Paris is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most captivating cities, with more to see and do than any tourist could really hope to manage in a week. Because of its enduring popularity with tourists from within and outside of France, as well as the civic pride of Parisians themselves, there is always something to enjoy in the City of Lights. This makes it an ideal venue for huge events, which take over an already busy city and make for something extra special. Below, we will go through the top festivals in Paris, France, and give you an idea for when you should plan your trip to this magical part of the world!
1. Paris Street Music Festival - Fête de la Musique
Every year on the same date, Parisian musicians - and those from further afield - take to the streets of Paris as night falls to put on musical performances in every genre you can think of. The date is June 21st, the day of the summer solstice, and the Fête de la Musique has been taking place since 1982. Jazz bands, classical recitals, hip-hop performances and much more bring together one of the most artistic cities in the world through a love of music – and it’s all free to attend.
Paris Street Music Festival
Address: Paris, France
Takes Place: June 21st, from nightfall
Price: Free
2. Le Festival Paris l'été -- Paris Summer Festival
There’s a classic old song about Paris in the springtime, but it’s really best to wait until the summer if you want to experience the city at its best. Le Festival Paris l'été spans two months of music, dance, theatre and a lot more besides, and spreads across Paris and beyond, with many shows free to enter. The long summer evenings are ideal for open-air performances, with some of the world’s premier artists descending on the city to play for the crowds.
Festival Paris l'Eté
Address: Paris, France
Takes Place: July/August
Price: Depends, often free
3. Download Festival
Fans of heavy rock music will be familiar with the name Download, a festival which originates in the UK’s Castle Donington in the early 2000s. The annual display of loud guitars and leather trousers has made its way to French shores in recent years and is set at the legendary Longchamp racecourse. Such names as Megadeth, Ozzy Osborne, Guns ‘n’ Roses and the Foo Fighters have played the event in recent years and, while it may be smaller in size than its English parent festival, it makes up for it in rock.
Download Festival
Address: Longchamp Racecourse, 2 Route des Tribunes, 75016 Paris
Website: Download Festival
Takes Place: June
Price: 224 EUR (249 USD)
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4. Paris Fringe Festival
An international festival of challenging art, the Paris Fringe has been running for a short time, but it is already drawing attention from across and beyond the nation. As the name suggests, the theme of this event is one that moves outside of the mainstream and takes in an eclectic range of music, improvised comedy and street theatre, along with much more besides. While not as big an institution as the famed Edinburgh Fringe, the Paris Fringe is sure to grow in the coming years and is already widely covered by national media.
Paris Fringe Festival
Address: Paris, France
Website: Paris Fringe Festival
Takes Place: June
Price: Depends on the show
5. Rock en Seine
One of France’s premier alternative music festivals, the Rock en Seine takes place once a year, usually at the end of August. Although the name suggests big guitars and even bigger hair, it is, in fact, a far more eclectic festival, having featured headline sets from the Chemical Brothers and Massive Attack in recent years. With a growing number of stages in Paris’ Parc de Saint-Cloud, the Rock en Seine is a festival that will continue to attract fans of alternative music from across France and beyond.
Rock en Seine
Address: Parc de Saint-Cloud, Avenue de la Grille d'Honneur, 92210 Saint-Cloud
Website: Rock en Seine
Takes Place: August
Price: 219 EUR (243 USD) for three-day ticket
6. Paris Jazz Festival
For over a quarter of a century, the Paris Jazz Festival has taken part in the city’s Parc Floral. For fans of jazz and nature alike, it has become a fast favourite, with performances from contemporary jazz artists from across the world of music. It also offers a chance for the lesser-known artists to get exposure in front of a knowledgeable crowd and, each year, the festival grows a little bigger. If you appreciate chill music in a beautifully intimate setting, then the Paris Jazz Festival is for you.
Paris Jazz Festival
Address: Parc Floral de Paris, Route de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris
Website: Paris Jazz Festival
Opening hours: Usually held June to July
7. Lollapalooza Paris
Much like Download, Lollapalooza is another famous festival from elsewhere that has found itself a French home at Longchamp. The famously cool festival that has made the careers of so many of America’s biggest rock acts offers the same thrills to Parisian revellers over the course of two nights each July, with names such as Jane’s Addiction and the 1975 having played in recent years and big names such as Billie Eilish announced for 2020. With plenty of top French names likely to join in the fun, it’s well worth taking a few days in Paris each July to catch the eclectic thrills.
Lollapalooza Paris
Address: 2 Route des Tribunes, 75016 Paris
Website: Lollapalooza Paris
Takes Place: July
Price: 139 EUR (155 USD) for 2 days
8. Paris Hip Hop
French hip hop has been pushing boundaries for decades now, with MCs and DJs from l'Hexagone occasionally breaking out to become global stars, despite the language boundary. Within Paris, the scene is thriving and new artists are weaving influences from different genres and nations and working in collaboration to create a thrilling subculture.
For several weeks in the summer, usually in June, France’s top rappers, producers and other artists take part in Paris Hip Hop at a range of venues across the Ile-de-France region, showcasing one of the world’s healthiest hip hop scenes. A smaller winter festival has also emerged in recent years, usually in the first few weeks of December.
Paris Hip Hop
Address: Ile-de-France
Website: Paris Hip Hop
Takes Place: June, with Paris Hip Hop Winter happening in November/December
9. Marche des Fiertés LGBT
Since 1981, Paris has been home to an annual Pride festival, an occasion which has grown in size ever since and continues to be – along with the Paris Marathon – one of the largest open-air annual events in the City of Lights. A day for LGBT individuals, groups and allies, the Marche des Fiertés is a colourful, peaceful event with a march that goes on for approximately four and a half hours, ending at the Place de la Republique, where an evening of musical performances round off the evening.
Marche des Fiertés LGBT
Address: Paris, France
Takes Place: June
Price: Free
10. Le Tour de France
“Le Tour” is world-famous as, indisputably, the most prestigious cycling race on the planet – a gruelling event which takes place every summer and, sometimes outside, France. The race takes place over a series of 21 day-long stages across 23 days in July and, although its starting point moves around somewhat, the final stage always takes place in Paris.
Cyclists finish on the Champs-Élysées after completing eight laps around the city streets, including the Rue Rivoli, and pass several famous landmarks. It’s quite an experience to be present for the end of the Tour de France, with sounds, crowds and colours that show the city at its best.
Le Tour de France
Address: France
Website: Le Tour de France
Takes place: July
The best fests in Paris -- Year-round thrills
There is so much to appreciate about a stay in Paris – its art, music, spectacles and so much more make it the perfect holiday destination. The many thrilling festivals that take place across a year are just another addition to the collection of things that make this the city it is. Whether you come for the music, the sport or general festivities, you’re sure to find something that makes memories you’ll never let go of.
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