Paris events during July include some of the year's most exciting things to do and see:  the enormous Bastille Day Parade, Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, and Paris Plages,the city beaches complete with sand and palm trees that pop up next to the Seine River, Canal Saint-Martin, and other locations

July this year, of course, is much different from normal with the excitement of the long-awaited start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, including a celebratory boat parade down the Seine River. 

Planning a Visit to Paris in July?

If you're planning to come to Paris this month, consider booking tours, cruises, and other activities as early as possible due to higher demand than usual this year.

Top Paris attractions & experiences:

Most popular Paris destinations this month:


You'll also find more Bastille Day celebrations including a huge parade and Firemen's Balls, free outdoor film festivals, concerts, and art shows.

Get ready to have a spectacular time in the City of Lights, and enjoy the long sunny days and fun things to do that makes July one of the best months for visiting Paris.

Top photo: Tour de France, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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Special Bastille Day Fireworks Cruises 2024

Dinner cruise boat on the Seint River at sunset - Credit: AdobeStock
Dinner cruise boat on the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower at sunset - Credit: AdobeStock

Perhaps the best place to see the Bastille Day fireworks is from a cruise boat on the Seine on July 14.  Enjoy dinner and fine wine as you float past all the iconic landmarks along the Seine, and then watch the dazzling fireworks overhead.  Here are four wonderful choices:

For a fun Bastille Day Seine River excursion during the middle of the day, choose a 2-Hour River Seine Lunch Cruise offering a 3-course gourmet lunch, white and red wine, an optional cheese course, and live music on board.  Although this cruise takes place every day starting in July (and on selected days in June), the Bastille Day cruise will be especially popular - so book early if you want to do it.

More Seine River Cruises to consider

Bastille Day Parade & Fireworks 2024

Bastille Day Fireworks
Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower

Bastille Day, the biggest Paris summer holiday and a national celebration throughout France, always takes place on July 14, the anniversary of the storming of the infamous Bastille prison on July 14, 1789 - a turning point in the French Revolution.

The day starts with military ceremonies and a huge military parade - normally down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, but this year down Avenue Foch due to preparations for the Olympics - plus a flyover of military aircraft that you can see from most points in the city. 

The military ceremonies begin at 10am, the flyover takes place at about 10:45am, and the parade kicks off at 11am, and lasts almost an hour.  Arrive early if you want to stake out a good viewing location along Avenue Foch.

A truly spectacular fireworks show at the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars begins at 11pm, and lasts about 35 minutes.   

Although normally Champ de Mars is where tout le monde gathers with blankets and picnics from noon on to relax and then watch the fireworks, restrictions to at least some parts of Champ de Mars and Trocadero are expected this year due to preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.  Details have not yet been announced, but stay flexible and have an alternate site in mind if necessary for watching the fireworks.

More about the Bastille Day Parade and Fireworks in Paris

Find more top places to watch the fireworks

Normally, a free concert of classical music by the Paris Chamber Orchestra, the Radio France Choir, and international guest artists takes place on Champs de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower but due to Olympics preparations this year, the Bastille Day "Concert de Paris" will be held on the plaza in front of the Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall, 4th arr) starting at 9:15pm.

If you plan to watch the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, keep in mind that while you may be able to see the top of the fireworks, the sight-lines for the Tower are not the best from here. 

More to Enjoy: Firemen's Balls at the fire station in each Paris district (arrondissement) on July 13th and 14th. 

July Concerts in Paris - 2024

Stained glass walls at Sainte-Chapelle, site of popular candlelight concerts
Stained glass walls at Sainte-Chapelle, site of popular candlelight concerts

Paris concerts during July include classical music by candlelight at Sainte-Chapelle and other historical churches, spectacular ballets and operas, shows by top artists, and an immersive music and light show at Saint Eustasche Church. 

