Paris Musee des Arts Forains (Carnival Museum) 2011 Holiday Fair

Unicorn at Le Musée des Arts Foirains by photographer Francis Beddok AKA Paris-émoi ©2011   Holiday fair at Le Musée des Arts Forains Step back in time and enter the world of the Paris Carnival Museum, le Musée des Arts Forains. This treasure trove of carnival and amusement park rides and acts is normally open to private groups and journalists, but for the third year in a row, they’re open for the last week of the year, December 26 through January 2. It’s truly like a trip to a fair or carnival with so much to see and do. Play carnival midway games and ride on beautifully preserved working amusement rides, including a spectacular carrousel. A traditional circus calliope toots out classic old melodies, entertaining vaudeville and circus act performers take the stage every half hour. Lay your centimes down as the barker calls out results at the racing waiters relay game. Catch aerialists performing directly above the audience à la Cirque du Soleil and of course everyone has a great time. For peeks at last year’s event, catch these videos:     Photographer Francis Beddok found this captivating unicorn in Paris, and you’ll also find druids, jugglers, musicians and street performers waiting at Le Musée des Arts Forains during their all too brief holiday celebration. Don’t miss welcoming the new year with a stop at the mistletoe kissing area. Very limited dates of December 26, 2011 through January 2, 2012. Want to go? Le Musée des Arts Forains Tél: 01 43 40 16 22 53, avenue des Terroirs de France, Paris 12th Métro: 14, Cour Saint-Émilion Open: 10am through 6pm Entry: Adults €10, children 2-12 €5 and children under age 2 admitted free with adult   Francis Beddok AKA Paris-émoi is a Paris-based photographer who captures sacred sites and profane sights in Paris. Please click on his name to view his photographs published by BonjourParis every other week.     Do you have news to share with our readers? Please send us your stories & ideas.   NEW: Subscribe for free to our weekly newsletters with subscriber-only stories. Update your travel books, DVDs & French imports: our current recommendations.   Thank you for using our link to Amazon.com…your purchases support our free site. Top 100 Readers’ Favorite Amazon.com Items. (Please wait for Amazon.com widget to load) Click on image for more info about these favorites.