Two essential trade fairs in Paris this spring

There’s always something of interest taking place in the French capital ... Culturally oriented trade fairs, for example, are a major fixture on the Parisian calendar, but when visiting these events it’s a good idea to choose somewhere to stay that’s within easy reach! The Hotel Sophie Germain, in Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement, ticks all the boxes. Only 5 kilometres away is Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, the superb exhibition centre that will host the Paris Book Fair from March 17th to 20th. The Art Paris Art Fair, meanwhile, will welcome visitors from March 31st to April 3rd under the great glass dome of the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement, just 15 minutes away.

A revitalised and redesigned book fair

For its 36th edition, the Paris Book Fair is receiving a brand-new identity by taking the name Livre Paris. A new visual identity, a new format and an extra day complete the makeover for this internationally famous cultural event. This year, for the first time, the trade fair will be preceded by exhibits, workshops and a literary stroll on the banks of the Seine. The guest country this spring is South Korea, a nation boasting a creative diversity that certainly extends to its literary scene.

So that’s four days dedicated to writing, publishing and, of course, you the reader! The pages of the exhibition centre will be filled with writers of non-fiction and fiction of all genres from cover to cover! Young and old will meet their favourite authors of best-sellers and cult works from thrillers to comic books, as well as attend a parade of manga heroes.

Livre Paris in numbers: 50 participating countries, 4700 signings, 1200 publishers.

Art Paris Art Fair: contemporary and innovative

The focus is on modern and contemporary art in all its modes of expression at the Art Paris Art Fair. Under the dome of the Grand Palais, this second major cultural event of spring 2016 will bring together no fewer than 140 art galleries from some 20 countries. A number of solo shows will be scattered throughout the fair, and new talents will emerge into the spotlight, as always.

With South Korea as the national guest of honour and newcomers such as Iran, Azerbaijan and Colombia attending for the first time, this year will certainly not lack for international diversity. The artistic impulse will also be expressed through ultramodern means, including digital technology, as the facade of the Grand Palais is transformed by stunning projections.

Art Paris Art Fair in numbers: 6500 m2 of exhibition space; 145 exhibitors; 50% new participants.

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More information :
• Parc des Expositions (Exhibitions halls) Porte de Versailles
Porte de Versailles, Paris 15th
Livre Paris (Book Fair) from Thursday 17 to Sunday, March 20, 2016
Pavilion 1 Boulevard Victor
Thursday, March 17: 11h-22h (Nocturne)
Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19: 10h-20h
Sunday, March 20: 10h-19h
Admission prices: €12: free for under 18s; CE tariff: €8.50; half-price (€6) for students under 26.
Metro: Line 12, Porte de Versailles or Line 8, station Balard
Tram line T2 or T3, Porte de Versailles stop
Bus: lines 39 or 80, Porte de Versailles
• Grand Palais (Exhibitions centre)
Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8th
Art Paris Art Fair Exhibition from 31 March to 3 April 2016
Thursday, March 31 from 11:30 to 20h
Friday, April 1 from 11:30 to 21h
Saturday, April 2 from 11:30 to 20h
Sunday, April 3 from 11:30 to 19h
Admission prices: general public - €25; students and groups - €12; under 10 years - free
Catalogue + bag - €15; bag - €3; admission + catalogue + bag package - €32
Metro: lines 1, 9, 13, Franklin D. Roosevelt stations Elysées-Clemenceau Champs
RER line C, station Invalides
Bus: 28, 42, 52, 63, 72, 73, 80, 83, 93

Hotel Sophie Germain, a charming 3* hotel on the left bank of Paris