Domaine de Villarceaux
To the Manor Born
Layers of history unfold for visitors to the Domaine de Villarceaux, a historic monument in the Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin Français. On this sprawling estate, we are far from Versailles, with its strict symmetry and formal gardens. Nature dominates at … Read More
Le Savarin Restaurant
Parisian in the Best Sense
Le Savarin is one of a small empire of excellent restaurants in Paris’s ninth arrondissement, collectively known as the La Pantruchoise (the others are La Pantruche, Caillebotte and Le Coucou). I was quite taken with Le Savarin when it was … Read More
Les Plaisirs et les Jours de Jacques Guérin
Collector of Literature and Literati
Very occasionally the most interesting and surprising memoirs are not about famous writers, composers or painters but rather about people who moved in their circles. Les Plaisirs et les Jours de Jacques Guérin, an evocation of the industrialist (he was … Read More
Photo of the Month
Sunset on the Champs-Élysées. © 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).
August 11
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
August 13
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents L’Inconnu de la Grande Arche.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
July 2–August 13
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 13. Events for the kiddies, a bar for the adults.
Parc Zoologique de Paris, Paris
August 14
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Sens de la Fête.
Lucernaire, Paris
Through August 15
Outdoor classics
Les Arènes Lyriques offers classic concerts with soloists in a Montmartre garden.
Jardin des Arènes de Montmartre, Paris
August 16
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Les Choristes.
Studio des Ursulines, Paris
August 21-23
Open-air movies
Outdoor films (with reservation) at the Mémorial de la Shoah.
Mémorial de la Shoah, Paris
Through August 23
Old-school carnival
The Fête des Tuileries is back with its bumper cars, Ferris wheel and terrifying rides.
Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
July 4–August 29
Open-air dance hall
African and Antillean music and food every summer weekend at the Guinguette Africaine de Suresnes.
Surennes, Île-de-France
July 4–August 29
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
June 27–August 30
Garden visits
Green spaces throughout the region hold cultural events for Jardins Ouverts en Île-de-France.
Various locations, Île-de-France
July 4–August 30
Swimming in the Seine
The city has opened up three sites where swimming is allowed in the River Seine. Click here for details.
Various locations, Paris
July 4–August 30
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. Photo: Guillaume Bontemps/Ville de Paris
Various locations, Paris
August 25-30
International rock festival
Big-time artists, including Tyler, the Creator; Lorde; and Nick Cave & the Bad Seed, headline at Rock en Seine.
Domaine de Saint Cloud, Paris
Through September 2
Free rooftop films
Reserve for screenings on the rooftop of La Machine du Moulin Rouge.
La Machine du Moulin Rouge, Paris
Through September 5
Cinema under the stars
The best of the outdoor summer film festivals.
Various locations, Paris
August 20-September 5
More free outdoor films
Ciné-Jardins is an outdoor film festival with an ecological slant.
La Fabrique, Paris
June 27–September 5
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
June 27–September 5
Outdoor classical concerts
Free concerts in the park on weekends at the Festival Classique au Vert (admission to park: €2.80).
Parc Floral, Paris
August 28–September 6
All that jazz
The festival Jazz à la Villette returns with a lineup including Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest, Kokoroko & Venna, and The Getdown.
La Villette, Paris
August 28-September 5
Short film festival
Festival Silhouette presents short films, concerts and masterclasses.
Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge & Pavillon Carré de Baudouin, Paris
June 28–September 6
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €2.70).
Parc Floral, Paris
September 5-6
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 10
Street food
The street-food pop-up Le Food Market celebrates its 100th edition. Free entry and food stands a-go-g0..
Boulevard de Belleville between Métro stations Couronnes and Ménilmontant, Paris
September 8-13
Tribal art walk
Dozens of galleries put on special shows of world art for Parcours des Mondes.
Saint Germain des Prés, Paris
June 21-September 14
Olympic gold
The golden hot-air balloon that wowed the world during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics returns to the heart of the city for the summer. Pictured above: the Olympic vasque in the Tuileries Garden. Photo: © Augustin Probst
Tuileries Garden, Paris
September 10-19
Design mania
One hundred design-related events happen all over the city during Paris Design Week.
Various locations, Paris
May 22-September 2o
The world as we know it today
The wonderful Musée Albert Kahn, whose founder’s aim was to create ““a vast photographic inventory of the Earth’s surface … as it appeared at the beginning of the 20th century,” brings that goal up to date with Mondes en Commun, a festival of contemporary photographs of our world.
Musée Départemental Albert Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt
September 17-20
Dance festival
Échelle Humaine presents works by leading contemporary choreographers.
Lafayette Anticipations, Paris
September 18-20
Meet the press
During the Festival du Monde, the prestigious daily newspaper Le Monde 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 19-20
Heritage days
The doors to normally closed monuments and other buildings open to the public for the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine.
Various locations, Paris
May 16-September 26
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 26
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 24–27
Meet the authors
Every two years, Festival America features a strong lineup of American authors. In addition to readings and interviews, there will be master classes, exhibitions and a chance to meet your favorite writers in the bookshop. Don’t miss this stellar literary event.
Various locations, Vincennes
September 24–27
Open studios
The artists of Menilmontant open the doors of their studios for the weekend of Portes Ouvertes des Artistes de Ménilmontant.
Various locations, Paris
September 24–27
Free films on the Eiffel Tower
Cinéma Paradiso Tour Eiffel offers free films with a view to the lucky winners of its lottery (online in September).
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Through October
Free outdoor entertainment
The Festival des Places offers free concerts, dance workshops and more on the squares of Paris.
Various locations, Paris
May 30-November 15
Art among the departed
It’s a first: an art exhibition in a cemetery. And why not? There’s space, and the residents won’t mind. The exhibition “Demeure” includes works by some 20 artists.
Cimetière Parisien de Pantin, Pantin
April 3–December 31
Art indoors and out
Contemporary art exhibitions on the Île Seguin and in the Seine Musicale for the Extatiques festival. Free admission. Pictured above: “Les Voyages et Möbius,” Collectif XY.