Culture Vultures
Léonardo da Vinci at the Louvre - 24 October
We know this is an October event but there is method to our madness! This exhibition is estimated to be so popular you can only attend by pre-booking your tickets, and as we know, these hotly anticipated exhibitions (call them expos to sound extra French) sell out FAST. So we thought we would give you a pre-October heads-up to book your tickets in advance if you plan to visit what promises to be a major cultural event of 2019. Get your tickets here.
Festivals & Celebrations
Rock en Seine 23 - 25 August 2019
Rock out to some world famous music during this huge annual festival, held at Domaine National de Saint Cloud, to the southwest of central Paris. This year, the big names include Major Lazer, The Cure, Jorja Smith and Royal Blood, The Eels, amongst dozens of other artists! Pick up a day ticket or spend the whole weekend partying amidst amazing light shows and a carnival atmosphere. Find the website here.
Classique au Vert 10 August - 1st September
Relax in the beautiful Parc Floral and enjoy a little classical music at the annual Classique au Vert. Surrounded by beautiful flowers, you'll have the chance to enjoy 8 concerts on weekends throughout the festival. For just 2.50€ entrance to the park, you can get your cultural fix as well as a breath of fresh floral air during the open-air concerts at 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays - just don't forget your picnic! Find out the full schedule here.
Silhouette Short Film Festival 30 August - 7 September
If you love the art form that is short films, then the Silhouette Short Film Festival in August is for you. Held in the 19th arrondissement of Paris within the Parc de la Butte-Du-Chapeau-Rouge, the festival screens over 100 movies and attracts thousands of movie buffs during its week-long run! Find the official Facebook page here.
Arenes Lyriques
Hidden away in Montmartre, an open-air stone arena will exceptionally host a programme of live classical music through August. Tickets are best bought in advance, for performances on August 3-9-10-15-16-17-22-23 and 24. Gates will open at 7:30pm and music starts at 8:30pm. You can also buy last minute tickets on site at 8:15pm. Book your tickets here.
Out & About
Nuit des Étoiles – 2 - 4 August
August sees the 28th Nuit des Étoiles festival in France with more than 500 sites opening across the country, giving amateur stargazers the chance to watch the annual meteor showers, weather and clear skies permitting! Celestial sights aside, various outposts of the festival will host film screenings, concerts and workshops in their varied schedules. Meanwhile in Paris, the Tour Montparnasse and La Cité des sciences et de l’industrie will open for the night offering locals the best views of the night sky. To infinity and beyond! More information here. (Website is in French).
La fête de l'assomption - 15 August
This day celebrates the life of the Virgin Mary in the Christian calendar. If it doesn't hold any religious significance then you can always enjoy this jour ferié (holiday day) by exploring the best sites around Paris. Seeing as it's quiet at this time of year as all the Parisians have escaped the city for their summer holidays it's the perfect opportunity to explore - no fighting for those recliner seats in the Tuileries, or for sand space at the Paris plages! Go make the most of it!
Paris Plages - throughout August
Don't forget you still have the enjoyable Paris Plage in town in the form of sand, beach chairs, games, and so much more continues from July and lasts throughout the long summer days. A perfect way to while away a relaxing afternoon! Get their early in the day to bag the best spots and for the best people watching!
