Top Things to Do in Paris: Festival of Young European Photographers

If you’re looking for things to do in Paris, one of the best places to start is with local events. The natural urge is to pack your itinerary with sightseeing – and we’re not going to deny it, this is a great way to get to know a city.  You could easily travel all over France, and Europe for that matter, focusing on churches and monuments. But after a while sights start to lose their charm. Historic wonders woefully bleed together.

To avoid this sightseeing fatigue, our recommendations for the top things to do in Paris always include events and interactions with locals. The best type of travel includes a mix. Get a closer look at a culture by prioritizing events and opportunities to meet people. To be honest, this is how we like to travel. You don’t really get to know Paris by taking in the Sacre Coeur. You’re in the city for a unique period of time – savor it and create memories that are yours alone.

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Every spring, the Festival of Young European Photographers has exhibits across European cities – including a few dozen locations across France. Known as Festival de la Jeune Photographie Européenne in French, the festival showcases works ranging from absurd and surrealist, to humourous, to wrenching and heartwarming human depictions. And all artists are young photographers from across Europe. In 2014, the festival ‘s main outpost is at 104 CENTQUATRE, a community center in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. The location is remote for the average tourist, and far off the beaten path.

THE CENTER

Once inside 104 CENTQUATRE, you will be blown away. The community arts center is overflowing with creativity. It’s a free entrance space – come and leave when you want, practice what you want. Meet other artists and collaborate on the spur of the moment. On our visit we saw solo and ensemble acts perfecting their hip hop dance moves, a man juggling, groups of young people rehearsing their lines for plays and performances, and locals contemplating in the sun. 104 CENTQUATRE is above all a relaxed, open space for creatives.

THE FESTIVAL

In 2014 the festival is seamlessly integrated into the community center’s space. Photographs are displayed at times starkly, directly onto cement walls, or hanging as a more natural extension of the partially outdoor showroom. The festival was divided into a variety of spaces, starting with a narrow building, where the staircase was lined with photographs, culminating in one room at the top.

Festival-goers walk through an outdoor courtyard covered with lawn chairs (pictured above), where visitors can relax, to more rooms and a large, semi-outdoor exhibition area which is covered much in the way a pavillion is. The photography is fantastic and includes artists from across Europe, on every subject-matter. French contributors ranged from Thomas Rousset, who showcases the absurd and surreal, to Sandra Calligaro, a reporter who documents modern Afghan life.

THE RUB

We went on a warm, sunny day in March, and the atmosphere was unbeatable. The temperature, the good mood of visitors, and a large indoor café also filled with studiers, make this festival – and 104 CENTQUATRE – full of energy. If you’re looking for things to do in Paris, La Festival de la Jeune Photographie Européenne, with works by boundary-pushing young creatives – surrounded by peers in the midst of creating – is unmissable. If you’re in Paris when the festival is over, we still highly recommend a visit to the 104 CENTQUATRE community arts center. Bring some poetry to practice with a friend, or simply take your sun glasses and an open mind. For any traveler with a creative bent, you really feel like you’re at a locus where things are happening, where people are dreaming up their next creation.

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We hope that you were inspired to keep your travels local – every visit should include an event or two. To read more about our Paris event picks. Let us know in the comments if you have ever been to La Festival de la Jeune Photographie Européenne or 104 CENTQUATRE! As always, happy travels!

Sasha at TravelerCar

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Note: The cover photo also comes from Thomas Rousset’s series, Prabérians, showcased at this year’s festival.

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