le 15 Mai, 2026
The Paris Postcard is your weekly love letter from Paris—curated highlights, hidden gems, and the latest happenings to inspire your week.
And this week, there’s a noticeable shift in the air. Paris is moving into that unmistakable late-spring rhythm where the city feels more animated—cafés are fuller, hotel lobbies are busier, and you start to feel the steady arrival of peak-season energy. More activity, more visitors, more movement everywhere you turn—but still with that effortless Parisian ease layered underneath it all.
Earlier this week, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs unveiled its latest exhibition, La Mode Majesté – Royal Thai Dress: From Tradition to Modernity. It offers a visually rich exploration of Thai royal dress codes, textiles, and craftsmanship—bridging ceremonial tradition with contemporary design. Expect intricate weaving techniques, archival garments, and modern reinterpretations that highlight how cultural identity is expressed through fabric, silhouette, and ornamentation.
And just beyond the city, Vaux-le-Vicomte begins glowing again on May 16, as thousands of candles return to the gardens. The château and its grounds transform into something almost cinematic—soft light, reflections on water, and an atmosphere made for lingering rather than rushing. It’s one of my favorite château experiences: elegant, immersive, and unforgettable. The château itself is a striking example of French Baroque architecture, with a fascinating history that still shapes how we understand Versailles-era grandeur.
The tempo picks up with the Grand Steeplechase de Paris on May 16–17 at Auteuil. This event brings together tradition, pageantry, and high-stakes racing. I have a deep love for equestrian sports—polo, dressage, classic flat racing—but steeplechase is personally the one I find most intense to watch. The jumps are demanding, and the sport carries real risk for both horse and rider, which makes the experience feel as gripping as it is sobering.
Both Roland Garros (French Open) and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Jazz Festival begin on Monday, May 18.
Roland Garros is one of the most anticipated events in the Paris calendar. The city leans into tennis season in a big way—from the red clay courts to the buzz across neighborhoods and terraces. If you’re curious about what makes it so special, I’ve shared more here: Five Things I Love About Going to the French Open.
Meanwhile, the Jazz Festival of Saint-Germain-des-Prés fills the Left Bank with live music, spontaneous performances, and that effortless, improvisational energy that suits the neighborhood so well. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is widely considered one of the historic birthplaces of Paris jazz, where postwar cafés became gathering places for musicians, writers, and artists.
Later in the week, Grand Palais hosts A Taste of Paris from May 21–24, offering a very different kind of indulgence—top chefs, tasting menus, culinary demos, and the kind of food culture that blends craft and spectacle in a distinctly Parisian way.
All of these moments together mark a clear seasonal shift. Paris is fully stepping into its late-spring and early-early summer rhythm—livelier, fuller, and unmistakably in motion, while still holding onto the elegance that never really leaves.
#ICYMI
In April, I shared Five Simple Tricks to Always Look Polished. These suggestions will help ensure your wardrobe is on point for your next Parisian adventure.
And, for a bit of nostalgia, I’m sharing a May 2009 post The Grand Steeplechase de Paris: A Day at Auteuil.
xoxo, Jeannine
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