Broadway has off-Broadway, and even off-off-Broadway. The Edinburgh Festival spawned the now vast Fringe, and more recently added the unofficial Fringe. And now Paris Photo, perhaps the world’s largest photo fair, has attracted it’s own growing off-site satellite shows, many of which are pulling in a growing and knowledgeable crowd.

For those who find both the scale and the prices of the main Grand Palais Ephémère event a little daunting, these ‘fringe’ shows are an opportunity to enjoy the city’s atmosphere, the parties, the launches and some brilliant new work without ever stumping up the 30€ official entry fee or being jostled by large crowds.

This year, for example, Photo Saint Germain (photosaintgermain.com) presented an eclectic array of talent (old and new) across 35 galleries, museums and institutions. From Pascal Maitre at the Académie des beaux-arts to the Polycopies Salon d’éditeurs indépendants at a floating gallery on the Seine’s left bank, it’s the perfect way to explore the streets of this legendary quartier in the company of some great photographers.

Meanwhile, over on the Right Bank, close to Opéra at La Molière, a more intimate event was attracting the curators of major collections as well as a steady stream of creatives looking for inspiration.