Thing to do in Paris Spring 2020 - The Freshest Festivals, Events and Exhibitions

9 March 2020

Discover Brilliant Paris Events this Spring

This spring, Paris is brimming with exciting events and budding talent. Taste culinary delights at the Grand Palais food festival, groove to jazz artists in the Parc de la Villette, be charmed by Shakespeare in a secluded Parisian garden… and experience the exhilaration of Formula E racing as it blazes through central Paris.

Paris’ Spring Theatre and Film

Be enchanted by romance, tragedy, and comedy, all unfolding amongst trees and flowers at the Jardin Shakespeare. From the beginning of May this outdoor theatre is hosting a range of French and English plays as part of the Festival IN Pré Catelan.  

Mozart’s bleak tale is transposed into modern times in this gripping performance of Don Giovanni at the Palais Garnier. Luca Pisaroni, an acclaimed bass-baritone known for his versatility and charm, portrays the villain Giovanni, devastating his female victims until he meets a gruesome end. Premieres on March 21^st.      

The Centre Pompidou is showcasing the freshest in current cinematography as well as renowned classics from March 13^th – 22^nd, as part of the Cinema du Reel Film Festival. This year’s special guest is Pedro Costa, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of his groundbreaking film In Vanda’s Room. Tickets are on sale for just €4.

Exhibitions in Paris this Spring

Joseph M. W. Turner’s vivid landscapes, flooded with bright sunlight and transparent water, continue to move audiences today. Turner’s emancipation from artistic conventions of the time is traced in this new exhibition at the Jacquemart-Andre Museum, that includes watercolours and oil paintings never before viewed in France – begins March 13^th. 

Human skeletons, mosaics and intricate murals reveal Pompei’s history and the disaster that befell it in more detail than ever before. The Grand Palais’ exhibition launches on March 25^th, and will include screenings, 3D reconstructions and works from brand new excavations.

Picasso’s cartoonish works are often overshadowed by his fine art pieces. ‘Picasso Comics’ examines Picasso as a pioneer of the graphic novel, experimenting with sequential drawings and storytelling in a brilliantly modern and funny way. Catch this fresh retrospective from March 24^th.      

Matisse’s renowned masterpieces are interspersed with writings to form a montage of his life in the Centre Pompidou’s new exhibition. The collection throws a new light on the artist’s career and development by exploring the dialogue between literature and illustration. Begins May 13^th. 

Spring Festivals and Fairs in Paris

Meet your favourite novelist, see digital comic book illustration or take part in a parent/child book workshop. Livre Paris invites almost 4000 celebrated authors, and organises exciting meet & greets, innovative exhibitions and fascinating lectures from March 20^th – 23^rd.

The banks of Canal Saint-Martin come alive with circus acts, magicians and dancers as ‘Printemps des rues’ takes place on the weekend of May 23^rd. This free art festival promises to delight audiences of all ages, whether you prefer contemporary theatre or puppet shows.

Experience three days of culinary delights as the Grand Palais transforms into a palace of food from May 16^th. The Taste of Paris Festival features acclaimed chefs, cooking shows, pop up restaurants and artisan food stalls.

See cutting edge contemporary acts in the futuristic green spaces of Parc de la Villette. From May 21^st- - 24^th rock, jazz, blues, punk and pop artists will take to the outdoor stage as part of the free festival: ‘Villette Sonique’.  

Other Events in Paris for Spring 2020

Last year the first ever wet E-Prix race took place and saw electrifying drama unfold. This year the Paris E-Prix returns on April 18^th to take fans on another wild ride, as drivers swerve through the city’s cobbled streets and monuments.

Experience Versaille’s water fountains differently as the garden fills with music and fabulous coloured lights this summer. The Musical Fountains Show returns this April 4^th; from June to September you can catch the night show, culminating in a breathtaking firework display.

Paris’ streets will pop with clouds of pink, yellow and green on March 29^th as the city’s fun run takes place. After every kilometre bright powder will be thrown in a ‘colour zone’, with the climax being a lively paint party with DJs providing floor fillers.

Marvel at the world’s rarest and most prized cars before they take to the roads for an intense five-day race of over 2000 km. This year, the Tour Optic 2000 will celebrate the Porsche, and take place at the Grand Palais on April 20^th.