Paris Reveillon — Avant‑Garde & Glittering: 3‑Day Artist Escape
A winter Reveillon itinerary for artists: intimate studios, immersive digital art, plein‑air studies tuned to short daylight, and late‑night creative soirées. Focus on authentic ateliers, artist markets and hands‑on workshops with a glittering, avant‑garde New Year’s Eve.
Highlights
- Open artist studios at 59 Rivoli and Fondation Fiminco
- Immersive digital exhibition at Atelier des Lumières
- Plein‑air sketches at Parc des Buttes‑Chaumont and Canal Saint‑Martin
- Sourcing vintage frames and textiles at Marché aux Puces de Saint‑Ouen
- An intimate, avant‑garde Reveillon dinner followed by an artist‑run soirée
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival, light plein‑air study, open artist studios and an evening at creative venues to set the mood.
Check in — Hôtel Fabric (creative boutique base)
Settle into a design‑forward hotel in Oberkampf — unpack art supplies, warm up and plan short afternoon studies (hotel concierge can recommend local printers and late openings).
Tips from local experts:
- Ask reception for a quiet corner table or luggage hold to change into layers — rooms are warm but mornings can be brisk for plein‑air.
- Request a list of nearby copy/print shops and 24h art‑supply stores in the Oberkampf neighborhood.
- Confirm cloakroom availability for evening galleries so you can carry sketchbooks and small canvases hands‑free.
Plein‑air sketch: Canal Saint‑Martin — quick winter studies
Short outdoor session capturing reflections, ironwork and winter light along canal banks — ideal for quick ink washes and tonal studies.
Tips from local experts:
- In December daylight is brief — start with a 90‑minute two‑value study to capture mood before light drops.
- Bring thermal gloves with removable fingertips and a small folding stool; benches can be wet and cold.
- Position near Rue des Récollets or Rue de Lancry where sheltered walls break the wind and give interesting perspective lines for compositions.
Open studios — 59 Rivoli: artists' ateliers
Visit working studios in a converted 19th‑century building where resident artists practice; speak with artists, swap business cards and see mid‑process work.
Tips from local experts:
- Carry a slim portfolio or zine — gallerists and artists appreciate a tangible sample; hand one when conversation turns to collaboration.
- Photography rules vary — ask before you shoot and note which studios are mid‑production (paints/dyes/wet media).
- Use the building’s stair landings for quick tonal sketches of studio interiors; the natural light falls interestingly in winter afternoons.
Dinner at Le Mary Celeste — seasonal small plates
A creative, ingredient‑led dinner known for inventive plates and a convivial bar — perfect for debriefing sketches with fellow artists over natural wines.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve ahead and ask for a counter seat to sketch the open kitchen rhythm while you eat.
- Order a few small plates to taste seasonal ingredients — textures and color palettes make excellent reference notes.
- Bring a compact watercolour kit; the bar lighting is great for quick colour swatches after the meal.
Evening drinks and creative atmosphere at La Bellevilloise
An artsy cultural venue hosting concerts, exhibitions and late‑night gatherings — an excellent place to meet local creatives and catch a pop‑up show.
Tips from local experts:
- Check the program in advance — winter schedules include indoor showcases and DJ sets that attract artist crowds.
- Wear layered, glittering accessories for the Reveillon vibe; evenings are humid indoors but chilly in courtyard areas.
- Find quieter corners by the exhibition halls for networking and exchanging contacts with gallery directors or resident artists.
Day 2
A full day of artist markets, a residency visit in Romainville, immersive digital art, and a Le Marais evening gallery crawl.
Morning — Marché de la Création (Bastille) artist stalls
Browse independent stalls by local painters, illustrators and makers; source original prints, sketchbook ideas and specialty papers.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring small bills and coins — many makers prefer cash for micro‑purchases and custom sketches.
- Ask makers about their paper sources and tools; vendors often share local suppliers or leftover stock at good prices.
- Take photographs of compositions and color palettes (with permission) rather than buying every piece — use images for later studio studies.
Transfer to Fondation Fiminco — creative residency campus (Romainville)
Transit to Romainville for a visit to residency studios and experimental spaces — an off‑beat hub for emerging artists near Paris.
