For those of you lucky enough to be in PARIS during May you could make use of some of the offers like Free Museum Night on 15th:

During this very eventful month of May, between two sprigs of lily-of-the-valley (the traditional May Day flower), you can enjoy the tennis at Rolland Garros, lots of music, good food and wines from the Loire valley, strolls along the river to outdoor cafés-cum-dance halls (guinguettes), and lots of cultural festivities. On Museum's Night all Museums and French monuments will be open to the public free of charge.

Roland Garros, from 18 May to 6 June
This year may be the last time the French Open is held at Porte d'Auteuil. Roland Garros is an unusual tournament in the Grand Slam because of its architecture. Its atmosphere and red clay courts have often proved unlucky for some tennis champions. How will the favourites Nadal and Federer fare this year?

Printemps des Rues street art festival on 8 and 9 May in Paris (10th district)
This year the 13th edition of the street art festival called Printemps des Rues will be offering some highly diverse exhibits on the theme of the Object, materializing what words cannot express. Appealing to all our senses, the artists’ works include street theatre, puppets, circus acts, visual art exhibits and music.


Paris-guinguettes cruise, every week, all year round.
The Paris-guinguettes cruise is a pleasure you really shouldn’t miss.
Turn back time for a day and have fun lunching and dancing at the guinguettes that once hosted popular cabaret shows, where ordinary people used to go to dine and dance, along the banks of the Marne.

Counterfeiting: the true
expo which speaks of false
at Cité des Sciences
Until February 13th (2011)

"The story of"
Rolling stones Exhibition
Renoma café gallery
Until July 17th

Crime et châtiment : Goya,
Géricault, Picasso, Magritte
Orsay Museum
Until June 27th

EuropaVox from 20 to 23 May 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand
Spain will hold place of honour at the 5th edition of Europavox festival. Europavox is an entire project devoted to the promotion of European musical diversity. Behind its “unity in diversity” slogan, the festival shows that cultural activities like music bring people closer. Artists from all over Europe will defend their style for our greater enjoyment.

Vitiloire from 29 to 30 May in Tours
The 8th edition of the Loire valley wine show (Salon des Vins de Loire) called Vitiloire will be held right in the city centre, with over 140 winegrowers exhibiting. Not only will you be able to enjoy Loire Valley wine tasting, you can also visit wine cellars, attend workshops organized by Institut du Goût and enjoy other live music and art shows.

Thanks for posting, tod! Any special events for Backpackers?

Thanks for the posting tod, appreciated.

Thanks Tod; I will be in Paris early May but looks like a couple events will be taking place; thanks for letting us know!
MoneyB

I hope so Adrienne!

We've been in Paris twice while the French Open was being played, and never really been able to get tickets. Traveling to Roland Garros, BTW, without tickets isn't a good idea. We tried that once (it was early rounds, as we've gotten in to other big tennis tournaments easily for those) but it was nearly impossible to figure out (grant it, my French language capabilities are limited).

HOWEVER, this link could solve that problem this year:
http://www.tennistours.com/event_pag...FVZY2godDXAtPA

It starts May 24 this year

On the 22-24th part of the Champs Elysee will be transformed into a garden/greenery area.

Gosh that sounds good - I hope Kerouac will be there with his trusty camera!?

Tod, there is a jazz festival in St. Germain starting on May 10th. Place St. Germain des Pris. Google Jazz in Paris. I do not have the site-just my notes for upcoming (I hope) trip.

There is a Lucian Freud exposition on all of May and beyond at the Pompidou. I hope to get tickets for that!

Thanks for all the info,hopefully we will be there May 16-26

Will the free museum night include private museums? Sure would like to take advantage of this. Thank you, tod

mayi- Sorry I can't answer that as the email letter I get regularly doesn't specify the museums, only stating that ALL museums and monuments will be free. I think someone like our Parisian Fodorite Kerouac will know.

tod,

I don't know if you receive this. If not, it keeps you pretty up to date with things:

http://www.paris-update.com/fr/

Joan

Joan -

What an awesome site..thanks for sharing; I had no idea it was out there. I was told to pick up a paper when I got into town, but now I can leisurely peruse my options while at home, sipping a glass of french wine, of course.


Tx
MoneyB

MoneyB,

Glad you found it, too. It's a pretty good one. Sign up for it and get on the mail list for it. You can click on some past ones, too.

a bientot...

Joan