Get your tickets now:


Tickets for 2025:

More Paris classical concerts in historic churches during July

More Paris rock, pop, jazz, rap, & other performances during July 

More concerts throughout the year

Firemen's Balls: Bastille Day Parties - 2024

Firemen's Ball at Arenes de Lutece (Paris's old Roman arena)
Firemen's Ball at Arenes de Lutece (Paris's old Roman arena)

Want to celebrate Bastille Day like a true Parisian?  Attend one or more of the Firemen's Balls - Bals des Pompiers - when the main fire house in each Paris arrondissement (district) opens its barracks and courtyards and welcomes the public for an all-night party with music, dancing, and drinking Champagne or beer.

The Bals des Pompiers start as early as 6:30pm (if they have kids' activities; otherwise, they start at 7pm) and end at around 4am. 

Depending on the fire house, a few take place on July 13 and the rest on July 14 - but when Bastille Day (July 14) falls on a Sunday as it does this year, the Firemen's Balls are on July 12 and July 13 so that no one has to stagger in to work on Monday morning, just a few hours after partying until 4am.

Find out more about what to expect at the Bals des Pompiers, locations, and the date for each firehouse's ball.

2024 Summer Olympics 

Paris summer and winter sales
Paris 2024 on the Paris City Hall (Hotel de Ville) - Photo credit: Houda Chabir-Robert

After years of planning, the 2024 Summer Olympics start in Paris (and other parts of France) this month.  It's a massive event, with around 15 million visitors (including about 90% from other parts of France) expected in Paris for the games, which means that trains and RERs into and out of the city will be packed.  

If you're among them, here are some key things to know and links to additional information:

  • Paris 2024 Olympics dates:  July 26 - August 11
  • Paris 2024 Paralympics dates:  August 28 - September 8
  • Number of stadiums, arenas, and other Olympic venues in Paris and its immediate outskirts:  15 Olympic venues and 11 Paralympic venues, including iconic locations such as the Hotel de Ville Place de la Concorde, and Hotel de Ville

Find out more about the 2024 Paris Olympics & Paralympics, including stadium locations, nearby attractions, how to get tickets, & fan zones

Why You Should Visit Giverny in July in 2024

Flowers blooming in Monet's garden at Giverny
Flowers blooming in Monet's garden at Giverny

Impressionist artist Claude Monet spent the last half of his life in Giverny, a small village in Normandy about 45 miles (about 1 hour and 15-30 minutes) outside of Paris, where his famed water lily ponds burst into bloom during July and August.

This year, Giverny provides the perfect tranquil escape from Paris if you want a break from the crowds and excitement of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Visiting Giverny is a quick and easy day trip from Paris, and if you're a Monet fan, it's an experience you'll want to put at the top of your bucket list. 

Thanks to a meticulous restoration after Monet's death, you will see his house, gardens, and water lily pond much as they were when he lived here and painted some of his finest masterpieces.  Although you can get there on your own, the easiest way to visit, especially if you want to make the most of your time in Paris, is by joining a tour.

Popular Giverny Tours from Paris

All of these tours include transportation to/from Paris and fast entry into the attractions:

Find more Giverny tours from Paris

See Monet's famous water lily paintings on display at the Orangerie Museum in Paris

Find out about other exciting Day Trips from Paris

Summer Sales on Designer Fashions 2024

Paris summer and winter sales
2nd markdown, plus 10% extra savings

The famous Paris summer sales continue through July this year, ending on July 23.    

For many savvy fashionistas, the July portion of the sales marks the sweet spot when stores proceed to the 2nd and even 3rd reduction, changing the Soldes signs in their store windows to soar as high as 70-80% at toward the end. 

Best places to find bargains?  Everywhere!  Luxury labels such as Chanel, Valentino, and Armani draw huge crowds - ditto for Galeries Lafayette, BHV, Bon Marché, and Au Printemps - but don't ignore smaller boutiques and even global mid-market chains.  

