What to do in Paris in mayo

Soldes d'hiver from the second Wednesday of January — six weeks of state-regulated sales across the Marais boutiques and the Boulevard Haussmann department stores.

Chinese New Year in the 13th arrondissement's Asian quarter — dragon and lion parades along Avenue d'Ivry, the largest such celebration in Europe.

Magnolias and the first cherry trees at the Jardin des Plantes — the Japanese cherry by the École de Botanique opens blossom season in late March.

Cherry blossoms at full peak in the Parc de Sceaux — the bosquet nord turns pink and Parisians ride the RER B for hanami at the city's edge.

Fête de la Musique on June 21 — the whole city becomes a stage: free concerts in squares, courtyards and on sidewalks from afternoon into the early hours.

Bastille Day on July 14 — the military parade down the Champs-Élysées, the tricolor jet display and fireworks over the Eiffel Tower at night.

The month Parisians leave town — neighborhoods like the Marais or Belleville go quiet, with shutters down on local bistros and no waits for terrace tables.

European Heritage Days mid-month — the Élysée Palace, the Senate and the Hôtel Matignon open doors that stay closed to the public the rest of the year.

Nuit Blanche on the first Saturday of October — a full night of free contemporary art, with installations filling churches, swimming pools and metro stations.

Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of November — bistros uncork the year's wine at midnight beneath 'Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé' signs.

Animated window displays at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps — the vitrines mécaniques on Boulevard Haussmann and the giant tree under the art nouveau dome draw families every year.