Paris in July 2026: Events, Exhibitions, The Outdoors & More
Tomas Kauer - News Writer and Moderator 
July is a busy and exciting month in Paris as Parisians settle into summer. Locals and tourists alike can take advantage of all that the City of Light has to offer on these warm days. It’s the best time for outdoor terraces in Paris, which are filled to the brim with revelers enjoying the sun. Open-air film screenings, music festivals, live performances, street arts, or a Parisian-style picnic along the Seine River are just some of the ways to enjoy the summer months. Here are some of our picks for what to do in Paris in the month of July.
PARIS IN JULY WEATHER
July is a great time to visit Paris – with long days and warm weather. It is one of the hottest months of the year, so it is a good idea to book accommodation with air conditioning or a hotel with a pool – the best way to cool down on a hot day. Occasional light showers are ubiquitous when it comes to Paris weather. Hot days and heat waves are becoming more and more common, though evenings may still be cool.
Average Temperature: 26° / 16° C (79° / 61° F)
THINGS TO DO IN PARIS IN JULY
This summer in Paris, there are still plenty of special events coming up. Paris en Seine features numerous outdoor summer events, including swimming by the Seine, fireworks for Bastille Day, and open-air cinemas. This summer is themed around the United States to honor the country’s 250th anniversary. There’s also plenty to do at this year’s edition of Paris Plages, including children’s workshops, board games, books, and exhibitions. Finally, the Vasque Olympique (Olympic Cauldron) returns to Paris and will rise every evening this summer in the Jardin des Tuileries from June 21st until September 14th.
EVENTS in july in Paris
Bastille Day Celebrations (French National Day) – July 13
France’s National Day on July 14, Bastille Day, is always a tour de force, with a military parade on the Champs-Élysées and air show. The national holiday concludes with classical music on the steps of the Eiffel Tower and, of course, fireworks. A great way to enjoy the festivities is to grab a picnic and watch the fireworks show from the Champ de Mars or further afield, like from the steps of the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre or the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Although the national holiday is July 14, this year’s celebrations will take place on July 13th.
Paris Plages – July 4 – August 30
Paris transforms its waterways into Paris Plages – a resort by the sea at this time of year. The banks of the River Seine, Bassin de la Villette and Canal Saint-Martin are lined with palm trees, and there are deck chairs for relaxing and unwinding near the water. Activities at the Seine location include canoeing and kayaking, an open-air cinema, life-size chess, and pétanque. By the Bassin de la Villette, there are dance classes, water activities, a bouldering space, children’s workshops, and more. This year, Paris Plages highlights the US to celebrate the 250-year anniversary of American Independence.
Bals des Pompiers (Fireman’s Ball), July 13 – 14
Head out to the annual Bal des Pompiers the night before Bastille Day, right inside various fire stations around Paris. It’s a great way to meet the legendary firemen of Paris (have you ever seen their calendar?) with just a nominal donation at the door to drop in a traditional “barrel.” Prepare to get smokin’ hot dancing the night away. It’s DEFINITELY a ball!
Dolcevita-sur-Seine, Arènes de Lutèce and Various Other Locations – July 2 – 6
This July, the fifth edition of Dolcevita-sur-Seine arrives in Paris, this year celebrating the 70th anniversary of the exclusive sister-city partnership between Paris and Rome. This festival celebrates the relationship between Paris and Rome each year, featuring film screenings, meetings, shows, young public workshops, an Italian bar, and more!
Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes 2026 – Château de Versailles, all summer long
Have you ever wondered what King Louis XIV experienced during his reign at Versailles on those warm summer evenings at his palace estate? Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes (The Great Night Waters) welcomes visitors to experience magical evenings on the garden grounds every Saturday night during the summer. Spectacular jets of water leap from the fountains as fireworks explode overhead. Take a dreamlike promenade through the Sun King’s sumptuous life; you’ll have to see to believe.
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!
Open Air Cinemas – throughout the summer
There will be various places in the city to experience the fun of open air cinema throughout the summer. In July, you can catch the cinema at La Villette starting July 23rd, and at Ciné-Voisins (in the 12th, 13th, and 20th arrondissements) also starting July 23rd. And don’t miss the cinema at Musée du Quai Branly every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from July 9th until August 2nd.
Les Soldes – until July 21
Almost EVERYTHING is on sale all over Paris (and France) for Les Soldes, so get out your walking shoes and your wallets. Stores will be slashing prices for the summer sales, including designer labels which will get a markdown. It’s a much-anticipated dream scenario for international shoppers in search of Parisian style, and it only happens twice a year.
Garden Parvis Festival, La Grande Arche de La Défense – until July 30
In La Defense you’ll get to party in the shadow of Paris’s ONLY skyscrapers….besides, of course, the Eiffel Tower! This business district located in the west of Paris will transform into an outdoor space to eat, drink, chill, listen to music and dance. The Garden Festival at La Defense is FREE and great for the entire family.
Lost in Frenchlation Film Screenings at Parisian Cinemas – July and August
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!
EXHIBITIONS in July in Paris
Renoir and Love, A Joyful Modernity (1865-1885), Musée d’Orsay, until 19 July, 2026
The beloved impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir immortalized the warmth of modern life through vibrant, colorful scenes of human connection. This popular exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay explores his lasting contribution to 19th-century art, highlighting his vision of modern love. Co-organized with the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, it brings some of Renoir’s greatest masterpieces to Paris for the first time in four decades. Don’t miss this very popular exhibition during its final month!