Find out more about Paris Summer Sales 2024

Paris Tours for Fashionistas

Paris Plages - 2024 Updates & Expansion

Paris Plage - sand and beach umbrellas along the Seine River
Paris Plages: "Beach" along the Right Bank of the Seine River

The popular Paris Plages ("Paris Beaches") transforms parts of Paris into fun-filled beaches each summer. 

Although the event continues this year in its usual locations along the Rives de Seine, the areas along both sides of the Seine River) and the Bassin de La Villette, those locations will have a somewhat different schedule to accommodate the 2024 Summer Olympics (more about that in a moment). 

The Hotel de Ville location will be used for 2024 Olympics festivities, so while lots will be going on here, there won't be Paris Plages beach events.

As a bonus, though, Paris Plages is expanding to a new and exciting location, the picturesque Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement, where you can find swimming areas in the Canal near Square Jacques Villemin, free entertainment, and relaxation on both sides of the canal.

So, you'll find Paris Plages activities at three main locations this year: the Seine River Banks (Parc Rives de Seine) in central Paris, Canal Saint-Martin, and La Villette Canal Basin in the 19th arrondissement. 

At the Bassin de Villette, you can cool off in the 4 huge Paris Plages swimming pools, enjoy kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle, small boats, and other water sports, play pétanque and table football, and take part in other activities.  You'll also find lots of kids' workshops, special activities for 3-7 year olds, board games, exhibitions, and libraries. 

The pools at Bassin de la Villette, located on the Quai de la Loire, will be open free of charge every day from 11am to 9pm from late July through early September.

The Seine River Bank "beaches" focus on relaxation, while the plages at La Villette feature games and activities.  So far, Canal Saint-Martin sounds like it will be a mix.  Relax in deck chairs, visit the many floating theater, restaurants, ice cream stands, and bars along the water.

Paris Plage Dates & Times for 2024

Canal Saint-Martin:  July 6 - September 8 (entertainment ends on Sept 1)

Rives de Seine (Seine River Banks) and Bassin de la Villette:  July 27 - Sept 8

Open:  11am-9pm, and until midnight on weekends.

More about Paris Plages 

Popular Seine River Cruises

Paris l'Été ("Paris in the Summer") - 2024

Want a fun excuse to explore different Paris neighborhood while celebrating summer in the city? 

The annual Paris l'Été Festival (Paris Summer Festival) offers free or inexpensive outdoor music, dance, circus, and performances in various parts of the city, often in unusual places. 

Due to preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics, only 18 events will be held this year in two locations: the Lycée Jacques Decour school (12 Avenue Trudaine, in the 9th arrondissement's SoPi neighborhood) and at the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, the headquarters of Radio France (16th arrondissement). 

Events include music, dance, and acrobatics, and celebrate the city's cultural diversity while mixing avant-garde/off-beat events with more mainstream traditions.   The festival runs from July 3 - 16.  

Events are free or moderately priced.  Don't miss it!

Check Paris l'Été for events and schedule details.

Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows 2024

Exhibit at Centre Pompidou
Exhibit at Centre Pompidou

Here are just a few of the top exhibitions you can see in Paris this month:

  • Centre Pompidou:  Vera Molnar: Parler à l'Oeil - Paintings, drawings, photographs, and murals pay tribute to the creativity of this pioneer in numeric art.
    Dates: Through Sept 2, 2024; Level 4
    Tickets:  15€ adults; book online (includes some shows plus permanent collections) or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry; shows in several galleries require an additional ticket at (usually) an extra cost of 1-2€, so book the "permanent and temporary" ticket if you want to see one of these exhibits.  Or enhance your visit with a private tour by an expert guide.
    Getting there:  Rue Saint-Martin between Rue Rambuteau and Rue Merri, 4th;  Metro:  Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet; RER: Châtelet les Halles, lines A, B, D
  • Atelier des Lumieres:  Egyptian Pharaohs - Discover ancient Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs in this virtual journey along the Nile River in Upper and Lower Egypt as you see legendary rulers, great battles, famous temples and tombs, and majestic landscapes; purchase online; you can also purchase at the door for 2€ more per ticket but there's no guarantee you'll get in as timeslots are often fully booked
    Dates:  Through January 5, 2025
  • Orsay Museum: Tonight with the Impressionists:  Paris 1874 - Inventing Impressionism - This immersive expedition in virtual reality will transport you back to the 1874 “Salon des Refusés.” 
    Dates:  Through August 11, 2024
    Tickets:  Book a reserved-access ticket for skip-the-line access, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry

