Paris in September – Community Garage Sales and Open Artist Studios

Every September after school starts, communities across Paris begin organizing garage sales of various scales and open artist studios. These events are actively coordinated by local neighborhood associations. From September onward, it is common to hear every weekend about where a garage sale or studio visit is happening that week. During these past two weeks, there have been garage sales near my home. The alleyway opposite my house and Rue Duchamp appear somewhat quiet this year, with few stalls. However, not far away, surrounding the post office, there is a large-scale garage sale with over a hundred stalls offering everything imaginable. Naturally, there are many miscellaneous items; many children also set up stalls, selling their unused toys, books, and clothes. Old clothing stalls and assorted junk stalls display numerous unneeded objects, reflecting how every household in today’s consumer society accumulates trivial items. Amid this year’s financial crisis, economic contraction, and weak purchasing power, even community garage sales feel different. Although crowds gather in the afternoon, most seem to be out for a stroll rather than shopping. Business remains dimmer than before. With bleak economic prospects, people seem more frugal and mindful of consumption—perhaps it is time to adjust our lifestyles.

In September, artist studios in various districts also take turns opening for visits. Paris, as an art capital, is full of hidden talent; they say if a signboard falls, it will surely hit an artist. This shows that artists (painters, sculptors, visual artists, printmakers, etc.) are everywhere in the city. Indeed, the entire street of Rue Duchamp in front of my home is lined with studios. Near the Bibliothèque nationale de France, there is the 13th arrondissement’s hub for artists—the Glacière Art Village—and the Cité Internationale des Arts near Parc Montsouris, along with scattered studios in other corners. In recent years, however, studios in the 13th have stopped opening, for reasons unknown. Two days ago, I went to the 20th arrondissement to visit an artist friend and saw on the way that studios were open that week. Perhaps I can find time in the afternoon to investigate. Unexpected discoveries often hold extraordinary surprises, don’t they? Come with me—let’s go.