Paris in August: Events, Sports, Exhibitions and More
Tomas k - News Writer and Moderator 
Paris in August is a calm time, with locals emptying out of the city and scattering to summer holiday destinations around the world. The bustle of summer eases and the city slows down to take in the long warm days, but there’s still plenty going on. It’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities in the city, as well as visit the many fabulous locations that are just a day trip away from Paris.
WEATHER IN PARIS IN AUGUST
Paris weather is still variable as always. The average temperature ranges from 16 degrees Celsius for low temperatures and 25 degrees Celsius for the average high temperature. Even though it’s still one of the hottest times of the year, pack a light jacket and umbrella. It’s common to have cold and rainy days alongside some scorching heat waves. And don’t forget to check out these tips for how to beat the heat in Paris.
In August, the sunny weather and long daylight hours mean it’s a great time to hear live music at one of the many outdoor music festivals. It is still the high season with lots of tourists and long lines at the most popular attractions, but it’s a great time to explore the off the beaten path neighborhoods. If you plan on staying in town this August, here are some of the best things to do!
EVENTS IN PARIS IN AUGUST
Paris Plages – until August 30
This is one of the best places to cool off during the late summer heat waves. During the summer months, Paris transforms into a seaside resort. Grab your sun cream and bask in the warmth on the banks of the Seine and Canal de l’Ourcq (near Parc de la Villette). These Paris “beaches” are adorned with palm trees and offer deck chairs for relaxation near the water. Activities at the Parc Rives de Seine location include canoeing and kayaking, pétanque, free board game rentals, a climbing wall, and beach volleyball in front of the Hôtel de Ville. At Bassin de la Villette, there’s water sports, a zip line, and a water sports center. There are also three dedicated locations for swimming in the Seine, so grab your swimsuit if you wish to try it out!
Cinema en Plein Air – until August 16
For 35 years there have been open air film screenings at La Villette, a beloved tradition and the perfect idea for a warm summer evening. Pack a picnic or check out the food (and ice cream!) trucks on site, and enjoy classics and fan favorites such as King Kong, Dead Man, Twin Peaks Fire walk with me, and Stand by Me! There will also be children’s film screenings earlier in the evenings.
Lost in Frenchlation Film Screenings at Parisian Cinemas – all month
Lost in Frenchlation will be hosting three film screenings per week featuring French favorites with English subtitles. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in French culture and an opportunity to explore some iconic Parisian cinemas including Cinéma du Panthéon and L’Epée de Bois (both in the Latin Quarter), L’Arlequin (in Saint-Germain-des-Prés), and Luminor (in Le Marais). Come by for a screening and for the A/C, and experience the unbeatable joy of French cinema!
Été du Canal – Until August 9
The Canal de l’Ourcq celebrates summer with a vibrant program for Été du Canal, of dance, concerts, water activities including boat cruises, film screenings, and street art. Located in the trendy 19th Arrondissement, the Canal de L’Ourcq is a must-visit part of the Parisian canal network.
Les Arènes Lyriques, Montmartre, until August 16
Just moments from Sacré Cœeur, on rue Chappe, you’ll find the secret garden which is home to classical music and opera in the summer, Les Arènes Lyriques. Soak up the poetic atmosphere under fairy lights as soloists and an orchestra perform in the outdoors.
Pari Roller, Rollerblading Paris – every Friday night
Discover Paris in a whole new way. Every Friday evening of the year you can strap on your rollerblades and discover Paris via wheels. Thousands take to the streets and traffic comes to a stop. Free spirits rock and roller their way through the City of Lights. Your Pari Roller night ride begins at 9:30 pm at Gare Montparnasse and will take you through some iconic landmarks of the city. FYI, non-electric bikes and scooters are welcome to roll!
EXHIBITIONS IN PARIS IN AUGUST
Calder, Rêver en équilibre, Fondation Louis Vuitton, until 16 August, 2026
One of the largest exhibitions dedicated to Alexander Calder, with nearly 300 works on display including mobiles, wire sculptures, paintings, wooden figures, and more. The large exhibition space of Fondation Louis Vuitton is conducive to Calder’s pieces, allowing room for shadows to bring the works to life. It plays with movement, light, sound, as well as positive and negative space.
