Through July and August, the banks of the Seine come alive with pop-up beaches, open-air pools shimmer under the summer sun, and café terraces hum with late-night laughter and clinking glasses. Music drifts from riverside festivals, while alfresco cinemas invite you to linger under the stars. Whether you're planning a sun-drenched weekend escape or a longer stay in the City of Light, let The MICHELIN Guide lead you to the season’s 14 best spots for summer in Paris.
1. Rediscover Paris On the Water
Booking a boat trip on the Seine might sound like the ultimate tourist cliché, but don’t dismiss it too quickly because even the locals like to revisit the city once in a while. Seen from the water, Paris reveals a softer, more cinematic side: bridges aglow at golden hour, ivy-draped balconies passing in slow motion, and the hush of the city settling into dusk. A classic Bateau Mouche ride offers a breezy, affordable way to drift past the city’s icons, from the Musée d'Orsay to the Eiffel Tower, but if you’re marking a special occasion, consider an evening aboard the Don Juan II. The elegant dinner cruise, awarded One MICHELIN Star, is helmed by none other than Frédéric Anton, the celebrated chef behind the Three-Star Le Pré Catelan. Expect candlelight, polished silver and haute cuisine, all while Paris glides by in the background.
Beyond the Seine, follow Parisians to the lesser-known waterways of the Canal de l’Ourcq, Canal Saint-Denis and the Bassin de la Villette. These laid-back, creative quarters of northeast Paris come alive in summer — especially during Paris Plages (July 5, 2025 to August 31), the city’s seasonal celebration of sun and leisure. Stretches of the canal transform with supervised swimming areas, pétanque courts, free deck chairs, cooling water misters and riverside fitness classes. In 2025, six new swimming spots will debut along the Seine with a splashy Brazilian carnival theme — part of a citywide celebration marking 200 years of diplomatic ties between France and Brazil.
2. Join Paris’ Outdoor Music Festivals and Street Concerts
Summer in Paris pulses with the vibrant energy of outdoor music celebrations. Each year, major festivals like Rock en Seine transform the sprawling Parc de Saint-Cloud into a three-day rock haven, drawing both locals and visitors. Opera enthusiasts can enjoy Opéra en Plein Air, a series of open-air performances hosted at iconic venues across the city and its outskirts, including Château de Vincennes and Domaine National de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
The highlight is June 21’s Fête de la Musique, a city-wide celebration marking the summer solstice. For one magical night, Paris comes alive with free concerts in streets, parks and museums — from the Louvre Pyramid to Jardin du Luxembourg — showcasing everything from classical melodies to electro beats. Whether it’s brass bands or choirs, amateur or professional musicians, the city offers a dynamic soundtrack to summer nights. Check event schedules as some concerts require reservations, but all invite you to experience Paris’ infectious musical spirit outdoors.
3. Show Your Support for the LGBTQI+ Community
The Paris Marche des Fiertés (Pride) usually takes place at the end of June. This festive yet committed gathering aims to give visibility to the local LGBTQI+ community. Dances, floats and costumes can all be spotted across Paris in this gigantic parade of color and music. Since 1981, this open-air event (one of the biggest in the capital, along with the Paris Marathon) has attracted huge crowds from around the region, as well as from the provinces and abroad. At the end of the march, a major free concert featuring a host of internationally renowned artists takes place, usually at Place de la Bastille or Place de la République (depending on the route).
4. Paris Rooftops: Where Locals Go to Slow Down
Paris has always mastered the art of outdoor relaxation, but the city’s rooftop renaissance truly took flight with the arrival of Le Perchoir in the 11th arrondissement in 2013. Back then, rooftop culture was almost non-existent — now, it’s become a defining feature of summer in the capital. Today, Paris counts more than 20 rooftops, many perched atop hotels, offering locals and visitors alike a new way to take in the city.
If you're looking to splurge on the ultimate rooftop experience, head to Le Jardin at the Cheval Blanc Paris (Three Keys). This leafy terrace feels more like a high-design resort than a city rooftop: Live music plays softly through the greenery, and the atmosphere is unfussy yet undeniably luxe. Chef William Béquin serves bright-red tomato tarts that taste like pure sunshine, while pastry chef Maxime Frédéric’s Italian-style strawberry gelato arrives in a tall, elegant glass. The view — sweeping across the Left Bank and down the Seine — is among the best in town.
