Photo of the Month

Photo of the Week

The Corinthian colonnade in Paris's Parc Monceau. © Paris Update

What's Happening in Paris This Month

For full details about an event, click on the title to visit the official Web site (in English when available).

Through August 5

Summer arts festival

Dance, music, theater and many other art forms come together for the Festival Paris l’Été.

Various locations, Paris
August 5

French movies with English subtitles

Lost in Frenchlation presents La Piscine, directed by Jacques Deray.

L’Epée de Bois, Paris
August 7

French movies with English subtitles

Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, directed by Alexandre De la Patellière and Matthew Delaporte.

L’Arlequin, Paris
August 10

French movies with English subtitles

Lost in Frenchlation presents Vingt Dieux  (Holy Cow), directed by Louise Courvoisier.

Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
Through August 10

Summer fun on the canal

The Été du Canal festival offers theme cruises (street food, music, art, etc.) and other activities like balls, restaurants and bars.

Canal de l’Ourcq
Through August 14

A night at the zoo

The baboons and jaguars stay up late for the Nocturnes du Parc Zoologique de Paris, on Thursday evenings through August 14. Events for the kiddies, a bar for the adults.

Parc Zoologique de Paris, Paris
Through August 14

Free concerts

Up-and-comers and well-known artists alike take to the stage for Bercy Village’s summer celebration, Musiques en Terrasse, on Thursday evenings.

Bercy Village, Paris
Through August 16

Outdoor classics

Les Arènes Lyriques offers classic concerts with soloist in a garden in a Montmartre garden.

Jardin des Arènes de Montmartre, Paris
Through August 24

Open-air dance hall

African and Antillean music and food every summer weekend at the Guinguette Africaine de Suresnes.

Surennes, Île-de-France
Through August 24

Old-school carnival

The Fête des Tuileries is back with its bumper cars, Ferris wheel and terrifying rides.

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
August 20-24

International rock festival

Big-time artists headline at Rock en Seine.  

Domaine de Saint Cloud, Paris
Through August 30

Summer garden

For its Jardin d’Été festival, the Musée du Quai Branly stages a variety of free events in its garden.

Musée du Quai Branly
Through August 30

Happiness Castle

The Festival Rosa Bonheur offers a summer program of concerts, theater, readings and more at the château of the celebrated French artist.

Thomery, France
Through August 30

Eco-documentaries

Free documentaries on the theme of climate action take center stage for the outdoor film fest Gare aux Docs. Reservation required.

La REcyclerie, Paris
Through August 31

Swimming in the Seine

Now that the Seine is supposedly clean following work done for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the city has opened up three sites where swimming is allowed. Click here for details.

Various locations, Paris
Through August 31

Paris beaches

During the summer months, the banks of the river and canals are transformed into miniature beaches, complete with sand, deck chairs, swimming sites, concerts and other activities, for Paris Plages. 

Various locations,  Paris
Through August 31

Garden visits

Green spaces throughout the region hold cultural events for Jardins Ouverts en Île-de-France.

Various locations, Île-de-France
Through September 6

Cinema under the stars

The best of the outdoor summer film festivals.

Various locations, Paris
Through September 6

Outdoor classical concerts

Free concerts in the park at Festival Classique au Vert on the weekend (admission to park: €2.70).

Parc Floral, Paris
August 29-September 6

Short film festival

Festival Silhouette presents short films, concerts and masterclasses.

Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge & Pavillon Carré de Baudouin, Paris
Through September 7

Outdoor jazz

The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €2.70).

Parc Floral, Paris
September 6-7

Beyond kimchi

Discover Korean street food, K-Beauty, K-Pop, DJ sets, cover dance, art workshops, tattoos, cooking battles and more at the K-Street Festival. 

Parc André Citroën, Paris
September 5-7

Free entertainment in historic Marais sites

The Festival Les Traversées du Marais brings everything from art installations to cooking classes, readings and dance performances to the monuments, courtyards and gardens of the Marais. Pictured above: Hubert Védrine will read from and discuss his book Camus, Notre Rempart. Photo © D.R.

Various locations, Paris
Through September 7

Worldly photos

The Festival de Photographie Contemporaine–Mondes en Commun 2025 continues Albert Kahn’s exploration of the world with images by 10 contemporary photographers, displayed in the museum’s amazing gardens.

Musée départemental Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt
Through September 13

Free stargazing

Experts with the Astronomy Association of Paris freely offer their skills and equipment to show us the stars for Paris Sous les Étoiles.

Throughout Paris
September 4-13

Design mania

One hundred design-related events happen all over the city during Paris Design Week. This year, the focus is on China.

Various locations, Paris
September 9-14

Tribal art walk

Dozens of galleries put on special shows of world art for Parcours des Mondes.

Saint Germain des Prés, Paris
September 10-14

Shirley Clarke

Retrospective of the work of the avant-garde postwar American director, including The Connection, Harlem Story and Portrait of Jason.

Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Through September 14

Olympic gold

The golden hot-air balloon that wowed the world during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics last year returns to the heart of the city for the summer. Pictured above: the Olympic vasque in the Tuileries Garden.

Tuileries Garden, Paris
September 18

Meet the authors

The Musée d’Orsay has invited 30 writers to the museum to read pertinent excerpts from their work from 5pm to 9pm during Le Jour des Écrivains.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris
September 21

Lego tournament

Show off your Lego skills on the Champs-Élysées and maybe win a prize at the Grand Tournoi des Champs.

Champs-Élysées, Paris
September 18-21

Meet the press

During the Festival du Monde, the prestigious daily newspaper Le Monde, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, opens its doors to the public to meet its journalists, visit its facilities and attend workshops and debates. Concerts and DJ sets will be held on the building’s forecourt.

Le Monde headquarters, Paris
September 19-21

Dance festival

Échelle Humaine presents works by leading contemporary choreographers.

Lafayette Anticipations, Paris
September 19-21

Feminist family festival

The WeToo Festival is a “festive, familial and political experience” with performances and talks for children, teenagers and adults.

Le Point Fort, Aubervilliers
September 19-21

Heritage days

The doors to normally closed monuments and other buildings open to the public for the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine. 

Various locations, Paris
Through September 27

Candlelit château

Every Saturday throughout the summer, the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its grounds will be lit by 2,000 candles for the Soirées aux Chandelles. 

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Île-de-France
September 27-29

Drinks festival

Cocktail Street festival will welcome 50 bars and a dozen street food stands.

La Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris
Through October 12

School of the future

The exhibition “L’École Idéale” produced by the Magasins Généraux and the Pavillon de l’Arsenal looks at ways of improving the traditional school.

Magasins Généraux, Pantin
August 26-October 15

William Wellman

Retrospective of the aviator-director’s work, including everything from the first Oscar winner for Best Director, Wings, to the original A Star Is Born.

Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Favorite