Festivals & events in Paris

Paris is bursting with culture, from film festivals to world music. During summer, classical music moves outdoors, with many urban parks turning into alfresco concert venues. Among them is the lovely Parc Floral de Paris, which holds weekend concerts throughout the warmer months.

However, there are also plenty of less highbrow diversions, especially at Paris-Plage, the beach on the Seine. Elsewhere, Solidays, Rock en Seine, Festival des Inrockuptibles and the Techno Parade all attract top acts. And if sport fans don’t manage to get tickets for the French Open or the Six Nations, there’s always the Marathon de Paris and the finale of the Tour de France, for which tickets aren’t required.

Information & prices

For information about temporary cultural attractions in Paris, check www.culture.fr or www.parissi.com for films, concerts and a calendar of clubbing events. Some of the bigger events charge admission fees, and you usually have to pay for food and drinks at street festivals and parties.

Critic's choice

Banlieues Bleues

Where: various venues in Seine-St-Denis
When: Mar-Apr
Tel & website: 01.49.22.10.10/www.banlieuesbleues.org
An annual five-week festival of quality French and international jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, flamenco and world music.

Marathon de Paris

Where: Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th, to av Foch, 16th
When: early Apr
Tel & website: 01.41.33.15.68/www.parismarathon.com
Perhaps the world’s most picturesque marathon, with 35,000 runners heading from the Champs-Elysées along the Right Bank to the Bois de Vincennes, and back along the Left Bank to the Bois de Boulogne. The 2009 half-marathon takes place a month earlier, in March.

La Nuit des Musées

Where: all over France
When: mid May
Website: www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr
For one night, museums open their doors late for special events and entertainment.

Fête de la Musique

Where: all over France
When: 21 June
Tel & website: 01.40.03.94.70/www.fetedelamusique.fr
Free gigs (encompassing all musical genres) take place across the country as part of this festival on the summer solstice.

Gay Pride March

Where: various venues in Paris
When: late June
Tel & website: 01.43.57.21.47/www.inter-lgbt.org
Outrageous floats and flamboyant costumes parade towards Bastille; then there’s an official fête and various club and nightlife events.

Paris Jazz Festival

Where: Parc Floral de Paris, Bois de Vincennes, 12th
When: June, July
Website: www.parisjazzfestival2008.com
Two months of free jazz weekends at the Parc Floral.

Le Tour de France

Where: Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th
When: July
Tel & website: 01.41.33.15.00/www.letour.fr
The ultimate cycling endurance test climaxes after some 3,500km (2,175 miles). Blink and you’ll miss the winner flying past the finishing line on the Champs-Elysées.

Paris-Plage

Where: Pont des Arts to Pont de Sully
When: mid July-mid Aug
Tel & website: 08.20.00.75.75/www.paris.fr
Palm trees, huts, hammocks and around 2,000 tonnes of fine sand on both banks of the Seine bring a seaside vibe to the city. Not only this, there’s a floating pool and a lending library too.

Rock en Seine

Where: Domaine National de St-Cloud
When: late Aug
Tel & website: 08.92.68.08.92/www.rockenseine.com
Three days, three stages, and one world-class line-up of rock and indie groups.

Festival d’Automne

Where: various venues
When: mid Sept-late Dec
Tel & website: 01.53.45.17.00/www.festival-automne.com
A major annual festival of challenging contemporary theatre, dance and modern opera, intent on bringing non-Western culture into the French consciousness. ‘Autumn Festival’ is a bit of a misnomer for this event, as some exhibitions run over the new year into January.

Nuit Blanche

Where: various venues
When: early Oct
Website: www.paris.fr
Culture by moonlight: galleries and museums host special after-dark installations, and swimming pools, bars and clubs stay open late into the night.

Festival des Inrockuptibles

Where: various venues
When: early Nov
Tel & website: 01.42.44.16.16/www.lesinrocks.com
This festival, curated by popular music mag Les Inrockuptibles, boasts top international indie, rock, techno and trip hop acts, and a discerning crowd.

New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day

Where: venues throughout Paris
When: 31 Dec, 1 Jan
Jubilant crowds swarm along the Champs-Elysées letting off bangers. Nightclubs and restaurants hold expensive New Year’s Eve soirées. And on New Year’s Day the Grande Parade de Paris brings floats, bands and dancers.

Spring

Six Nations

Where: Stade de France
When: Feb-Mar
Brits and Celts invade Paris for three big rugby weekends in spring. Six Nations rugby tickets are available on www.rbs6nations.com at least three months in advance.

Fashion Week

Where: various venues
When: Mar, July, Oct & Jan
Website: www.modeaparis.com
Paris presents its haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections at a variety of venues across town, but to invited guests only.

