Exciting Paris events during February include final Winter Sales (look for the biggest bargains this month!), a trio of Chinese New Year parades, a lively roster of concerts and museum shows, and believe it or not, the first signs of spring toward the end of the month.
Valentine's Day means you'll see lovely displays in bakery windows, and special menus in the city's romantic bistros. If you're visiting, don't miss the romantic dinners, shows, and cruises on this day.
With warmer temperature, longer days, and the first flowers appearing on early-blooming cherry trees, February is a wonderful time to explore Paris, visit museums, and enjoy hints of romance in the air.
Celebrate being in the "City of Love" by posing for a photo in front of the famous blue and white Wall of Love in Rictus Square in Montmartre where you'll see I Love You written 311 times and in 250 different languages.
Top photo: Le mur des je t'aime (the Wall of Love) in Rictus Square in Montmartre, (c) Paris Discovery Guide
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Valentine's Day in Paris: Celebrate Your Love in the City of Love
It's hard to imagine a more romantic city in the world than Paris - so what better destination with your love on Valentine's Day, especially if you might be planning to propose?
First, save by finding a cheap flight so that you can splurge once you get there by staying at a 5-star Palace hotel.
Spend the day enjoying some of these romantic and fun activities:
- Tour the city in a classic vintage Citroën 2CV and see all the famous sites: the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, and the picturesque Montmartre neighborhood.
- Explore Paris's most charming neighborhoods on a fun and leisurely small bike tour as your guide takes you through fashionable Saint Germain, medieval Marais, and the lively Latin Quarter.
- Go for a walk along the Seine River.
As night falls, head out to one of these romantic destinations - and the perfect place to propose:
- Valentine's Day Seine River Cruise with 5-Course Gourmet Dinner & Live Music - Champagne, wine, and live music round out this wonderful experience for February 14. Find out more
- "Soirée Love" at the Rodin Museum, where a "love tour" shows you Rodin's most sensuous scultures such as "The Kiss" and "The Age of Bronze," complete with a recounting of Rodin's own love store with Camille Claudel, romantic music, and poetry. February 14 from 6pm-11pm, with four time slots. Tickets & more information
- Romantic Dinner Cruise with Champagne - Available every evening, this gourmet 3-course dinner cruise down the Seine lets you enjoy beautiful illuminated top Paris attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Louvre Museum. Find out more
- Lido de Paris Valentine's Day Dinner & Show - Celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14th at Paris's legendary Lido de Paris caberet while you savor a 4-course gourmet dinner, sip Champagne, and enjoy the Lido's fabulous "Paris Merveilles" show. Find out more - or catch the same show with dinner and Champagne on another night
February Concerts in Paris - 2024
- Adriana Lecouvreur: Paris Opera - Opera Bastille - Feb 4, 7
More Paris classical concerts, opera, & dance performances during February
More Paris rock, pop, jazz, rap, indie, & other concerts during February
Find Paris concerts for other months
Fun Ways to Tour Paris in February
What to see Paris from a fun, slightly off-the-beaten-path perspective? Take a look at these interestiing ways to experience the city's culture:
- Underground Bars and Speakeasy Guided Tour - Your guide will lead you through secret passages to hidden underground bars while sharing insights into their rich history
- Urban Art Mural Walking Tour - See some of the best and biggest murals in Paris and learn about their international artists from your guide as you explore one of Paris's lesser-known districts
- Montmartre Cheese, Wine, & Pastry Guided Walking Tour - Sample delicious delicious French cuisine and wine at 8 stops as you soak up the ambiance in one of Paris's most romantic neighborhoods
Winter Sales on Designer Fashions - Final Days
The famous Paris winter sales end on February 7.
By early February, Soldes signs in store windows all over the city will be announcing final reductions - as high as 70-80%, and occasionally even more. Savvy shoppers know that these last few days are when you'll find the biggest bargains.
Find out more about Paris Winter Sales 2023
Paris Tours for Fashionistas
La Chandeleur in Paris: Crêpe Day!
In case you've never heard of La Chandeleur, it takes place on February 2 and is the day in France when everyone eats crepes. (In English, it's called "Candlemas" - or just "pancake day.")
Why? The date is based on a rather obscure Roman Catholic holiday that celebrated the presentation of Baby Jesus at a temple 40 days after Christmas, which is the 2nd of February. It's also associated with superstitions about prosperity (you'll lose it if you drop a gold coin held in your left hand while holding the crepe pan in your right hand and flipping the crepe) and the weather (rain on February 2nd predicts 40 more days of rain - similar to Groundhog Day in the U.S. and Canada).
Bottom line: If you're in Paris on February 2nd, head to the nearest creperie to celebrate this tasty French tradition.
Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows during February
The Splendours of Uzbekistan's Oases @ Musée du Louvre
This major exhibition in the Louvre's Islamic Courtyard includes about 130 masterpieces created in this crossroad of Eastern and Western civilizations during the course of 17 centuries; many will leave Uzbekistan for the first time ever.
Dates: Through March 6, 2023
Tickets: 26€ adults; book in advance on website
Location: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16; Metro: Pont de Neuilly
Andre Derain: Southern Passages @ Orangerie Museum
Derain's Provence landscapes painted between World War I and World War II showcase intense reflections of light in the South of France.
Dates: Through March 6, 2023
Tickets: 12.50€. Book your Musée de l'Orangerie ticket online (includes permanent collections and special exhibitions), or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
Location: Tuileries Garden (southwest corner), 75001; Metro: Concorde, Assemblée Nationale
Find more Paris museum exhibitions for February & future months
Paris Museum and Attractions Passes
Get free admission and skip-the-line access to 60+ museums in and near Paris when you have a Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days. More info
One Thousand and One Orchids Show at Jardin des Plantes
Chase away the dregs of winter at the Botanical Garden's annual display of 700 fabulous orchids (just a tiny fraction of the Garden's collection of 92,000 specimums) arranged in natural settings throughout the garden's enormous greenhouses.
Dates: February 6 - March 4, 2024 (to be confirmed)
Tickets: 7€ adults; buy online or at the greenhouse entrance (admission to the Botanical Garden is free)
Location: Greenhouses, Jardin des Plantes, Paris 5; Metro: Jussieu, Place Monge, Austerlitz, or Quai de la Rapée (walk across the Pont d'Austerlitz bridge to the garden)
Chinese New Year Parades in Paris - Dates & Locations - 2024
Dragon Dances - Chinese New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year parades, festivities, and other events span about two weeks during late January / early February in Paris, home to Europe's largest Asian community. Don't miss the chance to experience the big parades with Lion Dancers, colorful dragons, drums, firecrackers, food, and activities!
Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year, or Têt) falls on Saturday, February 10 in 2024, which marks the Year of the Dragon. According to traditional beliefs, people born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be intelligent, charismatic, confident, powerful, and lucky. In China, celebrations take place over about a 15-day period.
Most Chinese New Year events in Paris take place this year in January. Here are dates and locations of the biggest New Year parades and other celebrations:
- Faubourg Saint-Honoré (where it intersects Rue Royal) - Monday, February 5 (to be confirmed) - starts at 3pm, and usually lasts about 2 hours - Festive red lanterns and a colorful parade with about 30 lion dancers, dragons, and drummers.
- Guimet Museum - February 15-18 (to be confirmed) - Special activities, with a lion dance on Feb 17 at 4pm, free with museum admission. Check the museum's website for more details.
- 13th Arrondissement Spring Festival & Parade - Sunday, February 11, 2pm. (to be confirmed) The largest Chinese New Year Parade in Paris with lion and dragon dances, and many marchers and even more watchers. The 13th district reflects numerous Asian cultures: Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Tibetan, Mongolian. Check the 13th's website for any late-breaking announcements: Paris 13 Town Hall website
- Belleville Chinese New Year Parade - No announcements yet
- Marais Chinese New Year Parade - 3rd arrondissement - No announcements yet
- Guimet Museum - No announcements yet. Check the museum's website for any updates.
Future Chinese New Year dates: January 29, 2025, February 17, 2026, February 6, 2027, January 26, 2028, February 13, 2029, February 3, 2030
Mardi Gras (Carnaval) in Paris: La Promenade du Boeuf Gras - 2024
Paris celebrates Mardi Gras with a huge parade based on ancient cultural traditions called La Promenade du Boeuf Gras (literally, March of the Fat Beef Cow) featuring masks and processions. Led by Pimprenelle, a lovely French Limousin beef cow wearing a gorgeous red dress, and her escort Pat the Clown, about 5,000 flamboyantly costumed paraders fill the streets of Paris with music and dancing, attracting massive crowds of spectators.
The Paris Mardi Gras parade takes place in the 20th arrondissement, always on the Sunday before the Tuesday when Mardi Gras occurs. The event is free, free-form, and definitely one of the most fun things to do in Paris in February. Want to march? Just join in. Want to watch? That's fine too. What should you wear? Whatever you want!
Carnaval de Paris (Mardi Gras) Parade Route: Starts at Place Gambetta in the 20th, and goes down Avenue Gambetta past Père Lachaise Cemetery, turns right at Boulevard Ménilmontant and continues along Boulevard de Belleville, turns left on to Rue du Faubourg du Temple and ends at Place de la République. Like every parade in Paris, unanticipated route changes can occur - so check the Carnaval website for any last-minute updates.
When: February 11, 2024
Starts: Around 1pm - 1:30pm
Ends: Around 6pm, followed by two hours of dancing around Place de la Republique, ending at about 8pm
Nearest metro station to starting location: Gambetta
Future dates: February 19, 2025
Festival d'Automne (Autumn Festival) Paris - 2023-2024
The Paris Autumn Festival (which extends into February) showcases the latest creations and artists (international as well as French) in contemporary dance, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts at a variety of venues around Paris, include the Grand Hall at Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement, the Pinault Collection at Bourse de Commerce and Louvre in the 1st, and Pompidou Center in the 4th, just to name a few.
This is a hugely popular festival, with over 50 events (many of which extend over several or more days) at over 70 venues in and near Paris.
Most events are ticketed, and many sell out quickly, so don't wait to book, which you can do through the event's website.
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