Artists’ Faces, Petit Palais, until 19 July, 2026
The Petit Palais presents a captivating exhibition exploring artists’ portraits and self-portraits, bringing together around 100 works spanning paintings, sculptures, photography, and decorative arts. Gustave Courbet’s Self-Portrait with a Black Dog and other rarely seen pieces will be on display, alongside historic works in dialogue with contemporary pieces by female artists, challenging the traditionally masculine legacy of the artists’ portrait.
Henri Rousseau, A Painter’s Ambition, Musée de l’Orangerie, until 20 July, 2026
Around fifty works from institutions and international collections are on display in this major Henri Rousseau retrospective at the Musée de l’Orangerie, organized in collaboration with the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. The exhibition traces Rousseau’s artistic journey and his relationship with the art market, spotlighting the influence of dealer Paul Guillaume and collector Albert Barnes in shaping his legacy.
Michelangelo and Rodin, The Louvre, until 20 July, 2026
Michelangelo and Rodin were both captivated by the human body as the central subject of their art. The Louvre unites these two towering masters of Western sculpture, who lived centuries apart, yet were bound by a shared artistic vision. Together, their works reveal how each artist sought to capture not just physical power, but the inner soul that gives life to the body.
Lee Miller, Musée d’Art Moderne, until 2 August, 2026
The Musée d’Art Moderne presents a comprehensive Lee Miller retrospective featuring nearly 250 prints, some works never before seen. Once regarded as just a muse, Lee Miller is now celebrated as one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, and this six-part show presents her rich, bold, and experimental work.
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. This Swedish artist and pioneer of abstraction created impressive large-scale works that surpassed the expectations of the time. During her career, she created figurative pieces that conformed to these expectations, but in secret she worked on avant-garde pieces exploring spirituality and cosmic harmony.
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.
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.
SPORTS in July in Paris
Swimming in the Seine – July 4 to August 30
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.
Run Set & Match, Rolland Garros – July 5
It’s the second year of an exciting 10k race for runners and tennis lovers alike. This race starts and finishes at the iconic Stade de Roland Garros, where there will be food trucks, various animations, tours of Rolland Garros, and even tennis lessons!
The Tour de France Arrives in Paris – July 27
The Tour de France finish in Paris includes three climbs at Butte Montmartre, as in 2025. Then, per tradition, the race will have its grand finish at the Champs-Élysées. If you’re in Paris, don’t miss this energetic moment, and get outside to cheer on the racers!
Paris Sport Dimanches Estivaux, July 5 to September 13
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.
MUSIC AND DANCE In July In Paris
Festival Paris l’été 2026, Various Locations, July 11 – August 4
This arts and culture festival features everything from theatre to dance to music and beyond. But you’ll also find unexpected events such as the All World Waacking Battle! 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.
La Traviata, Opéra Bastille, until July 13
Director Simon Stone adapts Giuseppe Verdi’s opera, which was originally inspired by Alexandre Dumas fils’ “La Dame aux camélias,” into a modern story of morality and love. The opera, entitled La Traviata, is being performed at Opéra Bastille and still has seats available, so get your tickets while they last!
Paris Lyric Festival, Musée Jacquemart André – July 2 – 11
The stunning Musée Jacquemart André in the 8th arrondissement hosts four evenings of performances, each one about an hour and a half. Admission includes champagne and the possibility to wander through the permanent collection of the museum at intermission.
Paris Jazz Festival, Parc Floral de Paris, until September 6
The celebrated Paris Jazz Festival is a favorite among Parisians. It features a multitude of jazz performances from renowned French and international artists in the beautiful Parc Floral.
Restons Sérieux, Supersonic, July 7, 8 and 9
One of Paris’s favorite local rock venues hosts a three-day music festival composed entirely of artists performing in French. About 15 bands will play their rock, pop, punk, and experimental music at this unique, intimate event.
Other Live Music, Concerts and Performances
- Bach – Eglise Saint‐Germain‐des‐Prés – July 1, 7, 9, 10, 18
- Guns N’ Roses – Accor Arena – July 1 and 3
- Ensemble Royal de Paris: Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart – Église Saint‐Julien‐le‐Pauvre – Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of July
- Concerts at Sainte-Chapelle – Sainte-Chapelle – Every day in July except for July 7, 8 and 9.
- Vivaldi’s 4 seasons, Ave Maria, famous Adagios – Église de la Madeleine – July 3
- Candlelight Concert: Chopin, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky – Église Saint Ephrem – July 3, 7, 13
- Bad Bunny – La Defense Arena – July 4, 5
- Luke Combs – Accor Arena – July 7
- Romeo Santos & Prince Royce – Accor Arena – July 19
CHILDREn’s events in july in paris
Fête des Tuileries, June 20 – August 23
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.
Partir en Livre, Various locations – June 17 – July 19
For its 12th year, the national book festival Partir en Livre offers numerous free events to engage young readers. This year’s theme is “Our little and big heroes”, and the event includes fun activities for everyone such as exhibitions and competitions!
La Légende du Titanic, La Villette, until 28 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.
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.
Les Pestacles, Parc Floral, until September 2
This family festival offers musical shows and concerts for kids until September at Parc Floral.
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 on shopping on the Champs-Élysées? Here’s some of our restaurant suggestions to avoid tourist traps!
- Think you’ve found the best croissant in Paris? Check out these award winning boulangeries.
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