Emerging Artist Show for July:

  • Hockey in Motion - Artist and Olympic Games medal designer Zakea Page creates digital sculptures of the interplay between hockey and art in this immersive virtual reality exhibition which includes a live performance.
    Date: July 29, 1-5pm
    Location: 18 Rue ally-Tollendal, 19th arrondissement
    More information:  Zakea Page website

Find more Paris museum exhibitions for July & future months

Interested in a Louvre Museum guided tour?  Find out how to choose the best one to match your interests

Paris Museum and Attractions Passes

Get free admission and skip-the-line access to 60+ museums in and near Paris when you have a Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days.  More info

La Fête Foraine des Tuileries - 2024

Photo of the Tuileries Garden Carnival taken while riding on the ferris wheel
Photo of the Tuileries Garden Carnival taken while riding on the ferris wheel

La Fête Foraine des Tuileries - literally, a "Fun Fair," or carnival - normally suddenly pops up in Paris's Tuileries Garden in early July for two months of non-stop entertainment.  With 60 attractions, multiple restaurants, and a traditional guinguette (a sort of country-style outdoor bar with snacks, music, and dancing), it offers fun for all ages.

But this year, due to Olympics Games on the Place de la Concorde and Tuileries Garden, the carnival will take place in the Bois de Boulogne on the Muette Lawn west of the city.

All the usual attractions will be there - the amusements, the restaurants, the guingguette - and its reasonably easy to get to.  Just take the Metro Line 9 to the Muette station, or RER C to Avenue Henri-Martin station.  The Lawn is about an 8-10 minute walk.

Dates:  July 6 through September 1, 11am to 11pm (12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays)

In case you are planning ahead for a trip in 2025, this is what normally happens when the Fest is in its usual spot in Jardin des Tuileries:

With a giant ferris wheel (hint: have your camera or phone ready to take great skyline photos of Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower), carousels, bumper cars, "fun houses," gut-wrenching rides for thrill seekers, children's games, and a lot more, the carnival entertains families with kids, teens, and everyone else seeking fun throughout the rest of the summer.

And of course, massive amounts of carvival food will be for sale:  cotton candy, waffles (gaufres), crepes, ice cream, fried dough, BBQ, and drinks.

If you're visiting Paris, combine a stroll through Tuileries Garden and the Fête Foraine with a visit to other nearby attractions:  the treasure-filled Louvre, Monet's giant Water Lily paintings at Musée de l'Orangerie at the opposite corner of the garden, and the Musée d'Orsay almost directly across the river. 

When:  July 6 through September 1, 11am to 11pm (12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays)
Where:   Jardin Tuileries (Tuileries Garden) between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, 1st arrondissement (enter through the gate near the Tuileries metro station)
Metro:  Tuileries
Admission:   Free - plus whatever you spend on rides and games (most cost between 2-12€)

Festivals du Parc Floral:  Paris Jazz Festival, Classic in Green, Pestacles, Nocturnes - 2024

People sitting on grass in Bois de Vincennes waiting for a concert to begin
People sitting on grass in Bois de Vincennes waiting for a concert to begin

Parc Floral (the Paris Botanical Garden) in Bois de Vincennes hosts four concurrent musical festivals:  Paris Jazz Festival, Classic in Green (classical music), Pestacles (a children's concert series for ages 4 and up), and Nocturnes (night concerts of contemperary, jazz, or classical music).

