Every public holiday, the same question comes up: what should you do with this extra day off? How can you make the most of this special moment? A stroll, an exhibit, a movie, a concert, a restaurant... The ideas aren’t usually in short supply, especially if you live in Paris or in Île-de-France: there are activities around every corner, almost. The real challenge is finding ways to have fun without blowing your budget...
Again, with a bit of digging, you can find plenty of great deals and free outings. And when the public holiday in question is the 14 juillet, it’s even easier! During the national holiday, hundreds of traditional events spring up in towns and villages across France. Time for fireworks and outdoor dances in the open air!
But this 14 July 2026, we can do even better than that. We break away from the beaten path and our routines to explore Paris and its surroundings, to have fun with friends or with family, and to fully enjoy this beautiful summer day. Check out our pick of tips and free experiences to enjoy this Tuesday, July 14, 2026, a public holiday and France’s national day!
Fireworks on July 13 and 14, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France for Bastille Day
The National Day is celebrated in France on July 14, and for the occasion, the Île-de-France region is gearing up for the celebration. In Paris and Île-de-France, a rich program of festivities awaits you on July 13 and 14, 2026, including the traditional fireworks displays. So, where to see a fireworks show in the Île-de-France region for Bastille Day? Follow the guide! [Read more]
Firefighters' balls and the popular dances taking place July 12–14, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France.
Looking for a night out on July 12, 13 and 14, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France? Check out the popular dances and the firefighters’ balls waiting for you on Bastille Day, a chance to enjoy before or after the fireworks and dance the night away. [Read more]
July 14: Military parades in Paris and Île-de-France for National Day 2026
Military parades are a staple of France's National Day celebrations! If you're in the Île-de-France region for July 14, here's a roundup of the military parades scheduled across Île-de-France in 2026. [Read more]
Free pools and swimming spots in Paris and Île-de-France in 2026 — the summer’s best deals
As soon as the heat returns, we look for a pool (ideally with a beach area or sun loungers) or a waterside spot to swim! To feel like you’re on vacation without spending a dime, check out the best spots to bring your family and friends to Paris and Île-de-France, free of charge. [Read more]
Unusual parks and gardens in Paris & Île-de-France: Unique walking routes to explore
Paris, often praised for its architectural heritage and vibrant cultural life, is also home to gardens, squares and parks of surprising beauty and originality. Here we reveal the unusual nuggets to be discovered in Paris and the Paris region. Let's discover the most original parks and gardens in the Paris region. [Read more]
Free exhibitions in Paris and the Ile-de-France region in July 2026
It's finally time to discover the free exhibitions in Paris in July! With summer in full swing, we've got some great cultural offers waiting for you under the Parisian sun. Let's get started with this month's free exhibitions! [Read more]
Open-air playgrounds for children in Paris: great ideas for family fun
It's the easy way out, so practical and requiring no organization: a delight for children and parents alike, outdoor playgrounds are all the rage among little Parisians. So, are you ready to make the most of the sunny days with your little ones? [Read more]
Open-air in Paris? The outdoor party spots to dance at this spring–summer 2026.
When the warm days settle in, Paris becomes an open-air dance floor. For those seeking a festive spot to move, have fun, and soak up summer outdoors, the capital is full of venues that keep Parisians buzzing throughout the season. [Read more]
Where to enjoy a picnic in Paris and Île-de-France? Our top spots for outdoor dining
The good weather has arrived, and the irresistible urge to enjoy a picnic is growing stronger. Here are some parks, gardens, and leisure centers in Paris and Île-de-France perfect for outdoor dining. [Read more]
The best spots to play petanque and Mölkky in Paris
Fancy a game of pétanque in the heart of Paris? With the warmer weather just around the corner, many Parisians are getting together to try their hand at the cochonnet, as well as Mölkky. Discover the top places to play boules in the capital! [Read more]
Saint-Ouen’s Summer 2026: free activities, open-air cinema and a Brazilian guinguette in Saint-Ouen
From Saturday, July 4 to Sunday, August 23, 2026, the city of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine is staging Été Audonien, a major summer festival featuring free activities and special evenings, designed to make you feel like you’re on vacation without leaving the city. [Read more]
An 800 m² fan zone at Café A to experience the 2026 World Cup in Paris.
From June 12 to July 19, 2026, Café A will set up a fan zone in its sprawling private garden in the 10th arrondissement, with live game screenings, food, drinks, and football-themed activities. [Read more]
Javier Calleja's big-eyed characters come to Paris for a free exhibition.
Big-eyed characters, punchy phrases, and a cabinet-of-curiosities kind of hang: Javier Calleja unveils CURIOUSLY, his new free exhibition at the Almine Rech gallery in Paris, running May 30 through July 25, 2026. [Read more]
Genki-nobori fill the sky above the Hôtel de la Marine: a colorful installation open to the public for free
A colorful, poetic installation transforms the courtyard of the Hôtel de la Marine: come and admire for free the Genki-nobori by Japanese artist Susumu Shingu, from June 26 to August 24, 2026. [Read more]
Chuck Sperry unveils his Archetypes in a free exhibition at the Art Generation gallery — our photos
His screen prints and concert posters have toured the world: discover Chuck Sperry’s work through the Archetypes exhibition, on view free of charge at the Art Generation gallery from June 13 to August 1, 2026. [Read more]
Free activities and guided walks for the inauguration of this forest estate in Val-de-Marne.