Exposition Générale, Fondation Cartier, until 23 August, 2026
It’s the last month of Fondation Cartier’s exposition générale, which presents the heritage of the foundation’s 40 years of international contemporary creation in a beautiful modern space. The exhibition follows four main themes: an architectural laboratory (Machines d’Architecture), the living world (Être Nature), creation (Making Things), and combining technology, fiction and scientific knowledge in art (Un Monde Réel). One piece not to be missed is “Miracêus” by Brazilian artist Solange Pessoa, a tree-like structure made from thousands of bird feathers.
Clair-obscur, Bourse de Commerce, until 24 August, 2026
The Bourse de Commerce transforms its beautiful exhibition space into an immersive experience for Clair-obscur, an exhibition tracing the enduring legacy of chiaroscuro from Baroque roots to present day. Bringing together significant works by artists such as Bill Viola, Victor Man, and Pierre Huyghe, this exhibition invites a meditative passage between the visible and the invisible.
Hilma af Klint, Paintings for the Temple (1906-1915), Grand Palais, until 30 August, 2026
The Grand Palais brings the work of Hilma af Klint to Paris for the very first time in an exhibition co-produced by Centre Pompidou. The Swedish pioneer of abstraction created impressive large-scale works that were ahead of her time. During her career, she created figurative pieces that conformed to expectations of the time, but in secret she worked on avant-garde pieces exploring spirituality and cosmic harmony.
Henry Taylor, Where Thoughts Provoke, Musée Picasso, until 6 September, 2026
This Musée Picasso exhibition is dedicated to Henry Taylor, a major figure in contemporary American painting. His paintings, sculptures and installations explore the richness of the human experience, combining personal experience and collective realities. You’ll also find some of his reinterpretations of works by David Hammons, Philip Guston and Pablo Picasso.
Renaissance: Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Atelier des Lumières, until 12 September, 2026
Experience the Italian Renaissance like never before with an immersive journey through the masterpieces of three artistic geniuses at Atelier des Lumières. The exhibition is open every Tuesday and Saturday this month.
Youssef Nabil, To dream again, Musée d’Orsay, until 13 September, 2026
Franco-Egyptian photographer and videographer Youssef Nabil first discovered the collections at Musée d’Orsay on his first trip to France in 1992, and they have inspired his works ever since. This exhibition highlights the reigning presence of dreams in Nabil’s work, and you will discover his work alongside those of his influences.
La photographie en toute lettres, La Maison européenne de la photographie, until 13 September, 2026
The Maison européenne de la photographie (MEP) is putting on “Photography from A to Z”, a group exhibition by 35 artists that aims to present an “alphabet” of photography accessible to all audiences. This exhibition is produced on the bicentenary of photography and ties together diverse themes to create a playful and nostalgic experience.
Adya & Otto van Rees – At the heart of the avant-garde, Musée de Montmartre, until 13 September, 2026
The Musée de Montmartre hosts the first-ever retrospective exhibition in France dedicated to Otto and Adya van Rees, two 20th-century avant-garde Dutch artists. The couple moved to Montmartre in 1904, where they spent time around artists such as Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. During the exhibition, you’ll discover their career paths and the influence of their intertwined lives on their creative work.
1913–1923: The Spirit of the Times, Musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac, until 20 September, 2026
The Musée du Quai Branly explores the pivotal 20th-century moment when African and Oceanic art sent shock waves through the Western art world, igniting the imaginations of avant-garde artists. Through sculptures, photographs, and archival documents, the exhibition reveals how these extraordinary objects redirected the course of modern art.
WE ARE (still) HERE, Petit Palais, until 20 September, 2026
After the success of the contemporary exhibition WE ARE HERE in 2024, the Petit Palais returns with the urban art exhibition that has over 200 works from artists Seth and Inti on display. The exhibition is a representation of a powerful, multicultural movement creating a dialogue on the times we live in.
1776-2026: 250 Years Of Franco-American Friendship, Musée Carnavalet, until 27 September, 2026
This free exhibition at Musée Carnavalet, Paris’s beautiful history museum in the Marais, celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. France played a huge role in the Revolutionary War and beyond, and this exhibition offers an in-depth look at the U.S.’s special relationship with France.
Gianni Versace Retrospective, Musée Maillol, All Summer, 2026
Dive into the world of Versace at Musée Maillol through rare collectibles, testimonies and famous creations by the designer worn by legends in the 80s and 90s.
SPORTS IN PARIS IN AUGUST
Swimming in the Seine, until August 30, 2026
The Seine is open to swimmers in three different sites: Bras Marie in the 4th arrondissement, Bercy in the 12th arrondissement, and Bras de Grenelle in the 15th arrondissement. The past sites at Canal Saint-Martin and Bassin de la Villette return this summer as well.
