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
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
Daytrips From Paris, Exhibitions
La Nature n’Est pas un Décor: De Monet aux Artistes Contemporains
Fair-weather Art and Nature
Every year, when the weather turns fine, I take a trip to Yerres, a short train ride from Paris, to see two reliably fine exhibitions and revel in the beauty of the English-style park graced with the handsome former home … Read More
Toy Restaurant
Shoyu, Shio or Miso?
Toy is nothing to play around with. It’s a new Japanese – or should I say japonisant (inspired by Japan) – ramen bar in Paris. The small, minimalist space with distressed concrete walls is set up like the real thing, … Read More
Paul and Paulette Take a Bath
Odd Couple in Paris
One reviewer of the indie film Paul and Paulette Take a Bath, written and directed by Jethro Massey, called it “twisted,” but it seems to me that it is not the film itself but the main characters – and, by … Read More
Photo of the Month
Coping with 100° F (38° C) temperatures in Paris: even though the city has opened an authorized swimming hole, complete with lifeguards, farther down the Canal Saint Martin, these young scofflaws prefer to dip into the forbidden waters of this spot, jumping off the bridges with abandon and ignoring warnings of the dangers of unsupervised canal swimming. The police who were there to shoo them away a few days earlier were nowhere to be seen on Saturday. Photo © 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 4
Free concert
The HKUGA College Symphonic Band, a high-level youth orchestra from Hong Kong, will hold a free concert in a Paris church.
Notre-Dame des Blancs-Manteaux, Paris
July 15-August 4
Summer arts festival
Dance, music, theater and many other art forms come together for the Festival Paris l’Été.
Various locations, Paris
August 4
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents L’Étranger.
Arlequin, Paris
August 6
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presentsLes Enfants Vont Bien.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
August 7
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents À Bout de Souffle.
Lucernaire, Paris
August 1-8
Party with the locals
The hugely enjoyable Festival des Essentials brings concerts, dance lessons, performances and much more to neighborhoods in Paris and some of its suburbs.
Various locations, Paris & suburbs
June 27–August 9
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
August 9
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Trois Couleurs: Rouge.
L’Epée de Bois, 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
Through August 15
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 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.
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 5
Cinema under the stars
The best of the outdoor summer film festivals.
Various locations, 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 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 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
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.