Paris Muse

 
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Nuit Blanche arts festival in Paris. Nuit Blanche means “white night” (also translated as “sleepless night”), a term used in high-latitude countries to describe summer solstice days when the sun never sets. Since the eighties the Nuit Blanche was conceived to be an all-night arts festival, and in 2001, Paris mayor Delanoë’s administration hired the originator to start a Nuit Blanche here in Paris.

During Nuit Blanche it is said that the city of Paris becomes a de facto art gallery, with museums, galleries and cultural institutions open and free to the public.

This year 30 artists from across the globe are participating around the theme of “time”. Mayor Delanoë explains: “For its 10th anniversary, Nuit Blanche is not slowing down, but rather inventing and reinventing itself, whilst still remaining true to its main aim of bringing together artists at work and an ever increasing audience of Parisians, lovers of Paris, residents of the metropolis, visitors, etc.”

This year events will be taking place around:

• Hôtel de Ville
• Batignolles-Pigalle
• La nouvelle Athènes – Saint-Georges
• Montmartre-Anvers
• Elsewhere in Paris
• Outside of Paris

Download the official program here.
Download the free app for your iPhone or Android.
Visit the official site here.

 

We’re working on updating you with a  full list of exhibitions available for la rentrée… in the meantime, check out this virtual exhibition of photos from the 1910 Great Flood of Paris (La crue de la Seine de 1910). In late January of that year tributaries — carrying abundant rains which had been accumulating since the summer of 1909 — flooded the Seine, causing it to inundate the city. Waters rose to 8.62 meters (28.28 feet) above their normal levels. Sewers and subway tunnels overflowed and flooded the streets through drains. Although the Seine never overflowed its banks in the city limits, streets were inundated and Parisians had to navigate parts of the city by boat and hastily built wooden walkways.

Paris Inondé 1910: Virtual exhibition of 1910 Great Flood of Paris

We’re back for la rentrée* with some great news! The Jazz à la Villette festival just started yesterday and this year you have a great line up including: Cinematic Orchestra (tonight!), Roy Hargrove “RH Factor”, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, Archie Shepp, Questlove/Tony Allen/Amp Fiddler and others.

When: August 31-September 11
Where: Various location around Parc de la Villette (Metro: Porte de Pantin ) stretching to the other end of the quai near metro stations Stalingrad and Jaures. (see map)

Download the full program here.
Visit the official site here.
Reserve your tickets online here.

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* This is the tail-end of the high tourist season and what’s known as la rentrée, when Parisians return from their summer vacations. School starts again and shops and businesses get back into the swing of things. The bustle of the city picks up and visitors will be treated to more of an authentic atmosphere. Some say it’s Paris’ de facto nouvel an.