Paris Sport Dimanches Estivaux, until September 13, 2026
The program Paris Sport Dimanches returns at 12 sites for a special summer edition, offering free access to sports sessions every Sunday morning, such as pilates, table tennis, and gymnastics! The sessions are supervised by professional sport instructors.
Aquathlon Paris, Bassin de la Villette, August 30, 2026
It’s the 2nd edition of the Aquathlon, which combines open water swimming in the Bassin de la Villette and running on the Quai de la Loire. There are three rounds of eliminatory competition, or a choice from two smaller but still challenging competitions. Grab your running shoes and swim cap and get ready to dive in!
Grand Paris Express Walking tour, Greater Paris, August 21-30, 2026
This 7th edition of the Grand Paris Express Walking Tour offers 10 different tours to explore Greater Paris through its future metro stations, fields, valleys, and architecture. You’ll cover over 180km in over 10 days, so it’s a great way to get to know areas beyond the city limits – and the new metro system!
MUSIC AND DANCE IN PARIS IN AUGUST
Festival Paris l’été 2026, Various Locations, until August 4
This arts and culture festival features everything from theatre to dance to music and beyond. Various national monuments, schools, parks, churches, and public places throughout Paris will host the festival in an effort to make arts and culture more accessible to the public.
Rock en Seine Festival, Saint-Cloud, August 26-30
This popular annual event takes place at Domaine National de Saint-Cloud and features The Cure, Lorde, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, and Wet Leg amongst many others. This year’s Rock en Seine is one you won’t want to miss!
Summer Tributes, Supersonic, every Sunday in August
Local live music venue and club Supersonic in the 12th arrondissement has a full schedule of live music and local bands this summer. Plus, every Sunday there’s a selection of live tribute bands playing music from a different decade each week, starting with 2010s music in mid-July and finishing with 1960s music towards the end of August.
Paris String Orchestra, Eglise de la Madeleine, August 3, 10, 12, 17, and 24
Experience a classical performance in one of Paris’s most stunning churches.
Paris Jazz Festival, Parc Floral, until September 7
The Paris Jazz Festival returns for another edition, and is not to be missed. The popular event attracts more than 120,000 spectators each edition. There are free concerts from international jazz artists in the beautiful natural setting of Parc floral.
CHILDREN’s events in paris in august
Les Nocturnes, Parc Zoologique de Paris, until August 13
Every Thursday from 6pm to 10pm, you can discover the zoo in a new light. You’ll get to see the animals that can be more elusive during the day, from lions to bats. The whole family will enjoy this animal adventure!
Fête des Tuileries, June 21 – August 24
Parks and gardens in Paris are the best places to enjoy the summer days. The Fête des Tuileries is a two-month event for kids and adults of all ages to enjoy a fun fair in the Tuileries garden. Bumper cars, ghost trains, a hall of mirrors, duck fishing, trampolines, and climbing are some of the fun activities on offer. Treats like candy floss, crepes, donuts, toffee apples and of course, ice cream will sweeten up your day.
La Légende du Titanic, La Villette, until 31 August
The award-winning immersive exhibition arrives in Paris for the first time at La Villette’s Grande Halle, sure to captivate the whole family. Spread across 3,000 meters squared, this 90-minute experience takes visitors on a spectacular journey through the Titanic’s story.
Les Pestacles, Parc Floral, until September 2
This family festival offers musical shows and concerts for kids until September at the beautiful Parc Floral.
The Little Prince, Atelier des Lumières, every Wednesday and Sunday through September 13
Atelier des Lumières brings the story of Le Petit Prince to life in this immersive exhibition, creating a dreamy experience for all ages.
Transparency, Grand Palais – Palais de la Découverte, until August 2027
The Palais des Enfants invites 2- to 10-year-olds on a playful, hands-on adventure where art and science collide to unlock the secrets of transparency.
Aquaboulevard, open year round
This is Europe’s largest urban waterpark! With over 7000 sq meters of splashing good fun for the entire family, Aquaboulevard boasts a full array of water sports including rafting, sliding, waves, waterfalls, and water cannons. And yes, there’s even a sandy beach complete with grass huts…all in the heart of Paris.
RELATED LINKS:
- Planning a day on the Champs-Élysées? Here’s our top restaurant recommendations!
- Have you tried one of the best croissants in Paris?
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