Le Printemps des Poètes

Where: various venues
When: Mar
Tel & website: 01.53.80.08.00/www.printempsdespoetes.com
Celebrating the centenary of poet René Char’s birth, the 2008 edition of this popular national poetry festival had ‘L’Eloge de l’Autre’ as its theme.

Printemps du Cinéma

Where: various venues
When: Mar
Website: www.printempsducinema.com
Film tickets at a variety of cinemas all across the Paris are cut to a bargain €3.50 for this popular three-day film bonanza.

Banlieues Bleues

Where: various venues in Seine-St-Denis
When: Mar-Apr
Tel & website: 01.49.22.10.10/www.banlieuesbleues.org
An annual five-week festival of quality French and international jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, flamenco and world music.

Le Chemin de la Croix

Where: Square Willette, 18th
When: Good Friday
Tel: 01.53.41.89.00
A crowd of pilgrims follows the Archbishop of Paris from the bottom of Montmartre up to Sacré-Coeur as he performs the Stations of the Cross.

Foire du Trône

Where: Pelouse de Reuilly, 12th
When: late Mar-May
Website: www.foiredutrone.com
France’s biggest funfair: stomach-churning rides, bungee jumping and barbe à papa (candyfloss).

Marathon de Paris

Where: Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th, to av Foch, 16th
When: early Apr
Tel & website: 01.41.33.15.68/www.parismarathon.com
Perhaps the world’s most picturesque marathon, with 35,000 runners heading from the Champs-Elysées along the Right Bank to the Bois de Vincennes, and back along the Left Bank to the Bois de Boulogne. The half-marathon takes place a month earlier, in March.

Foire de Paris

Where: Paris-Expo, pl de la Porte de Versailles
When 29 Apr-10 May
Tel & website: 01.49.09.60.00/www.foiredeparis.fr
This enormous lifestyle fair includes world crafts and foods, plus the latest health and house gizmos.

Fête du Travail

Where: all over France
When: 1 May
May Day is strictly observed. Key sights (the Eiffel Tower aside) close, and unions march in eastern Paris via Bastille. Sweet-smelling posies of lily of the valley (muguet) are sold on every street corner.

Printemps des Musées

Where: various venues
When: early May
Website: www.printempsdesmusees.culture.fr
For one Sunday in May, selected museums in Paris are free.

La Fête des Enfants du Monde

Where: various venues
When: early May-June
Website: www.koinobori.org
A Franco-Japanese festival with shows, exhibitions and concerts.

La Nuit des Musées

Where: all over France
When: mid May
Website: www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr
For one night, museums open their doors late for special events and entertainment.

Festival de St-Denis

Where: various venues in St-Denis
When: May-June
Tel & website: 01.48.13.12.10/www.festival-saint-denis.com
The Gothic St-Denis basilica and other historic buildings in the neighbourhood host four weeks of top quality classical concerts.

Quinzaine des Réalisateurs

Where: Forum des Images, Porte St-Eustache, Forum des Halles, 1st
When: May, June
Tel & website: 01.44.89.99.99/www.quinzaine-realisateurs.com
The Cannes Directors’ Fortnight sidebar comes to Paris; 2009 is the 30th anniversary of this festival of screenings and events.

French Tennis Open

Where: Stade Roland-Garros, 2 av Gordon-Bennett, 16th
When: late May-early June
Tel & website: 01.47.43.48.00/www.frenchopen.org
The glitzy Grand Slam tournament, whose tricky clay courts have been the downfall of many a champion, always attracts a selection of showbiz stars.

Le Printemps des Rues

Where: various venues
When: late May or early June
Tel & website: 01.47.97.36.06/www.leprintempsdesrues.com
This annual two-day street-theatre festival has an experimental vibe.

Summer

Tous à Vélo

Where: across Paris
When: early June
Website: www.tousavelo.com
Cycling tours and activities as Paris’s two-wheelers take to the streets. To hire a bike or learn more about the Vélib free bike scheme in Paris, visit www.velib.paris.fr.

Prix de Diane Hermès

Where: Hippodrome de Chantilly, 16 av du Général-Leclerc, 90209 Chantilly
When: early June
Tel & website: 03.44.62.41.00/www.france-galop.com
The French Derby draws the crème de la crème of high society to Chantilly, sporting silly hats and keen to have a flutter.

Fête de la Musique

Where: all over France
When: 21 June
Tel & website: 01.40.03.94.70/www.fetedelamusique.fr
Free gigs (encompassing all musical genres) take place across the country as part of this festival on the summer solstice.

Gay Pride March

Where: various venues in Paris
When: late June
Tel & website: 01.43.57.21.47/www.inter-lgbt.org
Outrageous floats and flamboyant costumes parade towards Bastille; then there’s an official fête and various club and nightlife events.

Festival Chopin à Paris

Where: Orangerie de Bagatelle, Parc de Bagatelle, Bois de Boulogne, 16th
When: June, July
Tel & website: 01.45.00.22.19/www.frederic-chopin.com
Candlelit classical music evenings in the Bagatelle gardens.

