Things to Do in Paris in August 2018

Summer fun in the French capital peaks in August. The wild parties last all night long, there’s plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, not to mention, the summer sales don’t usually start until the beginning of the month. This leaves you with a lot of options to escape from the summer heat, whether you choose to raid the bars or settle for a park picnic, enjoying the warm summer afternoon.

Shows & Concerts

Come summer, the city is ripe with much anticipated shows and entertainment events that are no less than mind blowing. Expect all-out fun!

Summer Sales on Designer Fashions -  Final Days - 2018

Ends on August 7

If you came to Paris to shop, this is the best deal you’ve been looking for. Major fashion stores will offer reductions as high as 70 to 80 percent or more on many items. It’s the perfect time to purchase designer pieces from high-end brands such as Prada, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Armani, Missoni, Maje, Sandro, Gucci, Louboutin, and many more.

 

Rock en Seine Music Festival - 2018

from 24 August 2018 to 26 August 2018

Domaine national de Saint-Cloud - 92210 Saint-Cloud

92 - Hauts-de-Seine

https://www.rockenseine.com/en/

A well-loved annual summer gathering of musical enthusiasts that celebrates all styles of rock, with representatives from punk, metal, new-wave, and britpop genres. The event is open to all and will features many famous names in the industry such as Liam Gallagher, Justice, 30 Seconds To Mars, and PNL, among others.

 

Classique au Vert Music Festival - 2018

rom 11 August 2018 to 02 September 2018

Esplanade du Château de Vincennes - 75012 Paris

Bois de Vincennes - 12e Arrondissement

https://classiqueauvert.paris.fr/

A much anticipated event that timelessly heralds the brilliance of classical masterpieces, the Classique au Vert Music Festival invites all audiences to embrace the often thin borders between arts and styles, eras, and cultures. The festival runs for 7 weekends and is aptly held in the lovely Parc Floral.

 

August Concerts in Paris - 2018

August being the height of summer fever in Paris, there are bound to be plenty of musical events to accompany the warm summer nights. Among the list of artistes and musical groups who will serenade us in August includes:

• Bach Suites for Violoncello Solo - Saint Ephrem Church - August 1, 7, 11, 15
• Mozart & Bach - Sainte Chapelle - August 1, 18, 29
• Vivaldi's Four Seasons - Sainte-Chapelle - August 2, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 22, 23, 26, 28, 30, 31
• La Sainte-Chapelle Concerts - Sainte Chapelle - August 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 21
• Chopin by Candlelight - Saint Ephrem Church - August 3, 9, 16, 22
• Vivaldi's Four Seasons - La Madeleine Church - August 4, 18, 25
• Mozart Requiem with Goldoni Quartet - Sainte-Chapelle - August 4, 11, 19
• Mozart, Satie, and Beethoven - Saint Ephrem Church - August 5, 13, 19
• Concerts in Saint Germain des Près Church - August 11, 25
• Goldberg Variations - Saint Ephrem Church - August 24
• Rock en Seine Music Festival - 3-Day Pass - Domaine National de St Cloud, Saint Cloud (Paris suburb) - August 26-28
• Chopin and Liszt at Saint Ephrem - August 26, 29
• Britney Spears - AccorHotels Arena - August 28 - August 29

 

Paris Quartier d'Été

from 16 July 2018 to 04 August 2018

Paris et Île-de-France - 75 Paris

http://www.quartierdete.com/

This festival does not end in a day. Held in more than 30 different locations, the Paris Quartier d'Été is a series of events, sometimes held simultaneously and includes a concoction of different outdoor entertainment styles such as dance, concerts, theatrical performances,

 

Tréteaux nomades

from 27 August 2018 to 09 September 2018

Paris et Île-de-France - 75 Paris

http://www.treteauxnomades.com/edition2018/

Held in six different venues throughout Paris, the goal of this festival is to bring theater to the local audience. This series of events is composed of different shows that showcase various types of performing arts, burlesque, poetry, music, etc. The festival has been going on for 15 years and marks the end of summer in Paris.

 

Summertime Versailles Fountains Night Show

Saturdays from June to September

Gardens of Versailles

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/shows/fountains-shows-and-musical-gardens

If you’re looking for great eye candy on a pleasant Saturday night, the Summertime Versailles Fountains Night Show is yours for the taking. The spectacular light show in the gardens of Versailles is made even more enchanting with the accompanying classical music from the Sun King period. The finale features a lovely pyrotechnic display.

 

La Nuit aux Invalides

from 27 June 2018 to 01 September 2018

Esplanade des Invalides - 75007 Paris

Tour Eiffel - Invalides - 7e Arrondissement

http://lanuitauxinvalides.fr/spectacle/

La Nuit aux Invalides is a light and sound show with an accompanying narrative that tells the story of a 7-year-old boy caught in a global conflict. This event is open to all public audiences, including kids.