The outdoor concerts take place every Saturday and Sunday on several stages in the park.  All of the 25 concerts are free this year, although Parc Floral charges a small 2.60€) entrance fee during summer and early fall. 

Check the Festival's website to download a brochure with dates, lineups, and concert times.  Most take place in the afternoon and early evening, except for the Nocturnes concerts which tend to be late at night.  The brochure is in French, but the information is easy to figure out even if you only know a few words.  One tip: "gratuit" means the concert is free.

Bring a blanket and a picnic or buy wine and a sandwich at the park's snack bar, and get ready for a relaxing afternoon and evening enjoying the sunshine, flowers, wandering peacocks, and virtuoso musicians. 

Dates: June 26 - September 8  

Getting there:  Bois de Vincennes, located in 12th Arrondissement on the eastern edge of Paris, is easy to reach - just hop on RER A train or Metro Line 1 to the Chateau de Vincennes Metro Station - the park is about a 3-minute walk from the station.   You can find out more about Parc Floral here.

Bonus activities:  Arrive early and stroll through Parc Floral's famous gardens, or explore Bois de Vincennes' other attractions such as its spectacular zoo, Lac Daumesnil (rent a row boat!), the aquarium, and 14th century Château de Vincennes.

Les Extatiques Festival at La Défense - NOT in 2024

Calder's Red Spider sculpture on the La Défense Esplanade
Calder's Red Spider sculpture on the La Défense Esplanade with the Grande Arche in the background

Please note:  Due to the 2024 Paris Olympics Games scheduled for this site, this festival will not take place this year. We're leaving the following information from last year up in case you're planning a 2025 trip so that you can see what usually happens:

The annual Les Extatiques Festival at La Défense, located in Paris's skyscraper-filled business district just beyond the city limits, features new monumental sculptures by eight contemporary French and International artists. 

Look for the sculptures along La Défense's Esplanade, a long park-like paved space that functions as an outdoor art gallery (and also hosts La Défense's enormous Christmas Market).  You'll find them in the stretch between the Grande Arche and the multi-colored Bassin pool and fountains.

Dates:  Through October 1
Admission:  Free
Metro:  La Défense (about a 5-minute ride from the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile station on Line 1; if you walk down the whole 1 km (.6 m) length of the Esplanade, you'll end up at the Esplanade de La Défense station and can hop on the metro there to go back to Paris - or continue walking for another mile or so to the Arc de Triomphe.

Fnac Live Music Festival at Hotel de Ville - Free Concerts - NOT in 2024

Fnac concert in front of Hôtel de Ville
Fnac concert in front of Hôtel de Ville (that's Notre Dame in the background)
Photo credit: Olivier Ortelpa

Please note:  These popular concerts appear to be canceled this year due to the 2024 Olympics events taking later this month.  However, we are leaving the following information up in case you are planning for next year:

Don't miss three days of free live concerts by 30 artists in front of Hôtel de Ville (Paris's City Hall) as part of the big Paris Plages (beaches) summer event.  French electronic retail chain Fnac sponsors the concerts, which usually attract around 100,000 fans. 

Location: Place de Hôtel de Ville, in front of the Paris Town Hall and also inside in some of the salons, 4th arrondissement. 
Admission:   Free, but you must have a ticket.  Usually you can pick them up (maximum 2 per person) starting at noon on the first day of the concert at any Fnac ticket office in Paris and the Ile-de-France - to be confirmed for this year
Nearest Metros:  Châtelet, Cité

Outdoor Movies at Parc de la Villette - NOT in 2024

Please note:  Due to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, this popular open-air movie series will not take place this summer.  We're leaving the following information from last year up in case you're planning a 2025 trip.

