L’Envol
Off the Ground and High as a Kite
Thematic exhibitions don’t teach visitors much about an artist or an art movement, but they are often amusing and/or thought-provoking. “L’Envol” (“Flight”) is both as it explores humankind’s eternal dream of flight. This is the last exhibition to be held … Read More
Abri Soba Restaurant
Gourmet Izakaya
Continuing my quest to discover Paris’s best Japanese restaurants, I followed visits to Sanjo and Hakata Choten with dinner at Abri Soba, the second restaurant of the owner of Abri, Katsuaki Okiyama, one of the most brilliant of Paris’s wave of young … Read More
10 Best Restaurant Terraces in Paris
Sun, Shade, Fresh Air, Food
What makes a great restaurant terrace in Paris? For me, the most important thing is the absence of noisy, polluting cars and motorbikes, the scourge of city life. After that, some greenery is more than welcome, and the food must be at … Read More
Festival de la Chaise-Dieu
Musical Tourism in the Auvergne
Finding a place of space and solace in France in August is no mean feat, especially one with a world-class classical music festival, one of the finest abbeys in France, great countryside and good-value, available accommodation. Oh, and decent, well-priced … Read More
Dancing to "I Will Survive" on Paris Plage. Photo © Paris Update
What's Happening in Paris This Week
For full details about an event, click on the title to visit the official Web site (in English when available).
August 11-September 2
Outdoor classical concerts
Concerts in the park at Festival Classique au Vert every weekend.
Parc Floral
August 18-September 16
Classical concerts in the park
Summer concerts at the Festival de l’Orangerie de Sceaux.
Parc de Sceaux
Through August 19
Open-air cinema
Cinema en Plein Air is back with the theme “Let’s Sing,” featuring such films as La La Land, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Yellow Submarine, Jules and Jim and Sugar Man. Free admission. Above: from Céline Sciamma’s Bande de Filles.
Parc de la Villette, Paris
Friday evenings, through August 10
More free outdoor films
Ciné Quartier 13 shows movies in the parks of the 13th arrondissement on Friday evenings.
Various locations, Paris
Through September 2
Paris is a beach
Paris Plages offers fun in the sun on the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette: sandy beach, pool, dance lessons, restaurants, volleyball, free concerts, boating and more.
Quais de la Seine, Bassin de la Villette, Paris
Through September 9
Swimming in the canal
The water in the Bassin de la Villette has been declared clean enough to swim in, and a free swimming area has been set up.
Bassin de la Villette
Through September 29
Clubbing on the “beach”
Outdoor concerts and DJs nightly at the La Plage de Glaz’Art.
Glaz’Art, Paris
Through August 19
Summer arts festival
Paris Festival d’Eté is an annual festival of music, dance, theater and more from around the world.
Various locations, Paris
Weekends in July and August
Summer fun on the canal
The Été du Canal festival offers theme cruises (street food, music, art, etc.) and other activities like the construction of an ephemeral village, balls, restaurants and bars.
Canal de l’Ourcq
August 8, 22, 29 & September 5
Entertainment for kids
The Festival les Pestacles presents concerts and other entertainment for children age five and up.
Parc Floral, Paris
Through August 31
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
Through September 1
Son et lumière
A sound and light show, La Nuit aux Invalides, commemorates the centennial of the end of World War I.
Hôtel National des Invalides, Paris
Through August 7
Bargains galore
The official biannual six-week sales period.
Retailers all over France
Summer 2018
Summer Party
The Mona Bismarck American Center opens up its townhouse and garden for a series of summer parties called Mona Darlin’ featuring electronic music.
Mona Bismarck American Center, Paris
Through Oct. 6
Dance in historic sites
Monuments en Mouvement offers free dance performances in national monuments like the Pantheon in Paris, the Abbaye de Cluny and châteaux.
Various locations
July 27
French film with English subtitles
Lost in Frenchlation presentsVolontaire (Raising Colors), directed by Hélène Fillières.