Due to ongoing Coronavirus precautions, many summer events in Paris have been cancelled, postponed or heavily restricted in scope. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things happening around town to keep you entertained. Just don’t forget your mask!
July 1st
Celebrate the dual birthday party of Canada’s 153 Years of Independence and the Abbey Bookshop’s 31st anniversary. The celebration is from 7-9pm at the Abbey Bookshop, 29 rue de la Parchiminerie, 5th. Free event, RSVP on their FB event page.
July 1st – 29th
NU-Paris, the largest urban rooftop farm in in the world opens July 1st on the 14,000m² rooftop of Pavillon 6 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (4 avenue de la porte de la plaine, 15th), growing fruits and vegetables using hydroponic and aeroponic farming methods. They’ll be selling their seasonal, locally-grown goods to residents and businesses in southern Paris, but there are also 1m² allotments available for individuals at €350/year.If you’re interested in visiting, there are Ateliers Découvertes every Wednesday and Saturday, €15 (€25 with dégustation).
July 2nd – August 27th
Calling all dance fans interested in learning Afro Zumba for dance sessions at Grands Voisins (74 Avenue Denfert Rochereau, 14th) with Miraculeux, a musician, DJ and dancer from the Cote d’Ivore. The sessions take place every Thursday from 5:30-7pm, €10 per person, in a fun and informal atmosphere. Registration is necessary to participate, just call or text 0755396040 for the Thursday you’re interested in attending. More info on the FB page here.
July 3rd-4th
Support the charity shop Emmaüs while stocking up on some inexpensive summer frocks at the Vente au Kilo#1 this weekend at the Ressourcerie L’Alternative (13 rue Léopold Bellan, 2nd). One kilo of clothing is just €10, and for a good cause! Cash and credit cards accepted, masks are required. Open 11am-7:30pm.
July 3rd – August 30th
Despite doubts because of the Coronavirus, the festive Fête des Tuileries is still taking place this summer with the Ferris wheel, stomach-emptying rides, barbe-à-papa (cotton candy) and whack-a-mole games. Open daily at the Jardin des Tuileries, 11am-midnight (free entry, tickets can be purchased for individual rides).
July 4th-5th
Nothing like a bit of open-air treasure hunting at these four brocantes taking place this weekend: both days at the Place des Antilles (11th), Saturday along l’Avenue de l’Observatoire (14th), Sunday at Place Maubert (5th) and Sunday along Rue Saint Charles (15th). Find more listings here.
July 4th – 31st
The Fondation GoodPlanet has reopened, with regular weekend events for the whole family including film screenings, nature walks, cooking workshops, and yoga sessions. Most require registration and some have a small fee, and spaces fill up fast, check out the website to see the full program. On July 4th you can meet American Zero-Waste activist Rob Greenfield, who will be speaking (with a French interpreter) about his amazing journey and what everyone can do to live a less wasteful life, at 3pm (free entry).
July 4th – October 3rd
The magical Candlelit Evenings at the Château Vaux-le-Vicomte are back! Every Saturday from 7pm until midnight. Read the Secrets of Paris article about it here.
July 4th – August 30th
It’s time for the 4th annual Jardins Ouverts en Ile-de-France, a garden festival of 400 outdoor events taking place in 220 gardens in Paris and the surrounding Ile-de-France region: “Despite its very urban image, more than 78% of the total area of the Île-de-France region is occupied by natural agricultural and forest areas. By celebrating its gardens, the Region highlights a rich and diverse heritage, which is one of the most active drivers of tourism, and is also aimed at city dwellers who feel the growing need to reconnect with the land and nature. This summer, more than ever, Ile-de-France residents will be able to get away from home!” Find the entire program here.
July 11th
Join the virtual book launch event for French Like Moi: A Midwesterner in Paris by Scott Dominic Carpenter hosted by Heather of Secrets of Paris. The free event takes place on Zoom at 1pm Central time, 8pm Paris time. Sign up for your spot in the discussion here.
