Unusual

Ink & Beer: tattoo sessions and craft beers at a château in Essonne

On May 16 and 17, 2026, the Château de Dourdan sheds its centuries-old quiet for the fourth edition of Ink & Beer. This unconventional festival transforms the medieval grounds into a temple of urban culture, where top tattoo artists and piercing specialists set up shop amid free activities and tastings of craft beers.

Did you know? The oldest basketball court in the world is in Paris.

In the 9th arrondissement of Paris, at the heart of the YMCA’s historic site, the gym on Rue de Trévise houses the oldest basketball court in the world kept in its original condition. Opened in 1893, this heritage site chronicles the beginnings of basketball in Europe.

Songkran Festival 2026: Thai New Year at Wat Thammapatip, this Sunday in Seine-et-Marne

Heading to Moissy-Cramayel in Seine-et-Marne to celebrate Songkran at Wat Thammapatip, an incredible Buddhist temple. This vibrant Thai New Year festival will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Spring Live Magazine: follow an investigation and a live, real-time diary from the Grand Rex

Forget your screens and the endless stream of social media: on May 11 and 12, 2026, information takes shape on the storied Grand Rex stage. The Spring Live Magazine offers a unique experience where journalists, photographers, and artists come to deliver stories in the style of a fleeting, living newspaper — not something you read, but something you feel.

These remains of a Gallo-Roman sanctuary concealed a nymphaeum in the Yvelines.

At the heart of the Vaucouleurs valley, the village of Septeuil conceals a rare relic from Roman Gaul: a monumental nymphaeum. Erected to honor a sacred spring, this ancient sanctuary offers an exceptional testimony to water-related devotional rites in Île-de-France.

Join a human-sized green ribbon in support of organ donation, set against the sparkling Eiffel Tower.

On June 22, 2026, the Pont d'Iéna is set to mark National Organ Donation Day with a citizen-led mobilization. Help create a life-sized green ribbon at the foot of the Eiffel Tower for a powerful visual and symbolic performance!

The House of Fishing and Nature, explore the underwater life of Levallois (92)

Can you fish in the Paris Region? What fish live in our ponds, rivers and streams? How do you learn to fish? The Maison de la Pêche et de la Nature answers all these questions in its museum and aquarium, or by introducing you to fishing with a fishing course. The perfect family outing for young and old alike!

It's your turn to become an artist with these participatory projects for Nuit Blanche 2026.

Become a one-night artist: several creators invite Parisians to participate in their creative project, which will be showcased for Nuit Blanche 2026 on Saturday, June 6.

Unusual: European Championship and Beerpong tournament at the Paris Fair and at Boom Boom Villette

In France, there are championships for everything, and even for beer pong—the American party game that relies on a ping-pong ball, plastic cups, and players who aren’t exactly sober. This year, the European Championships roll into the Paris Fair on May 2–3, 2026, with a warm-up tournament to tune up at Boom Boom Villette!

Unusual: a nighttime Velib' race arrives on the walkways of Paris's Parc Floral

The iconic Parisian bike trades the pavement for competition! On Saturday, April 25, 2026, Parc Floral will host the first-ever night-time criterium, where endurance meets the unexpected in a Vélib’ race along the park’s avenues.

A Parisian square in the 6th arrondissement hides benches shaped like books under the shade of cherry trees.

Under the shade of the Institut de France’s dome, a small garden offers a sculpted homage to the literary soul of the 6th arrondissement, through striking limestone benches where you can read in the shadow of the cherry trees. A little secret that only reveals itself to passersby who aren’t in too much of a hurry.

Cone, the Saint-Michel counter serving coffee- and chocolate-flavored ice cream cones

Cone, that’s the name of this tiny coffee counter in Paris’s 6th arrondissement, just outside the Saint-Germain-des-Prés metro exit, where you can sip a cappuccino or hot chocolate from an artisanal cone. We tried it, and here’s the full story.

Insolite : a free tour of the hidden beehives at Parc André Citroën, bees in the city

Did you know? André Citroën Park doesn’t host a farm with animals, but it does house a different, much smaller creature: bees. Yes, beehives are tucked away in this green space, and you can visit them for free from time to time!

World Unicorn Day: So, where does this legendary creature actually come from?

She spews glitter, smells of roses, leaves flowers and rainbows in her wake: the unicorn is kids’ favorite legendary creature. Having made a strong comeback in pop culture in recent years, the unicorn remains an object of eternal fascination. On the occasion of World Unicorn Day, this Thursday, April 9, 2026, let’s explore its origins together.

Des combats de chessboxing au Théâtre de la Renaissance, entre boxe anglaise et échecs Chessboxing bouts at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, blending boxing and chess

Hybrid and surprising sport, chessboxing blends boxing and chess. On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Renaissance Theatre hosts an evening of strength and strategy, featuring four standout bouts!

April 1, 2026: 8 wacky and unusual activities, and yet very real!

Take advantage of April 1 to take part in quirky and unexpected activities, with our pick of original events to try in the days ahead. 100% guaranteed real!

In the Paris region, a quirky, free bathtub race takes over the Ourcq Canal.

Have you ever watched a bathtub race? This isn’t a joke—the quirky event has been running for 15 years along the Ourcq Canal, and you can join in for free on Sunday, July 5, 2026!

The Night of the Monuments 2026: Île-de-France’s heritage lit up at night, dates and program

Nuit des Monuments returns from April 17 to 19, 2026 in Île-de-France. This event lets you discover French heritage, unusually open after dark for the occasion! Discover the Île-de-France monuments that will light up for a few days.

Tell me about your wedding: a festive procession, Maghrebi traditions, and a free feast at the Grand Palais

The capital is set to celebrate a union of a new kind under the glass roof of the Grand Palais on July 4, 2026. You’re all invited to a monumental “imaginary wedding,” as festive processions from across Île-de-France converge on a communal banquet beneath the nave for a free, popular celebration centered on Maghrebi traditions.

Free bar games tournaments and beer-tasting workshops at Ground Control and Communale

On April 2 and October 15, 2026, Ground Control and Communale are teaming up again for their popular bar game tournament, where contenders battle it out to be crowned the best at the counter. Join in on games of 421, belote, pinball, foosball, and darts, all while enjoying a free beer-tasting workshop!