How to enjoy Paris like a local

What are Paris's artists up to? Every May in Belleville (Paris's 20e arrondissement) more than 250 artists open their studios to the public in their annual Portes Ouvertes.

For decades a refuge for artists and designers, Montreuil's citywide extravaganza celebrates the 850 painters, sculptors, video artists, jewelry makers, fashion designers and ceramicists who open their studios to the public.

This much-anticipated event (Oct. 13 - 16, 2017) draws thousands of art lovers from in and around Paris. (Montreuil is easily reachable by Paris metro line 9, direction Mairie de Montreuil.)