With over 1,100 stands and 4,600 animals to see, this event can be pretty daunting, but the 49th edition of the agriculture show does its best to make visiting more manageable by organising itself into four themes, and proposing eight different routes to see the things that will interest you most…

photo by arbyreed used under cc licence

It’s easy to get lost at the Salon de l’Agriculture, as it fills almost all the halls of Paris’ giant exhibition space, the Porte de Versailles, but with these four main zones, perhaps you’ll find your way more easily:

- Animals – everything, from livestock to cats and dogs

- Gastronomy in France and abroad – everyone knows that you can eat and drink cheaply (and most of the time for free) at the Agriculture Show. In fact, people often come with their shopping trolleys! There ar also lock-up boxes where you can store your goodies while diving back in to get more!

- Crops and plant sectors – a « Natural fashion and beauty » village, events, workshops…

- Services and trades – discover the different jobs in the sector, the training on offer… learn all about an industry that has plenty of jobs on offer!

photo by Tim Deering used under cc licence

The eight proposed visit itineraries seem quite fun too, with New and unusual flavours pour essayer des goûts inédits, and – thank goodness – an express visit for those of us who don’t have time to dilly-dally!

You can also learn how to drive a tractor, attend the animal parade on 3rd March, and of course eat, drink, eat, drink, eta and drink to your heart’s content (in not your stomach’s)… Look how it all went down last year!

The 2012 Paris Agriculture Show is at the Porte de Versailles (here) from 25th February – 4th March 2012

Opene every day from 9am – 7pm (11pm Friday 3rd March 2012. Last ticket 10.30pm)

Admission: 12€ / 6€ (6 – 12 year-olds) / free (for children under 6 years old)

Official site in English: www.salon-agriculture.com

Facebook page (in French): hereFrench-speakers can consult the press release below. Click the first button bottom right beneath the image (to go into fullscreen mode), or simply click here.

Sounds like an odd idea, but the more you read about it, the more interesting it gets!

© RMN - Stéphane Maréchalle / René-Gabriel Ojéda

So, have you ever seen a map of France spread over 650m² ? Well neither have I, but we could both do soon; the hug nave of the Grand Palais is presenting the first exhibition organised by controversial Sarkozy pet-project la Maison de l’Histoire de France with this huge map accompanied by sixteen scale models of towns and their surrounding countryside, all dating from between the 17th and 19th century. The biggest model (of Cherbourg) covers 160m². That’s huge.

And many of the models on offer have never been shown before, or even moved, because they are so fragile.The set-up of the exhibition should be impressive, with the vast Grand Palais as backdrop, and although the official trailer is a but rough at the edges, other films from the organisers are well worth watching if you have some basic French vocab (you’ll find more on YouTube here).

You’ll find out all about how these models were made, the incredible work that went into them centuries before Google Maps and Google Earth made seeing the world from the sky a banality. Each model has a story to tell about the architecture and urbanism of its time, and some are veritable historical documents about towns that were decimated in the wars of the early 20th century.

This may be your only chance for a virtual flyover of bygone France, something to take the kids to and genuinely fascinating!

The exhibition France in relief is in the nave of the Grand Palais (hehere) from 18th January – 17th February 2012

Open every day except Tuesdays from 10am. Closes 8pm except Wednesdays and Fridays (10pm). Last ticket one hour before closing

Admission 5€ / 2,50€. Free for anyone under the ages of 26

Official exhibition site (in English): www.lafranceenrelief.fr (but check otu the French verison too. Apparently they’re going to have 3D films soon!)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maisonhistoire.fr

Twitter: www.twitter.com/maisonhistoire

French-speakers can check out the French press release below. Press the first button bottom left to go into fullscreen mode, or simply click here.

So who had the bonkers idea of dressing up Xmas trees as Asterix, Shrek and The Simpsons? The Paris Scool of Florists, that’s who!

photos: Madeline Florance. Click an image to see the original blog post on paris.fr

Now here’s something out of the ordinary (or perhaps straight out the 4th dimension); crazy Xmas trees dressed as your children’s favourite cartoon heroes.

Will you be able to recognise them all? We’re having a bit of trouble…Perhaps this is your chance to discover the Parc Floral de Paris, actually quite a great place. Plus, the exhibition is free! Could keep the kids amused, and a good healthy way to spend an afternoon.

Crazy Xmas (Noël ludique) is at the Parc Floral de Paris (here) until 8th January 2012

Sometimes, less is more, and Le Bon Marché has eschewed toy-filled windows of puppets and rock music for an altogether classier approach – an education bu fun sound and light show that tells a sweet story about the stars. Magical !Just a few minutes from La Belle Juliette, le Bon Marché – propriety of LVMH (Vuitton, Givenchy, Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Parfums Christian Dior, TAG Heuer…) – likes to think itself a cut above those common little establishments on the Right Bank, namely Les Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps. Even in the consumer frenzy of Xmas, standards must not be lowered.

