We absolutely love summer in Paris! There’s less traffic, it’s buzzing with smiling people (mostly), and the city looks dazzling under the sun. It’s the best time of year to enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities. And this year is extra special, as the city hosts the Summer Olympics. So, grab your sunglasses, slap on some sunscreen, and double-check the most current opening times and dates for each attraction before heading out.
Note: Some links lead to French websites; here’s how you can translate websites into English.
1. Celebrate the Paris Summer Olympics
The Olympic and Paralympic Games kick off on July 26. Despite the grumbling of Parisians over crowds and traffic, it’s an exciting time to be in the city. Even if you don’t have tickets to the event, you can soak up the excitement and emotion of the world’s largest sporting event through a myriad of related activities. Check out the Ville de Paris’s website for a detailed countdown to the games. For ideas of what to do with the whole family, the Olympiade Culturelle offers a guide to the exhibits, theater, dance, concerts, games and more being held from June to September.
2. Hit the Beach… in Paris!
(July 6 – September 8, 2024)
A summer rendez-vous not to miss, Paris Plages will be back from July 6 to Sept. 8, 2024. This year, there are not two but three sites being transformed into waterfront resorts: the banks of the Seine River, the La Villette canal basin and now also the Canal Saint-Martin, aka the “Parisian Riviera”. (Note: the banks of the Seine and the La Villette basin sites will only open on July 27, after the opening ceremonies). Get ready to enjoy plenty of FREE outdoor entertainment, cultural activities, sports-related events and refreshments for the whole family! Prefer to just chill out? Bring a bottle of cold rosé, grab a deck chair and watch the sunset along the water.
Some highlights this year:
Along the banks of the Seine (between Pont Neuf and Pont au Change):
- Take part in Tai-Chi, pétanque, table soccer, giant games, running coaching, Swedish gym classes and reading with Bibliothèques Hors les Murs (roving libraries)
In front of the Hôtel de Ville:
- The arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay on the evening of July 14th, the start of the legendary elite men’s Olympic Marathon on the morning of August 10, the elite women’s Olympic Marathon on August 11, the Marathon Pour Tous and the 10km on the evening of August 10
- The 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris Ball on August 24
- The arrival of the Paralympic Flames on August 28
In the La Villette canal basin (19th arrondissement):
- Plunge into one of several swimming pools or enjoy water sports, including canoeing, kayak, stand-up paddle, pedal boats, and more…
On the Canal Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement):
- Rent a boat for a mini-cruise (for more info on summertime canal activities, see below) or cool off at the swimming zone on Sundays near Square Jacques Villemin
3. Swim in the Sun
In Paris
Want to work on your tan while swimming under the sun? You might be surprised to learn that there are plenty of open-air swimming pools in Paris! The fabulous floating Piscine Josephine Baker (13th arr.) with a riverside view and ozone-filtered Piscine Keller (15th arr.) are affordable public pools with sliding roofs that open up on warm, sunny days. The historic Piscine de la Butte-aux-Cailles (13th arr.) also has an outdoor pool open all year round.
Looking for a Parisian hotel with an open-air pool? Book a staycation at the Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel which opens its pool’s rooftop on warm days. You can also book a Clarins Spa treatment or a stay at the Hotel Molitor to gain access to the hotel’s iconic outdoor pool, which was featured in the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris.
Or check out the Aquaboulevard waterpark (15th arr.) with a wave pool, wakeboarding simulator and an outdoor beach
In the suburbs of Paris
On the outskirts of Paris, the Piscine Boulogne-Billancourt and the Piscine des Murs à Pêches in Montreuil are amongst those which have large outdoor pools with water slides for the kiddos and areas for sunbathing.
For more ideas about where to take a dip, check out our post: The Coolest Paris Pools on a Budget
4. Eat, Drink and Dance Along the Seine River!
Do you like to tango, twist or salsa? Perhaps you’re more into rock ‘n roll, electro or techno. On summer evenings, you’ll catch local dancers strutting their stuff or just swinging to music across the city. And there’s plenty of variety for all tastes.
Serious dancers head to the Jardin Tino Rossi along the banks of Port Saint-Bernard (5th arr.), where hundreds of dancers show up spontaneously to dance the night away.
For laid-back family fun…
To drink, eat, listen to music or dance in a festive, laid-back outdoor atmosphere, you’ll love guingettes (open-air cafés/dance halls) like Rosa Bonheur sur Seine along Quai d’Orsay (7th arr.), sister to the original Rosa Bonheur in the Parc Buttes-Chaumont (19th arr.).
(Note: While Rosa Bonheur sur Seine will remain open during the Olympics, between July 18-24, you will need to make reservations ahead of time; see the website for details)
For a more bohemian feel, don’t miss the outdoor arts and culture hangout, La Javelle (12th arr.), which serves drinks and food al fresco while you enjoy musical concerts, dancing, yoga classes, or even get a haircut!
