How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Paris

Are you visiting Paris in February? One event that should be on your radar is the Chinese New Year activities. Although the French capital is as French as it can get, Paris is also an international melting pot. Many Asian communities call it home, and as such, the city embraces various cultures and holidays, including Chinese New Year, more commonly known as the Lunar New Year.

Every year, the dull grey days of late January or early February come to life when the Asian community celebrates the Lunar New Year with great pomp and circumstance. Here are some ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Paris.

The Chinese Community in Paris

While Paris has several small sections of Chinatown scattered across several Paris arrondissements, the most popular is the one in the 13th arrondissement. It is a small triangular area known as Triangle de Choisy, where most of the Chinese community is located. This part of the 13th district is easily accessible by metro line 7 (Tolbiac, Porte d’Ivry) and metro line 14 (Olympiads).

Some of the other Chinatowns are located in the 3rd arrondissement near Rue au Maire and the 19th/20th arrondissement near Rue de Belleville. There are some larger communities just outside Paris, in Marne-la-Vallée and Aubervilliers.

History of Chinatown in Paris

Like several outer districts, the 13th became a part of Paris in 1860, and towards the end of the 19th century, a car factory was built in the area. In the 1930s, the factory employed about 1,000 immigrant workers from China who eventually settled in the surrounding neighborhood. The car factory was shut down in the 60s, reducing the area to an industrial wasteland until the city intervened and built modern housing in the 70s.

These modern high-rise apartment blocks were out of budget for poorer Parisians and not quite what wealthier ones wanted, but they turned out to be just right for Asian refugees fleeing Southeast Asia in the 70s and 80s. Whilst the majority of the community in the 13th is Chinese, it also has a diverse mix of Asian cultures, including people, restaurants, shops, markets, and even temples.

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Paris

The Chinese New Year brings with it light and colors that are a welcome respite from the cold, greyness of the Parisian winter. The bright red flags and lanterns add some soul to the otherwise dreary concrete buildings. The celebrations mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year and the arrival of spring. It is the biggest holiday for Chinese people living abroad. 

The Chinese, like the French, attach great importance to food and family, so the new year is a time to share meals with friends and family. They also believe in symbols and words, paying attention to the shapes of their dumplings or the way the names of their dishes sound.

The Parade

Welcoming the Lunar Year is incomplete without a grand parade! 

The biggest Chinese New Year parade takes place in the main Chinatown of the 13th arrondissement. Known as the Quartier Asiatique, the 13th is home to the largest Asian community, both residential and professional. 

The parade here features huge spectacles that blend with different Asian cultures. There are floats, dancing dragonheads, and cheering crowds, with traditional music in the background. The floats feature men drumming up the tunes for the new year, while women walk in front in colorful costumes that create a striking contrast against the Parisian beige. 

The Chinese presence in Belville is also reflected by another parade in this region. Aimed at being festive and colorful, the parade is a sight to behold. Like the Quartier Asiatique, the parade here includes the lion and dragon dances, martial arts performances, and even acrobats.

The Lunar New Year festivities can also be witnessed in the Marais district, where, along with the dances and parades, free face painting and makeup are offered for kids who want to be part of the celebration.

These days, the celebrations reach well beyond the 13th. Belleville hosts its own lantern festival and parade across the 10th, 11th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements; the Marais holds a colorful procession through the 3rd; and a large parade now winds along the Champs-Élysées on a car-free Sunday in early February. Wherever you choose to watch, expect lion and dragon dances, drummers, and plenty of firecrackers.

Apart from the parade, there are several activities, exhibits, and concerts during this time. Visitors can see dances related to the animal of the year and enjoy delicious treats while nodding to traditional tunes.

Chinese Food in Paris

Just like in China, the Chinese New Year means loads of delicious food. It is an excellent opportunity to sample authentic Chinese and other Asian dishes. Although the 13th arrondissement is the most popular place for rich Chinese flavors, many other up-and-coming districts in the city also offer Asian fusion dishes and recipes from neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

The Japanese/Korean Quartier on Rue Sainte-Anne hosts weekly markets and has many restaurants and boutiques for Asian dining and shopping. From sushi and Korean barbecue to ramen and dumplings, the food options here are endless. Even though the flavors and cultures of other Asian countries differ from those of China, the Lunar New Year is an important celebration for all.

Don’t forget the several tea rooms in Paris. A lot of them offer a variety of Asian teas and pastries in a calm, relaxing environment. If you wish to experience authentic teas or Asian delicacies, head to Maison des Trois Thés in the 5th arrondissement. There are several tea rooms with Asian flavors and fusion offerings, such as T’Xuan in the 9th arrondissement.

Great Chinese Food Options in Paris

• China Messina (204 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 13th Arr) is an institution for Beijing-style plates. 
• Steam Bar (2 Rue du Sabot, 6th Arr) enjoy juicy spring rolls and gyoza in a cocktail bar setting.
• Gros Bao (72 Quai de Jemmapes, 10th Arr) has amazing dumplings and bao as well as sticky desserts.
• Petit Bao (116 Rue Saint-Denis, 2nd Arr.) is the same as above but in a smaller space.
• Shang Palace (inside Shangri-La Paris Hotel, 10, avenue d'Iéna, 16th Arr) offers dim sum and more in a gastronomic experience.
• La Taverne De ZHAO (5 locations in Paris, including 49 Rue des Vinaigriers, 10th Arr) serves Xi'an-style cuisine and is a cozy hidden gem with an open kitchen, a slightly compact space, but bursting with delightful flavors, cheerful servers, and reasonable prices.
• Tang Frères (168 Avenue de Choisy, 13th Arr) is the largest Asian supermarket in Paris and a fixture of the Quartier Asiatique, with a busy food court and everything you need to cook a New Year feast at home.

Chinese New Year Symbols

Red Lanterns: Red is a lucky color in Chinese culture. The red lanterns hanging in the windows of stores and restaurants signify good luck.

Red Envelopes: Older family members often put money in small red envelopes adorned with gold designs. These are given to the children and younger members as a symbol of good luck.

Lion and dragon dance: The lion and dragon costumes are donned by dancers who perform in the parades and are believed to bring good luck. Many businesses offer a platter to the lion filled with food (cabbage or oranges) and red envelopes containing money. If the lion tosses the cabbage in the air, it expresses its satisfaction.

Firecrackers and drums: Firecrackers, drums, and other musical instruments produce loud sounds believed to drive away evil spirits and demons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Embracing Tradition and Diversity in Paris

In the heart of the City of Light, the vibrant traditions of the Lunar New Year illuminate the Parisian winter, creating a beautiful fusion of cultures. As the dragon dances through the streets and the scent of delicious Asian cuisine fills the air, it's a reminder that Paris is not only a city of timeless French elegance but also a global tapestry of diversity and celebration.

So if you are visiting Paris in February, join the grand parade in the Quartier Asiatique or savor exquisite dumplings in the 13th arrondissement. Chinese New Year in Paris is a joyful reminder of the rich tapestry of cultures that call this magnificent city home.

Whatever animal the new year brings, may it fill your visit with good fortune, prosperity, and unforgettable memories in the heart of Paris.

How about you? Have you been to the Lunar New Year parade in Paris? Got any suggestions for restaurants to check out? Do tell!