What to do in Paris in July and August 2023?

During the summer period, Paris makes you enjoy the good weather by offering many outdoor events. Take the time to savor the beauty of the capital on these hot summer days, and take full advantage of the mild evenings, by discovering the program for the months of July and August 2023 in Paris .

Celebrate July 14 in style

Every July 14, the whole of France celebrates the storming of the Bastille, this major event of the French Revolution. In Paris more than elsewhere, the national holiday is in full swing, with several highlights throughout the day, and in particular the great military parade on the Champs-Élysées , from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, the aerial ballet of military planes, and the fireworks , fired from the Eiffel Tower.

If you wish to participate in this important event which marks the beginning of the summer season in Paris, then you will have to anticipate and get to the place in advance. For information, the military ceremonies start at 10 a.m., the military parade starts at 11 a.m., and the fireworks are set off at 11 p.m.

To take full advantage of the pyrotechnic show , several spots are possible, from the Parc du Champ-de-Mars to the Butte Montmartre, to the cruise ships on the Seine.

Soak up the sun at Paris Plages

During the sunny days of July and August, the city of Paris turns into a seaside resort, with its Paris Plages event . Head to the edge of the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Rives de Seine park to enjoy the seaside atmosphere in the heart of Paris . Deckchairs and parasols await you there, and many activities are organized there all summer long.

Discover the calendar of exhibitions for the summer of 2023 in Paris

There is no shortage of cultural activities in the capital, and if you like to learn more about the world around you, several exhibitions will delight you.

Summer exhibitions in Paris

If you have the chance to visit Paris during the summer, take the time to discover the calendar of the various temporary exhibitions of the moment.

Manet/Degas , at the Musée d’Orsay until July 23, 2023;
Leon Monet. Brother of the artist and collector , at the Musée du Luxembourg until July 6;
Giovanni Bellini , at the Jacquemart-André museum until July 17;
Basquiat X Warol . À quatre mains , at the Louis Vuitton Foundation until August 28;
Sarah Bernhardt , at the Petit Palais until August 27;
The new exhibition Moï Ver , at the Center Pompidou until August 28;
Crowds , at the City of Science and Industry until August 6;
The free exhibition But you are food , at Bercy Village until September 19…

Focus on Japan Expo 2023

From July 13 to 16, 2023, the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center is hosting the very famous Japan Expo for the 22nd edition . Celebrating Japanese culture, the festival attracts many visitors who gather around their passion for manga, video games, or cosplay.

The event brings together many references in the field, from illustrators to animation professionals, including video game creators.

Escape during the festivals and celebrations of Paris

There is no shortage of ideas for outings in Paris during sunny days, and if you like music, cinema and theatre, you will be served in 2023, thanks to the many festivals . Visit the gardens and parks of the capital to discover the programme.

The summer of the canal : on the edge of the Ourcq canal, many sporting and festive events take place all summer long, with workshops, mini-concerts, or even cruises;
The European Young Talents Festival : at the National Archives, from July 2 to 22, this festival honors young artists, with around twenty classical music concerts;
The festivals of the floral park : from July to September, the floral park organizes many festivals, such as the Classique au Vert festival, the Paris Jazz Festival, or the Les Pestacles festival ;
The Open Air Opera Festival : from June to September, several exceptional venues (Hôtel des Invalides, departmental estate of Sceaux, etc.) organize open-air opera concerts;
The Rock en Seine festival : during the last weekend of August, Saint-Cloud park hosts the capital’s most emblematic festival;
The Outdoor Projections festival : the Berges de Seine offers an eclectic program all summer long around theatre, cinema, music…;
The Silhouette festival : in the 19th arrondissement, the free festival offers the screening of short films for a whole week;
The Outdoor Cinema Festival : the Parc de la Villette offers, at nightfall, the screening of the great classics of cinema. Admission is free, with the possibility of picnicking or renting a deckchair.

The other festivals, shows and unmissable moments in Paris this summer

The months of July and August are particularly rich in unmissable events this year, and you will be spoiled for choice to distract yourself during your holidays or for an evening.

The sound and light show at the Palace of Versailles

Every year, every Saturday from June 10 to September 16, 2023, the gardens of the Palace of Versailles open their doors to you for an exceptional show. The Grandes Eaux Musicales Nocturnes invite you for a walk in the heart of the gardens of Louis XIV, for a journey through time, to the rhythm of the sound and light show around the fountains of the garden. To end the 2.5 hour experience, a fireworks display puts stars in the eyes of young and old alike.

Candlelit evenings at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

From May until September, the Château de Vaux le Vicomte opens its doors to you for a magical experience in the heart of the French gardens inspired by the gardener Le Nôtre. On the 33 hectares of the park, more than 2,000 candles light you up to experience an evening out of time.

The experience of candlelit evenings is to be enjoyed every Saturday evening, as well as Friday evenings in July and August.

The Night of the Invalids

On the side of the Hôtel National des Invalides, the party is also in full swing this summer! For its tenth year, the Nuit des Invalides invites you to discover a sound and light show that will transport you through the history of France. The Flight of the Eagle is an immersion in the Napoleonic era, and commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of this illustrious character. The 50-minute show offers you an immersive experience, with a 360° projection on the facades of the hotel.

The tour de France

Whether you are athletic or not, the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées is an event not to be missed, rich in adrenaline and emotions. This year, the cyclists will finish their race on July 23. A frenzied party will then follow to congratulate the participants.

Summer 2023 concerts in Paris

The beautiful summer evenings are often a call to celebration and relaxation. And what better way to have fun than attending a concert ? Throughout the summer, several big stars are expected to set the mood on stage:

Muse, at the Stade de France, on July 8, 2023;
Michel Polnareff, at the Accor Arena, July 2 and 3, 2023;
Imagine Dragons, at Paris La Défense Aréna, on August 22 and 23, 2023…

And, of course, many free concerts are also organized throughout the summer period, to the delight of music lovers. From pop-rock concerts to classical music concerts, Parisian halls welcome you for convivial moments around remarkable artists. Go to the Supersonic room , the Café Oz Châtelet, the Bellevilloise, the Barboteur, or even the Bizz’art and the Petite Halle de la Villette to live musical experiences completely free.

The July 14 firefighters’ ball

On the occasion of the National Day, each main barracks in the arrondissements of Paris opens its doors for a firefighters’ ball that has become almost emblematic and unmissable. From 9 p.m. and until 4 a.m., the good atmosphere, music and laughter are on the agenda, for a festive evening free for all.

Good to know: depending on the barracks, the ball can take place on July 13 or 14.

The funfair in the Tuileries Gardens

Between two cultural outings and visits to historical monuments, treat yourself to a moment of laughter and relaxation, by going to the Tuileries festival . From July to August, the huge carnival takes place in the green spaces of the Louvre Museum garden, with more than 60 attractions (thrill rides, games for children, carousels…). Everything is there to have a festive time! And to offer you an unobstructed view of Paris, do not hesitate to climb the giant Ferris wheel , without forgetting your camera!

Good to know: if the entry to the Tuileries festival is free, the attractions are paying.

Are you planning to visit Paris during the summer ? Take advantage of the long summer days to participate in the many activities offered in the capital and its surroundings. And to relax on your frenzied Saturday evenings and busy days, book your room at the Hotel du Cadran , a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower .