If you’re following our weekly advice, you may be getting ready to walk on water or surf an artificial wave at the zero-tourist Bassin de la Villette… Then why not have a picnic in the modern and popular Parc de la Villette nearby?
Sitting in the middle of a large, grassy area, watching your children take possession of the unusual playgrounds, and wondering what this large plastic structure sticking out of the ground is*, it is difficult to imagine that less than forty years ago, the biggest slaughterhouses in Paris stood here…
Fear not, today La Villette is the biggest park in Paris, and in summer, a great outdoor stage. Every day at nightfall, from Tuesday to Sunday, classic and contemporary movies are projected on a giant screen. This year’s theme is “From street to street”. Sit back on the grass or rent a deckchair and enjoy!
The park also hosts the outdoor music festival Scènes d’été with unconventional marching bands starting off every Sunday at 3:30 pm and world music concerts at 5 pm. The festival closes on August 21, with a festive weekend devoted to tango. Listen… and dance!
Practical information:
Until August 21, 2011; movies at Prairie du Triangle; marching bands start Place de la Fontaine aux Lions; concerts at Prairie du Cercle Sud.
Program in French at < http://www.villette.com/agenda/Cinema-en-plein-air-2011.htm> (movies) and <http://www.villette.com/agenda/Scenes-d-ete-2011.htm> (concerts)
* Those are the scattered parts of a gigantic bike! (“The buried bicycle” by Claens Oldenburg, 1990)
