Namak Restaurant
Passion for Persian Cuisine
Just a few days after eating at the superb Middle Eastern restaurant Jolia, I found myself lunching with a friend at the Iranian restaurant Namak. While the food was similar to that of Jolia in some ways (rose petals, pomegranate … Read More
Grand Palais
Grander Than Ever
It may have taken five long years, but the revamped Grand Palais, now completely reopened, is nothing if not grand, even grandiose. The always spectacular glass-domed ceiling is as beautiful and awe-inspiring as always, and new areas have recently been … Read More
Jolia Restaurant
Marvelous Mashups
Who doesn’t love Middle Eastern food, in all its many national incarnations? They are all wonderful, but the restaurant Jolia has found ways to make them even more exciting with new combinations and ingredients. I went there with a friend … Read More
Noisiel
Émile and the Chocolate Factory
Most visitors to France have heard of the Marne Valley, east of Paris, only because Disneyland is located there, but the verdant river valley is home to many wonderful attractions, not the least of which is the town of Noisiel, … Read More
Photo of the Month
A view of Paris from the sixth arrondissement. © Paris Update
What's Happening in Paris This Month
For full details about an event, click on the title to visit the official Web site (in English when available).
July 8
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents Intouchables, directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano.
L’Epée de Bois, Paris
Through July 9
Future of architecture
A major exhibition at the École d’Architecture Paris Malaquais, “Du Corps au Cosmos,” showcases the work of the school’s final-year students.
Various locations, France
July 10
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents En Fanfare (‘The Marching Band’), directed by Emmanuel Courcol .
L’Arlequin, Paris
July 11-12
Electronic music festival
Reserve tickets in advance for the outdoor Peacock Society electronic music festival.
Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes, Paris
July 13
French movies with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presents En Fanfare (‘The Marching Band’), directed by Emmanuel Courcol .
Luminor, Paris
July 14
Bastille Day celebrations
Paris celebrates its national holiday with firemen’s balls, a parade, fireworks and a concert. Click the link above for details.
Various locations, Paris
July 14
Free entry to the Louvre
On Bastille Day, the Louvre is offering free entry to all. Click here for required reservation.
Louvre, Paris
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
July 15–18
Free outdoor films
This year’s Festival Paradiso includes outdoor concerts and screenings at La Seine Musicale. Sign up for the free ticket lottery online.
La Seine Musicale, Paris
June 18-July 20
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 25-July 22
Soldes
The official summer retail sales period in France.
Paris & most of France
Through July 25
Summer fun at the Louvre
Special events at the Louvre and in the Tuileries Garden, including cinema and a fashion show, during Les Étés du Louvre.
Louvre, Paris
June 25–July 25
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
July 6–July 26
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 12-August 5
Summer arts festival
Dance, music, theater and many other art forms come together for the Festival Paris l’Été.
Various locations, Paris
July 5–August 10
Summer fun on the canal
The Été du Canal festival offers theme cruises (street food, music, art, etc.) and other activities like balls, restaurants and bars.
Canal de l’Ourcq
July 10–August 14
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 14. Events for the kiddies, a bar for the adults.
Parc Zoologique de Paris, Paris
June 21–August 14
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 5–August 24
Open-air dance hall
African and Antillean music and food every summer weekend at the Guinguette Africaine de Suresnes.
Surennes, Île-de-France
Through August 24
Old-school carnival
The Fête des Tuileries is back with its bumper cars, Ferris wheel and terrifying rides.
Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
August 20-24
International rock festival
Big-time artists headline at Rock en Seine.
Domaine de Saint Cloud, Paris
July 6-August 30
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
July 5–August 31
Swimming in the Seine
Now that the Seine is supposedly clean following work done for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the city has opened up three sites where swimming is allowed. Click here for details.
Various locations, Paris
July 5–August 31
Paris beaches
During the summer months, the banks of the river and canals are transformed into miniature beaches, complete with sand, deck chairs, swimming sites, concerts and other activities, for Paris Plages.
Various locations, Paris
Through August 30
Eco-documentaries
Free documentaries on the theme of climate action take center stage for the outdoor film fest Gare aux Docs. Reservation required.
La REcyclerie, Paris
July 5–August 31
Garden visits
Green spaces throughout the region hold cultural events for Jardins Ouverts en Île-de-France.
Various locations, Île-de-France
Through September 6
Cinema under the stars
The best of the outdoor summer film festivals.
Various locations, Paris
Through September 6
Outdoor classical concerts
Free concerts in the park at Festival Classique au Vert on the weekend (admission to park: €2.70).
Parc Floral, Paris
June 29–September 7
Outdoor jazz
The Paris Jazz Festival offers free weekend concerts in the park (admission to park: €2.70).
Parc Floral, Paris
Through September 7
Worldly photos
The Festival de Photographie Contemporaine–Mondes en Commun 2025 continues Albert Kahn’s exploration of the world with images by 10 contemporary photographers, displayed in the museum’s amazing gardens.
Musée départemental Albert-Kahn, Boulogne-Billancourt
June 28–September 13
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
Through September 14
Olympic gold
The golden hot-air balloon that wowed the world during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics last year returns to the heart of the city for the summer. Pictured above: the Olympic vasque in the Tuileries Garden.
Tuileries Garden, Paris
Through September 27
Candlelit château
Every Saturday throughout the summer, the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its grounds will be lit by 2,000 candles for the Soirées aux Chandelles.