A look back at the 2024 Chinese New Year in Paris
Like every year, the Chinese New Year was widely celebrated in Paris. From February 8 to 25, 2024, the festivities allowed numerous visitors to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, through shows, exhibitions, and the famous colorful parade. Let’s rediscover all the events that marked Chinese New Year 2024 in Paris , and how we celebrated the entry into the year of the Wooden Dragon.
Lunar New Year parades
According to the Chinese calendar, the new year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. We then speak of Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year . In Vietnam, this celebration falls on the same day, and is called the Tet festival. To respect Chinese tradition, this festival always begins with a parade.
The traditional Chinese New Year parade in the 13th arrondissement of Paris
To end the year of the Water Rabbit and start with dignity In the year of the Wooden Dragon , the 13th arrondissement of Paris organized its famous festive parade . On Sunday February 18, 2024, the participants put on their traditional costumes and paraded to the rhythm of Chinese music. The dragon dance, so dear to the traditional Lunar New Year celebration, therefore took place between Avenue de Choisy, Porte de Choisy and Avenue d’Ivry.
Many associations celebrated the event in good spirits, introducing thousands of spectators to Chinese folklore.
The Lunar New Year parade at Faubourg Saint-Honoré
A few days before the traditional Paris 13 parade, the Faubourg Saint-Honoré Committee opened the festivities with a colorful Chinese New Year parade . On February 13, 2024, visitors gathered at the corner of Faubourg Saint-Honoré and rue Royale, in the 8th arrondissement, to attend the famous magical parade. During this exceptional day, Parisian associations staged the lion dance , dragons, and of course, the traditional lanterns.
Chinese New Year’s Day 2024 entertainment
To celebrate the New Year, great events were organized throughout the capital. Let’s remember 2 notable events from these two weeks of celebration.
The Bastille market
The Year of the Wooden Dragon was widely celebrated on Saturday February 17, at the Bastille market , in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. From 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., numerous activities allowed Parisians and tourists to experience this moment of celebration according to Chinese tradition .
On the program: lantern-making workshop, artistic performances (demonstration of traditional dances, martial arts, etc.), calligraphy and Chinese painting workshops, etc.
And to learn about Chinese gastronomy, no less than 40 Asian food stands were set up and offered traditional dishes.
The festivities at the Guimet museum
The National Museum of Asian Arts was there to welcome the new year under the sign of the Wooden Dragon. To celebrate this unmissable festival, the Guimet museum has therefore offered a vast program based on lion dance, screenings of short films, meetings, and even workshops. Throughout the weekend of February 9, 10 and 11, as well as Wednesday February 21, 2024, the facade of the museum also displayed a sublime magical mapping.
Treat yourself to Asian specialties for Chinese New Year 2024
To properly celebrate the Chinese New Year and fully immerse yourself in Chinese culture, nothing beats delicious cuisine with Asian flavors.
The best Chinese restaurants in Paris
To discover a new culture, tasting culinary traditions is essential. Chinese gastronomy has many specialties, more or less well known, such as longevity noodles (the longer the noodle, the better the year promises to be), Lok Ba Go (radish cake), dumplings, or again the Bánh chưng. So, to fly to China in one bite, here are some addresses of the best Asian restaurants in Paris :
- The Mirama (Paris 5);
- Les Pâtes Vivantes (Paris 9);
- La Pâtisserie de Choisy (Paris 13);
- Gros Bao (Paris 10);
- Le Tse Yang (Paris 16);
- Le Panda Panda (Paris 10)…
If you want to experience more refined Chinese cuisine, you will need to go to a gourmet Chinese restaurant . We recommend the gourmet restaurant Lili, which also offered a special Chinese New Year menu. You can also go to Shrangi-La or Bauhinia, two essential addresses for Asian cuisine in Paris.
The Belleville food market
If you like street food, you definitely know the Belleville Food Market , in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. If you always find the best dishes to enjoy on the go, many events are also celebrated there, such as the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau. Logically, the Lunar New Year was celebrated there on February 15, 2024. The Asian community was then able to showcase its culinary traditions, to the great pleasure of visitors.
Every year, Paris celebrates Chinese New Year with great fervor. This is the opportunity to discover Asian culture, and to experience a unique moment of conviviality and good humor.
