Summer festivals
Summertime is music festival time. Time Out Paris is a great place to start if you want to see the schedule of festival in and around Paris this summer, in French only: Les Festivals de Musique à Paris
July 5-7
Choose between 31 free concerts at the Festival FNAC Live, featuring artists like Sting, Julia & Angus Stone, and Gael Faye. Shows at the Scène du Parvis are open access. Shows at the Scène du Salon require an invitation that can be picked up for free at FNAC stores in Paris. See the full program here.
July 7 – September 2
Paris Plage : sandy beaches, palm trees, volley balls and bikinis — on the Seine! Along the Right Bank quays and the Bassin de la Villette for water sports This year’s edition of the Paris Plages will feature many fun activities. Free entry, 9am-midnight.
July 7- 29
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.
July 13-14
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!” Click here to read the defintitive guide to what to see and do in Paris on July 13th and 14th, what’s open, what’s not, how to get around, where the parties will be, and insider tips on being prepared: http://bit.ly/BastilleDayPAris
July 18 – August 19
The Cinéma en Plein Air (Open Air Cinema Festival) takes place again this summer at the Parc de la Villette from Wednesday though Sunday night, starting at sunset (9:30pm-10:15pm depending on the week). Free entry. Beach chair rentals €7.
Through July 22
The 25th annual Paris Jazz Festival takes place all summer; come enjoy traditional Parisian and international jazz music in the Bois de Vincennes’s Parc Floral. Concerts are free; entry to the park is €2.50.
August 24-26
The annual Rock-en-Seine Festival is one of the year’s best music festivals, and easily accessible by metro, at Parc de Saint-Cloud, just on the city’s western border. This year’s headliners include Justice, Macklemore, PNL, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Tickets are €139 for three days or €59 per day.
through August 26
The annual Fête des Tuileries funfair with carnival rides at Tuileries Gardens features over 80 rides including dodgem/bumper cars, fun house, and a few that will have you screaming for dear life. Open daily 11am-midnight, free entry, rides with individual tickets. Plenty of food stands, too!
Through September 1
La Nuit aux Invalides is an impressive sound and light show in the courtyard of Invalides highlighting the monument’s history and the 100th anniversary of WWI. Tickets €15-25 (adult price). See the teaser video.
Through October 6
Don’t miss one of the most magical events of the summer, the Candlelit Evenings at the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte, just an hour south of Paris by RER and shuttle. Visit the family-owned palace and gardens that inspired Versailles by candlelight, including dinner in the gardens (or bring your own picnic or book a table for a gourmet meal starting at €49), a luminous walking tour and a fireworks finale. Every Saturday evening, entry €19.50.
Other Paris calendar links
â–ª For French Theatre with English surtitles: Theatre in Paris
â–ª For general events around Paris (including sports): Que Faire à Paris?
â–ª For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing
â–ª For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism
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