Tour de France
The last of 21 stages of this prestigious, 3500km-long cycling event finishes with a race up the av des Champs-Élysées on the third or fourth Sunday of July – as it has done since 1975.
French Open
The glitzy Grand Slam tournament Les Internationaux de France de Tennis hits up from late May to early June at Stade Roland Garros.
Bastille Day
The capital celebrates France’s national day with a morning military parade along av des Champs-Élysées, accompanied by a fly-past of fighter aircraft and helicopters. Feux d’artifice (fireworks) light up the sky above the Champ de Mars by night.
Le Festival du Merveilleux
The magical private museum Musée des Arts Forains, filled with fairground attractions of yesteryear, opens from late December to early January, with enchanting rides, attractions and festive shows.
Paris Cocktail Week
Participating cocktail bars all over the city create signature cocktails for late January’s Paris Cocktail Week. There are also workshops, guest bartenders, masterclasses and food pairings.
Fête de la Musique
This national music festival welcomes in summer on the solstice with fabulous staged and impromptu live performances of jazz, reggae, classical and more. Held at venues all over the city.
Paris Beer Week
Craft beer’s popularity in Paris peaks during Paris Beer Week, held over 10 days. Events take place across the city’s bars, pubs, breweries, specialist beer shops and other venues.
Nuit Blanche
From sundown until sunrise on the first Saturday and Sunday of October, museums stay open, along with bars and clubs, for one ‘White Night’ (ie ‘All Nighter’).
Paris Plages
‘Paris Beaches’ set up along Paris’ riverbanks in two main zones, the Parc Rives de Seine and the Bassin de la Villette (with swimming pools in the canal).
Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre
This five-day festival taking in the second weekend in October celebrates Montmartre’s grape harvest with costumes, concerts, food events and a parade.
Rock en Seine
Headlining acts rock the Domaine National de St-Cloud, on the city’s southwestern edge, at this popular three-day music festival.
Foire du Trône
Dating back over a millennium, from 957 AD, this huge funfair is held on the Pelouse de Reuilly of the Bois de Vincennes from around Easter to late May/early June.
Foire de Chatou
Some 500 antique and second-hand dealers, jewellers and art galleries set up at this 10-day fair held on the île des Impressionnistes, a 10-minute journey by RER A, with a free shuttle from the station.
Salon International de l’Agriculture
At this appetising nine-day international agricultural fair held at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, 15e, produce and animals from all over France are turned into delectable fare.
Salon du Chocolat
Chocaholics won’t want to miss this five-day chocolate festival’s tastings, workshops, demonstrations and more at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 15e. There are special activities for kids.
Portes Ouvertes des Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville
More than 200 painters, sculptors and other artists in over 120 Belleville studios open their doors to visitors over four days (Friday to Monday) in late May. All events are free.
Marche des Fiertés
The colourful Saturday-afternoon Marche des Fiertés celebrates LGBT Pride with a march incorporating over-the-top floats and outrageous costumes that crosses Paris via Le Marais.
Pitchfork Music Festival Paris
The Grande Halle de la Villette at the Parc de la Villette is the venue for this three-day fest of pop, rock, indie and electro music.
Foire de Paris
Gadgets, widgets, food and wine feature at this huge contemporary-living fair, held from late April to early May at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, 15e.
Classique au Vert
In the Bois de Vincennes, the Parc Floral de Paris hosts classical-music concerts amid the greenery on weekends during August and the first half of September.
Paris Jazz Festival
Jazz concerts swing every Saturday and Sunday afternoon in the Parc Floral de Paris during the Paris Jazz Festival.
Jazz à la Villette
This two-week jazz festival in the first half of September has sessions in Parc de la Villette, at the Cité de la Musique and at surrounding venues.
Livre Paris
France’s largest international book fair takes place over four days at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, 15e.
Christmas Eve Mass
Mass is celebrated at midnight on Christmas Eve at many Paris churches, including Notre Dame (arrive early to find a place).
Salon du Running
In the run-up to the Marathon International de Paris, the three-day Salon du Running draws over 80,000 visitors (including competitors picking up their bibs) and 200-plus professional exhibitors at the Parc des Expo…
Marathon International de Paris
On your marks…the Paris International Marathon, usually held on the second Sunday of April, starts on the av des Champs-Élysées, 8e, and finishes on av Foch, 16e, attracting some 55,000 runners from around 145 countries.
New Year’s Eve
The best Parisian hot spots for welcoming in the New Year are bd St-Michel, 5e, place de la Bastille, 11e, the Eiffel Tower, 7e, and especially the av des Champs-Élysées, 8e.
Rétromobile
Some 600 vintage cars are displayed over five days at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, 15e, during this motor enthusiasts’ showcase.
La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel
Elite athletes and amateur runners drawn from a lottery scale the stairs of the Eiffel Tower during this vertical race.