As I mentioned in previous years, staying in Paris during the summer isn’t necessarily a punishment, provided you know how to make the most of it, as there are plenty of free events during this summer period.
Throughout the months of June and July, various free Parisian festivals have begun to set up in the capital, some lasting until the beginning of October.
So, I am once again taking up the idea of putting together a short guide of free (or paid) events and festivals that you can discover this summer in the capital. Whether under pouring rain from time to time or scorching heat, I am sure that won’t stop you!
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Table of Contents
The Paris Jazz Festival
The Paris Jazz Festival, which will be in its 26th edition, will be held as it is every year at the Parc Floral in the Paris Botanical Garden from July 6 to July 28, 2019.
The 2019 edition consists of a program of eight days, usually featuring two sets at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM: the Paysages (Landscapes) and Calices and Corolles and Feuillages (Chalices, Corollas, and Foliage) stages every weekend of July starting from the 6th. Three night concerts are organized this year, as well as musical walks and an album listening session with Sonarium.
The Tip: The concerts are free; only the park entrance fee (from €1.50 to €2.50) remains, which is still a very good deal (except for the night concerts which are paid / around €26).
Paris Jazz Festival Parc Floral - 75012 Paris Park opening hours: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM July 6 to 28, 2019 Concerts at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
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La Plage du Glazart
Like every year, Glazart is dumping 50 tons of sand to set up its beach at Porte de la Villette, from June 6 until September 29, 2019, in a Mediterranean atmosphere.
On the program: lounge chairs, food trucks, concerts, showcases, after-work parties…
Le Glazart June 6 to September 29, 2019 7-15 Avenue de la porte de la villette, 75019 Paris Metro Porte de la Villette
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Bercy Village
From June 27 to August 29, 2019, Bercy Village will offer 10 100% free concerts every Thursday of the summer through the Musiques en Terrasse (Music on the Terrace) festival, as well as theater, dance, and circus performances as part of the Paris L’été Festival.
This year, Bercy Village is once again partnering with Allo Floride and its exclusive lineup that slaloms between pop, folk, soul, and electro.
Bercy Village Musiques en Terrasse Festival Every Thursday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM from June 27 to August 29, 2019 Bercy Village Stage, Cour Saint-Emilion, opposite the FNAC
The Opéra côté Cour festival, an open-air opera festival that is entirely free, returns for its 8th edition to Bercy Village, every Sunday in September 2019, in the heart of the Cour Saint-Emilion.
Opéra côté Cour Festival Every Sunday from September 8 to 30, 2019 Duration approx. 40 minutes, two performances at 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM Bercy Village Stage, Cour Saint-Emilion
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Motel Machine at La Machine du Moulin Rouge
This summer, La Machine becomes a Motel for a road trip season with 10 weekends of parties, fever, discoveries, and encounters.
On the program: concerts but also a Roof Cinema film festival, a mini club, a rooftop, and a terrace for pre-dinner drinks.
La Machine du Moulin Rouge June 28 to August 31, 2019 90 Boulevard de Clichy 75018 Paris
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The FNAC Live Paris Festival
The Fnac Live Festival returns for its 9th edition on the parvis (forecourt) of the Paris City Hall for 3 nights of free concerts with 30 performances from July 3 to 5, 2019.
In parallel with the Parvis stage, Fnac Live will present, for the seventh consecutive year, more intimate concerts every evening, hosted in the exceptional setting of the Paris City Hall Salons.
On the program for this event, a great lineup that illustrates the diversity of musical genres, including Stephan Eicher, Bon Entendeur, Suzane, the French DJ Etienne de Crécy, Thérapie Taxi, Parcels, Kiddy Smile…
FNAC Live Paris 2019 Paris City Hall Forecourt 75004 Paris July 3 to 5, 2019 Metro Hôtel de Ville
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Summer Garden at the Quai Branly Museum
Like every summer, the Quai Branly Museum offers an original and free program in connection with the Félix Fénéon (1861-1944) exhibition.
On the program: workshops, storytelling, introductory sessions, readings with also a reading lounge and nomadic books, performances, concerts and shows, after-work parties on Thursdays…
Quai Branly Museum 37 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris July 6 to August 31, 2019
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Cinema at the Centquatre
Throughout the month of July, it’s CINÉ POP’ night at the Centquatre! From 7:00 PM, you can participate in an evening of entertainment punctuated by moments of artistic expression. Then at 10:00 PM, a film is screened on a big screen, the result of a vote conducted with the residents, in complicity with local neighborhood councils and neighboring associations.
On the program:
- July 06, screening at 10:00 PM > Tout ce qu’il me reste de la révolution, a film by Judith Davis (2018)
- July 13, screening at 10:00 PM > Cold War, a film by Pawel Pawlikowski (2018)
- July 20, screening at 10:00 PM > Girl, a film by Lukas Dhont (2018)
- July 27, screening at 10:00 PM > Le grand bal, a film by Laetitia Carton (2018)
Ciné Pop Nights#3 at the Centquatre Saturdays July 06, 13, 20 and 27, 2019 Free entry Le Centquatre 5 Rue Curial, 75019 Paris
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L’Été du Canal
This event, which returns to liven up weekends in Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis on the banks of the Ourcq Canal, will be held every weekend from July 6 to August 25, 2019.
For its 12th edition, this outdoor leisure festival is growing and extending its activities to the Saint-Denis Canal.
- Departing from the Bassin de la Villette: river shuttles for €1, gourmet, musical, and discovery-themed cruises…
- Concerts, dances, creative workshops, and sports initiations at the Bobigny leisure port.
- Festive and sporting activities at the nautical bases and villages in Pantin, Aubervilliers, Noisy, Bondy, Aulnay-sous-Bois.
L'Été du Canal Until August 25, 2019
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Les Jardins musicaux de Montreuil classical music festival
The first edition of the Les Jardins musicaux de Montreuil Festival will take place from Saturday, August 17 to Sunday, September 1, 2019, in two of the city’s gardens, the Square Patriarche and Parc Montreau.
Popular and free, this festival invites all Montreuil residents to concerts to discover or rediscover artists from the international scene alongside local musicians.
During three weekends on August 17, 24, and 31, the Square Patriarche (adjacent to City Hall) will host two concerts every Saturday:
- at 12:00 PM, an open stage for amateurs
- at 4:00 PM, a chamber music concert
To close the festival, on Sunday, September 1, a major symphony concert will be given at Parc Montreau. An opportunity to hear Gautier Capuçon, an incredible cellist whom I had the chance to listen to this year at the Clos Vougeot Wine Music Festival, accompanied by the National Orchestra of Île-de-France.
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Classique au vert
The Classique au vert festival will take place at the Parc Floral every weekend from August 10 to September 1, 2019, with 8 open-air concerts.
On the program: classical music, therefore, with a very beautiful program, like every year.
Classique au vert Parc Floral – Paris Botanical Garden August 10 to September 1, 2019 Free entry after paying the park entrance fee (from €1.50 to €2.50) Metro Château de Vincennes
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L’Estival de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The new program of the Estival de Saint-Germain-en-Laye which will be held from September 20 to October 5, 2019.
For over two weeks, the festival will welcome many artists and since its creation in 1988, L’Estival has given top priority to budding young artists, who will share the bill with the big names of the French scene.
L’Estival will vibrate to the rhythm of a diversified program with highly anticipated artists such as: Marc Lavoine, Les Ogres de Barback, Sanseverino, Maxime Le Forestier, Camille and Julie Bertholet, Jérémy Frérot and les Innocents.
L'Estival de Saint-Germain-en-Laye September 20 to October 5, 2019 Saint-Germain-en-Laye
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