A teenage boy in a hoodie and jeans throws himself across the ice like a colt, revelling in the ease of his passage through space. A middle aged man comes next, cautious on tip toe and then a wave of girls with big pom poms on their beanies follow. Here at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, the old and the new Paris show off together. Hôtel de Ville stands like a great fairy tale castle with twinkling lights, winking over the ice skating rink at a carousel loaded with candy colour ponies and a bright crepe tent.

Fashion Week took us by the storm and the Parisian weather wasn't far behind. Day two had some really promosing names on the »to see« list, which took us on a fantasy fashion trip from blooming countryside to land of the rising sun.

All of the fashion world rushed from Italian fashion capital Milan to the next destination and biggest event of the season, the highly anticipated Paris Fashion Week. Nine days of runway shows and presentations of spring/summer 2013 collections started with upcoming talents showcasing their designs.

Chanel, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Hermes, Lanvin, Kenzo, Celine... It may sound like a wishlist, but anyone who has a slight interest in fashion knows that Paris Fashion Week has rolled into town. In the coming days, the designers and design houses will present their ideas for the season of spring and summer 2013 to buyers, fashion press and those interested in the world of glam.

Olivier Giraud's one man English-speaking show How to Become Parisian in One Hour is an entertaining and engaging deconstruction of the Parisian stereotype at the Theatre des Nouveautés, complete with a good measure of American stereotype thrown in for equal measure.

If you love sumptuous fabrics and are intrigued by Japanese culture, there are two exhibitions in Paris you should not miss. One is Kimonos d’Enfants 1860–1930 (“Children’s Kimonos 1860–1930”) at the Bibliothèque Forney, through July 28, and the other is Kabuki – Costumes du Théâtre Japonais (“Kabuki – Japanese Theatre Costumes”) at the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, through July 15.

Celebrating its 35th year, Jazz in Marciac, is the largest jazz festival in France, and the most popular summer festival in Europe, attracting over 100,000 people in the course of 2 weeks.  This year the musical extravaganza begins on July 27 and runs through August 15th.

Beginning on June 8, the eyes of not only Europe, but the world, will be fixed on the television not for political or economic reasons, but for the start of the 2012 Euro Cup. The nearly month-long soccer (football in European terms) tournament will take place on the fields of Poland and Ukraine, and with many shake-ups this year within the 16 qualifying countries, may just prove to be one of the most exciting to watch yet.

Yes, it’s that time again – the French Open 2012 is now upon us! Also known as the Roland Garros after the famous French aviator and staged in the stadium that shares his name, this anticipated tournament is now in its 111th year. So what are the highlights, when are the finals, who’s the underdog and who’s the favourite? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Paris’ number one Grand Slam.