What to do in Paris

Bastille Day Celebrations Ignite Paris with Music, Parades, and Fireworks


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Listeners, Paris is buzzing with excitement this week, so let’s dive into the very best events and experiences happening right now through the weekend. If you’re looking for unforgettable summer memories, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for.

This weekend marks the lead-up to Bastille Day on July 14, France’s biggest national celebration. The iconic military parade on the Champs-Élysées kicks off Monday morning, so if you want a great spot, plan to arrive early or catch the ceremony broadcast live. The energy builds all weekend with the traditional Firefighters’ Balls on Saturday and Sunday nights. These festive neighborhood parties are hosted at fire stations across Paris, featuring live music, dancing, and lively French hospitality. Join locals on the dance floor and soak up the joyful atmosphere according to Paris Discovery Guide and Come to Paris.

On Sunday night, the anticipation climaxes with the Champ-de-Mars Symphony Concert beneath the Eiffel Tower, followed by the legendary Bastille Day fireworks on Monday night. This year’s show promises a dazzling spectacle, with a one-of-a-kind light show illuminating the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, and Champ-de-Mars. Paris Secret reports that the city will glow with new displays and even a special drone feature. For the best view, stake out a picnic spot along the Seine or in the sprawling parkland.

From July 12 through August 5, Festival Paris l’été transforms Paris with contemporary dance, theater, circus, and music at venues all over the city, including rooftops, gardens, and even chapels. More than 30 events are on offer, and while some require tickets, many are free. Highlights include performances by Josépha Madoki, Lia Rodrigues, and the immersive circus Rouge Merveille, as reported by Secrets of Paris.

For a taste of Italy, Dolcevita-sur-Seine runs July 12 to 16 at the Arènes de Lutèce, celebrating the Paris-Rome connection with open-air cinema, exhibitions, and lively activities. Paris Plages is also back, bringing city style beaches to the banks of the Seine and Bassin de la Villette. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming—in the Seine for the first time this year—beach volleyball, and plenty of family-friendly activities, so bring your swimsuit and sunglasses.

Art lovers, July is your playground. The Musée Maillol is showing Robert Doisneau’s poetic Paris photos. The Musée d’Art Moderne features the Matisse et Marguerite exhibition through August 24. Gaîté Lyrique’s Pulse exhibition dives into art and technology with interactive installations. Don’t miss Art brut d’Iran at Halle Saint Pierre through July 31 for a unique glimpse into Iranian outsider art, as detailed by Paris je t’aime.

If it’s relaxation you seek, the Musée de Cluny Garden has just reopened after months of renovation. Over 4,000 square meters of new greenery and medieval atmosphere await in the Latin Quarter, and admission is free.

The Tour de France is also about to make its grand arrival in Paris later this month, so keep an eye on the city’s festive spirit as the world's greatest cyclists gear up for a dramatic finish.

Thanks for tuning in and being part of this amazing Parisian adventure. Remember to subscribe so you never miss a moment of what’s happening in the City of Lights. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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What to do in ParisBy Quiet. Please