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
June 1-3: Rendez-Vous au Jardins
June 2: Paris Vegan Festival
June 3: Grand Siècle Day at Château Vaux le Vicomte
June 8-11
The Portes d’Or is a chance for all the artistic workshops in the Goutte d’Or (18th arrondissement) to open their doors to the public. Over 65 painters, sculptors, jewelery-makers and many others who live and work in the Goutte d’Or wish to share their creativity. Please come support the community and experience these unique productions.
June 9-10
The artists of the 5th (Mouffetard) and 13th (Butte aux Cailles/Gobelins) districts knows as Lézarts du Bièvre open their studios to the public for two days, 2-8pm. Free entry.
June 12-15
Eighty French and American indie films are in competition in this year’s 7th annual Champs Elysées Film Festival. Films are screened at cinemas on and around ‘les Champs’, and there will be many other events, including off-competition screenings, premieres and events where you can meet the cast and directors. A pass to all screenings is €49, the big opening and closing ceremony screenings are additional €20.
June 13
It’s “Expat Theatre Night” with Theatre in Paris for a performance of the modern comedy, “The Art of Breaking Up”, in the Théâtre Montparnasse. “English speakers based in Paris gather for Paris Expat Theatre Night, to enjoy drinks, meet fellow expats, and see a show at one of the city’s many playhouses. The first Expat Night events brought us to see intimate musicals, modern comedies, and some classic French drama. They were such a sell-out success that we’ve decided to create a monthly event!” Tickets €39, book online.
June 15-16
A unique chamber music group, presents their last Music by the Glass event of the season with two evenings of Saint-Saëns and Schumann with the Quatuor Abegg, followed by a wine tasting and meeting with the musicians. The first date is in a private residence of one of their patrons in the 14th arrondisement, the second in the historic and elegant Reid Hall in the 6th. Tickets €25 (wine and hors d’oeuvres included). Register on the website; places limited.
June 21
Fête de la Musique! This annual all-night music festival takes place throughout France, but in Paris the whole city is overtaken: public spaces, bars, cafés, parks, sidewalks and even the streets are closed off for live music of every kind, performed by both famous and amateur musicians, from late afternoon through early morning, all concerts are free and open to everyone. Please note the main metro lines will be running all night, but it will be hard to get around by taxi because of road closures (and Vélibs are typically locked down for the night). Bring your earplugs if you expect to try and sleep!
June 22-24
Solidays is one of the best summer music festivals in France. For the 20th anniversary of the festival, this year’s acts include David Guetta, Mr Oizo, and The Kills, and over 160,000 attendees are expected to join the fight against AIDS at Paris-Longchamp racecourse. Day passes start at €39.
June 27-August 7
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. And although most bloggers still get all frothy at the news, the sales are no longer just twice annually, so it’s not the big deal it used to be.
June 28-30
Zero Waste Festival: Parisians interested in knowing more about how to save the planet with a Zero Waste lifestyle will gather at the Cabaret Sauvage for three days of info stands, talks, upcycling and repair workshops, urban hikes, and a visit of a “model zero waste home”. Day passes €25, or three-day passes for €60, see the program online.
June 30-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.
Other Paris calendar links
▪ For French Theatre with English surtitles: Theatre in Paris
▪ For general events around Paris (including sports): Que Faire à Paris?
▪ For literary events, readings, and classes: Monthly Paris Listing
▪ For mainstream events visit the Paris Office of Tourism
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