Autumn in Paris, when the arts meet the magic of the holidays

Autumn in Paris is a time of many major fairs and exhibitions, including Salon 8e Avenue, a contemporary and urban art fair. Then, from November, the department stores of the Boulevard Haussmann will dress their display windows with charm and magic, competing between themselves to present the highest level of creativity and innovation in anticipation of the festive season.

The Salon 8e Avenue, a visual arts extravaganza not to be missed

From October 19th to 23rd, 2017, the third edition of the Salon 8e Avenue will take place on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. This exhibition is at the crossroads of cultural and economic exchanges whose objective is to ensure respect for quality artistic creativity. Once again associated with the Foire Élysées, which will celebrate its 10 years of existence, the Salon 8e Avenue will add a new section this year focusing on contemporary urban art. Artists such as Basquiat, Villeglé and Buren have contributed to making this artistic niche an important sector of the contemporary art world. It’s projected that there will be as many visitors, including collectors and the general public, as there were in 2016. They come to discover a wide panorama of the works of the 20th and 21st centuries, in the four pavilions of the two events. To best illustrate the merits of the current crop of artists, the participants will be selected by a committee of gallery owners. In November, at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, 60 exhibitors from different parts of Europe will present their works at another artistic event, Les Puces du Design.

Christmas windows in Paris: a source of wonder before the holidays

Every year the shop windows of Paris are turned into works of art filled with magic. The major name (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Haussmann, BHV and Bon Marché) pit their creativity and inventiveness against one another to come up with the most outstanding festive decorations in anticipation of Christmas and New Year's Eve. Their display windows come to life with animated characters amidst settings evocative of the joy and wonder of fairy tales. These dreamlike and magical worlds, created by talented designers and craftsmen, delight young and old alike. They are there for your pleasure; to enjoy as you stock up on Christmas gifts in an atmosphere that only the shops of Paris can provide.

If you’re planning a stay in the City of Light during autumn, it’s best to book your accommodation early. The many events taking place during this beautiful season attract visitors from all over the world, who love to see the window displays of the Parisian department stores. The Hotel Le Relais du Marais - Paris, a contemporary 3 star hotel, is renowned for the quality of its services. Located close to the historical Marais district, it’s very convenient for access to the great boulevards and numerous other places of interest.

Photo credit : galeriesaltiel