Free outdoor movies return to Parc de la Villette again this summer for the Cinéma en Plein Air (Open Air Cinema).  This year's theme: Dancing!

On most Wednesday through Sunday evenings during 5 weeks in July and August, great mix of classic films and recent hits are shown in their original language with French subtitles as soon as the sky is dark enough.  

Screenings start time:  July 16-18 - 10:30pm; July 21-25 - 10:15pm; July 28-31 - 10pm    (to be confirmed)

Bring a blanket to sit on, a picnic dinner, and a bottle of wine.   Food will also be sold at the site

These movies are from last year, but they will give you an idea of what to expect this year.  Look for updates soon!

Cinéma en Plein Air Lineup for July:
July 20 - Flash Dance (English)
July 21 - Ballet by Alexander Ekman (French)
July 22 - Pulp Fiction (English)
July 23 - The Aristocats (English; animated film about cats)
July 24 - The Ladies of Rochefort (French)
July 27 -  Cold War (French)
July 28 -  Birth of Octopuses (French)
July 29 - Billy Eliott (English)
July 30  - Saturday Night Fever (English)
July 31  - The Red Shoes (English)

Dates:  July 20 - August 21; see Paris Events in August for the August lineup and dates
Cost:  Free
Nearest Metro: Porte de Pantin

Tour de France Grand Finale in Paris - NOT in 2024

Tour de France arrives in Paris in July

Please note:  Due to preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the Tour de France takes a break from tradition and does NOT stop in Paris this year for its famous ride up and down Champs Elysees. 

We are leaving the following information up to let you know what normally happens in case you are planning a trip for next year:

The famous Tour de France bicycle race - 23 days and 2,000 miles (3,540 kilometers) long - comes to an exciting close in Paris on Sunday, July 24.  

Arrival time in Paris is hard to predict and varies every year, but somewhere between 3:30 and 5:30 is a reasonable guess.   The final Paris stretch includes 6-10 laps around the Arc de Triomphe, up and down Champs-Élysées and around the Tuileries Garden - which gives you plenty of chances to see the racers.

You can watch the race anywhere along this route, but viewing areas along Champs-Élysées fill up quickly due to barriers keeping you away from the street and "privitized" areas used for outdoor dining by restaurants and other businesses.  Tuileries Garden and areas on the other side of surrounding streets are usually somewhat less crowded, and especially if you get there early, you can usually find a good place. 

Keep in mind that most metro stations along and near the route will be closed for much of the day, and city buses will be re-routed.  Traffic usually becomes gridlocked, so taxis and ride services such as Uber and Bolt will cost much more than usual.  Be prepared to walk.

Paris Fashion Week - Planning Ahead for 2025

Model before the Thierry Mugler show wearing an A.W.A.K.E coat, Dior sunglasses and Charlotte Olypmia boots at Paris Fashion Week - Photo credit: istock.com/cocomtr
Model before the Thierry Mugler show wearing an A.W.A.K.E coat, Dior sunglasses and Charlotte Olympia boots at Paris Fashion Week - Photo credit: istock.com/cocomtr

Haute Couture Fashion Week moves back to its regular schedule next year and takes place in Paris from July 7 - 10, 2025 for designers to present their latest haute couture collections for the Fall/Winter 2025/2026 season. 

Fashion Week always brings a noticeable buzz to the city, along with designers and models from around the world.

The best places to catch a glimpse of the models (assuming you're not going to the invitation-only shows) are near the venue locations - the Grand Palais in the ritzy 8th arrondissement near the ornate Pont Alexandre III bridge, Espace Eiffel near the Branly Museum on the other side of the Seine, and at a variety of smaller, hipper venues scattered around the city such as Palais de Tokyo and Musée Galliera in the 16th.  

The trendy Marais neighborhood, especially around Place des Vosges, and Palais Royal (shown in photo) are always good model-spotting locations. 


More about Paris in July


More Top Paris Things to Do & See in July


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