Here is the 2nd part of my guide to the free events to enjoy this summer if you are staying in (or visiting) the capital. Once again, it is an opportunity to prove to you that staying in Paris during the summer is not necessarily a punishment.
This part will be dedicated to other events and festivals that I did not have the chance to mention in the other 2 articles.
Salon Cosmos: summer exhibition at 116 in Montreuil
From June 18 to September 13, 2014 (annual closure from August 06 to 30, 2014), to celebrate their 20th anniversary, Atelier Réflexe and the Fabrique des Illusions are taking over Le 116, the contemporary art center in Montreuil, to offer a workshop, a collaborative installation, performances and meetings, as well as the Royal Book Lodge editions.
116, rue de Paris, 93100 Montreuil Metro line 9 (Robespierre station)
_
Absolute Summer by Mode City
From July 5 to 7, 2014, on the occasion of the International Lingerie and Swimwear Fair, Absolute Summer, the 100% girls’ Parisian summer event, is hosting its 2nd edition and transforming the Porte de Versailles into a Californian beach.
The terrace of Pavilion 1 will offer a seaside break over more than 1000 m2 to prepare for your vacation with friends: fitting and beauty tips, exclusive fashion shows with your feet in the sand, pop-up stores, creative and wellness workshops… and many other surprises to discover!
On the program: Zumba classes, coaching sessions, a RollerDance session, beauty, relaxation and wellness breaks with the 100% Californian bareMinerals make-up bar, a free beauty bag given upon your arrival, DJ sets during the 3 days and happy-hour cocktails with Lillet and Bliss, a free Uber code to get home in a beautiful car with a driver,…
Absolute Summer by Mode City, from July 5 to 7, 2014
Porte de Versailles – Pavilion 1 Terrace from 9 am to 6 pm / extensions on Saturday, until 8:30 pm Metro Porte de Versailles – Entry: 5€
Giveaway: 3×2 invitations to be won for this event by leaving a short, motivated comment at the bottom of this post (first come, first served)
_
Summer Scenes at La Villette
The Parc de la Villette (largest urban cultural park in the capital) is one of the summer hotspots in the Ile-de-France region, offering a great program for all audiences and all generations in one single location.
A very eclectic program for these Summer Scenes at Parc de la Villette from July 5 to August 24 with various workshops, dance, strolls, concerts, all with free entry, of course!
On the program: concerts and balls, films, art exhibition, cooking or dance workshops, but also consumer awareness on “eating local” and presentation of anti-waste initiatives are on the program… not to mention lounging on the lawns.
Table of Contents
Parc de La Villette, South Circle Meadow
211 avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
near the Ourcq canal, on the Zenith side bank
Metro Porte de Pantin or Porte de la Villette
_
Summer on the Canal de l’Ourcq
This event, which returns to liven up weekends in Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis, on the banks of the canal de l’Ourcq, will take place from July 5 to August 24, 2014.
In total, 2 months of coolness along the canal de l’Ourcq to enjoy the many festive and cultural activities offered at various stops: … to share with family, friends or a partner, with your feet in the water.
On the program: river shuttles at 1€ or 2€, street art, barge balls, festive and night cruises (around crime fiction or oenology), zodiac getaway, concerts, open-air cinema (again), water activities, shows for children, exhibitions,…
For more info and to know the full program of the event, click here.
_
Electronic Siestas at the Quai Branly Museum
A zen and free rendezvous, the Electronic Siestas take place in the garden of the Quai Branly museum in July 2014.
On the program: cutting-edge DJ sets to listen to while lying down, with guests not to be missed.
Quai Branly Museum / 37, quai Branly – 75007 Paris
from July 6 to 27, 2014 from 4 pm to 6 pm
_
Bay Plage, near Paris
The Bay 1 and Bay 2 shopping centers in Torcy (77) are offering the second edition of Bay Plage from July 7 to August 30.
On the program: minigolf, roller hockey, pétanque, Zumba, electric karts and quads, beach soccer, creative and fun workshops for younger ones, the election of Miss and Mister Bay on July 15,…
Bay Plage at Bay 1 and 2 (Torcy 77)
from July 7 to August 30, 2014
_
Paris Quartier d’été
The 25th edition of the festival will take place from July 14 to August 15, 2014 and will spill its grain of summer madness onto the capital and its outskirts.
Some of the programming is paid, however many shows are free; the best thing is still to keep a close eye on the events of this festival.
The now essential festival is also stopping by Bercy Village again this year and is mooring at Bercy Village by presenting three favorite shows (July 16, July 30, and August 6, 2014).
As with every edition, Paris quartier d’été animates different districts of the capital but also now suburban towns like Pantin, Nanterre, La Courneuve or Saint-Denis, by investing in often atypical venues.
Paris quartier d’été festival at Bercy Village
shows on July 16, July 30 and August 6, 2014
Place des Vins de France or Place Basse de l’UGC
_
Saint-Ouen l’Estivale
Summer settles in the Grand Parc and the neighborhoods of Saint-Ouen from mid-July to mid-August.
On the program: gardening, sports initiations, pony rides, outings in the region or to the sea… multiple activities to relax, have fun and get a change of scenery.
The tip: the city offers summer kits for the city’s inhabitants! For children (a bundle bag + 1 cap + 2 vouchers for a carousel ride and 2 vouchers for a pony ride + 1 reusable cup), but also for adults (a bag with reusable + an integrated mat + 1 reusable cup).
These kits will be distributed to Audoniens on July 14 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Greenhouse.
Saint Ouen l’Estivale
from July 14 to August 15, 2014
_
Summer Defacto at La Défense
Summer Defacto returns for a 2nd edition this year from July 17 to August 24, 2014 and transforms the Place de La Défense into a friendly and lively space 7 days a week.
On the program, many free activities over nearly 3000 m2 with giant games, concerts and DJ sets, sports classes, food trucks at lunchtime, creative workshops, activities for children and other surprises!
Summer Defacto
Place de La Défense
From July 17 to August 24, 2014 from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm
_
Paris Plage
Like every year, Paris Plage sets the rhythm for the capital’s summer by transforming the quays into beaches with refreshment stalls, parasols, and the city takes on the appearance of a seaside resort.
On the program: many free activities offered throughout the summer from July 19 to August 17: cultural, fun and sports proposals (tai-chi classes, ballroom dancing or pétanque games), water leisure, live shows broadcast on a giant screen every weekend on the forecourt of the City Hall, boat shuttles on the Canal de l’Ourcq from the Bassin de la Villette to Bondy and Aulnay-sous-Bois, an electric go-kart circuit for children at the Rotonde, a zipline connecting the 2 banks of the basin,…
Paris Plage
banks of the Seine / Bassin de la Villette
from July 19 to August 17 / from 9 am to midnight
All activities are free
_
The Tréteaux Nomades Festival
This traveling festival of the Montmartre Arenas returns to meet Parisians from August 25 to September 7, 2014.
On the program: shows for all audiences and young audiences around Commedia dell’arte in various Parisian venues (Montmartre Arenas, Place Sainte Marthe, courtyard of the Hotel de Beauvais, the Bellevilloise,…).
The tip: free initiation workshops to Commedia dell’arte for children will be organized from August 25 to 29 from 3 pm to 5 pm (by registration only).
_
To give you other ideas for outings this summer in Paris, do not hesitate to take a look at the other articles in this same theme of my Parisian summer guide.
- Part 1 of the free Paris summer guide: musical festivals
- Part 3 of the free Paris summer guide: open-air screenings
