Paris in July 2025: Events, Exhibitions, The Outdoors & More

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 Paris will be more relaxed after last year’s Olympic games, but there are still plenty of special events coming up. Paris en Seine will keep the spirit of the games going, with the opening of three new spots to swim in the Seine and many events around the city. There will also be events related to Brazil thanks to Brésil-France, a partnership between the two countries to strengthen their relationship, resulting in a variety of cultural offerings around the city such as DJ sets, workshops, exhibitions, and more! You’ll also notice Brazilian colors at this year’s edition of Paris Plages as well as concerts, sports, and gastronomic events. Finally, the Vasque Olympique (Olympic Cauldron) returns to Paris and will rise every evening this summer in the Jardin des Tuileries.

Events

Bastille Day Celebrations (French National Day) – July 14

France’s National Day, Bastille Day, July 14 is a tour de force with a military parade on the Champs-Elysées and air show. The national holiday concludes with classical music at 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 Buttes-Chaumont.

Paris Plages – July 5 – August 31

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 is a merry-go-round for kids, water activities, a beach club, trampoline, and more. And this year, the City of Paris is proud to offer three new swimming locations along the Seine for those who want to give it a try. There will also be plenty of free entertainment.

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 away the night. It’s DEFINITELY a ball!

Dolcevita-sur-Seine, Square des arènes de Lutèce and Square Capitan – July 4 – 8

This July, the fourth edition of Dolcevita-sur-Seine arrives in Paris. This festival celebrates the relationship between Paris and Rome, featuring films, meetings, shows, young public workshops, an Italian bar, and more! There will be screenings preceded by presentations at 6:30pm and 8:30pm every evening, among the countless other activities to discover.

Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes 2025 – Château de Versailles, until September 20

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….once in your life!

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 nightride 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 Invalides July 23-26, and at Ciné-Voisins (in the 12th and 20th arrondissements) July 17-27. Finally, don’t miss the iconic cinema at La Villette, starting July 23.

Les Soldes – until July 22

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 happens twice a year.

Garden Parvis Festival, La Grande Arche de La Défense – until July 25

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 Summer Camp 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 L’Épée de Bois (in the Latin Quarter), L’Arlequin (in Saint-Germain-des-Prés), and Luminor (in Le Marais). Come by a screening for the A/C, and experience the unbeatable joy of French cinema!

Exhibitions

Christian Krohg : Le peuple du nord, Musee d’Orsay – until July 27

Norwegian artist Christian Krohg’s first ever retrospective held outside of Scandinavia, which presents his naturalistic works from the late 19th and early 20th century.

Van Gogh, Atelier des Lumières, starting July 7

Become immersed in Van Gogh’s world as the exposition returns to Atelier de Lumières.

Ernesto Neto – Nosso Barco Tambor Terra, Grand Palais – until July 25

Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto has created a colorful immersive installation at the Grand Palais, composed of crochet and bark. It explores relationships between nature, people, and places, inspired by the impact of sailing and navigation around the globe.

Matisse et Marguerite : Le regard d’un père, Musée d’art moderne – until August 24

This exhibition of over 110 works by Henri Matisse is focused on his daughter Marguerite Duthuit-Matisse. It explores their relationship and her role in his life and career.

Le Paris d’Agnès Varda : de-ci, de-là, Musée Carnavalet – until August 24

This exhibition takes a look at the photographic and cinematic work of artist Agnès Varda. It focuses first on her courtyard studio in the 14th arrondissement of Paris that she used for development and printing. Her photographs of Paris and its inhabitants are on display.

David Hockney 25, Fondation Louis Vuitton – until August 31

In his largest exhibition yet, David Hockney presents over 400 pieces from 1955 to 2025, showcasing works in various media from oil paintings to digital art.

Worth : Inventer la Haute Couture, Petit Palais – until Sept 7

The retrospective on haute couture presents over 400 works to showcase the creations and history of the House of Worth, the French fashion house.

Anna Maria Maiolino. Je suis là. Estou Aqui, Musée Picasso – until September 21

The Musée Picasso hosts Brazilian artist Anna Maria Maiolino’s first exhibition in France. She uses a variety of techniques and organic naturalism, making her works active presences that spark conversations.

Céleste Boursier – Mougenot, Bourse de Commerce Pinault Collection – until September 21

The artist Céleste Boursier has installed the aquatic and musical piece “clinamen” in the Rotunda of the Bouse de Commerce, offering a unique sensory experience.

The Berlin Wall : A World Divided, Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine – until September 28

This retrospective explores the impact of the Cold War and the division of Berlin through artifacts and even an original segment of the Berlin Wall. You’ll learn about the daily lives of people in East and West Berlin during the tense separation and the global impact of the period.

