What to do in Paris August 2022
August is notoriously void of Parisians as they leave the big city for their annual summer holiday extravaganza. What’s usually left are brave tourists from around the world. People say August is one of the worst times to visit the city because everything is closed and it’s so empty, but I find that it’s one of my favorite times to visit!
If you don’t mind the heat, and you time it right, you can have a fabulous august vacation in Paris! There are still plenty of things to do!
There are still some events from July that are happening and if you haven’t gotten a chance to check them out, I would recommend doing them. You can read about the Paris Plages, Festival du Parc Floral, and much more all here.
Paris in August 2022
Events in and around Paris
Rock en Seine
Rock en Seine is back and in full force, especially after the last two years (cancellations due to Covid). This is a rock festival that spans 4 days and attracts thousands of spectators whose love for rock is none other. The four days of the festival are packed with groups such as Stromae, Artic Monkeys, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Tame Impala to name a few. If your looking to end your summer with a bang, this is a pretty good way to do it.
Admission: starting at 69€.
Dates: Thursday August, 25, 2022 to Sunday August 28, 2022
Location: Domaine du Parc de Saint Cloud
Les Nuits des Étoiles
A weekend of events that is organized by the l’Association Française d’Astronomie (The French Astronomy Association). The Night of the Stars, les Nuits des Étoiles, an amazing way to discover the night sky. If you are unable to physically attend an event, there’s also the option to view online. This year’s theme is all about exploration, in conjunction with the launch of the Artemis 1 space program by the Americans.
Admission: please check event’s website for more details.
Dates: Friday August 5, 2022 to Sunday August 7, 2022.
Location: All over France
La Monnaie de Paris
For the entire month of August, La Monnaie de Paris opens its doors and allows the public free access to the museum and its current exhibit, Monnaies et Merveilles. This exhibit actually runs from the 12the of May to the 25th of September 2022. This particular museum is dedicated to the Paris mint (where money is made) as well as the art and craft of metal work. The current expo brings together over 200 pieces from all the large museum collections into one place and takes a look at the relationship between man and money.
Admission: Free.
Dates: August 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Location: La Monnaie de Paris, 11 quai Conti, 75006.
Les Arènes Lyriques
An evening you will not forget and well worth it too! Tucked away in Montmartre there is a little amphitheater that’s almost hidden if you didn’t know where to look. The Arènes Lyriques is a tribute to classical music with singers and artists alike. This year’s program is bound to astound with about an hour and a half of beautifully chosen pieces from the Baroque period to the Romantic. Wine and beer can be purchased onsite and enjoyed during the performance. Highly recommend bringing a blanket and/or extra cushions for comfort.
Admission: starting at 35€.
Dates: August 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 20h30.
Location: Jardin des Arènes de Montmartre, 25 rue Chappe, 75018
Festival du cinéma en plein air
The sun sets later and later in the summer months in Paris and that just makes the days and evenings feel longer. You can take advantage of this and watch a movie on a lawn at La Villette! And they’re FREE! Who wouldn’t want to see a free movie?! You can find the entire movie listing here as well as any other important information. Be sure to also check movie related events happening as well as the movie screenings.
Admission: access to the lawn is free, lounge chairs and blanket are 7€.
Dates: July 20, 2022 to August 21, 2022
Location: Parc de la Villette, 211 avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019
Expos in and around Paris
Van Gogh, la Nuit Étoilée
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know my love for the Atelier des Lumières, a cultural space that has digital expositions. There are several around France, I’ve been to the one in Paris (so far, I’ve seen every exhibit) and the one in Bordeaux (which is my favorite and you must add to your list). The debut exhibit when they opened their doors in Paris was about Van Gogh and it was fantastic!
Admission: tickets start at 16€ (2€ off if you buy online).
Dates: August 1 to August 27, 2022 from 4:30 PM to 8 PM, every day except Sunday.
Location: 38 rue Saint Maur, 75011
Maya Ruiz-Picasso, daughter of Pablo
A perfect opportunity to visit the Musée Picasso if you haven’t already been. The current expo, running now till December 2022, showcases the relationship between Pablo and his first born child, Maya. An expansive collection that renders homage to the relationship between father and daughter. Not only are there drawings, and sketchbooks, but also paintings, photographs and much more. This never before seen collection is a peek into the artist’s life and the influence his daughter had on his work.
Admission: tickets start at 14€.
Dates: April 16 to December 31, 2022, open Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 6 PM and Saturday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Location: 5 rue de Thoringy, 75003.
Aristide Maillol at Musée d'Orsay
If you’ve ever been to the Tuileries gardens and noticed the statues hanging out there, there are by the artist Aristide Maillol. The exhibition, The Quest for Harmony, is a collection of his pieces that span the entirety of his career, from his early paintings to his sculptures. He’s most known for his sculptures of women and his unique interpretation of the female figure, geometric in shape, yet sensual and simple in their form.
Admission: tickets start at 16€.
Dates: running now till 21 August, Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM, Thursdays open till 9:45 PM, closed on Mondays.
Location: Musée d’Orsay, 1, rue de la Légion d’Honneur 75007
Sens dessus dessous
An open-air exhibit put on by the Communauté Portuaire de Paris and in partnership with the Paris Summer Olympics and Paralympics brings together 5 artists where their canvas is underneath the bridges along the Seine. With Paris Plages already in full swing, this is an added bonus! You will find the following artists on display under a specific bridge along the Seine: Philippe Erell located at the Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir, Echaroux located at the Pont Marie, Sébastien Preschoux under the Passerelle Léopold Sédar-Senghor, Amsted located at the Pont de l’Alma, and ID Textile – Marion & Sylvie Breton located at the Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
Admission: free.
Dates: June 23 to September 23, 2022.
Location: Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir, Pont Marie, Passerelle, Léopold Sédar-Senghor, Pont de l’Alma, Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
L'arc et le sabre
If you’re any bit into the history, fantasy, parody and culture of Japan and her warriors, the Samurai, this is the exhibition for you. The Musée Guimet, known as the National museum for Asian Arts, has put together an exhibition around the infamous Samurai with everything from fact to fantasy. Dive deep into Japanese culture with a look into the medieval, mighty warrior and how it shaped a culture and a movement.
Admission: tickets start at 11€50.
Dates: March 16 to August 29, 2022, every day except Tuesday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Location: 6, place d’Iéna, 75016
