July 1
Balloons with gifts
For the Grand Jardin Culturel, 3,500 balloons take to the air, each containing a gift of a ticket to a museum, performance, etc., yours for the taking if you get there early enough. Starts at 2:30pm.
Collège des Bernardins, Paris
Through June 27
Classical music festival
The Festival de Saint-Denis features both stars and young talents.
Various locations, Saint-Denis
Through June 27
Contemporary film festival
The latest in French and American independent cinema will be on show at the Champs-Elysées Film Festival.
Various locations, Paris
Through June 27
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 Hawaii, directed by Melissa Drigeard.
L’Arlequin, Paris
Through June 30
Culture for all
Mouvement E. Leclerc presents the latest edition of Festival Culturissimo, a collection of over 50 cultural events, including theatre and cinema.
Various locations, France
June 30-July 1
Beyond kimchi
Discover real Korean food at the K-Food Festival.
Carrousel du Louvre, Paris
Through July 1
Computer science meets orchestra
ManiFeste 2023 a musical exploration of artificial intelligence in the Ircam concert hall.
Centre Pompidou, Paris
July 1-2
Electro by the Seine
The Macki Music Festival brings electronic music styles, from house to electro jazz to synthetic punk, to Seine-side venues not far from Paris.
Various locations, Carrière sur Seine
June 28-July 2
Getting fit for the Olympics
Le Carreau du Temple presents Festival Jogging, which will host sports festivals each July to prepare Parisians for the 2024 Olympics. This year’s edition includes sessions on inclusive sports, demonstrations of unique sports from around the world and a roller-dance party.
Le Carreau du Temple, Paris
June 29-July 2
Outdoor music
The festival Les Étoiles du Classique presents outdoor classical and jazz concerts, opera, dance performances and recitals.
Various locations, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
July 1–2
Board games festival
Fans of classic games and creators of modern ones come together for Paris est Ludique!
Pelouse de Reuilly, Paris
July 2-5
Cheap Cinema
See first-run films for €4 in participating cinemas during the Fête du Cinéma.
Various locations, Paris
June 29–July 8
Eclectic music festival
Days Off presents acts ranging from Ben Howard to Panda Bear & Sonic Boom.
Philharmonie de Paris
July 6-9
All things Indian
The Festival Namasté France celebrates relations between India and France with free concerts, dance performances, yoga sessions and even Bollywood dance workshops. Sign up online.
La Seine Musicale, Boulogne-Billancourt
July 6-9
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
Through July 9
Women composers
The Festival Un Temps pour Elles showcases works by women composers, performed in châteaux and other prestigious sites.
Various locations, France
Through 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
Through July 14
Arts on the move
The Moviment festival offers free, rotating art shows, performances, films and more Galerie 3 of the Centre Pompidou.
Centre Pompidou, Paris
July 2-22
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 21-23
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 23
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 28-July 25
Soldes
The official summer retail sales period in France.
Paris & most of France
June 27-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
June 28–July 29
Classic Minnelli
A retrospective of the films of Vincente Minnelli, including such epics as An American in Paris.
Cinémathèque Française, Paris
June 29–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
June 22–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
July 8-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 1–August 27
Old-school funfair
Bumper cars, ghost trains and more classics in the Tuileries Gardens for the Fête des Tuileries.
Tuileries Gardens, Paris
July 8-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
July 8-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
June 29–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
July 2–September 3
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €6).
Parc Floral, Paris
July 8–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
June 23–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 December 31
Free outdoor concerts
Free music in the bandstands of Paris’s parks and gardens for Kiosques en Fête.
Various locations, Paris
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,
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