July 13th
Château Vaux-le-Vicomte is having a special Nuit aux Chandelles tonight with fireworks to celebrate the Fête Nationale. You can choose to just visit the gardens (from €5) or both the gardens and the château (from €14), both which will be lit with thousands of candles, followed by fireworks at 11pm. Reserve your tickets online here (be sure to get the ones specifically for the 13th July).
July 14th – Fête Nationale
La Fête Nationale is usually one of the biggest holidays in France, but we’re still “social distancing” here in Paris, so while the celebrations will still take place, there have been a few major changes to this year’s program, including the cancellation of the military parade on the Champs-Elysées and the popular Bal des Pompiers: Bastille Day 2020: What to See & Do in Paris
From July 15th
Disneyland Paris and Disney Studios re-open! I can’t help myself, I’m a lifelong fan. 😉 Only a limited number of guests are allowed in at a time, so even if you have an annual pass you’ll need a reservation.
July 15th – August 11th
It’s strange times, but the Soldes must go on! Not that stores need an excuse (or government permission these days) to slash prices to lure in consumers, but if you’re in the market for clothing or accessories (or pretty much anything else) in Paris, this is usually the best time to find a good deal if you’re ready to brave the crowds (yes, even during a pandemic). Bring your mask, they’re now obligatory in ALL stores. Prices drop even more in the final two weeks, but pickings are slim unless you’re a unique size.
July 17th, 24th, 31st and August 7th
The Parc de Choisy in the 13th arrondissement (M° Place d’Italie or Tolbiac) is hosting its own free open-air cinema festival, Ciné Quartier 13, with a focus on nature and the environment: Océans (by Jacques Perrin), Il était une forêt (by Luc Jacquet), Le renard et l’enfant (by Luc Jacquet), and Une vérité qui dérange (An Inconvenient Truth, by Davis Guggenheim). Entrance is free, lounge chairs can be rented; alcohol isn’t allowed (or glass bottles); gates open at 9pm, film starts at sunset (around 10/10:30pm).
July 18th – August 23rd
Although it won’t be as big as usual, Mayor Hidalgo has assure everyone that Paris Plage will take place again this year, when the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette are turned into an urban beach with chaise loungers, umbrellas, swimming in the canal, and ice cream stands. Paris Plage kicks off July 18th with live concerts by the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, and the Cinéma sur L’Eau, a free evening of open-air cinema on the water, on little boats in the Bassin de la Villette. The screening is the 2018 Claude Lelouche film Le Grand Bain. Places are free, but limited, so reserve your boat ASAP on the website.
July 18th – August 29th
La Nuit aux Invalides is an impressive sound and light show in the courtyard of Invalides highlighting the 3000-year-old history of the Lutèce, the Roman city that preceded Paris. Tickets €19-25 (adult price).
July 22nd – August 23rd
Open-air cinema is back at the Parc de la Villette with La Cinéma en Plein Air on the Prairie du Triangle – (metro Porte de Pantin). Free entry, reservations required to make sure the event isn’t too crowded. All films are in original version with French subtitles. See the program here.
July 25th
There’s no better way to discover the real Paris far from the tourist haunts, while meeting new friends, than in one of the neighborhood treasure hunts organized by Pari Solidarithé (a socially-minded company that brings people together). Today the theme is “Autour de Georges Brassens” in the 14th and 15th arrondissements. And if you’re thinking, “I have no idea who he is and no interest in going to the bottom of Paris” then you MUST sign up for this, because no one can say they know the real Paris if they don’t understand Brassens. The 3-hour hunt starts at 2pm at Metro Edgar-Quinet, and the price is €12 (€6 for students or job hunters). You can also purchase a “Place Suspendue” for €8 to cover the price of participation for someone who doesn’t have the means. You should be able to understand French, but don’t let a lack
Other Paris Calendar Links
▪ For General Events around Paris (including sports): Que Faire à Paris?
▪ For Off the Beaten Track Tours (in French or English) #ExploreParis
▪ For French Theatre with English surtitles: Theatre in Paris
▪ For French Cinema with English surtitles: Lost in Frenchlation
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