July 13 and 14
Bastille Day festivities
Military parade on the Champs-Elysées, Paris, July 14, 10:30am. Fireworks, Eiffel Tower/Champ de Mars, Paris, July 14, 11pm (preceded by classical music on the Champ de Mars at 9:15pm). Firemen’s balls are held in most fire stations (click here for list), July 13 and 14, 9pm-4am.
Various locations, Paris
July 6-September 1
Paris beaches
For the summer months, the banks of the river and canals are transformed into miniature beaches for Paris Plages.
Various locations, Paris
Through July 14
Chopin a go go
Every summer, the Festival Chopin fills the Bois de Boulogne with master’s piano music.
Orangerie du Parc de Bagatelle, Bois de Boulogne
Through September 16
The Paris of yesterday
For the 80th anniversary of renowned Paris photography collection Roger-Viollet, Bercy Village is decorated with thirty black-and-white photos showing the architecture, history and daily life of 20th-century Paris.
Bercy Village, Paris
Throughout the summer
Musical migrations
Take a holiday without ever leaving Paris as bands play music from across the world at Poisson Lune.
Palais de la Porte Dorée, Paris
Through July 13
Eclectic music festival
Days Off presents acts ranging from Thom Yorke to Sigur Rós.
Philharmonie de Paris
Through July 11
The sexual revolution on screen
Films highlighting drag, politics and freedom are screened for Libérations Sexuelles, Révolutions Visuelles.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
July 20 & 21
Contemporary music festival
Chicago’s well-known Lollapalooza Festival comes to France for its Paris edition. The international lineup includes The Strokes and Biffy Clyro.
Hippodrome Longchamp, Paris
Through July 21
Young European photographers
The Festival Circulation(s) features the work of emerging photographers.
Centquatre, Paris
July 12-August 30
Son et lumière
A sound and light show, La Nuit aux Invalides, brings together 3000 years of French history.
Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris
Throughout the summer
Free stargazing
Experts with the Astronomy Association of Paris freely offer their skill and kit to show us the stars for Paris Sous les Étoiles.
Throughout Paris
Through July 20
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
July 20
Vintage vehicles
Retro cars and motorbikes take to the streets of Paris for the 12th annual Traversée de Paris, beginning at the National Vintage Cars conservatory.
Antony, Paris
July 21
Charity flea market
Salsa meets hand-made market wares at the unusual Marché des Grand Voisins et Bal Salsa.
Les Grands Voisins, Paris
Through July 28
Art meets cinema
An imagined path is drawn between the lives of Pablo Picasso and his admirer, renowned Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini in the exhibition “Quand Fellini Rêvait de Picasso.”
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Through August 25
Summer fun on the canal
The Été du Canal festival offers theme cruises (street food, music, art, etc.) and other activities like the construction of an ephemeral village, balls, restaurants and bars.
Canal de l’Ourcq
July 12-August 3
Summer arts festival
Paris Festival d’Eté is an annual festival of music, dance, theater and more from around the world.
Various locations, Paris
July 14-August 31
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
Through September 22
Focus on graphic design
The Biennale International de Design Graphique Chaumont is a four-month festival of workshops, group discussions, concerts and conferences on the subject of graphics creation.
Various locations, Paris
Through July 28
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €6).
Parc Floral, Paris
Through August 6
Retail sales
The official biannual six-week sales period.
Retailers all over France
Through August 31
Balloons in Bercy Village
After her colorful umbrella installation was well-received last year, Portuguese artist returns to decorate Bercy Village with colored balloons. Other decorations and a bubble pool will provide summer entertainment.
Bercy Village, Paris
Through October 15
More than a food market
Experience a new 5000 square-meter food market with a focus on healthy eating, featuring art and performance, at Le Marché Pop.
77 avenue du Docteur Arnold Netter, Paris
July 11
French film with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Sibyl, directed by Justine Triet, followed by a Q&A with the translator Sionann O’Neill.