With the arrival of summer, Paris becomes a thoroughly outdoor capital. There are many ways to discover the city : either walking, on a bike or on the water. From the Seine quaysides to pedestrian areas, or even in the woods and at both ends of the city, you can enjoy being out in the fresh air! Many festive events are also an invitation to be outdoors from early morning to nightfall. Eating out takes place at a table outside a café or with a picnic on the grass. The capital’s numerous parks and gardens are ideal for summer walks and naps. On the cultural scene, there is outdoor theatre, music, opera and art to discover … Paris offers a wealth of open-air activities and entertainment!
Here is a selection of events you will be enjoying this summer in Paris :
- Until July 13th : « Summer Nights » Festival (festival « soirs d’été »)
Every year, the third arrondissement city hall of Paris organises a festival with concerts, dances, openair cinema (classic films as well as more recent ones). Locals and tourists mingle in a festive atmosphere.
Mairie du 3̬, 2 rue Eug̬ne-Spuller, Paris 3rd Рwww.mairie3.paris.fr
- July 14th : French National Holiday parade
For French people and foreigners, the July 14 military parade is always reminded as the most solemn and spectacular event they can attend along the Champs-Elysées.
Champs-Elysées, Paris 8th
- From June to July : « Silhouette » Short-Film Festival
This week-long short-film festival on the heights of the Buttes-Chaumont park features a varied programme of high-quality French and international films.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Paris 19th – www.association-silhouette.com
- In July : «Théatre de verdure», Theatre Festival in the Shakespeare’s Garden
A park setting is well chosen one for performances of Shakespeare plays. Until the end of September, this outdoor « theatre » will stage a series of plays by Molière, Maurice Maeterlinck, Alfred de Musset and Victor Hugo – not forgetting works by the Bard himself, of course.
Jardin Shakespeare, Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16th – Tel +33 (0)1 40 19 95 33
- From 15/07 to 16/08 : Open-air Cinema
Every summer for more than fifteen years, the La Villette outdoor festival offers a selection of films to be enjoyed outside on the grass in the park. For extra comfort, you can even hire a deckchair and a blanket. A different theme is chosen each year. What surprises will 2009 have in store?
Parc de la Villette, 229 av Jean-Jaur̬s, Paris19th Рwww.villette.com
- From mid-July to mid-August : « Paris quartier d’été »
Every summer, this eclectic festival livens up the French capital’s various districts : dance performances in the Palais-Royal gardens, a musical itinerary around the Palais de Tokyo, theatre in the gardens of the Forum des Halles, open-air cinema in the André-Citroën park, and many more !
