Rock-en-Seine 2010 © Sylvere.h
This summer, classical music fans get a look-in for once when it comes to music festivals in Paris. In the beautiful surroundings of the Orangerie du Parc de Bagatelle, the 19th annual programme by Octuor de France runs until 15 August, with concerts featuring the music of Haydn, Schubert and Mozart (www.octuordefrance.com ).
In the centre of town, the 25th Festival Musique en l’Ile runs until 15 September with 20 concerts at the church of Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile and other churches in Paris. There’s a Russian accent to the festival this year, with performances by the Choir of the Monastery of St Alexander Nevsky and other St Petersburg orchestras and soloists (www.latoisondart.com ).
The open-air Festival Classique au Vert at Parc Floral de Paris at Vincennes runs from 6 August to 25 September with inexpensive classical concerts every weekend (www.classiqueauvert.fr ).
Until 31 July, there’s a chance to catch L’Autre Rive Gauche at the Port de la Gare on the banks of the Seine where not only music, but also sorts of arts workshops, exhibitions and screenings, make up a contemporary festival organised by local clubs such as Batofar and Petit Bain (www.batofar.org ).
Jazz comes to La Villette from 31 August to 11 September. Highlights include Abdullah Ibrahim, Archie Shepp Phat Jam feat. Napoleon Maddox and Rodolphe Burger with James Blood Ulmer. The festival has special events for children, too (www.jazzalavillette.com ).
Headlining the annual Rock en Seine (www.rockenseine.com) festival this year are Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, the Kills and new talent and Mercury prize nominee Anna Calvi. It all happens on 26, 27 and 28 August at Domaine National de Saint-Cloud which is about five minutes’ walk from the métro station Boulogne-Pont St-Cloud, so it’s not too far to carry your tent – or indeed to hop on the métro back to your hotel if you don’t fancy camping.
