Events
Banlieues Bleues
An annual five-week festival of quality French and international jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, flamenco and world music.
Where: various venues in Seine-St-Denis
When: Mar-Apr
More info about the
Banlieues Bleues
Marathon de Paris
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.
Where: Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th, to av Foch, 16th
When: early Apr
More info about the
Marathon Paris
La Nuit des MuséesFor one night, museums open their doors late for special events and entertainment.
Where: all over France
When: mid May
More info about
La Nuit des Musées in Paris
French Tennis OpenThe Grand Slam tournament, whose tricky clay courts have been the downfall of many champions, always attracts a selection of showbiz stars.
Where: Stade Roland-Garros, 2 av Gordon-Bennett, 16th
When: late May-early June
More info about the
French Tennis Open
Gay Pride March
Outrageous floats and flamboyant costumes parade towards Bastille; then there’s an official fête and various club and nightlife events.
Where: various venues in Paris
When: late June
Paris Jazz FestivalTwo months of free jazz weekends at the Parc Floral.
Where: Parc Floral de Paris, Bois de Vincennes, 12th
When: June, July
More info about
Paris Jazz Festival
Le Tour de France
The ultimate cycling endurance test climaxes after some 3,600 kilometres (2,200 mi). Blink and you’ll miss the winner flying past the finishing line on the Champs-Elysées.
Where: Av des Champs-Elysées, 8th
When: July
Paris-PlagePalm trees, huts, hammocks and around 2,000 tonnes of fine sand on both banks of the Seine bring a seaside vibe to the city.
Where: Pont des Arts to Pont de Sully
When: mid July-mid Aug
More info about
Paris Beach
Rock en Seine
Three days, four stages, and one world-class line-up of rock groups.
Where: Domaine National de St-Cloud
When: late Aug
Festival d’Automne
A major annual festival of challenging contemporary theatre, dance and modern opera, intent on bringing non-Western culture into the French consciousness.
Where: various venues
When: mid Sept-late Dec
More info about the
Festival d’Automne
Nuit Blanche
Culture by moonlight: galleries and museums host special after-dark installations, and swimming pools, bars and clubs stay open late into the night.
Where: various venues
When: early Oct
Fashion Week
Paris presents its haute couture and prêt-à-porter collections at a variety of venues across town, but to invited guests only.
Where: various venues
When: Mar, July, Oct & Jan
Paris Photo
19th century, modern and contemporary photography.
When: November
More info about
Paris Photo
New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day
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.
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.
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.
