Genuinely interesting event or scary Disney-style mockery? Read on…



I have to admit, I’ve never been, and it’s difficult to tell from the site whether this is just another excuse for a sad bunch of stalls and people in costume, or whether the events are really worth the effort. In any case, this is the 31st year that the Foire Saint-Germain has been held, so they must be doing something right.

The whole thing happens on the place Saint-Sulpice (we’ve told you about the amazing fountain there, remember?) and is essentially a number of different themed markets, changing over the period of the fair. For example, the ‘Magical Mediaeval’ Fair is on 23rd May (5-10pm) and the 24th/25th May (11am – 8pm). Expect people dressed up in armour, stands selling ‘ancient’ items, sellers of ‘fantasy’ and gothic literature and mediaeval food stalls. You can even learn how to play the celtic harp! Personally, I think it all sounds pretty dodgy…

However it’s far from the only thing on offer. For example, perhaps the most promising event is the fair’s first ever Contemporary Photography Night (23rd June, 2pm – midnight). Over fifty photographers will be showing their work.

There’s also a 12-day antiques fair, one of the oldest in Paris (5th – 16th June, 11am – 8pm, late night opening Friday 6th June until 10pm). Try and find something beautiful! Try not to faint at the price!

And don’t forget the book fair from 25th – 30th June (11am – 8pm, late night opening Thursday 26th June until 10pm). There will be over a hundred stalls run by booksellers from Paris, the provinces and even Belgium, with first editions, out of print books, engravings, autographs and vintage postcards. Don’t forget that Saint Germain is the literary centre of Paris, so this could be worth having a look at…

Other events that are part of the fair but sound a little more specialised:

– The 9th Mathematical Games Show (29th May – 1st June). Sudoku too easy for you? 70 stands will test your mental ability and, er, patience.
– Poetry Market (19th – 22nd June). Shows, concerts, readings, dirty limericks (that last one’s a lie)…
– Ceramics fair (3rd – 6th July). Whenever I see ceramics stalls in markets they are always rubbish. This year there’s a garden theme, with objects on offer to brighten up your lawn and flowerbeds. They even promise gnomes! Hmm…
– Special Children’s Day (8th June). Lots of kids running around, screaming. “Something for all the family” aparently. I’ll have a catapult please…

There are also a number of concerts being held, some at the fair itself, some in the Saint-Sulpice church, others just outside the Théâtre de l’Odéon (just next to our Jardin de l’Odéon hotel). Check out the list here.

Check out the official site (in French) here.

Bigger map here