July 28
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Le Processus de Paix, directed by Ilan Klipper
L’Arlequin, Paris
Through July 29
Music festival
Popular La Villette venue Cabaret Sauvage presents its Festival d’Été, with concerts of world music fit for dancing.
Cabaret Sauvage, Paris
Through July 29
Classic Minnelli
A retrospective of the films of Vincente Minnelli, including such epics as An American in Paris.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
Through July 29
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
Through July 30
Summer arts festival
Dance, music, theater and many other art forms come together for the Festival Paris l’Été.
Various locations, Paris
Through August 1
Soldes
The official summer retail sales period in France.
Paris & most of France
Through August 10
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
Through August 13
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 19-August 20
Open-air cinema
Cinema en Plein Air is back with a series of films dealing with families, clans, gangs and other groups, from Tim Burton’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children to Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite.
Parc de la Villette, Paris
August 23-27
International music festival
Huge artists, including Billie Eilish and Florence + The Machine, headline Rock en Seine.
Domaine de Saint Cloud, Paris
August 24-26
Open air cinema
Films under the stars at the Château de Vincennes, including Forest Gump.
Château de Vincennes, Paris
August 26-27
Jazz in the woods
Festival Jazz Art District presents six jazz bands in the wooded confines of the Fondation GoodPlanet.
Fondation GoodPlanet, Paris
Through August 27
Old-school funfair
Bumper cars, ghost trains and more classics in the Tuileries Gardens for the Fête des Tuileries.
Tuileries Gardens, Paris
Now through August 27
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 August 27
Rosa 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
Through August 27
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 30–August 28
Eco-documentaries
Documentaries on the theme of climate action take center stage for Gare aux Docs.
La REcyclerie, Paris
Through August 31
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 & August
Garden visits
Green spaces throughout the region hold cultural events for Jardins Ouverts en Île-de-France.
Various locations, Île-de-France
August 25-September 2
Short film festival
Short films and concerts for Festival Silhouette.
Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge
Through September 2
Outdoor classical concerts
Concerts in the park at Festival Classique au Vert every weekend.
Parc Floral
Through September 3
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €6).
Parc Floral, Paris
Through September 9
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
Through September 17
Shaping up for the Olympics
Sports meet the arts for Forme Olympique, an ongoing series of free Olympics-related events and performances sponsored by the City of Paris.
Various locations, Paris
Through September 30
Candlelit château
Every Saturday through September 30 and Friday in July and August, 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 1
Free outdoor art
Monumental works by eight international contemporary artists are on show during the Extatiques festival.
La Défense & La Seine Musicale, Paris
Through December 31
Free outdoor concerts
Free music in the bandstands of Paris’s parks and gardens for Kiosques en Fête.