In August, summer comes to Paris with countless outdoor and open-air events. The weather is warm, and the sun reaches its zenith. There are plenty of ways to make the most of the long days and balmy evenings. For a great summer in the city, relax at Paris Plages and enjoy the capital's many music and film festivals!
Throughout summer (until September 2025), Paris turns into a seaside resort with the [Paris Plages](https://parisjetaime.com/eng/event/paris-plages-e013 "Paris Plages)" event. Deckchairs, parasols and palm trees line the banks of the Seine in the Parc Rives de Seine, the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal Saint-Martin, to give everyone the chance to relax by the water. A wide range of free, fun activities are available for kids and adults alike, including sports lessons, pétanque, table football, a swimming area, water sports activities and open-air exhibitions.
Last days to see the exhibition Disco. I'm coming out at the Philharmonie de Paris (until 17 August 2025) which highlights this global musical phenomenon, and the exhibition Out of focus. Another vision of art, from 1945 to nowadays, which reveals the aesthetic of blurriness to the public (until 18 August 2025) at the Musée de l'Orangerie
You have until 25 August 2025 to enjoy the ‘Corps et âmes’ season, an exploration of the representation of the body in contemporary art at the Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection and until 31 August 2025 to visit the blockbuster exhibition dedicated to the famous British painter David Hockney whose works oscillate between pop art and hyperrealism at the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
In the exhibition Matisse et Marguerite. Le regard d’un père (Until 24 August 2025), the Musée d’Art Moderne shows Matisse's view of his daughter Marguerite from the point of view of an artist and a father.
The great couturiers of today and the past are in the spotlight at Paris museums with the following exhibitions Worth. Inventing haute couture, at the Petit Palais (until 7 September 2025), Rick Owens at Palais Galliera (until 4 January 2026) and Paul Poiret, la mode est une fête at the Musée des Arts décoratifs (until 11 January 2026).
The Grand Palais welcomes visitors through August with a retrospective devoted to the two artists Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely, supported by the first director of the Musée national d’art moderne at the Centre Pompidou Pontus Hultén, who gave them unconditional support throughout his career. A new space there, named ‘Salon Seine’, invites young visitors to discover the original installation by Marion Pinaffo and Raphaël Pluvinage (until December 2025). The new Palais des enfants at the Grand Palais presents its first exhibition titled Transparence, until 29 August 2025 in a poetic and sensory visitor path that brings together works of art, interactive devices and optical effects.
Finally, don’t miss the unique exhibition The mystery of Cleopatra, showing until 11 January 2026, at the Institut du Monde Arabe, a fascinating look at one of the greatest female figures in history, part legend, part myth.
Fancy some sport and sunshine in August? The Roland Garros Tennis Club is reopening its doors for a second session full of energy and entertainment, from 18 to 29 August 2025.
Whether you're an experienced player, a beginner or just curious, enjoy an exceptional setting to hit the ball on your own, with friends or family. A great opportunity to experience Paris differently, to the rhythm of tennis!
August is a great month to enjoy time outdoors in parks and gardens in Paris hosting music and open-air cinema festivals.
Enjoy live music with Rock en Seine, from 20 to 24 August 2025. Chappell Roan, London Grammar, Suki Waterhouse, Luvcat and many other guests will be on the bill at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud.
Jazz enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with Paris Jazz Festival at the Parc Floral de Paris from June to early September 2025 and Jazz à la Villette from late August 2025, held in several music venues across Paris.
Fans of classical music have plenty to look forward to with the Classique au Vert festival at the Parc Floral de Paris (from late June to early September 2025) and the Arènes Lyriques which programme evening performances by young musicians and opera singers at night, in the garden of the Arènes de Montmartre (from late July to mid-August 2025).
A favourite with young audiences, Les Pestacles at the Parc Floral de Paris from June to early September 2025 features an eclectic programme of musical shows and concerts. And in the Bois de Boulogne, the delightful Jardin Shakespeare welcomes an eclectic festival of outdoor theatre performances, until September 2025.
Sitting beneath the stars and watching movies is also a highlight of summer at the La Villette outdoor cinema festival, which shows the greatest cinema classics on the largest inflatable screen in Europe, until 23 August 2025. Le Bar à bulles, perched on the roof of La Machine du Moulin Rouge, hosts the Cinema on the Roof X SoFilm festival, from mid-July to mid-September 2025. And the Silhouette short film festival takes place in the Parc de la butte du chapeau rouge (from late August to early September 2025) with screenings of international films and concerts.
August has plenty for families and friends to enjoy together.
The Canal de l’Ourcq is also celebrateing summer with its ‘Eté du canal, l'Ourcq en fêtes’ programme featuring cruises, mini-concerts and other festive and sporting events, until 10 August 2025.
Until the end of August 2025, the Tuileries Gardens) will be the setting for the Tuileries funfair, with its many rides and attractions.
The spectacular Night Fountains Shows (until September 2025) bring enchantment to the gardens of the [Palace of Versailles] (https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/chateau-de-versailles-p3560
"Château de Versailles"), and the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte will be illuminated by the light of 2,000 candles during Candlelit Evenings (until 27 September 2025).
Also worth noting on the nightlife scene, Paris’s unmissable cabarets remain open in August! They offer the public dazzling revues such as ‘Féerie’ at the famous Moulin Rouge, below the Sacré Cœur, ‘Totally Crazy’ at the Crazy Horse Paris and ‘L’Oiseau Paradis’ – an enchanting revue, both poetic and glamorous, directed and choreographed by Kamel Ouali – at the Paradis Latin.
After the summer break, theatres and concert halls reopen with new shows to discover, and an exciting new lineup of major exhibitions. What’s more, the month is packed with festivals, celebrations and sporting events, not forgetting the European Heritage Days in September in Paris.
15 August, Assumption Day, is a public holiday in France. Many museums, cultural venues and shops remain open, but it is worth checking before you go.
To help you plan your stay in Paris in August, here is a list of museums, monuments and cultural venues open on 15 August, a public holiday in France.
Summer is the perfect season to enjoy outdoor events and activities, to stroll around and explore new districts, rediscover the city ... There's something for everyone!
During the summer in Paris, temperatures can exceed 30°C. In these hot weather conditions, it's a good idea to know where to go to cool off and quench your thirst.
