Events

What to do in Paris in February

by Ali Postma

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We’re approaching the end of winter—hurrah! February begins with Chinese New Year and chandeleur, a perfect excuse to enjoy some delicious crêpes (more about that soon). It’s also Valentine’s Day, and what better city to celebrate than the City of Love. But there’s plenty of other events on in Paris this month to keep you busy until the arrival of spring:

People sitting on the terrasse of a bistro on Île-Saint-Louis in Paris on a sunny winter's day.
Top and above: Shab Ferdowsi

Le Nouvel An Chinoise – Boulevard de Belleville – Feb 3

Chinese New Year is on February 1 and it is the year of the tiger. While most parades and celebrations take place in the last week of January, Le Food Market and the Mr Zhao restaurants are teaming up for the fifth time to host a delicious Chinese food market. It features a lion dance and a thousand and one lanterns.

Lord of the Rings Marathon – Le Grand Rex Paris – Feb 5 & 6

For the first time at a cinema in France, relive the Lord of the Rings (Seigneur des anneaux) trilogy with a marathon of the three films remastered by Peter Jackson in ultra-HD 4K at Le Grand Rex. There’s a night screening on February 5, and a screening during the day on February 6.

Left: a promotional image for Atelier Kokedama showing two kokedama and three black ink drawings. Right: the promotional image for CrushON Vintage Paradise.
Atelier Kokedama / CrushON Vintage Paradise

CrushON Vintage Paradise & fotofever – Bastille Design Center – Feb 5 & 6 and Feb 11-13

If you would rather go vintage shopping than shop the soldes d’hiver, head to the biggest vintage market in Paris with 30+ thrift shops and eco-responsible designers. Also featuring a manicure stand, dental jewelry, an astrology booth, and a CBD stand, with many more surprises to be revealed. At the same venue this month will also be fotofever, an annual contemporary photography art fair.

Left: an oil on canvas painting by Paul Cezanne of a house and garden. Right: two kokedama sitting on a red table with a white background.
Paul Cezanne, The house of Jas-de-Bouffan, 1882-85, oil on canvas, private collection, Photo © Christie’s Images, Bridgeman Images / Atelier Kokedama

Atelier Kokedama Art Végétal Japonais par Fumi Brunel – La Cité Fertile – Feb 6

Calling all green thumbs (and wannabes)! Learn how to make a kokedama at this workshop at Cité Fertile. A Kokedama is a sphere of earth surrounded by moss in which a plant can grow. You will be taught by decorator and visual artist with Japanese roots, Fumi Brunel. The workshop will end with a Japanese black ink drawing of your work.

Valentine’s Day – Feb 12-14

Looking for something to do on Valentine’s Day? If you’re in Paris, why not treat yourself, your special person, or a friend to a pastries and chocolates tour or a tour of the romantic Montmartre neighborhood by none other than Context Travel? Otherwise, go for a run with the Course de la Saint-Valentin at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont!

Left: the promotional poster for David Hockney: A Year in Normandy at the Musée de l'Orangerie. Right: a couple, the man with his arm around the woman, looking at the view of Paris from Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre.
David Hockney: A Year in Normandy / Gabriel Goulart

David Hockney: A Year in Normandy – Musée de l’Orangerie – until Feb 14

Living in the pays d’Auge since the beginning of 2019, famous British painter David Hockney has started a new chapter in his artistic practice. When France went into a national lockdown in March 2020, Hockney began making images on his iPad, a technique he has been using for more than 10 years. His house, garden, and the surrounding countryside became his favorite motifs. This exhibition presents the more than 100 images he painted during a whole year. 

The Musée de l'Orangerie in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris in winter.
© Musée de l’Orangerie – Sophie Crépy

Cezanne, Lumières de Provence – Atelier des Lumières – Feb 18

This thematic digital exhibition will enable you to discover Cezanne’s inner torment, the power of his compositions, his approach to light and color, and his connection with nature, which was his greatest source of inspiration—and an obsession. Get a glimpse of the slow pace of the artist’s daily life in Aix-en-Provence witih this immersive exhibition.

Two simulations of the exhibition Cezanne, Lumières de Provence at Atelier des Lumières.
Cezanne, Lumières de Provence © Culturespaces/Cutback (simulations)

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Written By

Ali Postma

Ali is from Melbourne, Australia, where she studied Art History and Art Curatorship at university and worked in various art galleries. Passionate about all things arts and culture, she loves French film, Nordic noir, photography, street art and architecture. Addicted to pain au chocolat, Ali is fulfilling her dream of living in Paris. View Ali Postma's Website

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2 comments on “What to do in Paris in February

I love your emails and website, it has such great articles and I use it as a constant source of information for places to eat, stay, shop and what to wear. I live in England but love Paris and visit as often as we can and are lucky to have fabulous friends living there so I store up all you information and we try it all when we visit. My husband and I are going to celebrate our 20th Wedding anniversary in Paris ( 2 years late thanks to covid ) and I have been making notes from all your articles! Thanks so much for a great site.

aww this is so nice to hear. thank you so much! i hope you have an amazing trip!! let us know where you go and what you do 🙂 -Erica

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