Your visit to Paris is incomplete if you do not witness the Chinese New Year parade in Paris. The Chinese New Year is celebrated with much fanfare, zeal and fervor not just by the large and thriving Chinese community in Paris but also by the native Parisians.Unlike the western New Year, which is celebrated on the same day each year, the Chinese have their New Year celebrations differently each year because they follow a special calendar. The Chinese New Year is characterized by an animal sign to which the year corresponds.
Tourists from all over the world converge to Paris around January or February as this is normally the time when the Chinese New Year falls. You might be amazed to see the number of Chinese present on the streets of Paris, when the grand New Year parade is moving. However, instead of being amazed you must watch the grandeur of the parade and the way New Year is celebrated.
The biggest parade starts from the 44 avenue d'Ivry, which is close to the Tang Freres supermarket. Another of the big parades which departs from the Hotel de Ville is organized by the Paris’ 3rd district.
Tourists line up the streets of Paris from where the parade is intended to move. As a popular event, the Parisians too take an active part. The parade consists of cheerful musicians, dancers, flags which have Chinese characters embossed on them, and the dragons and fish in different hues. Catering to the palate of not only the native Chinese locals but also the tourists who converge to watch the parade, the Chinese restaurants are packed to their capacity.
If you are on a visit to Paris, ensure that the Chinese New Year parade is included in your itinerary as many tour operators offer film festivals, musical or theatrical performances as part of the tour.
This is one memorable experience which you cannot miss, so before planning for anything else, plan to witness the Chinese New Year Parade in Paris.
