Page 66 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

64  INTRODUCING P ARIS

PARIS THROUGH THE YEAR

Paris’s pulling power is strongest in spring – The end of July also sees the end of Paris’s
the season for sitting at tables under trees. month-long Jazz Festival, after which most
From June, Paris is slowly turned over to Parisians abandon the city to visitors until
tourists; the city almost comes to a standstill la rentrée, the return to school and work in
for the French Tennis Open at Roland September. Dates of events listed on the
Garros, and the major race tracks stage the following pages may vary. For details
big summer horse races. Next comes the consult the list ings magazines. The Office
14 July Bastille Day parade down the du Tourisme et des Congrès de Paris
Champs-Elysées; towards the end of July, (see p359) also produces an annual
the Tour de France usually ends here. calendar of events.

Spring
A good many of the city’s
annual 20 million visitors
arrive in the spring. It is the
season for fairs and concerts,
when the marathon street
race is held and the outdoor
temperature is pleasant.
Spring is also the time when
hoteliers offer weekend
packages, often with tickets
for jazz concerts and museum
passes included.
March
Spring flower shows at Parc French Tennis Open, Stade Roland Garros
Floral (Bois de Vincennes, p249)
and Bagatelle Gardens (Bois de Foire du Trône (late Mar–May), Grandes Concerts de Versailles
Boulogne, p247). Bois de Vincennes (p249). (Sep–May), Versailles (pp250–55).
Salon International Large funfair. Open-air concerts and
d’Agriculture (end Feb–early pyrotechnical displays on
Mar), Paris-Expo, Porte de April Versailles lake.
Versailles. Vast farming fair. Paris International Marathon French Tennis Open (last
Banlieues Bleues Festival (mid- from Place de la Concorde to week May –1st week Jun),
Mar–early Apr), Paris suburbs. Avenue Foch. Stade Roland Garros (p350).
Jazz, blues, soul and funk. Chemin de la Croix (Good Parisian society meets sport!
Printemps du Cinema (3 days Friday). Beautiful Stations of Le Printemps des Rues
late Mar). Films can be seen the Cross procession, from (3rd w/end). Concerts
for a very reasonable price Montmartre to Sacré-Coeur. and free street theatre
at cinemas across Paris and Paris Ceramics Festival are held in the Bastille/
throughout France. (mid-Apr). Renowned artists République area.
display their wares related to
various themes.
Foire de Paris (end Apr–1st week
May), Paris Expo, Porte de
Versailles. Food, wine, homes
and gardens and tourism show.
May
Shakespeare Garden Festival
(until Oct), Bois de Boulogne
(p247). Classic plays performed
outdoors.
Carré Rive Gauche (one week,
mid-month). Exhibits at antiques
dealers in and around
Jazz at the Banlieues Bleues Festival St-Germain-des-Prés (p137). Paris International Marathon

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