 

Exhibits

Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows for August 2018

The art scene always has a special place in Paris. Home to around 130 museums within the city limits, the French capital is home to some of the most recognizable art works from the past and present eras. Exhibits occur year-round and summertime certainly receives some special spotlight to showcase the best of the best in the French art scene. Hundreds of enthusiasts and hobbyists treat themselves to some of the most anticipated art exhibits in the city in the summer including:

• Coding the World at the Centre Pompidou located at Rue Saint-Martin, 4e. From June 15 to August 27, this exhibit explores the fascinating history of digital code in art, with works from great artists since the 60s. Admission is free if you have a Paris Museum Pass; if not, the regular admission costs 12€.
• Klimt at L'Atelier des Lumières in 38 Rue Saint Maur, 11th arrondissement. Digital images displayed along with original music. Admission is 14.5€.
• Impressionists in London at Petit Palais. This exhibit features works of various Impressionist artists who were on a self-imposed exile in Paris in the 19th century. The show runs from June 21 to October 14 and costs 10 euros in admission.
• Margiela, The Hermès Years. On exhibit since March 22 and to conclude in September 2, this art exhibition gets you up close to the works and creations of the famous Belgian designer. The exhibit is open from 11am to 6pm every Tuesday to Sunday at 107 rue de Rivoli, Rohan and Marsan wings of the Louvre, 1st arr. Admission is 11€.
• Beyond the Limits at the The Grand Hall at Parc de la Villette. Running from May 15 to September 9, this exibit features not only art from the most recent in science and technology. Bring along your kids and behold the art of the reality. Admission is 14.90€; open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Everything Under the Sun

Paris Plages

from 07 July 2018 to 02 September 2018

Paris - 75 Paris

https://www.paris.fr/

You don’t need to get out of the city to cool off. The Paris Plages event is a special summer activity that invites locals and tourists to escape the heat in select free spaces in the city. Loungers, sun umbrellas, and deck chairs are set up by the River Seine, transforming the walkway into a beach scene. The fantastic spot gives you a great view of the historic monuments of Paris. There are also Tai-Chi classes, a mobile library, petanque, and various off-site exhibitions to add to the fun. At the La Villette Canal Basin in the 19th arrondissement, you can swim at huge Paris Plages pools. And after you've rejuvenated, head to the square in front of Paris City Hall to witness some spectacular sports events.

 

Été du Canal

July 7 to August 26

Quai de la Seine - 75019 Paris

La Villette - 19e Arrondissement

http://uk.tourisme93.com/ete-du-canal-summer-festival.html

One of the best tours you can do this summer is the Canal de l’Ourcq river tour, which takes you to the less known nooks and crannies of Paris. In the canal, you can find all assortments of activities including dance performances, sporting events, workshops, and concerts among others.

 

Liberation of Paris Festivities -  74th Anniversary Celebration - 2018

from 25 August 2018 to 25 August 2018

Place de l'H么tel de Ville - 75004 Paris

Le Marais - 4e Arrondissement

Parisians celebrate the 74^th anniversary of its Liberation in the city hall square where performances will be expected.

 

Feast of the Assumption in Paris

August 15

Happening on the August 15, the Feast of the Assumption will see most of Paris’ establishments closed out. Plan a trip to the nearby beach or countryside.

 

Cinéma en Plein Air - Outdoor Movies at Parc de la Villette - 2018

from 18 July 2018 to 19 August 2018

211 avenue Jean Jaurès - 75019 Paris

La Villette - 19e Arrondissement

https://lavillette.com/evenement/cinema-en-plein-air-2018/

Looking for a romantic way to spend your summer evenings? Bring a blanket or rent a folding chair. The Open Air Cinema is for you - and families too! Here’s the movie list for August.

• 1 August: Searching for Sugar Man (Malik Bendjelloul, 2012)
• 2 August: Spring Breakers (Harmony Korine, 2012)
• 3 August: Same Old Song (Alain Resnais, 1997)
• 4 August: Mars Attacks! (Tim Burton, 1997)
• 5 August: Pierrot le Fou (Jean-Luc Godard, 1965)
• 8 August: Frances Ha (Noah Baumbach, 2013)
• 9 August: Control (Anton Corbijn, 2007)
• 10 August: Devdas (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 2003)
• 11 August: Tie me Up! Tie Me Down! (Pedro Almodóvar, 1990)
• 12 August: The River of No Return (Otto Preminger, 1954)
• 15 August: Girlhood (Céline Sciamma, 2014)
• 16 August: Toni Erdmann (Maren Ade, 2016)
• 17 August: Promised Land (Gus Van Sant, 2013)
• 18 August: Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (Daft Punk/Leiji Matsumoto/Kazuhisa, 2003)
• 19 August: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Jacques Demy, 1964)

 

La Fête Foraine des Tuileries - 2018

Fête desTuileries

from 23 June 2018 to 26 August 2018

Place de la Concorde - 75001 Paris

Louvre - 1er Arrondissement

A traditional funfair open to children and adults, Fête desTuileries offers more than 60 attractions to enjoy.

 

Silhouette Short Film Festival

from 24 August 2018 to 01 September 2018

Paris et Île-de-France - 75 Paris

http://www.association-silhouette.com/festival

A free festival dedicated to short films. This film fest attracts more than 20,000 people every year.

 

Les Pestacles Festival

June 13 to September 5

Esplanade du Château de Vincennes - 75012 Paris

Bois de Vincennes - 12e Arrondissement

http://www.lespestacles.fr/

A family friendly gathering dedicated to kids 2 and up along with their loved ones, Les Pestacles is held every year to celebrate the malleability and potential of youth. Here, they are exposed to different varieties of art forms, workshops, culture bits, and more!

 

La Chaise et l’écran

from 13 July 2018 to 24 August 2018

Paris et Île-de-France - 75 Paris

http://mairie11.dev.paris.fr/actualites/la-chaise-et-l-ecran-les-films-prennent-l-air-65

Open to all public including children, La Chaise et l’écran has been annually held every summer since 2008, showing films in unusual places. Visit their website for more information on programs and schedules.

 

Paris Gay Games

August 4 to 12, 2018

Around 15,000 athletes from 70 countries compete in this annual event that started in 1986. The events will take places in different locations across Paris such as the Grand Palais, the Carreau du Temple, Hotel de Ville, Salle Pleyel, and the Bois de Boulogne. Everyone is invited to join, regardless of age, experience, or sex. Every sport imaginable is represented. Come, whether as a spectator or participant. The fun is guaranteed.