the same time.” Form your team and register to join the fun.
Little Brown Pen
June 6 & 13 – The two biggest horse racing events of the season take place at the Chantilly Hippodrome (just 30 minutes from Paris by train), the Prix du Jockey Club on the 6th and the Prix de Diane on the 13th. Come with your fanciest hats and picnic supplies. You can also sign up for the guided tour of the hippodrome through the Chantilly Tourism Office.
Through June 6 – Nike has taken over the historic Piscine Molitor (2 ave de la Porte Molitor, 16th) near Roland Garros, a graffiti-covered swimming pool that closed many years ago and is now used for “underground” events. Not that tennis or Nike are underground, but they’re hoping to attract a much younger audience to the game (and merchandising) of tennis. “The Club” is open weekdays 2-7pm, weekends until 8pm, and include actual tennis matches in the empty pool, live DJ sets, a bar, and plenty of promo schwag for a party atmosphere.
June 8 – 13 – French designers Des Filles en Aiguille are hosting another expo-vente créateurs (designer show-sale) of women’s clothing, lingerie, shoes, accessories and home decor objects, all made in France, at the Espace Beaurepaire (28 rue Beaurepaire, 10e, M° Republique – noon – 8pm, Thursday until 10pm, Sunday until 6pm)
June 12 – Grand Feu de Saint Cloud, the largest fireworks show in Europe is taking place tonight at the Domaine de St-Cloud (a suburb to the southeast of Paris on the end of metro line 9), from 10pm. Tickets start at €28 (up to €98), but considering how high up they’ll be, you can probably get a good view for free from the Pont de Sèvres.
Little Brown Pen
June 15-20 – Mikhail Baryshnikov dances with Ana Laguna in a production at the Théâtre de la Ville as part of the Etés de la Dance festival. Tickets from €35, the first night is already sold out!
June 18-20 – The Shakespeare & Co bookstore’s annual Literary Festival takes place this week, with the theme “Storytelling & Politics”. Some of the many guest authors include Martin Amis, Jeanette Winterson, Fatima Bhutto, Breyten Breytenbach, and Natalie Clein. Free entry. Come hear them read, talk, answer questions, and sign books.
June 21 – Fête de la Musique!
Through June 28 – “Vanités: From Caravaggio to Damien Hirst” at the Musée Maillol (61 rue de Grenelle, 7th), an exhibition on how the skull and bones motifs have gone from art to everyday life.
Through July 13 – The FreeMason’s Grande Loge de France (8 rue de Puteaux, 17th) is usually hermetically sealed off to visitors, but they’re exceptionally open for a special exhibition on Masonic architecture from the 18th century to today. The Grand Temple and the Temple de Roosevelt will also be open to the public. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5:30pm, Saturday by RDV: 01 53 42 41 41. Free entry.
Heather is constantly stumbling upon new things to do in Paris, so make sure to keep checking her site for an updated list of events.
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing.
- For art exhibitions, museum news and openings see Paris Muse.
- For nightlife and performing arts see GoGo Paris
- For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism.
- For naughty events, see the Naughty Paris Guide.
- Major sporting events and festivals can be found at WhatsOnWhen.
Written by Heather Stimmler-Hall. Photos in this post courtesy of Little Brown Pen and Dave Bloom. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Written by Heather
American-born travel journalist and guidebook author Heather Stimmler-Hall created the Secrets of Paris in 1999 to share the hidden side of the City of Light.
Website: http://www.secretsofparis.com/
Tags: chocolate, Green, Horse Races, June, Maison du Chocolat, Nuit du Gateau, Pastries, Scavenger Hunt, Secrets of Paris, Tennis, Things to do, Tuilleries
Posted in Parisian Living | 4 Comments »
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paris Belinda W. , Rubina S.. Rubina S. said: Things to do in #Paris in June: http://hipparis.com/2010/06/01/june-in-paris-dont-miss-these-events/ how I wish I was there! [...]
All of these events look to be so much fun. Especially to have the chance to watch Mikhail Baryshnikov – that would be amazing. Have a beautiful week!