And so it is that Le Bon Marché collaborates once again with fashion filmmaker Loïc Prigent, who orchestrated their in-house exhibition L’Homme last year…

This time though, he is but narrator in a four-part story about the stars (« head in the stars », « light of the stars », « star shower » and « the life of the stares ») created by video artist Bertrand Planes (who did the store’s Xmas windows back in 2009 too).

Animated forms are projected onto the object in the four window displays along rue de Sèvres, and accompanied by the narrated story, music and effects, the result is really sweet! You’ll need a decent grasp of French to catch it all, but just watching is a heap of fun. Even their ‘making of’ film is rather jolly!

You have until 1st January 2012 to go and see the displays at Le Bon Marché (here), so don’t miss ‘em.

Le Printemps isn’t going to let its neighbour Galeries Lafayette win the battle of the Xmas displays, oh no! With GL going all out for rock and fashion, le Printemps takes a more sedate and classy path with its Rêves d’Evasion theme othcestrated by Karl Lagerfeld, sponsored by Chanel and inaugurated by Mrs. Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradis (and her giant cheekbones!)

Photos: JasonW

Less shouty shouty than next door, the inauguration of Le Printemps’ Xmas 2011 window displays was chic chic chic!

OK, there are still some slightly scary dolls jiggling about (including a dozen mini Karls), but they’re doing it with a certain class. Know what I mean?

However, it’s the (static) fashion displays that we find to be the most successful. They’re beautifully arranged with some beautiful details and just the right amount of bling! Makes a change from the usual snow and Santa…There’s also music and flashing lights across the whole of the building’s façade if you get there after dark at the right time (on the hour, apparently).

To check out all our photo, click the play button on the slideshow below, followed by the four little arrows bottom right to go into fullscreen mode (much more comfortable).

Official Printemps website: www.printemps.com

Facebook: here

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Printemps

We made out annual pilgrimage – as many do – to see the famous animated window displays in the department stores near Opera. At les Galeries Lafayette, they’ve gone for a fashion-slash-rock concept, but is it any good? Come see our photos and film…

photos by JasonW

Galeries Lafayette always uses more or less the same set-up;

- firstly, on the side of the main building, there are a few non-animated displays, brazenly sponsored by brand name toys (plus one given over to WWF to make it all seem worthy). Most of these are a little ordinary, not to say dull…
- then, on the front of the building, boulevard Haussmann, you’ll find the bigger displays including a QR code that you can scan with your smartphone to discover the slightly disturbing world of Andrew Yang from New York, the designer behind the dolls you’ll be seeing.

His Kouklitas (Renamed Kouklistars for the French, presumable because the lolita reference doesn’t give the right impression) are called Lucie, Betty, Désirée, Madeleine and Charlotte. Yes, he’s a grown man and he’s given all his dolls names. It’s one of those you like, or you don’t…You can see a little film with Andrew Yang interviewed here. Perhaps you’ll understand his mindset a little better afterwards? The lovely lad has even done some giant dolls for certain displays…The fashion/rock theme continues with a live concert in the windows every night for a week (this was early November) and an inauguration with English rocker Charlie Winston who has quite a bit of success here in France. He even did a private concert on the roof afterwards!

Our favourite film however is the fast-motion one showing how the giant Xmas tree is mounted inside the shop. I always thought it was brought in through a giant door somewhere, but in fact they construct it piece by piece. Impressive stuff.

But of course it’s our own little film that we prefer. We made it especially for you, and at the end you’ll see a hint of the windows from Le Printemps just next door too.

Our film and slideshow of the Xmas 2011 window displays at Galeries Lafayette are below, and our report about the effort from rival Le Printemps is coming tomorrow!

Official Galeries Lafayette site: www.galerieslafayette.com

Facebook: ici

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Galeries_Laf

An interesting concept in an interesting venue we haven’t seen yet. We are so there!

Photo by amy_b used under cc licence

You have just one day and ten hours to check out Mini Vintage, so don’t be late! The exhibtiion space looks pretty amazing; the Bastille Design Center, a large, 19th century industrial building with 400m² spread over three levels.

You’ll be able to peruse a variety of classic toys from the latter half of the 20th century (yep, that’s vintage now) and nou doubt revive quite a few memories.

Photo by Karen Horton used under cc licence

As well as the toy stands, there will be related stands from magazines for parents, some vintage kids furniture, ecologically responsible drinks, and a Levi’s « mini collection », with their entire 2012 range reproduced… in minature!

And your kids will be able to take part in some workshops (make-up, drawing…) and even have an afternoon snack while you have a look round.Mini Vintage is at the Bastille Design Center (here) on 10th December 2011

Open from 9am – 7pm

Admission: 2€ (free for kids)

Official site (in French): www.minivintage.fr

Usually only open for groups that book in advance, the Xmas holidays are your chance to see this quite extraordinary place, filled will old funfair exhibits and games…

photo by Philippe Gaillard used under cc licence

It’s unique, with a special atmosphere, but unless you’ve thought ahead, you generally can’t even see it.

