Culture - activities

Ephemeris for August 17: Last convoy of deportees and closure of the Drancy camp

On August 17, 1944, the last convoy of deportees left the Drancy camp for Buchenwald. The following day, 1,467 prisoners were liberated.

History fact: it happened on August 18 in Paris, Henry IV’s wedding at Notre-Dame de Paris

On August 18, 1572, Henry of Navarre – future king Henry IV – marries Marguerite of Valois – or Queen Margot – the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. An alliance by way of reconciliation between the Catholic and the Protestant Churches that will lead to the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in spite of everything.

Ephemeris of August 16 in Paris: Resistance fighters ambushed in the Bois de Boulogne

On August 16, 1944, a few days before the Liberation of Paris, French Resistance fighters were ambushed in the Bois de Boulogne and shot by SS officers and French Gestapo agents.

Ephemeris for August 15 in Paris: Laying the foundation stone of the Arc de Triomphe

On August 15, 1806, the first stone was laid for the Arc de Triomphe, built by order of Napoleon 1st to commemorate the victories of the French armies.

Ephemeris for August 14th in Paris: Willy Ronis' birth at the foot of the Butte Montmartre

On August 14, 1910, Willy Ronis was born at the foot of the Butte Montmartre. In love with Paris, the photographer spent his life capturing scenes of everyday Parisian life with tenderness and poetry, preferring snapshots taken in the moment to staged images.

Ephemeris for August 13 in Paris: Eugène Delacroix's death, rue de Furstemberg

On August 13, 1863, the painter Eugène Delacroix breathed his last in his apartment on rue de Furstemberg, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.

Ephemeris of August 11 in Paris: The total solar eclipse of 1999

On August 11, 1999, in Paris and the rest of France, the Moon totally eclipsed the Sun for just under 3 minutes. It was the last total eclipse of the 20th century, and also of the second millennium.

Ephemeris of August 12 in Paris: Creation of the Gaumont film company

On August 12, 1895, Gaumont was founded by Léon Gaumont, who had no idea that he had just created the oldest film production company in history.

Ephemeris for August 8: Signing of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye peace edict

Signed on August 8, 1570, the Treaty of Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye put an end to the third French War of Religion, then in progress for two years, and granted Protestants freedom of worship within a territorial limit, as well as four cities of safety. However, the peace was short-lived, culminating in the resumption of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants two years later, on the night of St. Bartholomew's Day.

Ephemeris of August 10 in Paris: Sans-Culottes seize the Tuileries Palace

On August 10, 1792, the Sans-Culottes stormed the Tuileries Palace in a bloody day that sounded the death knell for royalty and monarchy in France.

August 9 ephemeris: The last shell fired by Big Bertha on Paris

On August 9, 1918, the Big Bertha fired a final shell at Paris, bringing to an end 4 months of incessant bombardment of the capital. A veritable weapon of psychological warfare, this German army artillery piece had a range of 128km, a record for the time.

Ephemeris for August 7 in Paris: Aviator Charles Godefroy flies under the Arc de Triomphe

On August 7, 1919, French aviator Charles Godefroy achieved the feat of flying under the Arc de Triomphe, to the astonishment of Parisians.

Musée Rodin and the sculpture garden: discover the summer 2021 program

The Musée Rodin is a genuine Parisian rococo architecture gem where are mostly exhibited works by Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel. This summer, the museum teopens the garden and provides a lovely program to be enjoyed from June 17 to September 26, 2021.

Movie theaters: popcorn allowed again

The lockdown exit scheme keeps on going and health protocols are adapted: viewer gauges moved to 65% on June 9th and popcorn is once again allowed within screening rooms.

Covid: standing concerts to resume from June 30 in France, Bachelot announces

Standing concerts will resume in France starting from June 30, 2021, Minister for Culture Roselyne Bachelot announced in a press brief held this Monday June 21, 2021 on the occasion of Make Music Day.

Ex Africa, the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly

For its reopening, the Musée du Quai Branly invites you to discover the exhibition Ex Africa: African presences in today's art, from May 19 to July 11, 2021. An unprecedented plunge into the heart of contemporary African creation.

Dumbo opens a big temporary terrace at the Musée d’Art Moderne for the summer 2021

Dumbo, the mouthwatering spot giving pride of place to smash burgers, opens a huge temporary 300sqm terrace from May 19 on the parvis between the Museum of Modern Art and the Palais de Tokyo. Undoubtedly one of the most indulging spots of the summer 2021!

Lockdown exit: theaters and show venues to reopen from May 19 with a seated audience

Closed for over 6 months because of the health crisis, theaters and show venues might be allowed to reopen from May 19, 2021 with a seated audience, according to Europe 1 and Le Parisien. Yet, this reopening could take place in compliance with a 800-people limit indoors, and 1,00 people outdoors.

Lockdown exit: Emmanuel Macron to speak this Friday, Castex announces

While the government confirmed daytime trip restrictions will be lifted from May 3, many French people are now wishing to know when will cultural places and terraces reopen. At the end of the Ministerial Council this April 28, Jean Castex announced Emmanuel Macron will speak this Friday April 30 to present the "prospects" of the new lockdown exit.

Covid: Barcelona's latest test concert showed encouraging results

After a first and successful test concert to assess Covid transmissibility during this type of event, a new and similar experiment has been carried out this March 27 in Barcelona, and also delivered encouraging results since "no sign" of contagion has been reported one month after this event. Good news for the cultural world expecting to welcome spectators again with necessary measures to keep everyone safe.