Pink October: the Eiffel Tower goes pink to kick off the 2026 mobilization this Wednesday.

The Octobre Rose 2026 campaign kicks off from the Champ-de-Mars, in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, at the foot of the rose-lit Eiffel Tower. This exceptional evening marks the start of a nationwide month-long mobilization against breast cancer, launched by the Ruban Rose association more than 30 years ago. From the esplanade, the illumination of the Iron Lady and several emblematic monuments across France is set in motion, serving as a beacon to raise awareness, spur action, and inspire hope.

An evening hosted by Leila Kaddour-Boudadi

For this 2026 edition, the association unveils its new campaign alongside the people who keep its daily mission alive: researchers, patrons, artists, and the Ruban Rose family’s sponsors. The evening is hosted by journalist Leila Kaddour-Boudadi, who brings together generous and engaged artists.

The program centers on an original creation by Ruban Rose, featuring a brand-new choreographic excerpt entrusted to a renowned artistic figure. This festive yet solemn moment sets the tone for an entire month dedicated to information, prevention, and early detection, with numerous initiatives across the country.

The Eiffel Tower lit pink to kick off the mobilization

As every year since 2014, the Eiffel Tower lights up in pink to kick off the campaign. The pink illumination replaces the usual gold and stays visible from the Trocadéro and the Champ de Mars throughout the evening. The clockwork sparkle, a beloved fixture of the Paris skyline, will be shown during the first five minutes of every hour (details to be confirmed on the Eiffel Tower official site).

With the active support of the City of Paris, several iconic buildings will also be bathed in pink that same evening, in Paris and across the rest of France. This symbolic gesture underscores the scale of a cause that concerns everyone.

• To be read
• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France for September 28 to October 4, 2026.

Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month Still Matters

In France, breast cancer remains the most common and deadliest cancer among women, with about 60,000 new cases each year, according to the Ruban Rose association. When detected early, it is curable in nine out of ten cases within five years, underscoring the pivotal role of screening.

Throughout October, the association backs medical and scientific research, urges both women and men to get regular screenings, and highlights the work of doctors and researchers. The Ruban Rose prizes recognize annual projects and innovations in the fight against the disease. To support the cause, you can donate directly on the Ruban Rose association site.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026 in Paris: other events

The launch party at Champ-de-Mars is only the beginning. Throughout the month, Paris and the Île-de-France region will host dozens of events—charity runs, prevention workshops and free screening spaces. To see the full program, you can consult Sortiraparis's guide Octobre Rose à Paris et en Île-de-France and the guide to free screening centers.