EVENTS

For young and old, sport fans, music fans, culture fans- take your pick! Paris is one of the world's capitals for popular, spectacular and varied events and festivals that attract visitors from every corner of the world. Unfortunately, many official websites for these and other festivals in France are not offered, or are incomplete in English, so we've put together the essential information the best of the bunch to give you a taste of what you're in for when you attend a cultural event or public festival in Paris.

BASTILLE DAY IN PARIS

Bastille Day, or Fete Nationale (‘National Holiday' in French) occurs every 14^th July. It is the country's most important holiday and commemorates the storming of the Bastile Prison in 1789, during the French Revolution.

This historic act was and is still considered an important, symbolic event toward French independence and freedom. Although celebrations take place right across France, like any National Holiday, it is best experienced and enjoyed in the capital- Paris.

In the 1700's, the Bastille prison was where political inmates were kept, imprisoned for their patriotic views that clashed with the absolute rule of the monarchy at the time. A protest against the rule of the government gathered outside the prison and gathered momentum, leading to the protestors breaking in, in an attempt to free the political prisoners inside.

98 attackers and one defender died, but the significance of members of the general public giving their life in a bid for democratic freedom is the spirit of the event that is especially significant for French people today.

Bastille Day is celebrated today with a public military parade down the Champs Elysées, a spectacular fireworks display based near the Eiffel Tower, and the popular Fireman's Ball, held in all Paris fire stations on the evenings of July 13 and 14.

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE IN PARIS

This popular annual event is a celebration of the arrival of summer, held on the day of the summer solstice on June 21^st. The Fête de la Musique has an official schedule of free street and open-air entertainment by both professional and amateur musicians from all over the world, crossing every type of musical genre in existence, from jazz, rock, popular, hip-hop, folk and electronic.

The main event is the free concert generally held on the Place de République, marking the end of the festival, but many people enjoy the atmosphere of the event by simply wandering through the streets, parks, gardens and even bars that are set up as temporary performance spaces to sample a taste of today's musical talent.

TECHNOPARADE IN PARIS

Designed to be France's answer to the massive electronic festivals of Germany, America and Great Britain, the Paris Technoparade takes place annually in September and is part of the larger rendez-vous électroniques festival.

Attracting a younger crowd of mostly teenagers to twenty-somethings, the parade features around 50 floats that meander the streets of Paris, with music fans in tow, playing any and every type of electronic music, complete with colourful futuristic costumes, dancers and flashing lights to rival any underground dance party.

The parade finishes in the Place de la Nation where members of the parade and party revellers come together and continue dancing well on into the night. Dazzling costumes, over sized sunglasses, body paint and glow sticks will be out in force for this event, which attracts tens of thousands of techno fans from all over the world.

You don't have to be a fan of the music to at least enjoy the spectacle. It's a great celebration of modern youth culture and the atmosphere itself can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

PARIS FILM FESTIVAL

French films have always been held in high esteem, so it's no wonder that the country celebrates the worl of cinema once a year!

Entering it's six year in 2008, the Paris Film Festival takes place in Spring and is a top quality showcase of more than a hundred films over six Parisian cinemas. There are premierès, press awards, public awards, and film novel prizes.

Held in early July, festival organizers put together a list of events that everyone can enjoy- from children, documentary fans to fine art/ arthouse lovers. A mix of full- length feature and short films can be enjoyed at numerous open air venues throughout the city.

The program varies from year to year so check out the pariscinema.org website for current information on this years festival.

THE FRENCH OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN PARIS

The French Open is the second of the four International Grand Slam tennis tournaments that takes place every year. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest sporting events held in France, not to mention one of the most internationally important festivals that the city of Paris hosts on an annual basis.

For two weeks between mid May and early June, a star- studded parade of the best tennis players in the world battle it out on the clay courts of the famous Roland Garros Stadium.

Ticket prices start at €27.50 for a decent seat, but the finals generally sell out at lightning pace, before the line-up is even announced. It's cheaper to go and watch the unseeded players on the smaller courts - you will still get a taste of the event and you could sneak a preview of the tennis stars of the future.

TOUR DE FRANCE IN PARIS

Every summer for Le Tour de France the world's best cyclists come together to compete in this prestigious 23 day, 21 stage race which is held in various towns and cities across France.

By the final leg along the Champs-Elysées in Paris, each competitor would have raced a cumulative distance of 3,000kms. But even if the winner has already been determined by points already accumulated in previous stages, the atmosphere of the final leg of this world class event is not to be missed. Supporters from all over the world will be out in force! The French themselves have not had a winner since Bernard Hinault in 1985, so should a Frenchman be in the running to win the mood will most probably be especially jubilant!

Keep in mind the advantages that our Paris apartments have to offer to you!