Unusual

The Animal March in Paris: meet at the free grand promenade this afternoon.

Paws reclaim the power. This Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2026, the Animal March takes over Avenue Foch before heading toward the Bois de Boulogne, for a large free stroll open to dogs, cats and other companions.

Festival of the Air 2026 in Montesson (78): hot air balloons, kite flying and free activities this Saturday

In the Yvelines, Montesson’s skies come alive again this Saturday, October 3, 2026, for the 6th edition of the Festival de l’Air. A free day of hot air balloons, kites, giant soap bubbles and music, at the Stade des Petits Chênes.

Offbeat: Chomo's Préludien Art Village in the Fontainebleau Forest

An unusual art village hides in the Fontainebleau forest, in Achères-la-Forêt (77). A bottle church, a shelter topped with car hoods: curious, we set off to explore this place, open on select weekends from April to October.

10 offbeat outings to brighten up October 2026 in Paris

Offbeat outings are plentiful in Paris and Île-de-France, and October 2026 is lining up some real surprises: a sound-and-light show inside a church, a giant karaoke session, a stroll with dogs and cats, or a street-art exhibition. Here are our most original ideas for the month.

Paris Sausage Walk 2026: Kick-off for the grand dachshund parade on the Champs-Élysées

The Paris Sausage Walk 2026 is officially underway! This Sunday, October 4, the dachshunds will take to the Champs-Élysées, with a start time of 11:00 and a 1.4-kilometer stroll right in the heart of Paris.

Pop Art Car 2.0: a free exhibition blending pop art, design and digital culture on the Champs-Élysées

From September 24, 2026 to January 31, 2027, pop art car 2.0 takes over Renault’s showcase on the Champs-Élysées, at 53 Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. With a mix of historical works, never-before-seen digital pieces and automobiles, this free exhibition brings together artists Sébastien Preschoux, Popay, Victor Vasarely and Julio Le Parc. Not to mention the all-new show car, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept, unveiled in a world premiere.

Pink October 2026: the BriisCars, a charitable and quirky soapbox derby in Essonne

Craving something quirky and fun while showing solidarity? For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Briis-sous-Forges in Essonne is hosting a soapbox derby. Save the date for Sunday, October 18, 2026, for the 5th edition of the BriisCars.

The 2026 Triporteur Race rolls into town this Sunday—don’t miss the quirky parade.

The Triporteur Race returns to the Cours de Vincennes in Paris on Sunday, September 20, 2026, for its third edition. These prewar delivery tricycles take on a 28.4 km course this time, and registration is free.

Mundolingua, Paris's quirky museum of languages, language, and linguistics (a museum for a bit of fun!)

Lovers of languages and linguistics should head for Mundolingua, the only museum of languages, language and linguistics. Learn all about the world's languages!

Giant Game of the Goose at Trocadéro for Heritage Days this Saturday

A giant 200-square-meter Snakes and Ladders board is laid out on the Trocadéro forecourt, facing the Eiffel Tower, this Saturday, September 19, 2026. Dice in hand, you become the game piece yourself, with free and open access for Heritage Days.

Gatsby Nights at the Ritz Paris: New 2026 Dinner-and-Show Dates

The Gatsby evenings at the Ritz Paris revive the Roaring Twenties in the Salon Vendôme, with live jazz, dancers and a menu by Chef Jérôme Legras. The dinner-show returns on Thursdays September 17, October 22, November 19 and December 17, 2026. We tried it, and here’s what we thought.

Free medieval festival in Seine-et-Marne centered on a keep for Heritage Days

The Crouy-sur-Ourcq medieval festival, in Seine-et-Marne, is returning for a fourth, free edition centered on the Houssoy keep. The Médiévales du Houssoy will transport the village back to the Middle Ages on September 19–20, 2026.

The 17th’s Retro Days: vintage cars face the Arc de Triomphe this Saturday

The 17 Retro Show transforms Carnot Avenue into a showroom of vintage cars and collectible motorcycles, with the Arc de Triomphe as a backdrop, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Paris’s 17th arrondissement.

The Hôtel de la Marine balls: a calendar of upcoming dance events

Take a step back in time and attend an 18th- or 19th-century ball, with magical evenings held once a month at the Hôtel de la Marine. Here are the upcoming dance dates not to be missed in 2026 and 2027.

Giant puppet parade and free exhibition in Paris's 13th arrondissement.

An unusual show awaits you at Espace Bièvre, in Paris's 13th arrondissement: discover a display of giant puppets from September 21 to 25, 2026, and don't miss the grand parade on Saturday, September 26!

Extraterrestrial Exhibition: when contemporary art meets space in Paris

The Space Observatory launches its contemporary art fair: from September 25 to 27, 2026, discover for free the unconventional Salon de l'extra-terrestre.

Les Cabanes de l'Orvanne: we tried a night perched in the trees near Moret-sur-Loing

Only an hour from Paris and just a short drive from Fontainebleau, Les Cabanes de l'Orvanne offers a unplugged escape in the heart of a preserved 95-hectare natural estate. A chance to spend a premium night in a perched cabin, with a private Nordic bath and 100% locally sourced gourmet baskets.

Wellness Brunch Club: yoga or Pilates class and a Japanese buffet on a rooftop on the Champs-Élysées

For three Saturdays, the Aqua Kyoto restaurant invites you to elevate your experience with the Wellness Brunch Club. On the rooftops of the Champs-Élysées, enjoy a yoga or Pilates session with a view of the Eiffel Tower, followed by a Japanese brunch with unlimited sushi.

The Dogry: the first dog social club closes its doors for good

More than a year ago, Paris welcomed the city’s first dog-friendly leisure club: The Dogry had thus settled in the 17th arrondissement, offering a play park, spa, cafe, yoga and premium daycare, available by subscription. The concept is now permanently closing its doors.

International Dog Day 2026: where to spend a moment with your pup?

Wednesday, August 26, 2026, marks International Dog Day. To celebrate, why not spend some quality time with your fluffy friend? Here’s a short list of activities to make the day truly unforgettable!