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).
June 14-29
Jewish cultural festival
The Festival des Cultures Juives presents films, theater, concerts, exhibitions and conferences.
Various locations, Paris
June 29
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Plaire, Aimer et Courir Vite.
Cinéma du Panthéon, Paris
May 30-June 30
More Molière
During the Mois Molière, open-air plays and concerts are held in locations all over Versailles.
Various locations, Versailles
July 2
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Rêve Américain.
Luminor Hôtel de Ville, Paris
July 3
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents OSS 117, Le Caire Nid d’Espions.
Lucernaire, Paris
July 1-4
Silver screen at the Louvre
The Cinéma Paradiso Louvre festival brings free films, concerts and DJ sets to the Carrée du Louvre. Sign up online.
Carrée du Louvre, Paris
July 4
Free stuff exchange
Help save the environment by recycling stuff at the Giant Free Troc Party swap event. Online registration (required) opens on June 30 at noon.
Académie du Climat, Paris
June 5-July 5
Women composers
The Festival Un Temps pour Elles showcases works by women composers, performed in châteaux and other prestigious sites.
Various locations, Val d’Oise
June 27–July 5
Eclectic music festival
Days Off presents headliners like Babyshambles and many more.
Philharmonie de Paris
July 3-5
Outdoor cinema takes off
Every evening at 10:45, a film with a flying theme will be projected on the fuselage of a Boeing 747 during the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace’s Cinétarmac festival.
Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, Le Bourget
July 5
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Grande Vadrouille.
Studio des Ursulines, Paris
June 28-July 8
Cheap Cinema
See first-run films for €5 in participating cinemas during the Fête du Cinéma.
Various locations, Paris
July 9-12
All about Japan
Along with exhibitors hawking their wares, Japan Expo will feature concerts, readings, sports demonstrations and more.
Parc des Expositions Paris-Nord Villepinte
June 21-July 14
Chopin a go-go
Every summer, the Festival Chopin fills the Bois de Boulogne with the master’s piano music.
Orangerie du Parc de Bagatelle, Bois de Boulogne
June 17-July 19
Summer of books
Author readings, workshops and more: Partir en Livre is bringing back reading as a top summer activity for young people.
Various locations, France
June 24-July 21
Soldes
The official summer retail sales period in France.
Paris & most of France
June 21–July 25
Young musical talents
The Festival Européen Jeunes Talents gives promising young classical, jazz and contemporary musicians from all over Europe a chance to perform in Paris.
Various locations, Paris & Meaux
June 18–July 30
Fun in the Urban Jungle
Garden Parvis is a month-long series of events, from concerts to glitter parties, in Paris’s dedicated business district.
La Défense, Paris
July 4-August 2
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.