It's one of the highlights of the Chinese calendar! The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated on the evening of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is said to be the roundest and brightest of the year. In China and many countries in East and Southeast Asia, it symbolizes the harvest, family unity, and the remembrance of ancestors.
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Two days of celebration to honor Asian culture
In Paris too, the event is gaining momentum. This weekend of October 11th and 12th, the Belleville neighborhood will host the 4th edition of the Lantern Festival, transforming the Boulevard de Belleville into a festive and vibrant space, between the 11th and 20th arrondissements. Organized by the Belleville Merchants' Association, with support from local city halls, the festival pays tribute to a millennia-old tradition and celebrates the multicultural richness of Belleville, an emblematic neighborhood of the capital and home to a large Asian community, making it the perfect setting to bring this ancient celebration to life.
A culinary journey without leaving Paris
From 11 AM to 10 PM, visitors are invited to wander...r, snack, admire, and celebrate. The boulevard transforms into a open-air market, with stalls of Asian street food: China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia… and of course the must-try mooncakes, with sweet or savory fillings.
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The festival kicks off with the spectacular lion dance and its eye-opening ceremony, followed by traditional dances (including Eng Go Bu), concerts, demonstrations of martial arts, and fun workshops like calligraphy and lantern-making. Local crafts are also in the spotlight, featuring stalls with original creations.
As night falls, Belleville lights up: colorful lanterns, a soft and warm atmosphere, and the enticing scents of spices in the air... It's a truly popular celebration that blends cultural transmission with sensory delight.