For the trendier set…
Looking for something a bit hipper? Chill out aboard Off Paris Seine, Paris’ first floating hotel and bar, moored at the foot of the Austerlitz train station. Enjoy panoramic views over the Seine River while sipping on cocktails and partying all night at Café Oz Rooftop, an expansive Australian bar and nightclub, or Wanderlust on the rooftop of the contemporary Cité de la Mode et du Design (City of Fashion and Design) on Quai d’Austerlitz in the 13th arrondissement.
5. Discover Paris’ Canal Culture
L’été du Canal (19th arr.)
July 6 to August 11, 2024
Discover the city’s canalside culture through this trendier sister to Paris Plages along the banks of the Canal l’Ourcq! Enjoy a host of sports and cultural activities, from beaches to watersports and eclectic musical concerts to street-art, music and food-themed cruises, and outdoor cinema all along the waterfront.
Peniche Antipode
Along the Quai de Seine, discover the péniche (houseboat) run by the Abracadabra theatre company, which presents entertaining shows for kids during the day. Its bar, café and restaurant serve up only artisanal and fair-trade products. And when night falls, adults come for drinks on their deck, events and concerts – which run the musical gamut from jazz to rock, reggae, blues and funk – and party down to DJ music late into the night.
Peniche Librairie L’eau et les rêves
Kids and nautical lovers adore this marine-themed bookshop on water with quaint furniture, theater workshops and a dedicated kids’ area. You’ll find this floating library docked along Quai de l’Oise in the 19th arrondissement. Check their website for author signings!
Bar Ourcq
For a truly chilled-out French experience, slip on your flip-flops and shorts and head out for a boozy round of pétanque at the Bar Ourcq on the banks of the canal in the 19th. This popular bar welcomes guests on its summer terrace with lounge chairs, music, cheap beer and tapas, wi-fi, and pétanque balls. The best part is you get to refuel with beer or wine in between matches!
6. Book a Private Boat Trip
Pilot Your Own Electric Boat on a Canal (19th arr.)
Discover a new side of Paris by renting an electric, self-drive boat from Marin d’eau Douce at the Bassin de la Villette, the Canal Saint Martin or the Canal de l’Ourcq. These boats don’t require a permit, and allow you to follow a set itinerary, which lasts from one hour to a whole day. You can even order hampers for picnics or aperitifs in advance, moor at a pier and take a break on the grass to eat and play pétanque, badminton or mölkki (skittles). Boats accommodate from 5-11 people, so you can make it a family or corporate outing.
Enjoy Sunset Apéro on a Lovely Lake in the Woods (16th arr.)
For a unique evening, book a private boat ride on a lake for drinks and a typical French apéro as you discover the secrets of the lovely Bois de Boulogne, while serenaded by music. Stop by the recently redesigned Chalet des Îles – the only dock on the lake – for a meal or drink by the water. For more information about boat rentals, contact Chalet des Îles by email: [email protected] or telephone: 01 42 88 04 69.
7. Stroll Along the Seine
Take a leisurely stroll, jog, bike, or rollerblade along the 2.3 km pedestrian-friendly left bank of the Seine River. Stretching from the Musée D’Orsay to Pont d’Alma, the Parc Rives de Seine has nature, sport and leisure activities and restaurants open all year round. But it’s during the warmer summer months that you can really take advantage of all that this UNESCO World Heritage site has to offer. From kid-friendly activities to floating gardens to specially-designated sports zones, there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained.
8. Catch a Film Al Fresco (or Indoors)
Watch a flick on a big screen while enjoying apéritifs in the grass at one of the outdoor cinema festivals around the Paris region. Or beat the heat, and watch the best of French films with English subtitles at an independent cinema.
Cinétarmac at the Air and Space Museum (July 5 – 7, 2024)
Visitors will enjoy an original open-air cinema where the fuselage of a Boeing 747 will serve as a projection screen on the tarmac of the Air and Space Museum. Deckchairs, popcorn and other treats will make this an unforgettable outdoor experience! For details and programming, visit the WEBSITE.
Cinema Paradiso + Summer in Seine at La Seine Musicale
(July 8 – 13, 2024)
La Seine Musicale hosts a prestigious musical and artistic program, and the now traditional Cinéma Paradiso Festival will join up and offer four free open-air cinema evenings: Flashdance by Adrian Lyne on July 8; In the body of Cédric Klapisch on July 9; Let’s Go Children by Alban Teurlai and Thierry Demaizière on July 10; and Pina by Wim Wenders on July 11. For full details and programming, visit the WEBSITE.
Lost in Frenchlation – French films with English subtitles
(through August 11, 2024)
Lost in Frenchlation breaks the language barrier and brings the best of French cinema to the international community in Paris and other cities in France, with hosted screenings of French films with English subtitles at independent cinemas. A convivial cocktail hour precedes each screening. For details and summer Olympics programming, visit their WEBSITE.
9. Revel in an Outdoor Spectacle
Bastille Day (French National Day) Fireworks – July 14
Best Places to Watch in Central Paris
Who doesn’t love fireworks? The biggest feu d’artifices display of the summer in Paris takes place on July 14, when fireworks are launched from the Eiffel Tower and the Jardins du Trocadéro. Head out early to grab a spot with the best view!
