What are we doing this Ascension weekend from Thursday 14, Friday 15, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026 in the Île-de-France region? While there are plenty of outings in Paris, the options are just as plentiful elsewhere in Île-de-France. Whether in the Yvelines, the Val-de-Marne, the Seine-Saint-Denis, the Val-d’Oise, the Seine-et-Marne, the Essonne or the Hauts-de-Seine, each department goes all out to offer a weekend packed with activities that will delight both kids and grown-ups.
A chance to get away from it all for a few hours, not far from Paris, and discover places that are easily accessible by metro, RER, bus or Transilien. Walking tours, exhibitions, festivals, shows and cinema... the possibilities are endless.
What’s on this Ascension Weekend? An electro party at the Palace of Versailles, a Monster Truck show, the reopening of a legendary racecourse in the Yvelines, a flower-filled weekend in Seine-et-Marne, a bucolic stroll in Val-d’Oise, or an exhibition at the Domaine de Chamarande… Discover 10 Île-de-France outings waiting for you this weekend!
Versailles Electro, the electrifying night featuring fireworks at the Palace of Versailles, is set to return in May 2026.
A great vibe takes over at the Palace of Versailles for a fantastic electronic music night! Versailles Electro is making its return on May 16, 2026, in Paris. Here’s everything you need to know. [Read more]
Unusual: a Monster Trucks show, motorcycle freestyle and Transformers set to roll into the area near Paris
Brace yourselves, things are about to get wild: the Hells Drivers Danglade Show is rolling into the Paris area with its Monster Trucks and jaw-dropping stunts. From May 16 to 31, 2026, the Hippodrome d’Enghien-Soisy will transform into a high-octane arena. A star-spangled family show where adrenaline takes the wheel. [Read more]
Candlelit evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle 2026: a magical stroll culminating in a spectacular fireworks display
The candlelit evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle offer a truly enchanting experience to enjoy with loved ones. On the agenda: an evening tour illuminated by 2,000 candles, water displays, a romantic stroll through the gardens accompanied by baroque music, and even a spectacular fireworks display! An exceptional event to be savored from May 16 to September 26, 2026. [Read more]
Yvelines (78) : after six years of closure, this legendary racecourse reopens with a spectacular concert
Long dormant for a long time, locked behind its gates as if frozen in time, the Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse is finally gearing up to restart racing. On Friday, May 15, 2026, this iconic Seine-side venue makes a highly anticipated comeback, with a public horse sale and, in the evening, a private Bob Sinclar concert. [Read more]
Flower weekend at Moulin Jaune: do as you please in this extraordinary and remarkable garden.
Slava Polunin’s renowned garden reopens its doors on May 16 and 17, 2026 in Crécy-la-Chapelle, Seine-et-Marne, for a flower-filled weekend of costumes and picnics along the Grand Morin. [Read more]
Deuil-la-Barre's Greenway: a verdant stroll in the heart of Val-d'Oise
Nature comes to Deuil-la-Barre! This spring, the Île-de-France town unveils the third stretch of the “Coulée Verte,” its flagship project to forge a green corridor that runs through the town from north to south. A chance to enjoy a lush, leafy stroll right in the heart of Val-d’Oise. [Read more]
Forest Tales: Lélia Demoisy's exhibition at Domaine de Chamarande
Lélia Demoisy presents Tales from the Forests, a contemporary art exhibition at the Domaine départemental de Chamarande in the Essonne department, running from May 10 to August 30, 2026. The exhibition journey traverses the forest, living beings, and the memory of materials through sculptures and installations. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
L'Auberge du Vieux Marly, a terrace-friendly restaurant in the Yvelines, is making a comeback (78)
L'Auberge du Vieux Marly, an institution in the old village of Marly-le-Roi in the Yvelines (78), is coming back to life in 2026 under the leadership of Myriam Guenfoud. A chalkboard menu, a shaded terrace, and homemade cooking await you at this charming village-style restaurant. [Read more]
Palomano: the kids' mini-city opens a new playground in Montrouge (92)
Palomano, a go-to destination for kids, rounds out its Île-de-France locations with a new playground in Montrouge, inviting families to live, marvel, and imagine all the possibilities for a few hours. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From May 14, 2026 to May 17, 2026
