10 Paris Events Not to Miss This August
August in Paris isn’t dead. The city shifts gears, with outdoor movies, real swimming in the Seine, and festivals that are only around for a few short weeks. Here’s what’s actually happening in August 2025, with exact dates, locations, and tips.
1. Paris Plages
From July 5 to August 31, Paris sets up artificial beach zones along the Seine and at the Bassin de la Villette.
On the Right Bank, you’ll find rows of deckchairs and umbrellas between Pont Neuf and Pont de Sully.
At La Villette, the setup is bigger and geared toward families, with table football, canoe rentals, sprinklers, and games.
Everything is free and open daily from 10am to 6:30pm on the Seine, and until 8pm at La Villette. You don’t need to book anything, just walk up and enjoy the space.
Closest metro stops are Hôtel de Ville, Pont Marie, and Jaurès.
2. Swimming in the Seine
As of July 2025, swimming in the Seine is finally legal again after more than 100 years.
The city has opened three supervised bathing zones: one near Pont de Notre-Dame on Île de la Cité, one beneath Pont de Grenelle with Eiffel Tower views, and one next to the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand in the 13th arrondissement.
Each site is open daily through August 31 from 3pm to 8pm and includes changing cabins, showers, and lifeguards on duty. Entry is free.
Swimming is sometimes suspended after heavy rain due to runoff, so it’s worth checking the city’s water quality updates before going.
3. Open-Air Cinema at Parc de la Villette.
The 34th edition of Cinéma en Plein Air runs from July 23 to August 17 inside Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement.
Screenings take place from Wednesday to Sunday, with a family film at 6pm and a second film at 9pm on the Prairie du Triangle lawn.
Entry is free, and the lineup includes both international films and French classics. You can bring a blanket and picnic, or rent a deckchair on-site for a small fee.
The closest metro is Porte de Pantin. On warm evenings, it fills up quickly so arriving by 8pm is a good idea if you want a decent spot.
4. Rock en Seine
This year’s Rock en Seine music festival takes place from August 20 to 24 at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, just west of Paris.
The lineup this year includes Justice, The Hives, London Grammar, Chappell Roan, Kid Cudi, and Queens of the Stone Age.
The easiest way to get there is by metro to Boulogne-Pont de Saint-Cloud, then walk across the bridge to the park entrance.
There’s a strict security perimeter and no re-entry, so plan accordingly. Food trucks and bar areas are set up inside the venue.
5. Assumption Day Processions
August 15 is a national holiday in France. In Paris, it’s marked by a two-part Catholic celebration that draws crowds from across the country.
On the evening of August 14, after a 6:30pm Mass at Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, a candlelit boat procession begins around 9:30pm. It circles Île de la Cité with a statue of the Virgin Mary on board while hymns are sung from the quays.
On August 15, a walking procession follows morning Mass through the streets of the 4th arrondissement. It usually starts late morning or early afternoon.
Streets near Île de la Cité are closed during the events, and public transport operates on a holiday schedule. Many shops and restaurants will also be closed.
6. Été du Canal
From July 5 to August 10, this summer festival takes over the Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Denis with concerts, cruises, sports events, and floating stages.
On weekends, you can hop on one-euro canal shuttles that run between Pantin, Bobigny, and Parc de la Bergère.
There are open-air concerts on the water, street art cruises, and special events like the Canal en Pagaies paddle parade and the 15-kilometer Olympic heritage walk near Stade de France.
Most activities are free, and the atmosphere is casual and festive. The easiest access is from metro stations Crimée, Porte de la Villette, or Église de Pantin.
7. Versailles Nocturnal Fountain Show
Every Saturday night in August, Château de Versailles hosts its Grandes Eaux Nocturnes in the palace gardens.
These are evening-only events, starting at 8:30pm, where the fountains are lit with colored lights and synchronized to 17th-century music.
On August 15, there’s a special edition called “Nuit de Feu” with added pyrotechnics and flame effects, ending in a large fireworks display around 10:50pm.
Tickets must be purchased in advance on the official Versailles Spectacles website. Trains from Paris to Versailles Rive Droite run late, but you’ll want to double-check the last return to avoid being stranded.
Comfortable shoes are a must as the gravel paths are long and uneven.
8. Robert Doisneau at Musée Maillol
Running through October 12, this exhibition at the Musée Maillol in the 7th arrondissement brings together more than 400 photographs by Robert Doisneau.
It covers his best-known street scenes, portraits of postwar Paris, and lesser-known personal projects.
The museum is smaller than the big state museums, so it’s manageable in under two hours and doesn’t require much walking. It’s a smart pick for an air-conditioned break when the weather gets too hot.
Booking tickets online is recommended, especially for mid-morning and mid-afternoon slots when it’s busier. The museum is near Rue du Bac metro.
9. Grand Palais Reopening
After five years of restoration work, the Grand Palais has reopened for summer 2025.
The full renovation brought back the massive glass nave, restored the original ironwork, and added a new children’s pavilion and more accessible galleries.
The space now hosts rotating exhibitions, art fairs, and occasional performances. Entry depends on what’s scheduled, so it’s best to check the program on the official website.
The Grand Palais is located just off the Champs-Élysées, next to the Petit Palais. Closest metro: Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau.
10. Atelier des Lumières Van Gogh Show
The Van Gogh immersive exhibition continues through the summer at Atelier des Lumières in the 11th arrondissement.
The show fills a former foundry with massive moving projections of his paintings, synchronized to music.
Timed entry tickets are required and can be booked online. It runs daily from morning into the evening. Weekday slots earlier in the day tend to be the quietest.
The space is cool, fully indoors, and within walking distance of good cafés in the Oberkampf area. Closest metro: Rue Saint-Maur.
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Cover photo: J. degivry (CC BY-SA 3.0)