Nuits de la lecture (Reading Nights) 2025 at the Palais Galliera

Friday 24 January, 7pm: Paillettes, Talons hauts et Chapeau bas (Sequins, High Heels & a Tip of the Hat)!

As part of the "Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d’artiste" exhibition, come join the Paillettes Queer Show collective and enter a realm where feathers, beardedness and steam reign, where sharp-heels and insolent chatter get together for a gripping, hair-raising show. An invitation to forget the pressures of the outside world and to dive head first into an ocean of creativity, laughter and self-discovery with poetic readings, socially-conscious monologues and sassy drag acts.

Whether you're queer, queer-related or just inquisitive, the Palais Galliera and Les Paillettes throw wide open their doors for an evening where love, good humour and queer literature gather in an explosion of magical, transformative energy.
 

► Duration: 1h

► Throughout the "Stephen Jones, Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d’artiste" exhibition areas

► Free activity (adults must have an exhibition admission ticket).

► Admission: Full price: €12 - Reduced price: €10

Free for under 18s and visitors with disabilities

► Free admission, subject to availability
 

Sunday 26 January, 4pm and 5pm: Contes à paillettes - Chapeaux en folie… (Glittering tales - Hats galore)

Indulge in the tales of these bearded, sequin-adorned queen storytellers who ever-so poetically, with no holds barred, tell us all about adventurous princesses, sensitive boys and besotted toads, as part of the "Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d'artiste" exhibition.

Through a careful selection of children's books that deal with the issues of inclusion, integration and equality, and that celebrate differences no matter what they may be, Les Paillettes collective and their flamboyant characters stretch our imagination, play with stereotypes, question perception normality and embrace a spirit of freedom that will delight young and old alike. Listen to these tales, let them whisk you off into worlds where nothing is impossible, where people can be their true selves.
 

► From 5 years old - Duration: 35 minutes

► Throughout the "Stephen Jones, Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d’artiste" exhibition areas

► Free activity (adults must have an exhibition admission ticket).

► Admission: Full price: €12 - Reduced price: €10

Free for under 18s and visitors with disabilities

► On-site registration 30 minutes before the activity, subject to availability.

About the collective

Les Paillettes are a campaigning queer collective made up of six drag queens and creatures, who share the same goal: to celebrate differences and self-acceptance with kindness and empathy. Since the collective was created in 2014, Les Paillettes have been using humour and emotion to highlight the wealth and diversity of LGBTQ+ cultures through literary cabarets as well as comedy sketches and musical shows.

In 2017, they expanded their audience thanks to their "Contes à Paillettes" (Glittering Tales), where they give engaging readings of inclusive tales in media libraries, libraries, events centres, festivals and contemporary art museums.