Our last full day in Paris is going to be June 21st - we fly out on June 22nd.
Has anyone been in Paris during the Fete de la Musique in Paris and have any tips/thoughts/suggestions? I haven't been able to find a 2009 schedule of events (maybe too early for the schedule to be finalized) The apartment we will be staying in for those last couple of days is very close to the Dupliex metro station (in case anyone knows of particular venues that are usually used).
Thanks!
V
Has anyone been in Paris during the Fete de la Musique in Paris and have any tips/thoughts/suggestions? I haven't been able to find a 2009 schedule of events (maybe too early for the schedule to be finalized) The apartment we will be staying in for those last couple of days is very close to the Dupliex metro station (in case anyone knows of particular venues that are usually used).
Thanks!
V
Too early for the schedule. If the weather is nice, you will be amazed at all of the things happening. Some big stages are always set up in obvious places (Hôtel de Ville, République, Montparnasse, Denfert-Rochereau, Palais de Tokyo, Bastille, Tuileries, etc....) but the real charm of the Fête de la Musique are the little discoveries that you make walking around -- three violinists on a street corner, an improvised rock group along the Canal Saint Martin, a brass marching band roaming the streets at random, an old chanteuse with an accordeonist -- you never know what you'll come across.
Several metro lines will be running all night (as is also the case on 14 July, the Nuit Blanche in October and 31 December).
Several metro lines will be running all night (as is also the case on 14 July, the Nuit Blanche in October and 31 December).
I just checked and the weather is going to be perfect!
We hadn't specifically intended to be in Paris for that event, but from what you just described, it sounds like it could be a CODA to our trip. We are a week in Paris, then a week in the South, then back for 2 days in Paris, so the idea of randomly wandering around areas that we now feel a degree of familiarity with, and stumbling across music sounds appealing!
We hadn't specifically intended to be in Paris for that event, but from what you just described, it sounds like it could be a CODA to our trip. We are a week in Paris, then a week in the South, then back for 2 days in Paris, so the idea of randomly wandering around areas that we now feel a degree of familiarity with, and stumbling across music sounds appealing!
I was in Paris last year on June 21 and it was FABULOUS!
The popular tourist places will have concerts - I attended a couple concerts in Notre Dame. Not only did I enjoy the music, but also the lighting. They kept the doors open so the light from the setting sun filled the cathedral.
But, personally, I enjoyed the local groups on street corners. On one of the bridges I came across this group:
http://jos.gospel.free.fr/FETEMUSIQUE.htm
I wasn't expecting a group of Parisians to be singing gospel music - in English, no less.
There's one benefit and one drawback to Fete de la Musique. Some sites may close early that day. I went to the Orangerie on June 21 last year and they abruptly closed several hours early with no explanatation - I assume it was to get ready for Fete de la Musique.
The advantage is that the music isn't just limited to June 21 and you may luck out and hear a group practicing. I stayed at Fontevraud Abbey earlier that week and heard some music while walking around. A group was practicing for the Fete so I got to enjoy their rehearsal for a while.
It will definitely be a great coda for your trip. Have fun.
The popular tourist places will have concerts - I attended a couple concerts in Notre Dame. Not only did I enjoy the music, but also the lighting. They kept the doors open so the light from the setting sun filled the cathedral.
But, personally, I enjoyed the local groups on street corners. On one of the bridges I came across this group:
http://jos.gospel.free.fr/FETEMUSIQUE.htm
I wasn't expecting a group of Parisians to be singing gospel music - in English, no less.
There's one benefit and one drawback to Fete de la Musique. Some sites may close early that day. I went to the Orangerie on June 21 last year and they abruptly closed several hours early with no explanatation - I assume it was to get ready for Fete de la Musique.
The advantage is that the music isn't just limited to June 21 and you may luck out and hear a group practicing. I stayed at Fontevraud Abbey earlier that week and heard some music while walking around. A group was practicing for the Fete so I got to enjoy their rehearsal for a while.
It will definitely be a great coda for your trip. Have fun.
The Metro wasn't crowded when I took it back to my apartment that night. It was, however, originally filled with drunk teenagers. I didn't take the Metro on the way there so it may be very crowded earlier in the day.
On the plus side, it was the happiest group of people I've ever seen on the Metro. And I'd never heard La Marseillaise sung live before.
On the plus side, it was the happiest group of people I've ever seen on the Metro. And I'd never heard La Marseillaise sung live before.
kerouac - is it always on the 21st or on a weekend day nearest the 21st?
Seems in Orleans last year it was on the nearest Saturday but that may be different than Paris
anyway i wish i could take in what i hear from friends is a tremendous experience with eclectic performances literally everywhere
the original idea still rules i think - anyone can play anything anywhere - though there are main scheduled venues.
Seems in Orleans last year it was on the nearest Saturday but that may be different than Paris
anyway i wish i could take in what i hear from friends is a tremendous experience with eclectic performances literally everywhere
the original idea still rules i think - anyone can play anything anywhere - though there are main scheduled venues.
I've been there for it and it is very enjoyable, but I love music. I didn't plan much in particular, as I recall, just wandered around and ran across things. Sometimes it was too loud if you were in a restaurant and it was right outside, though (and not the kind of music you want to hear).
It isn't like in the US where they move celebration of holidays to days so people get off work. This isn't a national holiday, and the reason it must be on the 21st is that it was fixed on that date because of the summer solstice.
It isn't like in the US where they move celebration of holidays to days so people get off work. This isn't a national holiday, and the reason it must be on the 21st is that it was fixed on that date because of the summer solstice.
It sounds perfect for us, as the whole family enjoys a very eclectic range of music - even the kids are open to all kinds of styles. We can be flâneurs! (though I suppose I would be a flâneuese?)
Fete de la Musique is always on June 21st - the first day of summer. The schedule does come out just right beforehand.
I have been in Paris three times during the Fete and it is always fun. Last year, we saw a wonderful concert in Invalides that featured an opera singer, an orchestra and a male chorus (I think it was the French Army Chorus). The beautiful and historic venue combined with the moving music and a perfect summer evening made it a night to remember.
But, yes, some of my favorite memories of the Fete are the times we spent on some side street listening to bands - one that stands out is the couple of hours we spent on rue Augereau, drinking wine from a little bar and listening to a band singing American hits from the 80's. One of the wackiest things I have seen was the organ grinder who stationed himself on rue Cler last summer. The list goes on and on. You will enjoy!
I have been in Paris three times during the Fete and it is always fun. Last year, we saw a wonderful concert in Invalides that featured an opera singer, an orchestra and a male chorus (I think it was the French Army Chorus). The beautiful and historic venue combined with the moving music and a perfect summer evening made it a night to remember.
But, yes, some of my favorite memories of the Fete are the times we spent on some side street listening to bands - one that stands out is the couple of hours we spent on rue Augereau, drinking wine from a little bar and listening to a band singing American hits from the 80's. One of the wackiest things I have seen was the organ grinder who stationed himself on rue Cler last summer. The list goes on and on. You will enjoy!
