Through June 5
Local literature festival
The libraries, bookshops, museums and universities of Paris’s literary fifth arrondissement open their doors for Quartier du Livre, a week-long celebration of the written word.
Various locations, Paris
June 6
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents La Grande Vadrouille, directed by Gérard Oury.
L’Arlequin, Paris
June 2-7
Literary lessons
This year’s weeklong Paris Writers Workshop will feature small-group masterclasses, agent consultations, panel discussions, and more. The Fiction/Novel and Creative Nonfiction masterclasses are full, but there are still a few spaces in Screen and TV Writing (Diane Lake), Short Fiction (Kevin Brockmeier), Travel Writing (Don George), and Poetry (Heather Hartley). Open to writers of all levels.
Reid Hall, Paris
June 5-7
Being Beckett
The Irish Cultural Center in Paris celebrates the Irish literary giant Samuel Beckett with the Beckett Unbound Festival, a program of theater, dance, music, film and discussions. Photo by John Minihan
Various venues, Paris
Through June 8
Mini-plays
Mises en Capsules presents the best in short performance pieces.
Théâtre Lepic, Paris
June 4-8
Left Bank gallery walk
The Carré Rive Gauche, an association of Left Bank art and antique galleries, celebrates “extraordinary objects.”
Various locations, Paris
June 7–9
Off the beaten track
Tired of the usual vacation destinations? The Salon du Voyage Insolite offers plenty of ideas for weird and wonderful trips. Free admission, but online reservation required.
Réfectoire des Cordeliers, Paris
June 8-9
River world
La Fête de l’Aquarium explores the rivers of the world for this family-oriented festival.
L’Aquarium Tropical, Paris
Through June 9
Cello festival
Concerts, dance and more at the Beauvais International Cello Festival.
Beauvais, France
June 15
Food for body & mind
In addition to food stands run by Paris’s top Vietnamese chefs, the festival Ici Viêtnam will also spotlight literature by Vietnamese authors.
Place Monge, Paris
June 5-15
Short films
Côté Court presents all kinds of short-form art: videos, films, essays and fiction.
Ciné 104, Pantin
June 13-15
Outdoor films
The Palais Galliera, home to top-flight fashion exhibitions, will host a mini-film festival in its courtyard.
Palais Galliera, Paris
June 5-16
Directors’ Fortnight
The features and short subjects entered in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs category at the Cannes Film Festival are shown in Paris.
Forum des Images, Paris
June 7-16
Meet the trees
The festival Les Nuits des Forêts will draw visitors into French forests with exhibitions, shows and immersive events, by day and by night.
Domaine départemental, Sceaux
June 13-16
Jazz in the park
Food trucks and a bar will be onsite at the outdoor Sceaux Jazz Festival,
Domaine départemental, Sceaux
June 15-16
Arty fun for kids
The Family Festival turns the Fondation Louis Vuitton and the adjacent Jardin d’Acclimatation into a huge playground for children up to 12 years old and their families.
Fondation Louis Vuitton & Jardin d’Acclimatation, Paris
June 21
Dancing in the street
The Summer Solstice festival, the Fête de la Musique, brings free music, good and bad, into the streets of Paris and now the world.
Various locations, Paris
June 15-21
Yoga fest
The exhibition Maître Yoga will include free yoga classes (sign up in advance here) and a concert on June 21, International Yoga Day.
Unesco, Paris
Through June 21
Drawing season
Le Printemps du Dessin presents exhibitions and workshops highlighting this accessible art form across the country.
Various locations, France
Through June 22
Computer science meets orchestra
ManiFeste 2024, a musical exploration of artificial intelligence in the Ircam concert hall.
Centre Pompidou, Paries
June 18-25
Contemporary film festival
The latest in French and American independent cinema will be on show at the Champs-Elysées Film Festival.
Various locations, Paris
May 29-June 27
Classical music festival
The Festival de Saint Denis features both stars and young talents.
Various locations, Saint-Denis
Through September 28
Candlelit château
Every Saturday through September 28, 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
June 22-July 6
Local Olympics
Paris offers ordinary citizens the chance to participate in its Olympiades des Arrondissements and win tickets to the real thing. Sign up online to participate or to reserve free tickets for the events.