A Passion for China, Musée de Louvre – until August 25

In A Passion for China : The Adolphe Thiers Collection, you’ll get a look at over 170 works from the 18th and 19th centuries such as scrolls, porcelains, mother-of-pearl, and objets d’art.

Sports

Swimming in the Seine – July 5 to August 31

For the first time in 100 years, the Seine is open to swimmers who choose to brave the river in three new sites: Bras Marie in the 4th arrondissement, Bercy in the 12th arrondissement, and Grenelle in the 15th arrondissement. The past sites at Canal Saint-Martin and Bassin de la Villette return this summer as well.

Sky Perche Paris, Pont d’Iéna – July 23

The Sky Perche is a new vault competition in which some of the world’s best pole vaulters will compete on Pont d’Iéna, in front of the Eiffel Tower.

The Tour de France Arrives in Paris – July 27

The Tour de France celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new edition to the classic finish: three climbs at Butte Montmartre, a nod to the route of Paris 2024. Then, per tradition, the race will have its grand finish at the Champs-Élysées.

Paris sport dimanches estival, July 6 to September 21

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! This summer, the session will be supervised by coaches from the French National Olympic Sports Committee (CNOSF).

Music and Dance

Fnac Live Paris 2025, Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville, July 2 – 4

This July marks the 13th edition of Fnac Live Paris, a free 3-day concert put on by Fnac and the Ville de Paris in front of Hôtel de Ville. The line up is composed of emerging and known French and international artists.

Titanique : Le musical, Théâtre du Lido – until July 7

You can still catch Titanique, a musical comedy twist of the original Titanic film, featuring music by Celine Deon.

Paris Lyric Festival, Musée Jacquemart André – July 3 – 12

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 a visit to the permanent collection of the museum at intermission.

All World Waacking Battle 2vs2, Grand Palais, July 12

In this event designed by Josépha Madoki, waacking-style dance battles will celebrate expression and freedom with over 300 dancers, hosted by DJ Naajet and MC Matyouz.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Opéra Bastille – until July 13

Gioacchino Rossini’s most famous opera, which first premiered in 1816, is performed at Opéra Bastille.

Lollapalooza Paris, Hippodrome Paris Longchamp – July 18 – 20

Lollapalooza Paris returns for three days featuring artists Olivia Rodrigo, The Last Dinner Party, David Guetta, Lola Young, Justin Timberlake, and many more.

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 offers many free concerts from international jazz artists in the beautiful natural setting of Parc floral.

Other Live Music, Concerts and Performances

• Robbie Williams – La Défense Arena – July 2
• Les Brigands: Opéra National de Paris – Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) – July 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 12
• Weezer – Zenith La Villette – July 6
• Concerts at Sainte-Chapelle – Sainte-Chapelle – July 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
• Candlelight Concert: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – Odéon Théâtre de l’Europe – July 6
• Nine Inch Nails – Accor Arena – July 7
• Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA – Maison de l’Océan – July 11
• Hofesh Shechter: Paris National Opera – Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) – July 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14,
• 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige – La Défense Arena – July 13
• Bach by Candlelight – Saint Ephrem Church – July 2, 8, 20, 28
• Candlelight Concert: Chopin, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky – Saint Ephrem Church – July 3, 6, 12, 15, 18
• Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart and more – Eglise de la Madeleine – July 3, 10, 23
• Kendrick Lamar and SZA – La Défense Arena – July 15
• Iron Maiden – La Défense Arena – July 19, 20
• Ensemble Royal de Paris: Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart – Église Saint‐Julien‐le‐Pauvre – July 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30
• Festival Restons Sérieux #8 – Supersonic – July 11, 12, 13
• Faust: Opéra Comique – Paris, Opéra Comique — Salle Favart – July 1
• Diana Ross – Accor Arena – July 6
• Chris Brown – La Défense Arena – July 5
• Chopin by Candlelight – Saint Ephrem Church – July 1, 5, 10
• Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts – Adidas Arena – July 13

Children

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.

Dinos Alive, Porte de Versailles, until August 31

This immersive experience into the world of dinosaurs is fun for the whole family! The interactive exhibition uses virtual reality and features over 40 life-size animatronic dinosaurs.

The Little Prince, Atelier des Lumières, until August 31

Atelier des Lumières brings the story of Le Petit Prince to life in this immersive exhibition, creating a dreamy experience for all ages.

Les Pestacles, Parc Floral, until September 3

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.

Paris in July – FAQ’s

RELATED LINKS

• Planning a trip to Paris and need accommodation? Check out these family-friendly hotels and these 12 Paris vacation rentals.
• Or maybe you’re looking to buy a place in the City of Light? Check out this fractional Marais apartment sale or this luxury St Germain des Pres apartment for sale.
• Visiting Paris in June? There’s plenty to do and see too!

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