The following is a list of annual holidays and trade shows in Paris. If you have visited the city before or are staying for a week or longer, what a great way to mingle with the locals. For concerts or additional information about these events, be sure to buy l’Officiel des spectacles or visit l’Officiel on line for up-to-date information on holiday events. For information on Paris trade shows visit the Web site links below or visit the Paris Tourist Office Web site.
Paris Travel Around French School Holidays
New Year’s Day: January 1
Fête des Rois (Epiphany): first Sunday after New Year (“galettes des rois” round, flat pastry filled with almond paste and a small porcelain figurine hidden inside)
Easter: three weeks ending Easter Monday
Fête du Travail (Labor Day): May 1
Victory 1945 (V-E Day): May 8
Ascension: 39 days after Easter (June 2, 2011 and May 17, 2012)
Whit Monday (Pentecost): 50 days after Easter (June 13, 2011 and May 28, 2012)
Bastille Day: July 14
Assumption Day: August 15
Journées de Patrimoine (Heritage Days): third weekend in September
La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day): November 1
Beaujolais Nouveau: third Thursday in November
Armistice 1918: November 11
Christmas Day: December 25
Paris festivals (foire = fair)
Nouvel An chinois( Chinese New Year): end of January beginning of February
Marathon de Paris Paris Marathon: beginning of April
Foire du Trône (once known as the Foire aux pains d’épices – gingerbread – between 957 and 1965): end of March, beginning of May
La Fête des mères (Mother’s day): last Sunday in May
Gay Pride: last weekend in June
Canal en fête (Canal Saint-Martin festival): last weekend in June
Fête de la Musique (Musical festival): June 21
Foire Saint-Germain: beginning of June to beginning of July
La Goutte d’Or en fête: beginning of July
Lavagem do Sacré Coeur: beginning of July
Fête de Ganesh (Ganesh festival) : beginning of September
Fête de l’Humanité (Festival of the humanities): second weekend in September
Techno Parade: mid-September
Fête des Vendanges (Wine harvest festival) Montmartre: first or second weekend in October
Nuit Blanche (White nights): beginning of October
Annual Trade Shows and Fairs
- Porte de Versailles access
- Espace Champerret access
- Parc Floral Vincennes access
Salon Agriculture (International Trade Show for Agriculture) Porte de Versailles second and third week in February
Foire de Paris (Paris Home Show) Porte de Versailles last Thursday in April to second Sunday in May
Mondial de l’automobile (International car show) Porte de Versailles – in October
Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate trade show) Porte de Versailles – in October
Salon International de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (International Air and Space Show) Le Bourget held every two years – June 20, 2011 to June 26, 2011
Pari Fermier de Printemps (Spring regional farmer’s market) Parc Floral Vincennes(free invitations on their Web site) first weekend in April
Salon saveurs des plaisirs gourmands (Gourmet pleasures trade show) – Espace Champerret – third weekend in May
Sources: Paris Tourist Office, French Ministry of Education, Wikipedia
