http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18130 From March 14-April 18.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18128
The official website features details of more than 5000 events including readings, debates and workshops.

Runs March 21-31.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18128 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17480
It would be great - if it were true!

Last year's was a shambles. The authorities didn't (wouldn't) release guides until the night itself (and then didn't explain how to get them) and most Parisians had no idea what was open, or where.

We joined the crowds milling outside the Louvre (closed), tried the Musee d'Orsay (closed) and settled for a Bateau Mouche - which turned out to provide the long awaited guidebook once you'd bought your ticket.

The boat trip itself was pleasant, during which we could read the guide - to discover few places indeed were open at all, and the promised 'all night opening' of the Metro only applied to certain lines in certain directions.

The only bar we could find open and not crammed with similarly baffled tourists was Australian (not very Parisian). When we finally gave up, we joined the thousands of others equally trying to desperately get a taxi home in the sub-zero temperatures, and ended up huddled in a Metro entrance (closed) for warmth until the hordes had thinned enough for us to try and get back.

It can't be blamed on our being tourists - as we have French friends who live in Paris and who we'd joined to spend the 'event' with!

Hopefully this year's will be better, but I'd definitely check every detail out in advance, just in case!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17480 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15001 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15001