Other rooftops worth seeking out? The Peninsula Paris (Two Keys) is a classic for good reason — its view of the Eiffel Tower makes it a go-to for sunset coupes of champagne, paired with luxe bites like lobster rolls, sea bream crudo, or a truffled croque monsieur made with aged Comté. Over at the Brach Hotel (One Key), the Minuty pop-up brings a taste of the Riviera to the 16th, with chilled rosé and laid-back summer vibes. Northwards in Pigalle, Hotel Rochechouart, which has the most dazzling view of the Sacré Coeur Basilica, has rebranded its rooftop as Maggie, now offering a full food menu and proper sit-down meals under the open sky.
Close to the Champs-Élysées, Le Joy at Barrière Fouquet’s Hotel has quietly become a standout, thanks to its rooftop garden feel and a new cocktail program led by mixologist Barbara Migliaccio Spina, known for her refined, herbaceous creations.
5. Swim in the Most Beautiful Open-Air Pools in Paris
Summer in Paris isn’t just for terraces and rooftops — when the mercury rises, locals know to seek out one of the city’s increasingly chic swimming spots. Once a rarity, stylish pools are now cropping up across the capital, from hotel courtyards to floating barges on the Seine.
The season’s buzziest new opening? The freshly unveiled pool at The Hoxton, Paris, tucked into the heart of the 2nd arrondissement. Debuting this June, the space channels retro beach club vibes, with orange-striped sunbeds, oversized parasols and citrus-hued furniture. A leafy, open-air bar serves up sun-soaked plates — think croquetas, grilled sea bass and strawberry pavlova — while acoustic DJ sets set the mood every Friday evening. Plus it's heated for chillier days. It's bookable for three-hour slots (from €30 to €100).
For something truly unique, head to the Piscine Joséphine Baker, a floating public pool anchored on the Seine near the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand. With a retractable roof and unbeatable riverside views, it’s one of the city’s most centrally located — and surprisingly affordable — swim spots.
A little further north, the MOB HOUSE in Saint-Ouen, close to Paris' biggest flea market, offers a Riviera-style retreat without leaving the city. The 20-meter outdoor pool feels plucked straight from Saint-Tropez, surrounded by loungers and bathed in sunlight. It's open to guests staying at the design-forward eco hotel — a quiet haven that feels worlds away from the urban bustle.
If you’re ready to splurge, consider booking a night at the legendary Molitor Paris, a luxury hotel built around the iconic Art Deco pool complex that once defined Parisian glamour from the 1920s to the 1980s. Fully restored by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, the property now includes a rooftop, a Clarins spa and a restaurant, while still preserving its historic charm — vintage portholes and all. Pool access doesn’t come cheap, but it is included with a stay.
6. Soak Up the Royal Vibes at the Château de Versailles
At the Château de Versailles, summer evenings come alive with classical music and spectacular light shows. From June through September, every Saturday night, Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes transforms the estate’s fountains and pools into a dazzling display of water, light and pyrotechnics, all perfectly synchronized to enchanting classical music. This magical event offers a unique way to experience the grandeur of Versailles after dark.
Beyond the show, the château’s vast grounds invite leisurely strolls, allowing visitors to soak in the beauty of the gardens, sculptures and peaceful paths (free). Wandering these historic grounds in the soft evening light adds a special dimension to your visit, combining culture, nature and history. Taking time to explore the gardens offers a serene contrast to the vibrant spectacle, making Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes a truly unforgettable summer experience near Paris.
You could make an overnight trip of it by staying at the ultra-luxe Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle (Three Keys) or the Trianon Palace, or for something a little more low-key, Les Lumières Versailles. Its winding streets of antique shops and restaurants are also worth staying for.
7. Marvel at the Bastille Day Fireworks Display
Celebrated throughout France, July 14 commemorates the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution, symbolizing the end of the country's monarchy. In Paris, the events begin on the evening of July 13, when popular balls are held inside fire stations for nights of dancing. On the morning of July 14, early risers can admire the military parade down the Champs-Elysées, with the Patrouille de France, the French Air Force’s aerobatic team, flying overhead. In the evening, don’t miss the magnificent fireworks display at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, followed by a grand concert.
