10 things to see and do in Paris in June
June marks the beginning of the high season, the most dynamic and energetic phase of Paris - welcome to summer in the city of love!
The events you will find in Paris in June are quite a spectacle, and are mainly focused on art**(Fête de la Musique, Chopin Festival, Paris Jazz Festival**) and fun**(The French Open, Paris Beer Festival** or the Bicycle Festival).
While it is true that you will appreciate more tourists than in the previous months, everything could be compensated if what you are interested in is fun and spectacle. June is not the most touristic month either, so it is not a bad idea to take advantage of this time to relax in this magnificent city.
1. Participate in the Fête de la Musique
The Fête de la Musique comes with musical events in Montmartre, the Marais, Place de la Bastille, Place des Invalides and the Champs Elysées. All genres of music are included, from rock, rap and jazz to classical music. Typically, the Festival de la Musique is held at the end of June
Throughout Paris, and in virtually every city and town in France, free music concerts take to the streets, parks and even metro stations to celebrate the start of summer in Paris.
Live performances can be found outside in every arrondissement and concerts are held in the most unusual spaces, as well as everywhere you can imagine. For more information visit the official event site.
2. Create your own piece of street art in Paris
Not all art in Paris is found in museums. Therefore, I advise you to book a graffiti workshop in Paris where you can appreciate an art that is increasingly enjoying more prominence and influence Street art! And you will be able to actively participate in this experience.
A team of professional street artists will teach you the best techniques to create your own work of art with aerosol and be able to capture it on a mural leaving your stamp on a street in the French capital. This 2-hour activity includes all the material and equipment: oxygen masks, drawing pencils, gloves, sprays and other tools necessary for the workshop.
You will also receive a didactic lesson on the principles of graffiti drawing. Discover a new vocation!
3. Have fun like a kid at the Fête des Tuileries - Paris Fair
It's like the fairgrounds of your childhood, with trampolines, bumper cars and cotton candy. The small fairground fills a corner of the Jardin des Tuileries, ending at the edge of the Place de la Concorde. The fair takes place at the end of June and usually lasts a week, so if you are in Paris for 3 days or more, you should consider stopping by this fair for at least one day, and if it's at night in Paris, all the better.
There are lots of scary rides, fun games and many pop-up restaurants serving fast French grilled food. A great place to visit if you are traveling with kids to Paris small. There are even several attractions reminiscent of the rides at Disneyland Paris, a visit you certainly can't miss if you're staying several days in Paris - discover the magical world of Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studio!
4. Bike at La Fête du Velo - The Bike Festival
Created 20 years ago, the annual goal of the Bicycle Festival is to raise awareness about cycling. Held the first weekend of June throughout France, it features bike races, cycling events and workshops.
You can rent a bike and join the thousands of Parisians as they pedal around the city celebrating Le velo! or you can also book a bike tour of Paris. You will appreciate how many street vendors participate in this event by offering bottles of water and fruits for sale. Not to mention that many restaurants offer special menus and more focused on recharging your batteries on a weekend when a lot of energy is consumed.
The tours of this festival will allow you to get spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the occasional cruise on the Seine River if you're on your lucky day.
5. Enjoy the music at the Chopin Festival
The annual festival is held in the Parc de Bagatelle and features afternoon and evening concerts with pianists from around the world. If you are a Chopin lover, don't miss it. The Chopin Festival takes place at the end of June and includes other musical mini-events to make the event even more unique.
The event was created as a way to praise the career of the great musician Frederic Chopin, or better known as the most romantic piano composer in history. In 1983, the Chopin Society, in its wisdom, created the annual Chopin Festival to celebrate the artistic career of this great man and to attract fans of his musical style, making it possible for his music to never be forgotten.
6. Catch up on all the latest musical news at the Paris Jazz & Blues Festival
This international event is heralded as one of the best music festivals in the world and takes place over four weekends in the beautiful Parc Floral de Vincennes. The full lineup is released in mid-May. One of the best parts of the festival is that the concerts are free and include admission to the park.
The event kicks off in late June and runs through mid-July in Paris,so be sure to visit the festival's official site to stay as up to date as possible.
7. Enjoy the seventh art at the Champs Elysées Film Festival
The red carpet is rolled out: Paris, cinema and summer. This fun-filled film festival presents 80 French and American films at the cinemas on Avenue des Champs-Elysées: Le Balzac, Gaumont Marignan, Le Lincoln, Publicis Cinémas, UGC George V and Club de l'Etoile.
In addition to the screenings, there are industry events with a series of panel discussions and a competition to choose the six best films of the festival. The festival takes place in mid-June and usually lasts around a week. So you already have plans if you are spending 7 days in Paris.
While it is true that the Festival is spectacular and very famous nationally and internationally, if you are in Paris for 4 days, or less, I would recommend enjoying the presentation rather than the films themselves, as that could be time consuming. In other words, being in Paris for a short time it is convenient to make the most of your short stay. Here's a post about more tips for visiting Paris so that everything goes perfectly.
8. Toast at Le Mondial de la Bière - Paris Beer Festival
Craft beer lovers come together to raise a glass at the historic Maison de la Mutualité and discover a world of beer with tastings and master classes. This festival takes place in mid-June and is considered one of the most fun festivals.
Eightybrewers will be represented along with the best of Paris street food. If beer is a beverage you enjoy, you should join this mega-celebration and elite gastronomic event Le Mondial de la Bière awaits you!
9. Discover the Nuit aux Invalides- The Night of the Invalids
Witness the historic night of "Les Invalides" at the (Cour d'Honneur, Hotel des Invalides, 7th arrondissement) in a dazzling sound and light show.
The show highlights the events of World War I, told through the eyes of a child. The eye-catching show is illuminated by 1,000 candles and features the latest laser technology.
Don't speak French? Don't worry, the show is available in English. La Nuit aux Invalides takes place at the end of June. However, to be sure to attend, it is advisable to reserve your place on the event site.
10. Participate in Marche des Fiertés - Paris Pride Parade
The Paris Pride Parade (called March des Fiertes LGBT) has been held annually for 41 years and has had one million attendees annually. It is also one of the largest Pride Parades in the world. Beginning at Place de la Concorde at 2 p.m., the parade ends at 5 p.m. at Place de la Concorde, although, of course, the festivities continue well beyond that. You'll even see flags around some of Paris' landmarks.
It's a full celebration with free concerts, dancing and, of course, a giant parade. To find out which day in June falls visit the official event site.
Paris weather in June
The average temperature in early summer in Paris is around 17 degrees, with lows of 13 and highs of 20.
While there is always a chance of rain (so be sure to bring your umbrella), the weather tends to be quite nice and makes exploring the French capital much more fun. You'll also want to consider bringing sunscreen and hats for those days when the thermometer rises!
What to wear and what to pack in your suitcase for Paris in June
Although the weather is generally quite warm, you'll need to allow for rainy days, as well as some cool nights. Cardigans, light jackets and scarves are perfect for when it's warm during the day and cooler at night in Paris.
Paris is a city best explored on foot, so you'll want to pack comfortable walking shoes. Although many mistakenly believe that you should "dress up" completely to visit this European city, the truth is that you don't have to dress up every time you go out.
Things you should know before visiting in June
You should know before you go that, unlike Paris in May**, when the tourist season is still starting to ramp up, June sees the start of peak visits, which means you'll have plenty of company around the city. So it pays to know how to get around Paris, especially using the Paris metro.
A word of advice: you should book accommodation well in advance, especially as special events and holidays approach.