Paris Top 10 : Festivals and Events – Top 10 Sports Events

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  1. Nuit Blanches

    Paris
    held its first Nuit Blanche in 2002 and the all-night contemporary art
    event now attracts more than 1,500,000 people each year. Its goal is to
    give a fresh perspective on Paris with installations and exhibitions in
    several different neighbourhoods, and to make contemporary art more
    accessible to all.

    • First weekend Oct

  2. Fête du Cinéma

    Film
    buffs should be sure to verify the exact dates of this annual event,
    held each June. For just three days, cinemagoers pay full price for the
    first film that they see, but can then see as many other films as they
    choose, for a few Euros each.

  3. Paris Jazz Festival

    Paris is home to jazz all year round ,
    but every summer there is a major jazz festival in the city. Acts from
    all over the world come to play in the Parc Floral de Paris in the Bois de Vincennes, but there are many lesser venues involved as well.

  4. Grandes Eaux Nocturnes

    A
    true midsummer night’s dream with superb illuminations in the gardens
    of Versailles, plus a spectacular firework display over the Grand Canal.

    • 20 Jun–22 Aug: 9–11:30pm Sat

  5. Tour de France

    Don’t
    miss this summer highlight if you really want to understand the French
    passion for cycling. Towards the end of July each year, the world’s
    greatest and most gruelling cycle race approaches Paris. On the final
    laps the riders pass the Louvre, race along the banks of the Seine, go
    down the rue de Rivoli and, of course, the Champs-Elysées. Thousands of
    fans pack the streets to cheer the riders home and see who will win the
    Yellow Jersey.




    Tour de France

  6. Festival d’Automne à Paris

    This
    major festival promotes arts across the board in Paris, commissioning
    new works and encouraging all walks of life to see and enjoy
    performances of dance, music and drama.

  7. Fêtes des Vendanges

    Paris used to be one of the country’s major wine producers, but these days only the vineyards at Montmartre
    remain. These produce just under 600 litres (5 barrels) of wine each
    autumn, but great fun is had at the Fêtes des Vendanges when the wine is
    auctioned off for charity.

    • Oct: 2nd Fri (for three days)

  8. Fête de la Musique

    To
    celebrate the summer equinox, professional and amateur musicians take
    to the streets of Paris. Major shows are held in Place de la République
    and other concert venues, but the most fun is to be had wandering
    through residential neighbourhoods and dropping into locals’ bars.

    • 21 Jun

  9. Paris Plages

    Launched in 2002 by the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, this hugely popular summer event transforms a stretch of the Seine quais
    into a mini Cannes, with tons of soft sand, sunbeds, parasols and palm
    trees. There are also events and attractions for children. It lasts for
    four weeks from the end of July.

  10. Mois de la Photo

    Paris
    reveres the art of photography and every alternate November (in
    even-numbered years) it hosts the “Month of the Photo”. Galleries,
    museums, shops, cultural centres and many other venues all give space to
    exhibitions, workshops and lectures on all aspects of the art. For
    anyone interested in photography, it is the most exciting time to visit
    Paris.


Top 10 Sports Events

  1. Tour de France

    This great cycle race reaches its climax in Paris.

  2. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

    This world-renowned horse race attracts the city’s crème de la crème.

    • Longchamp racecourse

    • Oct: 1st Sun

  3. French Tennis Open

    Paris’s legendary clay-court tournament.

    • Stade Roland Garros

    • end May–1st week Jun

  4. International Show-Jumping

    Show-jumping fans and competitors descend on Paris.

    • Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy

    • mid-Mar

  5. Six Nations Rugby

    The French team plays against England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy in this Feb–Mar tournament.

    • Parc des Princes Stadium

  6. Paris Marathon

    Runners start at the Champs-Elysées and end at avenue Foch.

    • Apr

  7. Football Cup Final

    The biggest club event in French football.

    • Stade de France

    • mid-May

  8. Prix de Diane-Hermès

    Parisian high society flocks to this up-market horse race

    • Chantilly

    • Jun: 2nd Sun

  9. International Pétanque Tournament

    Players from all over the world compete in this bowls-like game.

    • Stade Suzanne Lenglen, 75015

    • early Jul

  10. Ice-Skating Grand Prix

    The Trophée Eric Bompard is the Parisian leg of the International Grand Prix.

    • Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy

    • Nov