Events and Trade Shows
Paris Dates Ile-de-France
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Inventions and Fun at Foire de Paris 2023
Where can you see 400 inventions for 2023 under one roof? My first stop at the Foire de Paris, the Lépine Competition (Concours Lépine, Pavillon 1 Porte de Versailles). My favorite inventions this year involved reading with an LED light and page holder held with your thumb, silicon fabric storage bags, phone holder for taking notes, the petanque ball retriever, device to attach a bracelet with one hand, and the sweatshirt backpack. The Lépine competition has been active for 122 years. On the Lépine website, step back in time for all the inventions since 1901, including the braille typewriter, the washing machine, ballpoint pen, lawn mower, air humidifier, artificial heart,…
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The Salon du Chocolat 2022 Offered Fashion and a Chocolate Bugatti
What do you do with 400 kilos (881 pounds) of chocolate? You build a Bugatti Grand Prix type 35, of course! The Bugatti was one of the numerous creative chocolate sculptures at the Salon du Chocolat’s 27th edition in Paris at Porte de Versailles. The event is always scheduled for the last weekend in October. When I arrived, I headed past the chocolate sculptures, the chocolate tastings, the bean-to-bar stands and straight to the fashion parade of fifteen chocolate-covered dresses and costumes. The announcer was loud and clear, so the event had begun. With two afternoon start times, I would still see everything. At the world’s largest event dedicated to cocoa, I…
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Chocolate Lovers: 27th Salon du Chocolat in Paris
Are you a chocolate lover? Are you ready to travel around the world and discover chocolate countries? Have you ever seen a chocolate fashion show? Get ready for the 27th edition of the Salon du Chocolat de Paris. This is the world’s largest event dedicated to chocolate. The event returns to Pavilion 5 at the Porte de Versailles from October 28 to November 1, 2022. The general public has the chance to meet their favorite chocolate makers such as Vincent Guerlais, François Pralus, Hugues Pouget, Philippe Conticini, the Maison Pariès and Chocolats Alléno & Rivoire and more. And the chocolate fashion show is back! Watch the teaser. This trade show for chocolate lovers who want to taste chocolates from around…
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Journées européennes du patrimoine 2019 & cemeteries
I came across an anniversary for all who enjoy the peace and quiet and sculptures of Paris cemeteries. One of the out of the ordinary is the Cemetery for the Dogs (Cimetière des chiens) on my list of Paris cemeteries and maps from an older Colleen's Paris post. The city of Asnières-sur-Seine is celebrating the 120th anniversary the third weekend in September, which is also the annual Journées européennes du patrimoine (Heritage Days in Europe).
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Jounaliste, Influenceur or Pigiste for Foire de Paris
It is time to prepare for another gigantic Paris home show. While applying for my 2018 Foire de Paris press accreditation, I found a new category. Joining the list of journaliste (journalist) and pigiste (free-lancer) is the influenceur*. Usually I think of the marketing influencers for Fashion Week. But if you love to cook, design, check out the future through inventions, are curious about appliances and world cultures you probably follow an influencer on social media. The first Foire de Paris, was held in 1904 at Carreau du Temple in the third arrondissement. The annual event moved to its present location at Porte de Versailles in 1924. You can read more about…
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Paris Seine Flooding Routine and the Statue
An image on the front page of a Spanish newspaper showed the Seine flooding. This prompted a reader planning a Paris visit to inquire about the situation. Looking back at my photos from 2016, I had some evidence of the river a couple of days after its peak. Each year the Seine's waters rise, usually as snow melts and reservoirs flood. This year, the Seine seems to be flooding a bit early from heavy rains. The last record for flooding was in June 2016. Le Zouave statue on the Pont de l'Alma is one of the gauges used. Legend says: “When the Zouave’s feet are under water, the Seine is…
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Notre-Dame de Paris, Swedish Music and Candlelight
To get you into the holiday spirit a special Swedish-style musical event is held in Paris. The event is always held at the Swedish Church (Svenska kyrkan) and most years at a large church in Paris; Paroisse de la Madeleine, Notre-Dame de Paris. The event is a musical Swedish tradition celebrating lightness during the winter darkness.
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Art de la Table and On the Wall at M&O
A chance Estonian Internet encounter in table arts gave me an idea: Visit a professional trade show for the first time. Arro Keraamika arranged a pass for me and off to the exhibition halls in Paris Nord Villepinte I went. Originally my quest was to find all the products Made in France. In eight giant halls that was a bit too overwhelming a task! I changed my focus to tableware that you keep on your wall as art, use it for dining, put it in the dishwasher and then back up on the wall.
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Foire de Paris Finding Tickets
The Foire de Paris (parts of website available in English) always has something new to discover. To enjoy a day’s activity, especially if it’s a cloudy day, plan on at least 4 1/2 hours of walking, escalator and people mover riding, eating, drinking and gawking. Be tempted to try a product or the food. Be careful though; you could be sucked right in and buy something you might not need so make sure it’s not too expensive in the first place: At the Foire, it’s a “you buy it, you own it, no return” policy. (Foire de Paris 2017) How do you get in expensively for all this fun? Planning ahead Planning ahead…