Foire St-Germain

Where: Pl St-Sulpice & venues in St-Germain-des-Prés, 6th
When: June, July
Tel & website: 01.43.29.61.04/www.foiresaintgermain.org
St-Germain-des-Prés lets its hair down for a month of concerts, theatre and workshops.

Paris Jazz Festival

Where: Parc Floral de Paris, Bois de Vincennes, 12th
When: June, July
Website: www.parisjazzfestival2008.com
Two months of free jazz weekends at the Parc Floral.

La Goutte d’Or en Fête

Where: Eglise St-Bernard, square St-Bernard, 18th
When: late June-early July
Tel & website: 06.62.08.83.99/www.gouttedorenfete.org
Established and local Paris musicians play an eclectic mix of reggae, raï and rap.

Paris Cinéma

Where: various venues
When: early July
Tel & website: 01.55.25.55.25/www.pariscinema.org
Premieres, tributes and restored films make up the programme of this summer film-going initiative.

Solidays

Where: Longchamp Hippodrome
When: early July
Tel & website: 01.53.10.22.22/www.solidays.com
A three-day music festival, for the benefit of AIDS charities.

Miss Guinguette

Where: 41 quai Victor Hugo, Ile du Martin-Pêcheur, 94500 Champigny-sur-Marne
When: 14 July
Tel & website: information 01.49.83.03.02/www.guinguette.fr
A contest to find the light-footed queen of the open-air dancehall scene at this river island venue.

Le Quatorze Juillet (Bastille Day)

Where: all over France
When: 14 July
France’s national holiday commemorates the events of 1789. The evening before, Parisians dance at place de la Bastille. At 10am on the 14th, crowds line up along the Champs-Elysées as the President reviews a full military parade. By night, the Champ de Mars fills for the fireworks display.

Le Tour de France

Where: Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th
When: July
Tel & website: 01.41.33.15.00/www.letour.fr
The ultimate cycling endurance test climaxes after some 3,500km (2,175 miles). Blink and you’ll miss the winner flying past the finishing line on the Champs-Elysées.

Etés de la Danse

Where: Grand Palais, Av Winston Churchill, 8th
When: early-late July
Tel & website: 08.92.68.71.00/www.lesetesdeladanse.com
An international festival featuring both classical and contemporary dance.

Paris, Quartier d’Eté

Where: various venues
When: mid July-mid Aug
Tel & website: 01.44.94.98.00/www.quartierdete.com
A series of classical and jazz concerts, dance and theatre performances in outdoor venues.

Paris-Plage

Where: Pont des Arts to Pont de Sully
When: mid July-mid Aug
Tel & website: 08.20.00.75.75/www.paris.fr
Palm trees, huts, hammocks and around 2,000 tonnes of fine sand on both banks of the Seine turn Paris into a seaside city. Not only this, there’s a floating pool and a lending library too.

Le Cinéma en Plein Air

Where: Parc de la Villette, 19th
When: mid July-end Aug
Tel & website: 01.40.03.75.75/www.villette.com
A themed season of films screened under the stars on Europe’s largest inflatable screen.

Festival Classique au Vert

Where: Parc Floral de Paris, Bois de Vincennes
When: Aug, Sept
Tel: 01.45.43.81.18
Classical music recitals in a Paris park setting every weekend throughout August and September.

Fête de l’Assomption

Where: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
When: 15 Aug
Tel: 01.42.34.56.10
A national holiday. Notre-Dame becomes a place of religious pilgrimage for Assumption Day.

Rock en Seine

Where: Domaine National de St-Cloud
When: end Aug
Tel & website: 08.92.68.08.92/www.rockenseine.com
Three days, three stages, and one world-class line-up of rock and indie groups.

Autumn

Jazz à la Villette

Where: Parc de la Villette
When: early Sept
Tel & website: 01.44.84.44.84/www.jazzalavillette.com
The first fortnight in September brings one of Paris’s best jazz festivals.

Festival Paris Ile-de-France

Where: various venues
When: early Sept-mid Oct
Website: www.festival-ile-de-france.com
Classical, contemporary and world music festival.

Techno Parade

Where: various venues
When: mid Sept
Website: www.technoparade.fr
The Saturday parade (finishing at Bastille) marks the start of electro music fest Rendez-vous Electroniques.

Journées du Patrimoine

Where: all over France
When: mid Sept
Tel & website 08.20.20.25.02/www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr
Embassies, ministries, scientific establishments and corporate headquarters open their doors across Paris. The festive Soirée du Patrimoine takes place on the first Journée. Get Le Monde or Le Parisien for a full programme.