Tips from local experts:
- Allow 30–45 minutes for transit from central Paris; bring a compact portfolio to discuss work with residents during the commute downtime.
- Check the foundation’s visiting hours in advance — winter open studio days can be limited; email first for resident access.
- Wear shoes suitable for industrial‑style studio floors and bring a compact hand‑sanitiser for dusty ateliers.
Fondation Fiminco — studio visits & contemporary projects
Explore residency studios, experimental exhibitions and discover emerging international artists working at scale.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask curators about resident artists doing collaborative or site‑specific work — these leads often turn into studio visits or short residencies.
- Bring a lightweight sketchbook for rapid compositional notes; large installations give great compositional references for later work.
- If allowed, ask for contacts or cards so you can follow artists on their next exhibitions back in Paris.
Lunch at La REcyclerie — café in an urban atelier
A repurposed station where sustainability meets creativity; relax with seasonal fare and peek at community art projects on site.
Tips from local experts:
- Sit near the workshop area to observe ongoing community art projects and strike up informal conversations with local makers.
- Ask about upcoming repair cafés and material‑swapping events — great sources for inexpensive tools and reclaimed canvases.
- Use the warm, well‑lit space to photograph textures and patterns for collage references.
Atelier des Lumières — immersive digital exhibition
A winter‑perfect, warm indoor experience where projections engulf the architecture — inspiring for color experiments and motion studies.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive 20–30 minutes early to find a vantage point for uninterrupted sketches of projected layers; bring a dark pencil for quick tonal notes.
- Tripods and large rigs are usually not permitted; use a fast sketching approach or small Moleskine and waterbrush to capture color blends.
- Note the projection timing sequences — repeated motifs are great for making timed studies and rhythmic pattern sketches.
Transfer to Le Marais for evening gallery crawl
Short transit into Le Marais to explore contemporary galleries and experimental spaces that stay open late for openings.
Tips from local experts:
- Check which galleries have evening openings and list two backup spaces — winter openings sometimes coincide with private viewings.
- Carry business cards and a small folio — gallerists often invite promising artists for studio visits.
- Layer a thin scarf and gloves; Le Marais is walkable but breezy between venues in December evenings.
Le Marais gallery crawl — Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac & neighbors
Visit mid‑sized contemporary galleries that champion experimental painting and sculpture; talk to curators about collaborative show opportunities.
Tips from local experts:
- Begin at an anchor gallery like Thaddaeus Ropac and ask for recommendations — curators will often direct you to smaller project rooms nearby.
- Keep conversations concise and visual; carry a tiny folio with 3 images and your contact details to leave with gallery staff.
- Look for project spaces (often down side streets) — these are where risk‑taking, avant‑garde work is shown in winter.
Dinner at Derrière — playful, intimate dining
A quirky, lived‑in restaurant favored by creatives — a relaxed space to plan collaborative projects and exchange contacts over dinner.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask to sit in the back 'living room' — it’s easier to pull out sketchbooks and have longer conversations without disturbing other guests.
- Order shareable plates to keep the table lively and make spontaneous sketch swaps with new acquaintances.
- Keep a small set of metallic pens for quick on‑napkin sketches that suit the glittering Reveillon mood.
Day 3
New Year’s Eve: early plein‑air, treasure hunting at the Puces, a hands‑on studio session and an intimate, avant‑garde Reveillon dinner followed by an artist soirée.
Sunrise plein‑air sketch — Parc des Buttes‑Chaumont
A brisk, focused plein‑air session capturing winter atmospherics: cliffs, bare trees and reflected light — ideal for quick ink and wash studies.
Tips from local experts:
- Start very early — in December sunrise is late but the crisp morning light makes high‑contrast studies; limit to 60 minutes.
- Bring a thermo flask for tea and a small adhesive mat to sit on — ground can be frosty and damp.
- Use a 2B pencil or stick charcoal for fast structural marks, then block in values with a grey wash later indoors.
Transfer to Marché aux Puces de Saint‑Ouen — sourcing vintage materials
Transit to the famous flea market to hunt for old frames, textiles, ephemera and secondhand tools — a treasure trove for collage and mixed media.
