I will be in Paris over Chinese New Year (Feb 1, 2003). Can anyone tell me if they have a big celebration? Worth going to see? I've seen a bit of it in San Francisco and I enjoyed it. Please let me know if this would be worthwhile, and if it is, where and when to go!

question: do they even celebrate chinese new year in paris?<BR><BR>sf has chinatown and a good number of chinese residents but paris? I'm not pouncing on you or anything, but this is new...I'm interested to hear some answers from anyone...

I read it in a &quot;Paris for Dummies&quot; travel guide. To paraphrase the entry, it says that although the Chinatown in 13e is mostly high-rises, the residents go all out for the parade with dragons, dancers and fireworks. <BR>

That's an interesting question! I did some search, unfortunately my french is non-existent, but here are the URLs - all in french !?!?!?<BR><BR>http://www.chinatownfrance.com/<BR><BR>http://www.mostang.com/mw/iss12/french/chinatown.html

They have a very large Chinatown in Paris-- there was a very large influx of immigrants after the end of the Vietnam War, for example, and the residents in those areas of Paris are from many countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, others) and backgrounds. There are two areas, the larger one is in the 13th south of the place Italie metro, on avenues Choisy and d'Ivry. They do a lot for Chinese NY, including a parade, lion dance, folkloric dances, etc. For specific dates and times, I'd suggest you just go to those avenues and you'll have no trouble finding flyers or info or just asking in the stores. There is another large Chinese area in the 19th/20th arr., just get out at the Belleville metro stop and you'll find it. The one in the 13th arr. is larger, but you can probably find info in either.

guess what? i was intrigued, so i did a search and here are some sites:<BR><BR>http://www.hkentreview.com/2002/features/deauville/cnyparis2002.html<BR> -this just has a bunch of photos, but a very nice collection of photos it is!<BR><BR>http://www.paris.org/Kiosque/feb98/tiger304.html<BR> - this article's a bit old but as the previous poster mentioned 13e is where it's at, also 19th and 20th. IT also gives some good background info. <BR><BR>have fun...<BR><BR>wow...the things i learn from this forum

Absolutely, I once read an article about Chinese New Year in Paris (Chinatown) and it sounds great! Even if you do not go to Paris during Chinese New Year, their Chinatown (past Place d'Italie) is worth a visit if you have time.

Raisin - I'm not pouncing on you but have you ever even been to Paris?

To answer the question 'raisin' raised:<BR>YES<BR>Nowadays, the Asian community is quite large in Paris. Much more active than in other European cities. <BR>Being of Asian descent, coming from Paris and having lived in San Francisco for the past years, I can tell you I have seen how both cities prepare for the festivities. <BR>In Paris, there are usually lion dances, kung-fu performances and firecrackers all throughout the weekends of Chinese New Year. Chinatown is essentially centered in the 13th Arrondissement (around Avenue D'Ivry and Avenue de Choisy). It is a very lively celebration that is growing every year. If you are in town, it would be something to check out, along with all the &quot;holiday&quot; foods all the stores will carry.<BR>Note - Obviously, it won't be as large as in S.F. (they have the largest chinese new year parade outside of China/H.K...)<BR><BR>

Thank you very much for the info on this. I haven't actually seen the Chinese New Year in SF, just some reenactments of portions of the celebration at a conference I attended. <BR>It sounds kind of funny talking about &quot;a Chinese New Year in Paris&quot; but I'm definitely looking forward to it. This year it is on a Saturday, I wonder what time the festivities start. I guess the concierge should know?