Here is the 2nd part of my guide to the free events you can enjoy this summer if you are staying in (or visiting) the capital. Once again, it is the perfect opportunity to prove that staying in Paris during the summer is not necessarily a punishment.
This part will be dedicated to other events and festivals that I didn’t have the chance to mention in the other 2 articles.
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Summer Scenes at La Villette
The Parc de la Villette (which is the largest urban cultural park in the capital) is one of the key places to be this summer in the Ile-de-France region, offering a wonderful program on a single site for all audiences and all generations.
A very eclectic program for these Summer Scenes at Parc de la Villette from July 2nd to July 26th with various workshops, dance, street performances, concerts, all with free admission of course (except for cooking workshops which are paid)!
On the program: concerts and balls, films, visual arts exhibitions, artisan villages, food trucks, cooking or dance workshops, as well as raising consumer awareness about “eating local” and presentations of anti-waste initiatives are all on the agenda… not to mention relaxing on the lawns.
This year the Summer Scenes are spread over 4 festive weekends:
- July 2 to 5: Folie in the Air
- July 11 and 12: Spain Weekend
- July 18 and 19: Algeria Weekend
- July 25 and 26: Bollywood Weekend
Table of Contents
Parc de La Villette, Prairie du cercle sud
211 avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
near the Ourcq canal, on the bank by the Zénith
Metro Porte de Pantin or Porte de la Villette
Summer Scenes at La Villette
from July 2 to July 26, 2015
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Summer at the Ourcq Canal
This event, which returns to bring weekends in Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis to life along the banks of the Ourcq canal, will take place from July 4th to August 23rd, 2015.
A total of 2 months of cool vibes along the Ourcq canal to enjoy numerous festive and cultural activities that vary at each stop: … to be shared with family, friends, or a partner, with your feet in the water.
On the program: river shuttles for 1 € or 2 €, street art, barge dances, festive and night cruises (around crime fiction or oenology), zodiac escapades, concerts, open-air cinema (again), nautical activities, children’s shows, exhibitions, brunch cruises,…
I had the chance to test a brunch cruise concocted by Marmites Volantes and honestly, it was really lovely.
These brunch cruises take place every weekend during the Summer of the Canal, on Saturdays and Sundays, and the cruise lasts from 11:30 AM (be sure to be on time for departure!) to 1:30 PM. Since spots are limited, it is best to book in advance if you wish to test this brunch cruise on the Ourcq canal.
Price: 22 € / child menu at 15 € (cruise + brunch)
For more info and to see the full event program, click here.
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Summer Garden at the Quai Branly Museum
As every summer, the Musée du quai Branly offers an original and free program as part of the Summer Garden, an event with multiple summer resonances.
On the program: workshops, storytelling, initiations, Electronic Naps in the museum garden in July (with sophisticated DJ sets to listen to horizontally, featuring guest artists you shouldn’t miss), readings with a reading lounge and nomadic books, performances, concerts, and shows…
Musée du Quai Branly / 37, quai Branly – 75007 Paris
from July 3 to August 30, 2015 from 4 PM to 6 PM
Electronic Naps
every Sunday in July and the first Sunday of August, from 4 PM to 6 PM upon reservation
open and free access
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Clichy Plage, near Paris
The City of Clichy offers its residents summer activities in the Bac d’Asnières district. From July 11 to August 9, for only 1.20 € (0.50 € for under 18s), Clichy residents will benefit from a relaxation area, outdoor activities, water games, and a climbing tower.
On the program:
- A relaxation area with deckchairs and umbrellas, but also a picnic area and a food court.
- A climbing tower open until August 2, except Thursdays, from 11 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM
- Zumba classes (Thursdays and Sundays 5:30 PM / 6:30 PM) or Swedish gym (Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 12 PM)
- A special diving initiation day on July 18 from 9 AM to 5 PM (registration at Clichy Plage from July 11 to 17, subject to availability).
- A water zone with a 200 m2 pool and a 100 m2 play area for young and old.
Grounds of the Bac-d’Asnières district, between Rue Gustave Eiffel and Rue Bérégovoy
Access: Rue P. Bérégovoy or Rue G. Eiffel (stroller and wheelchair access)
from Saturday July 11 to Sunday August 9, 2015
every day from 10 AM to 8 PM / late opening on Fridays until 10 PM (evacuation 30 min before closing)
Clichy Adult resident: 1.20€ / Under 18 Clichy resident: 0.50€ / Free for under 3s / Non-residents: 10 €
Free activities
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Paris Quartier d’été
The 26th edition of the festival will take place from July 14th to August 9th, 2015 and will sprinkle its touch of summer madness over the capital and its suburbs.
Some of the programming requires payment, however, many shows are free; the best thing is still to keep a close eye on the events of this festival.
The now unmissable festival stops at Bercy Village again this year and docks at Bercy Village to present three free favorite shows (on July 24 and 29, 2015).
As with every edition, Paris quartier d’été brings life to different districts of the capital but also now to suburban towns like Pantin, Nanterre, La Courneuve, or Saint-Denis, by taking over often atypical locations.
Paris Quartier d’été Festival at Bercy Village
shows on July 24 and 29, 2015
Place des Vins de France or lower UGC square
Free shows
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Festiv’été in Saint-Ouen
Summer settles into the Grand Parc and the neighborhoods of Saint-Ouen from mid-July to mid-August.
On the program: gardening, sports initiations, pony rides, trips in the region or to the sea… multiple activities to relax, have fun, and get a change of scenery.
Festiv’été in Saint Ouen
from July 27 to August 14, 2015
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L’été Defacto at La Défense
L’été Defacto returns for a 2nd edition this year from July 16th to August 23rd, 2015 and transforms the La Défense plaza into a friendly and lively space 7 days a week.
On the program, many free activities on nearly 3000 m2 with giant games, concerts and DJ sets, sports classes, lunch-time food trucks, creative workshops, activities for children, and other surprises!
Eté Defacto
Place de La Défense
From July 16 to August 23, 2015 from 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM
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Paris Plage
Like every year, Paris Plage sets the rhythm of the capital’s summer by transforming the quays into beaches with refreshment stalls, umbrellas, and the city then takes on the appearance of a seaside resort.
On the program: many free activities offered throughout the summer from July 20th to August 23rd: cultural, recreational, and sporting proposals (Tai-chi classes, ballroom dancing, or petanque games), water leisure, live shows broadcast on a giant screen every weekend on the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville, boat shuttles on the Ourcq canal 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,…
The association Tous à Table even creates its Solidarity Guinguette “Buena Onda” at Paris Plages, at the Bassin de la Villette, in collaboration with Café A and LeMelotron.com.
This guinguette reserves a quota of its meals for customers who only pay 10% of the price of their meal for lunch or dinner, every day from July 20 to August 23, 2015.
Paris Plage
banks of the Seine / bassin de la Villette
from July 20 to August 23 / from 9 AM to midnight
All activities are free
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The nomadic Tréteaux Festival
This traveling festival of the Arènes de Montmartre returns to meet Parisians from August 24th to September 6th, 2015.
On the program, shows for all audiences and young audiences around the Commedia dell’arte in different Parisian locations (Arènes de Montmartre, Place Sainte Marthe, courtyard of the Hôtel de Beauvais, the Bellevilloise,…).
The tip: free initiation workshops to Commedia dell’arte for children will be organized from August 24 to 28 from 3 PM to 5 PM (by registration only).
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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
