If you’re lucky enough to be in Paris during the Toussaint holiday, there’s no shortage of great activities to keep you stimulated over the two-week break with friends or family.
The Best in Art and Design
First, for all you art lovers out there, October 20th marks the beginning of the Parisian Art Week. There are four fairs this weekend for every taste, three of which are all conveniently located in the 8th arrondissement.
FIAC
The oldest and most prestigious is the FIAC (la Foire International d’Art Contemporain) at the Grand Palais. Founded in 1974, the FIAC groups both contemporary and modern art, from painting and photography to videos, performance and digital arts. This year 186 galleries from 27 countries will be represented.
When: October 20 – 23, 2016, 12pm – 8pm, Friday until 9pm
Where: FIAC, Grand Palais, 3 avenue du General Eisenhower, Paris 75008
A new addition this year to FIAC is ON SITE, a section featuring sculptures and artistic installations in the prestigious Petit Palais across the street, as well as on the exterior esplanade in front of the palace.
Art Elysées
Just around the corner is the Art Elysées, which combines Art and Design. This fair gathers together 75 galleries within the temporary pavilions, showing contemporary art, modern art and 20th century design furniture. Art Elysées has become one of the major contributors to Paris’ artistic energy.
When: October 20 – 24, 2016, 11am – 8pm, except Monday until 6pm
Where: Art Elysees, Avenue des Champs Elysées 75008 Paris
8è Avenue Art Show
The most recent player in the Parisian Art Week is the 8e Avenue Art Show, which is in its second edition. This contemporary art show is the first to cover both contemporary art and urban culture in Paris.
When: October 20 – 24, 2016, 11am – 8pm, except Monday until 6pm
Where: Champs Elysées Avenue, Paris 75008
UNDESIGNABLE: The Outdoor Design Market in Paris
If you’re a design lover and lust for collectors’ pieces from the past century (1940 to 1980), you’ll find many fabulous items on display at the 3rd annual Undesignable: Outdoor Design Market. Sixty galleries and dealers from all over Europe have set up shop on the streets to show a wide variety of unique objects such as furniture, lamps, jewelry and decorative pieces in plastic, glass or ceramics. Find a dream piece or just spend the Sunday admiring great works from famous designers such as Jean Prouvé, Arne Jackson, Charles and Ray Eames or Joe Colombo.
When: October 23, 2016, 7am – 5pm
Where: Rue des Fossés Saint Bernard, Paris 75005
Want more to satisfy your art fix? Check out: What’s Hot in Paris Art and Culture: Autumn 2016
Indulge in the World of Chocolate
Chocolate lovers, this annual event is the place to indulge in all your chocolate fantasies! The 22nd Salon du Chocolate promotes all the newest tastes and trends in the world of chocolate from more than 500 makers and accomplished pastry chefs. There are endless tasting sessions, monumental displays of chocolate sculptures, a fashion show of dresses made from chocolate and musical performances to keep chocolate-land alive.
When: October 28 – November 1, 2016
Where: Porte de Versailles, Pavillon 5
Halloween Fun in Paris
For our top picks of spooky haunts to get your Halloween thrills this year, check out INSPIRELLE’s roundup of where to have some ghoulish fun in Paris! But, if All Hallows Eve for you is all about the “treats”, then head over to rue d’Aboukir in the 2nd arrondissement, where gourmet donut-maker Boneshaker has organized neighborhood trick-or-treating with local businesses. Stop by Boneshaker for a custom map of participating locations (and try out their special themed donuts), then go door to door to collect more Halloween fancy treats!
When : Saturday October 29, 2016, from 11am
Where: Boneshaker, 77 rue d’Aboukir, Paris 75002
Pumpkins, Apple Picking, Fall Vegetables and Fresh Air
Looking for an outdoor activity to enjoy this gorgeous autumn season? Only a 20-minute drive outside of southwest Paris, visit La Ferme de Viltain and fill a wheelbarrow with fresh garden fruits, vegetables and flowers. Pick your pumpkin and pluck your apples off the trees in the acres of apple orchards. Viltain farm is a wonderful place to go all year round to handpick fresh produce in season. Don’t forget to check out the farmhouse with its wonderful homemade products.
When: Every day, 9am – 7pm from mid-April to end of November
Where: Ferme Viltain, Jouy en Josas 78350 (off the N118)
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