Everything You Must Do in Paris in February

© Jfoodo © Julien Benhamou

The frenzy of Parisian life is in full swing at the start of the year. Between the launch of new exhibitions for the season, Valentine’s Day filling the city with romance, the days gently beginning to get longer, and ever-stylish food news, Paris is bursting with exciting activities. Our recommendation? Head to see the amazing exhibition by Olga de Amaral, dive into the world of drag culture, take the kids to see their first ballet, try your hand at sake, enjoy a spa afternoon for two, and sink your teeth into the most addictive durums in the city. Mark your calendars!

The brilliant Fondation Cartier hosts the XXL works of Colombian artist Olga de Amaral in its vast glass-walled exhibition spaces. Her visionary and pioneering works in textile art have been featured in major public and private collections worldwide, including at Tate Modern, MoMA, the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, and the Art Institute of Chicago, before settling on the Left Bank for a few months.

For its final weeks, make sure to admire her creations, which merge textile art with contemporary art. De Amaral experiments like a queen with various fabrics, from linen to cotton, and even horsehair, occasionally embellishing them with gold leaf. The monumental installations will leave you speechless: each piece of weaving, stitching, association, and coloring blends with the sublime surroundings of the Fondation Cartier.

Olga de Amaral, Fondation Cartier, 261 boulevard Raspail, Paris 14th.

ESMOD, France’s top fashion school and an icon in its field, offers an exhibition on the art of drag from February 7 to 27. Featuring the perspectives of three drag artists—and former students of the school—Miss Boo, Kitty Space, and La Capitaine Grimm, the exhibition is a must-see. Some name-dropping? Miss Boo, the iconic designer, has dressed the world’s biggest drag queens. La Capitaine Grimm is known for her glam Jack Sparrow aesthetic, with her tricorne hat. Kitty Space, the first Asian queen of Drag Race France, brings her multicultural essence to her performances.

Discover iconic outfits worn by these queens, many from Drag Race France, along with extravagant accessories, captivating photographs, and performance videos. The Art of Drag questions gender norms and celebrates diversity in the most fabulous way. Bonus: On February 13 at 7 PM, ESMOD will host a roundtable discussion with the three icons. Can’t wait to meet them for real!

The Art of Drag, ESMOD, 12 rue Catherine de la Rochefoucauld, Paris 9th.
From February 7 to 27.
© Jean-Ranobrac

Because watching a ballet isn’t just for adults, Théâtre Mogador offers a kid-friendly version of the legendary Swan Lake with Mon Premier Lac des Cygnes. Simplified by ballet master at the Opéra, Fabrice Bourgeois, this shortened 40-minute-per-act version reveals the magic of Tchaikovsky—perfect for a family ballet introduction. With Karl Paquette (former star dancer and teacher at the Opéra) directing, we promise a show filled with poetry and lightness.

This kind of show appeals to both young dancers and their parents, with breathtaking costumes and music that fills the hall. Weekends at 11 AM (with additional slots during school holidays), you’ll have plenty of time to introduce your kids to the great classics of ballet, without too much effort... except for marveling at it all!

Théâtre Mogador, 25 rue de Mogador, Paris 9th.

© Julien Benhamou

Want to recharge your batteries without leaving the city? Head to Le Petit Beaumarchais Hôtel et Spa, a cozy spot in the 11th, where you can relax and destress. Here, it’s simple: no crowds, no noise, just a private spa all to yourself (and if you like, invite your partner to join you). The promise: a zen atmosphere, a beautiful pool, stone arches transporting you elsewhere, and 50 minutes to enjoy a perfect break to forget the daily stress.

Disconnect immediately by immersing yourself in the Flotarium to release all tensions, followed by a sauna to detoxify and allow for deep relaxation. Bonus: Hot or cold drinks are available to extend your cocooning moment.

Le Petit Beaumarchais Hôtel & Spa, 8 boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris 11th.
Open daily from 10 AM to 8:30 PM, with 50-minute private sessions.
Online reservations starting at €80.

Wine pairings are great, but gourmet enthusiasts are always on the lookout for something new and exciting. The new foodie obsession? Sake, of course! Far more than just rice beer, Japanese sake—also known as Nihon-shu—was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list on December 4, 2024. With its rich aromas, flavor-enhancing qualities, and alcohol content (between 12% and 17%), this refined drink is capturing the attention of connoisseurs. For the 4th edition of Sake Weeks, about twenty Parisian restaurants, including Cravan, L’Écrin (Hotel du Crillon), Vaisseau, L’Astrance, and La Dame de Pic, are showcasing this surprising alternative to wine in a celebration of Franco-Japanese friendship.

We had the chance to taste the menu at L’Écrin, where Xavier Thuizat, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and samurai sommelier, offers a fresh approach to savoring sake. For a gentle, oceanic start, try Hakkaisan Shuzo or Asahara Shuzo, paired with seafood or cocoa-flavored treats. For cooked fish, white or red meats, opt for more powerful sakes like Fukunishi Shuzo or Kitajima Brewery. Finally, for cheese, go for Tatsuuma-Honke Brewing, which rounds out beautifully on the palate. A true experience!

Sake Weeks run throughout February, with a list of participating Parisian restaurants available online.
© Jfoodo

The ultra-stylish urban art center Fluctuart, nestled on the Seine, is a vibrant spot combining thrilling exhibitions, free activities for kids, a bookshop, and a great rooftop. Right now, the street art pioneers Vive La Peinture (VLP) are taking over the space with a retrospective of their spectacular careers through "Before / After," spanning over 40 years of artistic production.

The exhibition highlights the irony that Michel Espagnon and Jean Gabaret infuse into their art. Fueled by the punk spirit of the 80s and street culture, their works include creations made from advertising posters, zinc sheets, and construction barriers. Why "Before / After"? Known for constant evolution, VLP presents 80s expressionist works in lacquered, bright colors, and from 1994, explores the human figure with pieces like the "ordinary man" series, along with the birth of Zuman, the "universal artist" in 2000, with a humanistic purpose. Don’t forget to stop by the bookstore, where street art books, objects, art editions, and accessories await.

VLP Exhibition at Fluctuart, 2 port du Gros Caillou, Paris 7th. From January 16, 2025, to March 9, 2025. Free entry from Wednesday to Sunday, from 12 PM to 2 AM. Guided tours from Friday to Sunday, from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM. © Philippe Bonan & Fluctuart

Whether you're an art lover or a newcomer, the Salon de Montrouge is a highlight in the contemporary art world. For its 68th edition, Andrea Ponsini, head of exhibitions and visual arts at Montrouge, offers a fluid and open scenography showcasing the work of over 40 artists from 10 countries such as France, Panama, Vietnam, and Switzerland.

On the agenda: an outdoor exhibition with many pieces displayed in public spaces around Montrouge, including sculptures by Sandra Matamoros in front of the town hall and Ludovic Nino's drawings in a shop window. Also featured are expressive paintings by Cécile Cornet, melancholic wood pieces by Clément Bataille, thought-provoking photographs by Julie Joubert, and colorful baroque-style assemblages by Michel Socaille. The exhibition also includes a projection room and a stage for live performances, including traditional Japanese Butaï theatre.

Salon de Montrouge, 2 place Emile Cresp, 92120 Montrouge. From February 7 to 23, 2025. Open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM. Free entry. More info online.© Salon de Montrouge & Nomads Land

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© Léo Kharfan

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