Whenever you choose to visit Paris you will find something going on. There are festivals and celebrations taking place all over the city, throughout the year. Make sure to check what’s happening during your visit so you don’t miss out!
Carnaval de Paris (Paris Carnival)
This wild street festival dates back to the Middle Ages and takes place in the period leading up to dimanche gras (fat Sunday), the Sunday before Lent. Locals, artists and musicians take part in a huge parade led by Pimprenelle, a Limousin cow wearing a red dress. The parade leads from Place Gambetta to Paris’s Hôtel de Ville through the streets of Paris.
Le Printemps des Rues
This two-day, springtime street festival has been taking place for over 20 years in the trendy 10th and 18th Arrondissements. Artists and theatre companies hold events and stage all types of performances along the banks of Canal Saint-Martin, with entertainment for all the family.
Festival Paris l’Eté (Paris Summer Festival)
This month-long summer festival has been taking place in Paris since 1990. Shows and concerts take place in Paris and in other towns in the region, which are mostly free performances and outdoor entertainment. If you’re visiting Paris during the summer, make sure you check to see what’s on whilst you are in town – you may even be lucky enough to catch the circus!
Bastille Day
Bastille Day is celebrated every year on 14th of July, and is France’s biggest national holiday, celebrated throughout Paris and all over the country. It is the time when the French celebrate the act of the storming of the Bastille, which is considered to be the starting point for French democracy, as it marks the beginning of the French Revolution. If you want to join the crowds, head to the Place de la Bastille where a massive dance party takes place, or watch as the military parade along the Champs-Elysées, as they have done each year since 1880. When dark falls, the skies will be lit up with firework displays taking place across the city – the most famous of which is the spectacular display which takes place at the Eiffel Tower. If you would rather watch from a distance, take a boat trip along the Seine by night for great views of the fireworks. Many establishments such as restaurants and museums have special offers at this time of year, so keep your eyes open for some great deals!
Paris Jazz Festival
This popular jazz festival is a testament to Paris’s vibrant jazz scene and has now been a part of Parisian summers for over 25 years. Every weekend in June and July, jazz performances take place in the Parc Floral, with performers from all over the world coming to play here. It is not just the music which makes this so special, but also the beautiful natural environment, surrounded by flowers. Activities take place throughout the day including workshops and events for all the family to explore music and nature. A sound discovery area can be explored by children in the Botanical Gardens.