8. Go Bargain Hunting at a Flea Market
The return of fine weather means taking any opportunity for an outdoor stroll. The City of Paris regularly publishes a list of the city’s best flea markets, but for lovers of antiques and vintage design the best place to go is the Puces de Saint-Ouen. It’s the world’s largest antiques and secondhand goods market, with no fewer than 11 different individual markets, and over 2,000 stands and stores spread over 17 acres. Furniture, bronzes, lighting, tableware, jewelry, books and archaeological pieces can all be found in the alleyways of this bohemian market born in 1885. Alternatively, sit on the terrace of a café nearby and listen to a gypsy jazz concert. Another typically Parisian curiosity is the bouquinistes on the quays of the Seine. Anchored on the Right Bank from Pont Marie to Quai du Louvre, and on the Left Bank from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire, these booksellers sell vintage and secondhand books.
9. Watch A Movie At an Outdoor Cinema
Many of the large Parisian parks offer movie screenings under the stars for all or part of the summer, such as at the popular, family-friendly Festival de Cinéma en Plein Air de La Villette. For a more cutting-edge option, go for Festival Silhouette in the Parc de la Butte-du-Chapeau-Rouge. There’s also La Chaise et l’Ecran in the 11th arrondissement, and Toile Sous les Étoiles at the Château de Vincennes.
10. Rent a Self-Drive Boat On the Bassin de la Villette
With Marin d’Eau Douce, you can rent a boat without a license to cruise at your own pace. With friends, with family, or as a couple, taking the helm of your own boat is a wonderful way to unwind in the summer sunshine.
11. Track Down Ice Cream from Paris’ Cult Makers
When Paris heats up, locals cool down the sweetest way possible — with a scoop (or two) from the city’s cult-favorite ice cream makers. First, there’s Berthillon, the legendary parlour on Île Saint-Louis, perfecting natural, additive-free recipes since the 1950s. With over 90 rotating flavors — think marron glacé, roasted pineapple with basil, and blackcurrant — Berthillon remains a timeless classic, with locations including Le Sully near the Marais.
Nearby, Bachir offers a Middle Eastern twist. Their signature Atcha ice cream — creamy, thick and lightly rosewater-flavored like a Mahalabia — is served covered in crushed pistachios. Be ready to queue, especially during peak summer hours. In Montmartre, Une Glace à Paris raises the bar with sorbets and creamy delights crafted by MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France; the prestigious Best Artisan in France distinction) glacier Emmanuel Ryon. Grab a deck chair and savor your scoop while soaking in the ambience of the lively streets.
Folderol takes a hip approach as a natural wine bar that also serves micro-batches of ice cream — don’t miss the salty caramel paired with a glass of pét-nat. For a refined twist, try pastry chef Maxime Frédéric’s famous strawberry gelato at Le Jardin, the Cheval Blanc’s rooftop.
Finally, near Opéra, Jade Genin’s boutique offers ultra-pure, turbine-free ice creams and snow granitas — plant-based, additive-free, and intensely flavorful. Ice cream, reimagined.
12. Visit Paris' Best Museums for Free
Usually held at the beginning of July, the Nuit des Musées is a popular summer highlight in Paris. Admission to museums is free all night long, providing an opportunity to take advantage of special exhibitions, workshops and activities designed especially for the event. You can also sign up for a variety of guided tours.
13. Admire the Invalides During a Sound and Light Show
From the second week of July to the first week of September, head for Les Invalides. Built in the 17th century, it’s one of the most visited monuments in Paris and is famous for housing Napoleon’s tomb. Every summer at nightfall its courtyard hosts a splendid sound and light show with a variety of themes. Tickets can be booked online here.
14. Enjoy Retail Therapy During the Summer Sales
Paris can get quite hot in summer, so staying cool is key. Head to department stores like Galeries Lafayette or Printemps, both equipped with air conditioning and offering a classic Parisian shopping experience. For a quieter, more refined atmosphere, visit Le Bon Marché on the Left Bank near the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia (Two Keys), where you can enjoy a drink at the Josephine Bar or lunch at Brasserie Lutetia. Another great spot is the 19th-century, high-end La Samaritaine department store, near the Louvre in the heart of Paris.
July and August bring the much-anticipated summer sales, with discounts typically ranging from 30% to 70%, and sometimes up to 80% by late August. For luxury shopping combined with stunning city views, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps — located near Opéra Garnier — are must-visits, offering both designer brands and rooftop panoramas over Paris.
Hero Image: Summer in Paris at the swimming pool at the Molitor Hotel on the city outskirts. © jptinoco/iStock
Words: Tina Meyer and Rooksana Hossenally.
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