PARIS IN AUTUMN:

September sees the start of the social season, with gala performances of the new films, and parties in big houses on the Ile St-Louis. Paris is the world largest congress centre and there are a ruch of shows in September, ranging from the children's cloths and gifts to leisure and music. The pace barely slackens in October and November when Parisians begin to indulge their great love for the cinema. French and Hollywood stars make appearances at premiers staged on the Champs-Elysées.

September:

- Festival d'Automne à Paris (mid-September-end December), throughout Paris. Music, dance, theater.

- Journée du Patromoine (usually 3rd week). Three hundred historic buildings, monuments and ministries are open free to the public for two days.

- Garçons de café race (one Sun mid-September)., from place de la République to place de la Bastille. Dozens of waiters race with a bottle and glass balanced on a tray.

October:

- Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporain (FIAC) (last week), Parc des Expositions, Porte de Versailles. The biggest international modern and contemporary art fair in Paris.

- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1st week), Longchamps. An International field competes for the richest prize in European horse-racing.

- Salon de l'Automobile (1st 2 weeks, every other year), Parc des Expositions, Porte de Versailles. Commercial motor show, which is alternated annually with a motorcycle show.

November:

- Paris Tennis Open (usually November), Palais d'Omnisports de Paris-Bercy.

- Festival d'Art Sacré (November-24 December), at St-Sulpice, St-Eustache and St-Germain-des-prés churches. Religious art festival.

- Mois de la photo (October-December). Numerous photography shows in museums and galeries.

- Biennale Internationals de Film d'Art (last week), Centre Georges Pompidou.