A summertime trip to Paris is glorious – the city’s famous architecture and stunning sights look even better in the sunshine. And, there are loads of events and festivals to keep you entertained too.
Here’s our pick of things to do in Paris over the summer season…
Spot the street art
Paris is known for its art and amazing museums. In fact, there are over 70 for you to visit, including the famous Louvre. But, browsing beautiful art doesn’t have to be an indoor activity. Head to the 13th district for some street art spotting and you’ll find some truly inspirational pieces of work by well-known artists.
If sculptures are more your thing, there’s an open-air sculpture exhibit by the banks of the Seine – the Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air. These are scattered throughout the Tino-Rossi Square and surrounding parkland, so see how many you can spot.
Party by the canal
From July 7th to August 26th the L’été du Canal takes place, with parties, concerts and DJ sets right by the water. The packed agenda includes family friendly events too, like canoeing and boat trips, comedy shows and entertainers. There’s also an urban leisure area in Bobigny where artists and musicians gather to show off their skills. Check out the official schedule for the full agenda.
Get amazing views of the city
Head over to the unique structure, La Grande Arche de La Defense, to enjoy 360-degree views of Paris from its rooftop. You’ll be able to see all the famous landmarks across the city when the weather is clear. To get there, you’ll have to climb up a huge 35 floors, but we promise that the views from the top are well worth it. There’s a newly-opened bar and restaurant too, so you’ll be able to grab a drink and catch your breath before making the journey back down.
Classic Route – Red, Stop: Champs-Elysées
Watch an outdoor movie
It wouldn’t be summer without an outdoor film screening, and Paris doesn’t disappoint. The La Villette Open Air Film Festival runs from July 18th to August 19th 2018 this year, and all of the screenings are absolutely free. The films are a mixture of Hollywood hits and French classics, all with the theme of singing. La La Land, Dancer in the Dark and Yellow Submarine are some of the films in the lineup. Grab a bottle of the finest French wine and settle down with a picnic blanket for an evening sing-a-long.
Montmartre Route - Blue, Stop: Gare du Nord
Join the Bastille Day celebrations
The most important day in the French calendar is national holiday, Bastille Day. And Paris is one of the best places to celebrate. It falls on the 14th of July 2018, so time your city break to join in the festivities. Cheer on the parade on the Champs-Elysées Avenue from 10am in the morning and then join one of the numerous Balls around the city for an evening of dancing. Don’t miss the fireworks finale at 11pm on the Champ de Mars to see an explosion of colour over the Eiffel Tower.
Excited for a summer trip to Paris? This season is perfect for exploring the best of the outdoors, including parks, boat trips along the Seine, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. Browse our Paris bus tours for more itinerary inspiration.