Festival d’Automne

Where: various venues
When: mid Sept-late Dec
Tel & website: 01.53.45.17.00/www.festival-automne.com
A major annual festival of challenging contemporary theatre, dance and modern opera, intent on bringing non-Western culture into the French consciousness. ‘Autumn Festival’ is a bit of a misnomer for this event, as some exhibitions run over the new year into January.

Nuit Blanche

Where: various venues
When: early Oct
Website: www.paris.fr
Culture by moonlight: galleries and museums host special after-dark installations, and swimming pools, bars and clubs stay open late into the night.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Where: Hippodrome de Longchamp, Bois de Boulogne
When: early Oct
Tel & website: 01.49.10.20.30/www.prixarcdetriomphe.com
France’s richest flat race attracts the elite of horse racing for a weekend of pomp and ceremony.

Mondial de l’Automobile

Where: Paris-Expo
When: early Oct
Tel & website: 01.56.88.22.40/www.mondialautomobile.com
A fortnight of automotive madness with cutting-edge vehicle design from all over the world.

Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre

Where: Rue des Saules, 18th
When: mid Oct
Tel & website: 01.30.21.48.62/www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com
Paris’s local wine festival takes place in Montmartre.

Les Puces du Design

Where: Quai de la Loire, 19th
When: mid Oct & June
Tel & website: 01.53.40.78.77/www.pucesdudesign.com
Having moved to the up-and-coming end of the canal, this weekend-long fair specialises in modern and vintage furniture, and design classics.

FIAC

Where: various venues
When: mid Oct
Tel & website: 01.47.56.64.20/www.fiacparis.com
The Louvre and the Grand Palais are the two venues for this week-long international contemporary art fair.

Festival des Inrockuptibles

Where: various venues
When: early Nov
Tel & website: 01.42.44.16.16/www.lesinrockscom
This festival, curated by popular music mag Les Inrockuptibles, boasts top international indie, rock, techno and trip hop acts, and a discerning crowd.

Armistice Day

Where: Arc de Triomphe
When: 11 Nov
To commemorate French combatants who served in the World Wars, the President lays wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe. The bleuet (a cornflower) is worn.

Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau

Where: various venues
When: late Nov
Website: www.beaujolaisgourmand.com
The third Thursday in November sees cafés and wine bars buzz as patrons assess the new vintage.

Winter

Africolor

Where: various venues in suburbs, including Montreuil, St-Denis & St-Ouen
When: late Nov-late Dec
Tel & website: 01.47.97.69.99/www.africolor.com
A month-long African music festival in Paris.

Paris sur Glace

Where: Pl de l’Hôtel de Ville, 4th; Pl Raoul Dautry, 15th; Pl de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 19th
When: Dec-Mar
Tel & website: 39.75/www.paris.fr
These locations are turned into outdoor ice rinks in Paris.

Noël (Christmas)

Where: all over France
When: 24, 25 Dec
Christmas is a family affair in France, with a dinner on Christmas Eve (le Réveillon), normally after mass. Usually the only bars and restaurants open are the ones in the city’s main hotels.

New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day

Where: venues throughout Paris
When: 31 Dec, 1 Jan
Jubilant crowds swarm along the Champs-Elysées letting off bangers. Nightclubs and restaurants hold expensive New Year’s Eve soirées. And on New Year’s Day the Grande Parade de Paris brings floats, bands and dancers.

Fête des Rois (Epiphany)

Where: all over France
When: 6 Jan
Pâtisseries sell galettes des rois, cakes with a frangipane filling in which a fêve, or tiny charm, is hidden.

Mass for Louis XVI

Where: Chapelle Expiatoire, 29 rue Pasquier, 8th
When: Jan
Tel: 01.42.65.35.80
On the Sunday closest to 21 January – the anniversary of the beheading of Louis XVI in 1793 – right-wing crackpots mourn the end of the monarchy.

Nouvel An Chinois

Where: around av d’Ivry & av de Choisy, 13th. Also av des Champs Elysées, 8th
When: 26 Jan 2009
Lion and dragon dances, and lively martial arts demonstrations to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Public holidays

On jours fériés, you can expect the banks, many museums, most businesses and some restaurants to close, with those remaining open often charging a premium; public transport runs a Sunday service. The annual holiday calendar is detailed below; dates vary by year unless stated.

New Year’s Day (Jour de l’An) 1 Jan
Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques)
May Day (Fête du Travail)
VE Day (Victoire 1945) 8 May
Ascension Day (Jour de l’Ascension)
Whit Monday (Pentecôte)
Bastille Day (Quatorze Juillet) 14 July
Feast of the Assumption (Fête de l’Assomption) 15 Aug
All Saints’ Day (Toussaint) 1 Nov
Remembrance Day (L’Armistice 1918) 11 Nov
Christmas Day (Noël) 25 Dec

Our listings

While every effort and care has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors it may contain. Before you go out of your way, we strongly advise you to phone ahead and check the particulars.