Paris is home to two historic Asian neighborhoods that celebrate Chinese New Year each year with a colorful parade: the Triangle de Choisy in the 13th arrondissement, Europe's largest Chinatown, and the Belleville neighborhood, which straddles the 19th and 20th arrondissements. The date changes every year according to the lunar calendar, generally falling between late January and late February. Articulated dragons and lions, firecrackers, costumed dancers and marching bands parade through the streets, followed by a dense crowd packing the restaurant terraces and shopfronts of the neighborhood, which often join in by handing out treats to children as the parade goes by.
The dragon parade
Carried aloft by a team of dancers, the articulated dragon winds through the streets to the beat of drums, closely followed by a crowd trying to get close for the luck it's said to bring.
The Belleville neighborhood
Less well known than the 13th for its celebrations, Belleville also holds its own parade in years when the calendar allows, in a tighter-knit, less touristy neighborhood atmosphere.
Tips
The parade in the 13th arrondissement generally follows a route around Avenue de Choisy and Avenue d'Ivry, but the exact itinerary changes every year: it's best to check the 13th arrondissement town hall's program in the weeks beforehand for the precise time and route. Arrive with plenty of time to spare before the announced start of the parade, as the best spots along the route fill up quickly, and the streets involved are often closed to traffic several hours in advance.
