July is often one of the busiest months in Paris. From holidays to live concerts and even big sales, there's much to look forward to this month. And July 2023 is no different! Right off the bat, there's Bastille Day, undoubtedly one of the biggest
national holidays in France. You can expect all the pomp and circumstance in the French capital on this special day. July 2023 also sees many international acts performing live in Paris, from K-pop girl group BlackPink to English rock band Muse. And since summer is finally in full swing, the Paris l'Été Festival is about to start.
International Artists Live in Paris
Paris in July 2023 will be as star-studded as ever! The list of international artists who will perform live in the French capital is pretty impressive, complete with musical acts from around the world. Among the most notable is Canadian-French singer Mylène Farmer, who will perform at Stade de France on July 1st and the 30th. American singer-songwriter Chris Isaak will then take to the stage at the
9th Arrondissement's L'Olympia Hall on July 7. On the next day, July 8th, the English rock band Muse will perform live at Stade de France. And what is perhaps the most highly-anticipated of them all, K-pop girl group BlackPink will then take over the same venue on July 15th.
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La Fête Foraine des Tuileries (Begins on July 2)
Summer is the season for festivals in Paris and you'll find many of them popping up starting July 2023. Among the first is La Fête Foraine des Tuileries, the annual fun fair at Jardin des Tuileries in the
1st arrondissement. The already well-known and highly beloved park will transform into a colorful carnival starting July 2, 2023, and will stay that way up until the last few days of August. It will be one of the best places to visit with your entire family as the fair will feature all sorts of rides, games, and other fun attractions.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week (July 3 to 6)
Paris will once again show off its fashion A-game on the first week of July 2023. From the 3rd to the 6th, the city will host its bi-annual
Haute Couture Fashion Week. Contrary to the more jam-packed prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) fashion weeks, this event is a more exclusive affair. Only a handful of designer brands, also known as “
haute couture houses”, will take part. The usual names on the calendar include Christian Dior, Chanel, Schiaparelli, and Valentino. They will present their autumn 2023 haute couture collections, most of which will likely set new trends and end up on the backs of A-list celebrities when they step out on red-carpet events.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bastille Day (July 14)
The month of July is notable in France mostly because of
Bastille Day, which is on July 14th. Among the biggest French holidays in the yearly calendar, it's the country's Independence Day. And it means a lot too, considering that France was one of the first countries to be a republic. Though it specifically commemorates the day the French stormed the Bastille Prison in 1789, which ultimately sparked the French Revolution, it eventually became more of a National Day than anything else. And since Paris is the French capital, you can expect tons of grand celebrations on Bastille Day.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Firemen's Balls (July 13 to 14)
Among the many Bastille Day celebrations to look forward to this July 2023, you can't miss the annual Firemen's Balls! While its name suggests a more elegant, black-tie affair, this couldn't be farther from the truth! The Firemen's Balls in Paris are actually massive parties held at the main firehouses of the
20 arrondissements. There's loud music, lots of dancing, and free-flowing beer and champagne. Whichever arrondissement you'll be in, head to the main firehouse at around 21:00 (9:00) pm on July 13th and party until 4:00 am the next day (July 14th). You'll have a ball!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Paris l'Été Festival (July 17 to 31)
You remember that summer is the season for
festivals in Paris, right? Well, there's another summer festival you can look forward to this July 2023: Paris l'Été Festival. Literally translated to English as “Paris in The Summer”, this event encompasses practically all the different
neighborhoods in Paris. But instead of a big music festival, Paris l'Été Festival is more of a cluster of off-beat and relatively small-scale events that highlight the city's creative scene. They'll include mini-concerts, circus performances, art exhibitions, and more. They're all to show the world that Paris is still at the cusp of creativity
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Cinéma en Plein Air at Parc de la Villette (Begins on July 19)
Beginning on July 19, 2023, you can watch moves in one of the most popular
outdoor cinemas in Europe, Cinéma en Plein Air in Parc de la Villette. It's an annual summer film festival of sorts where the park sets up an outdoor cinema and locals and tourists alike can enjoy watching a movie under the stars. As for what movies to expect, the films are pretty diverse. On the first day, there's the 80s favorite, “Flash Dance” (1983). On July 22nd, you can watch Quentin Tarantino's iconic “Pulp Fiction” (1994). And on the following day, July 23, you can take the entire family and watch Disney's animated classic, “Aristocats” (1970).
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Tour de France (Ends on July 23)
The world-famous
Tour de France bike race is set to begin on July 1, 2023. Despite its name, the race will start in the Spanish city of Bilbao and will cover a total of 3,404 kilometers (2,115 miles) throughout the month. All of it will culminate in the city of Paris on the 23rd of July, where the racers will battle it out for first place on a route that includes
Champs-Élysées, Jardin des Tuileries, and the Arc de Triomphe. If you'll be in Paris on the day, this is one event you should see with your very own eyes!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
From concerts to festivals—not to mention a public holiday too!—Paris in July 2023 will be very busy. There's a lot to look forward to in the French capital and you'll want to be there when the time comes!
