Unusual criterion

Provins 2026 Christmas Medieval Market and its immersive animations to travel back in time.

Provins’ Medieval Christmas Market marks its 15th edition on December 12 and 13, 2026, with free admission. In this UNESCO-listed town in Seine-et-Marne, artisans, troubadours and encampments bring the Middle Ages back to life for one weekend.

Sleeping in the stables of Fleury Castle in Seine-et-Marne.

Sleeping in the old stables of a 16th-century castle is now possible in Fleury-en-Bière, in Seine-et-Marne. Since September 2026, the estate’s outbuildings at Château de Fleury have welcomed new apartments and even a reception hall. We’ve tried them and here’s the full report.

The Climb Race: a Velib sprint up an 18% incline in Paris on October 17

The Climbing Race turns Rue de Savies in Ménilmontant into a sprint track on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The program features: 100 meters of cobblestones at an 18% gradient, starts in threes, and free admission for spectators.

Thoiry Wild Lights 2026-2027: follow in the footsteps of Pachamama

Thoiry Wild Lights returns to WOW Safari Thoiry in the Yvelines for a 9th edition titled In the Footsteps of Pachamama: a nocturnal route of nearly 3 km and more than 3,000 illuminated sculptures, from October 17, 2026 to March 7, 2027.

Halloween 2026 in Paris: dress up and dance to your K-pop hits with Novakill Studio

Novakill Studio presents The Haunted Studio, a Halloween afternoon dedicated to K-pop at the Le Stadium gym in Paris’s 13th arrondissement, on October 31, 2026. From age 14 and up, come in costume for a filmed dance class, a costume contest, and a Random Play Dance Survival.

Le Large on Île Seguin: Moteur Imaginaire opens to the public for free this weekend.

Le Large, the new contemporary art center on Île Seguin in Boulogne-Billancourt, opens its doors for free on October 17 and 18, 2026, with pre-registration, hosting Moteur Imaginaire, an exhibition where Renault’s collection intersects with today’s artists until March 7, 2027. We went to check out the venue and here’s everything you need to know.

Halloween 2026 in L’Isle-Adam: blown-glass pumpkins and ghosts to craft

Until November 1, 2026, Cyril-John Rousseau opens his doors in L’Isle-Adam to invite visitors to take part in crafting a glass pumpkin or ghost, with a special late-night session on October 31.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Colour Bash, the wild show to catch in 2027 at La Défense Arena

Paris La Défense Arena welcomes once again a spectacular Monster Trucks show, these enormous 4x4s with oversized wheels. Save the date: March 20, 2027 to catch this extravagant show in the Hot Wheels universe! Ticket sales open.

Mlle Céleste, the new restaurant from Bistrots Pas Parisiens with Yoann Conte

Mlle Céleste, the new restaurant from Bistrots Pas Parisiens at Hangar Y in Meudon, has entrusted its menu to two-Michelin-starred chef Yoann Conte. A table by the edge of the pond, nestled between forest and heritage, to be unveiled this autumn 2026.

Mantes Medieval Festival 2026: the free Middle Ages celebration in Yvelines returns.

La Médiévale de Mantes transforms the city center of Mantes-la-Jolie, in Yvelines, into a medieval town on Saturday, October 17, 2026 for the 576th Onion Fair: knights, tales, encampments and an artisan market, all free of charge.

Halloween 2026 at La Défense: a haunted maze and free workshops

Halloween comes to Paris La Défense with a zombie‑filled haunted maze, pumpkin‑carving workshops, and a free makeup booth, to be enjoyed with the family on October 30 and 31, 2026 in Hauts-de-Seine.

Zombie Quest : Escape the zombies on Jablines-Annet Leisure Island this Halloween

Help is needed—the zombies have overrun Jablines-Annet Leisure Island! On October 31, 2026, come face the monsters and put your wits to the test with this playful adventure that blends a treasure hunt with an orienteering challenge.

Tarot, midnight performances and poems behind closed doors: Le Bordel de la Poésie 2026 returns to Paris

Le Bordel de la Poésie makes its return to La Bellevilloise, offering intimate readings, tarot, portraits and performances in a red-and-black setting this Saturday, October 25, 2026.

Brie-Comte-Robert Medieval Festival 2026: our photos and video from the celebration

La Médiévale de Brie-Comte-Robert drew crowds under sunny Seine-et-Marne skies for its 27th free edition, held October 3–4, 2026. Troubadours, druids and minstrels flooded the town center: we were there, and here’s a visual snapshot.

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.

150th Anniversary Expo and StreetArt Denfert: the massive free street-art exhibition unfolds.

The 150th Expo and StreetArt Denfert reveal themselves in the former Zara store at Denfert-Rochereau, Paris 14th arrondissement. We caught a sneak preview of this enormous, free street-art exhibition, on offer from October 3 to 25, 2026. Note that access requires free registration—book your tickets now!

Château de Dampierre: we visited the Pompadour’s Enchanted Garden.

The Enchanted Garden of Pompadour, followed by the Masquerade, transformed the Dampierre-en-Yvelines estate into an 18th-century backdrop this Saturday, September 26, 2026. A costume-clad garden party, a horse show and a masked ball. Here are the images from this inaugural edition, a premiere that sent time traveling.

Final Cut: Electro nights in the heart of former cinema studios near Paris

The monumental Cité du Cinéma in Saint-Denis is about to get back into the groove of FINAL CUT, an electro night that takes over its former industrial nave with Patrick Mason, Skin On Skin, and Olympe4000.

October in the parks of Seine-Saint-Denis: autumn makes its way to the great outdoors!

Looking for a scenic outdoor stroll near Paris, a free outdoor activity, or a peaceful spot to exercise away from the city's hustle and bustle... There's definitely a park in Seine-Saint-Denis that's perfect for you!

Club Belleville Festival celebrates the Moon Festival with activities and street food

The Belleville Festival Club celebrates the famed Lantern Festival: the Moon Festival along Rue de Belleville, straddling Paris’ 19th and 20th arrondissements, for a free weekend filled with dragon dances, concerts, and street food. Don’t miss the chance to travel through Asia on October 3–4, 2026.