Over the Xmas holidays though they open for just a few days, and you can drop in without booking; just turn up between 10am and 6pm for special shows every 30 minutes, tons of fairground rides and ‘lucky mistletoe’ for a seasonal smooch!

photo by †kaizermodo† used under cc licence

The place is pretty big, dimly lit by old bulbs and coloured lights. We think there’s probably nowhere else like it in the world. Have a look at this short film to give yourself an idea of what’s in store…

The Paris funfair museum (here) is exceptionally open 26th December 2011 – 2nd January 2012 from 10am – 6pm

Admission: 10€ / 5€ for under-12s

Website (in French): www.arts-forains.com

Facebook page: here

La programmation complète vient d’être dévoilée ; voici les artistes que vous pourrez voir pendant les trois jours du festival…

Solidays est un festival militant… pour l’amour ! Organisé par Solidarité Sida, c’est vrai qu’il y a cinq scènes, 80 concerts et des fêtes de folies sur trois jours et deux nuits, mais il y aussi mille et une choses à faire ;

- le saut à l’élastique et d’autres manèges
- Silent Disco, une boîte de nuit silencieuse où tout le monde porte un casque sans fil !
- une salle de massage
- des bars et des restaurants world food
- le parcours Sex and the City pour mieux comprendre le SIDA
- et l’espace kids, pour un peu de tranquillité !

C’est aussi un festival écologique qui essaie de réduire son « empreinte » avec des propositions de co-voiturage et des verres consignés à 1 euro (ce qui permet d’éviter de jeter 250.000 gobelets en plastique).

Au-delà de tout ça, c’est sûrement les concerts qui vous intéressent le plus. Pour 2011, Solidays vous propose – une fois de plus – une bonne sélection d’artistes et DJs.

Le vendredi 24 juin 2011
AaRON
Alice Russell
Balkan Beat Box
Cascadeur
Cold War Kids
Katerine
Klaxons
Pete Doherty
The Go! Team
Vitalic…

Le samedi 25 juin 2011
Asian Dub Foundation
Morcheeba
Stromae
Syd Matters…

Le dimanche 26 juin 2011
Aloe Blacc
Bernard Lavilliers
Gaëtan Roussel
Bumcello
Orchestre National de Barbès
IAM
Moby…

La mauvaise nouvelle est quel l’Hippodrome de Longchamp accueille désormais un golf qui oblige les organisateurs de Solidays à réduire le nombre de places vendues de 10 % à 20 %. Il ne faudrait pas tarder à acheter vos billets.

Les tarifs sont très raisonnables, surtout pour le pass trois jours (44€ si vous vous dépêchez). Sinon, un billet pour tout le weekend coûte 49€, et un pass un jour coûte 35€. Franchement pas cher ! Il y a aussi un billet uniquement pour les soirées (de minuit à 5h, dernière entrée à 3h) qui coûte 25€ et si vous voulez camper, il faudrait dépenser 10€ pour votre place (en plus du billet d’entrée).Toutes les informations sont sur le site officiel : www.solidays.org.
Cliquez sur l’image pour le consulter.

Shark attack in Paris! Now there’s a headline for you. This is actually an interesting looking exhibition, great for the kids, both fun and educative too!

This photo of a shark (at sea, obviously) is by Flickr user sharkbait and used under cc licence

Sharks, manta rays and Holocephali make for strange cousins, but you’ll be able to get to know them in the flesh (as well as naturally preserved) at the Porte Dorée aquarium in this new exhibition, both spectacular and serious.

You’ll see zebra sharks, bamboo sharks (cultivated in aquariums), blacktip reef sharks (fished in Indonesia), and several species of Amazonian rays that regularly reproduce at the aquarium itself.

This photo of a shark (once again, at sea) is by Flickr user Richard Ling and used under cc licence

There will also be 20 preserved specimens made especially for the exhibition by Bernard Bourlès, the sole specialist in cartilaginous fish taxidermy in France. The skeletons, teeth and fossilised jawbones exposed, some of which are hundreds of millions of years old, come from the palaeontological collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Don’t miss the fossilised Holocephali brain, 300 million years old (and shown for the first time ever) and the life-size model of a Megalodon jaw which measures nearly 2 metres high. The Megalodon is almost certainly the ancestor of the white shark and was one of the biggest races of sharks to have ever lived on Earth.

The exhibition « Dans le sillage de requins » (In the wake of the sharks) is at the Porte Dorée Aquarium (here) from 2nd February 2010 2 février – 6th March 2011. Closed Mondays. Open weekeday from 10am – 5.15pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am – 7pm. Admission: 6.50€ / 5€

More info (in French) on the official site: www.aquarium-portedoree.fr