This Saturday, September 20, 2026, a vast green lung of Île-de-France is set to celebrate its rebirth with free activities for its inauguration. A perfect moment to enjoy the Bois du Piple, this Val-de-Marne-listed forest estate, with the whole family in the heart of nature. [Read more]
The Toilet Seat at Masterio: Paris’s quirky escape room tucked away in a bathroom
L'Abattant at Masterio in Paris's 14th arrondissement turns the store's toilets into an unusual escape game. A short, free puzzle, reserved for players of La Pierre de Lumière or the Toy Store. [Read more]
Sumo, Sacred Forces: a photo exhibition worth seeing at the Maison de la culture du Japon
As the capital welcomed the Paris Sumo Tournament, the Maison de la Culture du Japon is hosting a free exhibition dedicated to this ancient martial art. Be sure to visit through September 26, 2026 to discover "Sumo, Sacred Forces", a photographic installation by Bruno Aveillan. [Read more]
Houilles Beach 2026: The free summer program to swim all summer long
From July 11 to August 23, 2026, Houilles will transform into a seaside resort, offering free activities and swimming during the height of the summer holidays. This year’s theme centers on the Americas, a tribute to travel without even leaving Île-de-France. [Read more]
Drag Race France season 4: where to watch the show in Paris? Party and activities at La Felicità
Drag Race France season 4 lands at La Felicità in Paris with viewing parties hosted by Minima Gesté, starting July 8, 2026. Drag performances, free activities, and food trucks round out the lineup. [Read more]
Île-de-France celebrates theater 2026: the free festival marks its tenth anniversary.
From July 3 to August 5, 2026, Île-de-France celebrates theater, marking its 10th edition on the leisure islands of Créteil, Port aux Cerises, and Cergy-Pontoise with free performances of circus, dance, theatre, and puppetry. [Read more]
Swimming in Paris’s Canal Saint-Martin: what you need to know before you go
Swimming in the Saint-Martin Canal is permitted in Paris within a designated zone of the Récollets basin. Hours, access, free entry, safety rules: here are the practical details you need to know before you head there. [Read more]
Swimming at the Canal Saint-Martin: opening this Wednesday in Paris
Swimming opens free to the Récollets basin in Paris’ 10th arrondissement, starting this Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The city will permit supervised swims in the Canal Saint-Martin during every heatwave this summer. [Read more]
Starlit cinema 2026: the lineup for Seine-Saint-Denis's free outdoor screenings.
From June 27 to August 14, 2026, head to nine towns across Seine-Saint-Denis to enjoy Ciné sous les étoiles, a 100% free outdoor cinema festival you won’t want to miss during the summer break! [Read more]
World Cup 2026: where to find a fan zone in Yvelines for France–Senegal?
With the 2026 World Cup in full swing, several towns in the Yvelines are setting up fan zones to watch the France games on giant screens. Maisons-Laffitte, Mantes-la-Jolie, Croissy-sur-Seine, and Trappes kick things off this Tuesday, June 16, 2026, with the France-Senegal clash. Here’s a round-up of the best spots so you can soak up the excitement in great company. [Read more]
FIFA World Cup: giant screen and free activities at La Villette, the family-friendly fan zone
From June 13 to July 19, 2026, Parc de la Villette comes alive to the rhythm of the World Cup as it hosts a vast, free fan zone at the foot of the Géode. Screenings on giant displays, a five-a-side football pitch, and colorful brick-building workshops invite the whole family to ride the energy of the tournament. [Read more]
Swimming in Paris and Île-de-France this summer 2026, eight sites, five of which are free, along the Seine and the Marne
Swimming in the Seine and the Marne is staging a big comeback this summer, with eight supervised sites, including three in Paris and a brand-new spot in Seine-Saint-Denis. They welcome bathers from June 20 for some, and July 4 for others, through the end of August 2026. [Read more]
26 charming villages and strolls to discover near Paris, the treasures of Île-de-France
Get away from Paris with these 26 must-see getaways within 100 km of the capital. [Read more]
Pokémon store in Paris, discover the first permanent store dedicated to Pokémon in pictures
A new immersive Pokémon corner opens in Paris? We're off to discover the new 80 m² permanent space, dedicated to the world of the famous creatures, in the Le Coin des Barons store, located on rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement. As of March 28, 2025, this unique corner awaits collectors and enthusiasts alike. [Read more]
FIFA World Cup: a festive, floating fan zone on the banks of the Seine this summer, 2026.
This summer, the Football World Cup lands on the banks of the Seine! From June 12 to July 19, 2026, the Quai de la Photo opens its doors to welcome fans in an atmosphere that promises to be exceptional, blending live matches with a music program. [Read more]
All you need to know about Notre-Dame de Paris: opening hours, tours, reservations, events
With its thirteen million visitors a year, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is one of the capital's must-sees. A place of worship as well as a monument, it has witnessed the history of Paris since its construction. Since December 8, 2024, the monument is once again accessible. With reservations, year-round concerts and suggested tours, discover all the information you need to prepare your visit to this emblem of Paris, ready to welcome the world. [Read more]
Sacré-Cœur de Paris, the must-see basilica atop Montmartre hill
The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is one of Paris's must-see monuments. But how much do you know about its history and treasures? We'll take you on a tour of this edifice perched atop the Butte Montmartre, and take a look at what's happening there at the moment! [Read more]
Make the most of this national celebration in Paris and the Île-de-France region!
Dates and Opening Time
On July 14, 2026