Alternatively, position yourself across the river in the Jardins du Trocadéro, or the Esplanade du Trocadéro. If you don’t mind spending some money to have more elbow room, book a table on the terrace of the Café of the Musée de l’Homme. Or splurge for a dinner cruise on the Bateaux Mouches Parisiens, or Péniche La Sans-Soucis and cruise right under the fireworks!
For a spectacular, bird’s eye view of the 35-minute show and a panoramic view of Paris, head to the observation deck of Tour Montparnasse (14th) or splurge on drinks or dinner at the Ciel de Paris restaurant. Book anything requiring reservations ASAP though!
Musical Fountains Show at the Versailles Palace
Every Saturday and Sunday through Oct 27, 2024 (plus Sunday, July 14 and Thursday, August 15)
For a uniquely French experience, witness the dazzling Fountains Night Show, a light and music show in the royal gardens of the Château de Versailles. Take a romantic stroll through the illuminated gardens as the fountains “dance” to the sound of music, and top off the evening with a grand fireworks display in front of the Grand Canal. For details and reservations visit their WEBSITE.
10. Jam at an Arts or Music Festival
Festival Classique au Vert and Paris Jazz Festival at Parc Floral
(June 26 – Sep 8, 2024)
All summer long, you can enjoy FREE outdoor classical and jazz music concerts in the magnificent setting of the Parc Floral on the eastern edge of Paris. Take a moment to meander through the extraordinary gardens before settling down for a picnic and listening to beautiful music surrounded by the greenery of the Bois de Vincennes. Once attached to the nearby Château de Vincennes, in 1854 the Emperor Louis Napoleon transformed it into a public park, which was the site for most of the 1900 Summer Olympics events in Paris. Check out their WEBSITE for the full program.
Garden Parvis – La Défense
(June 26 – July 26, 2024)
Head to La Défense on the western edge of Paris for a festival on the public square dedicated to “food, drinks, chill and music”. A packed program features concerts, DJ sets, sports, pop-up shops, food trucks, wellness workshops, creative activities for kids, and much more. Entry is FREE. You can also book a private party or after-work cocktail in this unique space. Visit the WEBSITE for programming and details.
Paris l’été (Paris Summer Festival)
(July 3 – 16, 2024)
You’ll have a blast exploring different quartiers (neighborhoods) of Paris during this city-wide arts and culture festival packed with art installations, dance, circus, music, and theater. This year’s program welcomes artists from the UK, Greece, and Switzerland as well as local French acts. Some events are free, while ticketed events run from 4€ to 28€, with further reductions if you buy three or more tickets. Visit the event WEBSITE for the full program and ticketing.
Rock en Seine
(August 22-25, 2024)
Lana del Rey, Fred Again, Måneskin, Massive Attack, Soulwax and Saho de Sagazan are just a few of the big names headlining this popular annual pop and rock music festival. Billed as one of the most important festivals in Europe, Rock en Seine takes place in the Domaine National de Saint Cloud, a 460-hectare park classified as a historical monument, west of Paris. Programming and ticketing on their WEBSITE.
Jazz at La Villette
(August 29 – Sept. 8, 2024)
Prolonging summer, the annual Jazz à la Villette celebrates the many nuances of jazz with a variety of top artists and lesser-known, experimental projects, in the verdant surroundings of the Parc de la Villette. Tickets run between 15€ and 45€. See WEBSITE for program and ticketing
11. BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY TO A FUNFAIR
For a bit of old-fashioned fun, take your date or your family to one of the many outdoor funfairs that pop up around the city during the summer.
La Fête des Loges (Saint-Germain-en-Laye)
June 28 to August 18, 2024
For those living west of Paris, the Fête des Loges in Saint-Germain-en-Laye is the oldest funfair in the history of France dating back to 1652! Today, it is still a popular fair with dozens of thrilling rides and attractions, from roller cars to fishing and roller coasters, and an international food alley. Free entry, but attractions are ticketed.
Paris Summer Fair (Bois de Boulogne)
July 6 – August 25, 2024
This year, the annual Fête des Tuileries summer funfair has relocated to the Bois de Boulogne due to the Olympic Games taking over the usual site at Place de la Concorde. Enjoy 60 attractions, including the Giant Ferris Wheel, traditional rides and games like bumper cars, rifle shooting, a palace of mirrors, carousels, trampolines, and more. And, of course, what would a funfair be without cotton candy, crêpes, churros, candy apples? Free entry into the park but certain rides and attractions are ticketed.
Jardin d’Acclimatation (Bois de Boulogne)
One of our perennial family outing favorites in Paris. You can easily spend a full day out at this year-round amusement park, enjoying the traditional fairground-type roller coasters and games, giant trampolines, boat rides, pony rides, a zoo, puppet shows, playgrounds and climbing structures. Hungry? They have several restaurants and concession stands where you can fuel up. On hot summer days, pack swimsuits and towels so your kids can run around the sprinklers in the massive multi-zone playground. Entry is cheap, but rides and attractions are ticketed.
