Fête de la musique in Paris and the surrounding towns

In Paris, stages spring up all over the city, in particular on the capital's major squares and in its parks

For the last 38 years in France, the 21st June is not just the longest day of the year but also the day of the fête de la musique. This "festival of music" is no ordinary festival. Created in France in 1982, it has been taken up by neighbouring countries where it has been just as successful. Music takes over the city's streets, with live bands, singers, amateur musicians, drummers, DJs and so on scattered throughout the city, expressing themselves through music and inviting the crowd to enjoy themselves. In Paris, stages spring up all over the city, in particular on the capital's major squares and in its parks. The biggest and best-known are generally in the Jardin des Tuileries, the Petit Palais, the Institut du Monde Arabe, the Louvre, Jardin du Luxembourg, on Place Denfert Rochereau and along the banks of the Seine. But amateur bands playing all different kinds of music offer surprises around every corner. For this special night, public transport offers discounted travel and some lines run all night.