Tips from local experts:
- Allow 30–45 minutes transit time from northeastern Paris neighborhoods; check Metro/Bus schedules on a winter Sunday morning.
- Carry a tote and a small roll of packing paper — sellers will often wrap fragile frames but a protective layer helps preserve finds.
- Plan purchases by category (frames/textiles/ephemera) to avoid overloading early — you can store bought items in lockers or at your hotel between stops.
Shop the Puces — vintage frames, textiles & inspiration
Slow browse: examine frame mouldings, aged papers and textile patterns for collage, gilding and mixed media references.
Tips from local experts:
- Negotiate respectfully — many dealers expect modest haggling, and you can often secure a discount for multiple buys.
- Look for small furniture restorers in the market; they sometimes sell scrap gilding leaf and old varnish suitable for experiments.
- Photograph patterns and textures for later palette studies; avoid taking photos of vendors' faces without permission.
Lunch at Le Paul Bert — classic bistro in the Puces
A convivial, locally loved bistro—refuel with warming seasonal fare and discuss midday plans with other visiting artists.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve ahead if possible — winter weekends at the Puces draw collectors and locals to the best bistros.
- Use lunchtime to photograph frames and patterns you noticed; natural light by window is great for color capture.
- Ask staff about nearby ateliers or timber/metalworkers recommended by regular clientele.
Transfer to La Cité Internationale des Arts — studio workshop slot
Return to central Paris and settle for an afternoon in a resident studio or a booked hands‑on workshop (printmaking/gilding/experiment) inside the residency complex.
Tips from local experts:
- Confirm your workshop booking in advance; winter residency schedules may limit public workshop times.
- Ask for a resident artist contact so you can continue collaboration or studio sharing after the workshop.
- Bring diluted inks and your own small brushes if you prefer specific tools — studios provide basics but your personal tools speed workflow.
Studio session at La Cité Internationale des Arts — hands‑on workshop
A focused 2.5‑hour atelier session: gilding, monotype or mixed‑media printmaking led by a resident artist — walk away with a small finished study.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a demonstration of quick gilding or monotype techniques tailored to small formats — perfect for adding metallic hints for the Reveillon palette.
- Work on cold‑press paper or pre‑stretched small panels to have a finished piece that can dry overnight for travel.
- Exchange contact details with the resident artist; winter can be a good time to apply for short residencies when schedules quiet down.
Break & freshen up at the hotel
Return to the hotel to rest, change into Reveillon outfit and prepare materials/portfolio for the evening.
Tips from local experts:
- Use this hour to warm up paintings or allow a thin wash to set; store wet pieces flat in a warm room to avoid cracking.
- Prep a small portfolio for the evening — 3 images that show your current trajectory; gallerists are more receptive after dinner events.
- Recharge batteries and pack a small flashlight and pedestrian map for late‑night navigation between venues.
Reveillon dinner — Le Chateaubriand (avant‑garde tasting)
A celebrated, inventive dinner with seasonal tasting menus — book a window or chef‑table if possible for an inspiring culinary performance.
Tips from local experts:
- Reserve well in advance for New Year’s Eve and mention you're artists — chef teams sometimes allow a brief kitchen walk‑through for tactile inspiration.
- Request courses that highlight texture and metallic plates for visual reference; take small photos for compositional notes after each course.
- Wear a statement accessory (sequins, metallic brooch) to match the avant‑garde glittering theme and blend into the creative crowd.
Artist‑run Reveillon soirée at Le Comptoir Général — midnight celebration
Cap off the night at a creative, slightly off‑beat venue where DJs, small performances and artist salons meet: toast the New Year with collaborators and new contacts.
Tips from local experts:
- Expect a relaxed, arty crowd — bring business cards and small prints to exchange as New Year calling cards.
- Use the venue’s dim corners to sketch quick impressions of performance acts; compressed charcoal or silver gel pens work well for dark rooms.
- Plan your return route in advance — taxis and rideshares surge at midnight; consider a pre‑booked pickup or an agreed metro exit if staying central.
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