Outdoor & Sporting Events
July 5
Paris treasure hunt: both French and international visitors are invited to discover the “Paris of the Parisians”. This unusual way to explore the capital city will lead contestants down untrodden paths and through secret passages. Roadbooks will be available in French and English. Many prizes to win! This event is free.
Through July 13
Follow the World Cup matches in Paris’s sports bars (and pretty much any bar with a TV screen), as well as the Café Monde on the Place de la République, the Pavillon de l’Arsenal just outside the metro Sully-Morland, and if you’re looking for a sexy Brazilian setting, at the Pau Brazil Cabaret by the Arc de Triomphe (reservations required). See the full listing here (in French).
July 14
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!” Nothing says Bastille Day like fireworks by the Eiffel Tower. Come celebrate the French Republic with a picnic on the Champ de Mars. NOTE: No glass bottles allowed, there will be police checking. Click here to see all of the Bastille Day events.
July 19 – August 17
Paris Plages: sand, beach trees, volley balls and bikinis — on the Seine! This year’s edition of the Paris Plages will feature many fun activities. The 2014 schedule will be up here on opening day.
July 23-August 24
The annual Open-Air Cinema Festival takes place Wed-Sun nights at the Parc de la Villette’s Triangle Prairie (M° Porte de Pantin), starting at sunset (around 10pm), free entry. This year’s theme is Adolescence, including films such as Moonrise Kingdom, Scream 4, and American Graffiti.
July 27
Since 1975, the finish line for the Tour de France has been at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysées. Join the crowd of Parisians and tourists alike to see the winner of the race. Expected arrival time: 5:30pm.
Through July 27
20th anniversary of the Paris Jazz Festival: come enjoy traditional Parisian and international jazz music in the Bois de Vincennes’s Parc Floral. Tickets are 5.50 €.
Through September 20
Looking for an alternative to Paris Plage? Glazart (near Parc de la Villette in the 19th) has it’s own version, La Plage, with free live music, techno parties, a huge sand “beach” with terracecocktail bar, food trucks, Sunday flea market, and even pétanque. See the entire schedule of concerts here.
Exhibits & Cultural Events
Book NOW for September 5-6
The American Church of Paris is hosting A Prarie Home Companion radion show with Garrison Keillor for two dates, September 5th at 8pm and September 6th at 4pm. Tickets are €31, book as soon as possible, space is limited.
July 2-3
See a full 24-hour screening of Christian Marclay’s innovative film The Clock at the Centre Pompidou, free entry from 9pm on the 2nd through 11am the 3rd.
July 3
My favorite English book store, Abbey Bookshop (29 rue de la pArchiminerie, 5th), is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a street party featuring authors Stephen Clarke (Year in the Merde and his new book Dirtie Bertie) and Heather Stimmler-Hall (with the first new copies of Naughty Paris!) today from 7pm until we run out of sangria. Free entry. RSVP on Facebook.
July 11-13
The Washington DC based Adah Rose Gallery is hosting a “Groovy Pop-Up Gallery” for three days in Paris at the Galerie Haut Pavée (3 Quai de Montebello, 5th). Vernissage is the 11th 6-8pm, free entry.
The Lassus Scholars, an award winning mixed chamber choir from Dublin, Ireland are performing
July 13-14
The night before Bastille Day is the traditional Bal des Pompiers, or Fireman’s Ball, when fire stations in Paris is open to the public for live and DJ music, dancing, drinking, and generally having a grand old time for a good cause: you may meet a fireman or two around town selling raffle tickets for the balls, with proceeds going to charity. Some stations are also having a ball on the 14th, so two nights in a row if you’re not out watching the fireworks. Find the list of stations throwing parties in Paris and the surrounding areas here. Check out the videos online to get an idea of the atmosphere after 2am!
** Find all of the official Bastille Day events here ***
July 16
The Art Studio K (32 rue de Moulin Joly, 11th, M° Belleville) is hosting a one-day exposition of photos by the National Geographic Expedition students who have spent the past week learning about photography in a hands-on, on-location workshop in Paris with National Geographic photographer Tino Soriano. Free entry, from 5pm.
Through August 4
Fields of Battle-Lands of Peace 14-18 is a free photo exposition on the eastern end of the wrought iron fence around Luxembourg Gardens of 79 striking contemporary images by Irish photographer (and battlefield guide) Mike Sheil. The photos are taken of World War I battlefields in Europe, eastern Africa, Israel and Turkey, with captions in French and English. Inside the gardens there’s also a large walk-on map of the battlefields just in front of the Senate building.
Through August 31
Between the Lines and the Trenches, a very intimate collection of personal letters, notebooks and photos from the trenches, many never published before. At the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts (222 Boulevard Saint-Germain), through August 31st, entry €7.
Through August 31
Il était une fois: L’Orient Express (Once Upon a Time on the Orient Express) at the Institut du Monde Arabe (1, rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard, 5th) presents a historic look at the Orieint Express and its link between Europe and the Middle East. There are three luxury passenger cars and a dining car you can walk through on the esplanade outside, followed by the exhibit inside the museum of vintage promotional posters, luggage and items including Graham Greene’s typewriter and Agatha Christie’s hat and coat, staff uniforms, as well as films and photos. Entry €8.50-€10.50, free under 16.
Through November 3, 2014
The Grand Galerie d’Evolution at the Jardin des Plantes (Natural History Museum) is hosting a fabulous new exhibition, Nuit, an exploration of the night in all its aspects from scientific to imaginary, presented in four sections: the night sky, noctural life in the natural world, a night of sleep, and myths and monsters of the night. Open daily except Tuesday from 10am-6pm (nope, not open at night). Entry €9, €7 for kids and students 4-24 years.
Food Events
July 6
From 8:15 to 11 PM, enjoy the Once Upon a Table dinner at 59, Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris. For only €130, you have the chance to eat a five course French meal, drink local wine and immerse yourself in Paris’ stellar food culture. Register on the website.
Flea Markets & Shopping
Through July 29
Les Soldes! The annual summer sales take place this year for five weeks throughout France, primarily in clothing stores, but pretty much everything is on sale now.
July 5
Stock up on cheap used books in English while helping out the SOS Helpline at today’s “Bag of Books” Sale. A whole bag of books for just €5, what a deal! Swing by St Joseph’s Church (50 avenue Hoche, 8th), the book sale will be set up on the steps outside from noon-3pm. Note that they are not accepting any donations, they’re trying to get rid of books during this sale!
Other Paris Calendar Links
- For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing and American Library in Paris.
- For indie/alternative music concerts see Gigs in Paris
- For art exhibitions, museum news and openings see Paris Muse.
- For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism.
- For naughty events, see the Naughty Paris Guide.
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