France 2020 is effervescent with innovation and major events. However, because of the present situation many of these openings & major events have been schedule or are on hold. Here is a June update.
FRENCH REGIONS
Bordeaux
The trendy and rejuvenated neighborhood of Bacalan welcomes the Bassin des Lumières, the world's largest digital art center which will be housed in the former WWII submarine base. It will also neighbor the Cité du Vin and the new Musée Mer Marine, all a 15mn tram ride from the city’s central Place de la Comédie. 2 to 2 1/2 hours from Paris by TGV high speed train.
SCHEDULED TO OPEN APRIL 17 - NOW SCHEDULED TO OPEN JUNE 10, 2020 (MAY 22nd UPDATE)
Brittany
Next year In July the town of Brest will also welcome the International maritime festival, Brest 2020. Every four years, participants can sail on old rigs during the day and watch fireworks over the harbor each night over the course of a week next July.
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The region of Brittany is well-known for its Celtic heritage and in August of 2020, 700, 000 visitors are expected to attend the 50th edition of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient to witness and listen to the spectacular music. Lorient is a 3hour ride by TGV from Paris.
POSTPONED TO 2021
New Museum of Modern Art (Cligman collection) @ The Fontevraud Abbey
Western Loire – In addition to celebrating its 20th year as World Heritage Site--part of the Loire Valley 170-mile span, the 12th century Royal Fontevraud Abbey near Chinon and Saumur, will welcome in May 900 modern art works of the Martine and Léon Cligman private collection. These 19th and 20th works will include paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec, Corot, Degas, Delacroix and Soutine, and sculptures by Rodin and Germaine Richier which will be displayed in the Fannerie, the former stables of the mother abbesses.
POSTPONED TO FALL 2020
Please note the the Fontevraud Abbey itself reopened this May
Lille, Northern France
The great Northern capital Lille is the first French City to be named Lille World Capital of Design. The kick-off will be December 6, 2019 and followed through 2020 by the display of hundreds of innovative design projects affecting every facet of modern-day life. Just one hour from Paris by TGV.
EVENTS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Loire Valley & Western Loire
In 2000 a 170-mile stretch of the Loire Valley and the sister region of Western Loire were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Sully-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in the Western Loire.
Marseille, Provence
From June 7 to November 1, 2020, Top French City Marseille will be a focal point for contemporary art by hosting the roving European biennial known as MANIFESTA, also a first for France. A dialogue between art and the community, Marseille will be alive in installations, out-door happenings and exhibitions.
NEW DATES: SCHEDULED TO START ON AUGUST 28 & THOUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2020
Metz
800th Anniversary of the Saint-Etienne Cathedral, nicknamed "The Lantern of God," is renowned for its Chagall stained-glass windows. Celebrations begin December 8, 2019 through December 8. 2020.
WILL RESUME WHEN CONFINEMENT IN FRANCE IS LIFTED - WILL ADVISE
2020 will also be the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Pompidou Metz, the regional wing of Paris' Pompidou Center.
Normandy
Lovers of Monet, Degas, Manet, Pissaro and great artists of the time, will be drawn to Normandy for the 4th edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival *** . It will take place throughout the region from April 3 to September 6, 2020. There will big exhibitions in Rouen and Le Havre and other cities.
NEW DATES : NOW SCHEDULED FROM JULY 4 TO NOVEMBER 15
**Plase note that Normandy Inmpressionist Festival website gives an updated list of major exhibitions and events, but the header does not reflect the new dates
Juan-les-Pins, Côte d'Azur
The 60 anniversary of Jazz à Juan - It has hosted all the Jazz greats from Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus and Ray Charles to Miles Davis and Brand for and Wyton Marsalis. In the words of their sites website: The first «Jazz à Juan» festival, created as a tribute to a famous musician who loved Antibes, none other than Sidney Bechet, was the event that sparked off many other festivals which quickly spread across Europe. Claude Nobs, inventor of the great Montreux event, said himself: "If I hadn't passed through Antibes, Montreux wouldn't exist." The concept was revolutionary. For the first time, the general public could discover the main artists of the great saga which jazz had already become, with the heros on stage in person, and the most beautiful decor one could wish for under the hundered-year-old pine trees of pinède Gould facing the Mediterranean Sea. It was certainly a bit of a gamble, but one which more than lived up to its promises."
POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 2021
For more details, click here
PARIS
Bourse de Commerce - Collection Pinault
The long-awaited Bourse de Commerce - Collection Pinault will open to the public in June of 2020. Designed by architect Tadao Ando, it will be housed in the former Commodity Exchange, the Bourse du Commerce, in the heart of the city. The circular and dome topped building will boast 3000 square meters of exhibition spaces to make room for the 5000-piece Pinault contemporary art collection and loans from other venues like those of Pompidou Center to fuel the intended 10 exhibitions a year.
POSTPONED TO SPRING 2021
Hôtel de la Marine
Following in its foot-steps in July, is the opening to the public of the Hôtel de la Marine (meaning in the case: mansion) located on the Place de la Concorde right across the rue Royale from the legendary Hôtel de Crillon. The former headquarters of the French Navy from the French Revolution through 2015, the 18th century palace (and furniture storage of the crown) is being restored. It will showcase the royal and state’s period furniture, tapestries and decorative objects, displayed in the palace’s ceremonial ball rooms and recreation of the private apartments of Baron de Ville d’Avray, the royal steward and his wife.
POSTPONED TO APRIL 13, 2021
Musée Méliès
October 2020 - Frequently called the silver screen capital of the world, Paris will welcome in the Bercy district at the Cinémathèque française a new Musée Méliès named for the pioneer film director—and illusionist, Georges Méliès. More to come shortly
STILL SCHEDULED