July 12
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Dernier Métro, directed by François Truffaut.
Le Balzac, Paris
July 11
Choral concert
The award-winning Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, voted the fifth-best in the world, will give a free concert in Paris. Reserve a seat here.
Église Notre-Dame d’Auteuil, Paris
July 8–11
Free outdoor films
This year’s Festival Paradiso includes outdoor concerts and screenings at La Seine Musicale. Reserve online.
La Seine Musicale, Paris
June 22-July 13
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.
Various locations, Paris
July 11–14
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
July 12-15
Bastille Day celebrations
Paris will still celebrate its national holiday with firemen’s balls, a parade, fireworks and a concert this year, but dates and places have been somewhat changed due to the concurrent Paris Olympics. Click the link above for details. Photo: Office de Tourisme de Paris.
Various locations, Paris
July 14–15
Symbolic fire
The Olympic flame will visit every Paris arrondissement for two days before continuing its tour of France and returning to the capital on July 26 for the opening ceremony of the Games. Festivities are planned at each stop in Paris, including concerts, picnics and performances.
Various locations, Paris
Through July 16
Summer arts festival
Dance, music, theater and many other art forms come together for the Festival Paris l’Été.
Various locations, Paris
June 19-July 21
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 29–July 21
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.
Archives Nationales, Paris
June 26-July 23
Soldes
The official summer retail sales period in France.
Paris & most of France
June 27–July 25
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 10. Events for the kiddies, a bar for the adults.
Parc Zoologique de Paris, Paris
June 27–July 26
Fun in the urban jungle
Garden Parvis is a month-long series of events, from concerts to table football tournaments, in Paris’s dedicated business district.
La Défense, Paris
July 29
Live action art
Artist and athlete Zakea Page brings the two worlds together in a live performance and an exhibition of his Oscar-qualifying and award-winning short documentary Ink and Gold: An Artist’s Journey to Olympic Glory.
M-Gallery, Paris
June 27–August 8
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
July 6–August 11
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 22–August 11
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation will screen a different film every evening during the Olympic Games, including such favorites as Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie and Éric Rohmer’s Claire’s Knee.
Various locations, Paris
July 26–August 11
Another side of the Olympics
Art meets sport during the Cultural Olympiad, with events all over the city.
Various locations, Paris
June 19–August 25
Garden visits
Green spaces throughout the region hold cultural events for Jardins Ouverts en Île-de-France.
Various locations, Île-de-France
August 21-25
International rock festival
Huge artists, including Lana Del Rey and PJ Harvey, headline at Rock en Seine.
Domaine de Saint Cloud, Paris
Through August 25
Old-school carnival
The Fête des Tuileries moves to the Bois du Boulogne to make way for the Olympics and is now called the Fête de l’Été à Paris.
Bois du Boulogne, Porte de la Muette, Paris
July 6–August 31
Open-air dance hall
African and Antillean music and food every summer weekend at the Guinguette Africaine de Suresnes.
Surennes, Île-de-France
July-August
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
July 5–September 7
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
July 6-September 8
Paris beaches
For the summer months, the banks of the river and canals are transformed into miniature beaches for Paris Plages. Note that because of the Olympic Games, the site on the Seine will be open only from August 6 to September 8.
Various locations, Paris
June 30–September 8
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €6).
Parc Floral, Paris
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.