July in Paris is the city at its most festive: football fans gathering around giant screens, summer sales filling the boutiques, Paris Plages returning to the riverbanks, Bastille Day lighting up the Eiffel Tower, jazz drifting through the trees at Parc Floral, and the Tour de France arriving in the capital. In 2026, Paris has a particularly strong July calendar, from FIFA World Cup fan zones to the 250th anniversary of Franco-American friendship at the Musée Carnavalet. Whether you want football, fashion, music, history, royal gardens, or a great baguette, here are 10 things to do in Paris this July.
1. World Cup Fan Zones (Through July 19)
Even though the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking place in North America, Paris will know exactly how to celebrate. France is home to les Bleus, a two-time World Cup champion team, and when the national side goes far, football becomes a citywide mood, with cafés, terraces, squares, and fan zones filling with jerseys, flags, chants, and collective suspense. For the most Parisian setting, head to the Eiffel Tower Summer Terrace, where matches are shown on the first floor, 200 feet above the city, from June 11 to July 19; the terrace has shaded areas, pergolas, seating, drinks, snacks, ice cream, and photo spots, and access is included with a regular Eiffel Tower ticket. For a free family option, the LEGO Fan Zone at Parc de la Villette combines giant screens, football activities, and LEGO-themed workshops at the foot of the Géode. Café A, in the 10th arrondissement, offers a free garden fan-zone experience with giant screens, a bar, a restaurant, and interactive activities, while Boom Boom Villette is one of the most comfortable choices during a heat wave thanks to its covered space, giant screen, entertainment, restaurants, and bars. For groups, La Felicità in the 13th arrondissement offers another festive indoor option, with giant screens and plenty of food before or during the match; most fan zones are free to enter, with food and drinks costing extra.
2. Bastille Day Celebrations (July 13-14)
In 2026, the Eiffel Tower fireworks for Bastille Day will take place on Monday, July 13, one day before the holiday is traditionally celebrated on July 14. The fireworks are expected around 11 pm, and will light up the sky around the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. Entry to the Champ de Mars area is free, but crowds will be very large, and security restrictions can make movement slow. The next morning, on Tuesday, July 14, the traditional military parade will take place on and around the Champs-Élysées. Together, the fireworks and parade make Bastille Day one of the biggest national celebrations of the French summer. Firemen’s balls, known as bals des pompiers, also bring a festive local touch to the holiday period, with music and dancing in fire stations around the city, often with free or donation-based entry. This is an unforgettable experience, but it requires planning: it is not ideal for very young children if they do not handle crowds, late nights, or loud noise well. Bring water, travel light, and expect transportation changes. If the weather is extremely hot, avoid arriving too early unless you have a shaded waiting spot. Also note that the Eiffel Tower itself is scheduled to be closed to the public on July 13, 2026.
3. Les Soldes d’Été (Through July 21)
Paris is always a shopping city, but the official soldes d’été (Summer Sales) make it even more tempting. From June 24 to July 21, stores across France offer seasonal markdowns on fashion, shoes, accessories, beauty, and home goods. In Paris, that means discounts everywhere from major department stores like Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, Printemps Haussmann, and Le Bon Marché, to smaller boutiques in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and around Rue du Bac. This is also one of the better July activities to enjoy during a heat wave, especially if you choose air-conditioned department stores or covered shopping streets. Go early in the day for lighter crowds and a better selection, or later in the sales period for deeper discounts. The Marais is lovely, but during extreme heat, it is better to keep the route short and stop often.
4. Versailles Night Shows (Through July 25)
Versailles is always impressive, but summer evenings bring a more theatrical version of the palace gardens. The Night Fountains Show fills the gardens with music, illuminated groves, fountains, and a grand finale of fireworks. In July 2026, regular Saturday shows take place throughout the month, with a special Bastille Day edition on July 14. There is also a special Independence Day show on July 4, a fitting detail in a summer that also includes the 250th anniversary of Franco-American friendship. Standard tickets start around €39 full price and €36 for reduced entry, with higher-priced Prestige and Royal tickets available; children ages 0 to 3 enter free. The evening format is important in July: Versailles can feel exhausting under the midday sun, but the fountains, music, lights, and fireworks are far more pleasant after the heat has started to drop. The event is outdoors and involves walking through the gardens, so comfortable shoes are essential. Bring water and avoid making this the end of a long, overheated sightseeing day.
5. Tour de France (July 26)
Few events feel more French than the Tour de France, and its final arrival in Paris is one of the great summer traditions. In 2026, the Tour ends on July 26 on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. Watching from public areas is free, but expect crowds, barriers, and limited access in some places. The atmosphere is festive, emotional, and very French, with fans lining the route to cheer the riders and celebrate le maillot jaune. The Eiffel Tower Summer Terrace is also broadcasting Tour de France stages from July 5 to 27, generally during the day depending on the official schedule. For cycling fans who want the Tour atmosphere without standing outside for hours, this can be a more comfortable option.
6. Swimming in the Seine (Through August 30)
Paris Plages is one of the city’s favorite summer traditions, turning parts of the Seine riverbanks and Paris waterways into open-air leisure spaces with deckchairs, games, activities, and family-friendly programming. In 2026, the event once again takes over several major summer areas, including Parc Rives de Seine, the Bassin de la Villette, and the Canal Saint-Martin. The most symbolic part of the season is the return of supervised swimming in the Seine and other designated swimming areas. Access is free, but swimming is only allowed in official monitored sites, with safety supervision and regular water-quality checks… no spontaneous dips in the river permitted. During a heat wave, this can be a refreshing option, but visitors should still plan carefully: go early, bring water, wear sunscreen, and check opening conditions before heading out. Seine swimming is generally open to visitors ages 14 and up, except at Bercy, where the minimum age is 10.
7. Paris Jazz Festival (Through September 6)
For a greener and calmer side of July in Paris, the Paris Jazz Festival returns to Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes. The 2026 edition runs from June 24 to September 6, bringing free daytime concerts to one of the city’s loveliest summer settings (although the Parc Floral entrance fee may apply, around €2.80 full price and €1.60 for reduced entry). The July lineup includes Melissa Aldana on July 4, Tomoki Sanders on July 12, and Lea Maria Fries on July 18. Earlier in the season, the program also features Duo Brady and Poets of Forest, with drummer Arnaud Dolmen, Jowee Omicil, and Michel Alibo. Later in the summer, the lineup continues with names such as Salomé Gasselin, AMG, Célia Kameni, and Kyoto Jazz Massive featuring Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra. The festival is a lovely way to experience live music outdoors without the intensity of a huge summer festival. Parc Floral offers lawns, shade, gardens, and space to breathe, which makes it more comfortable than many central Paris events.
8. Franco-American Friendship Exhibit (Through September 27)
For American visitors in Paris, this is one of the most timely exhibitions of the summer. Musée Carnavalet, located in the Marais, is presenting 1776–2026: 250 Years of Franco-American Friendship through September 27. The exhibition is integrated into the permanent collections and looks at the long relationship between France and the United States. The theme feels especially relevant in 2026, as the United States marks 250 years of independence, and France’s role in that story remains central. At the same time, the exhibition is also a reminder that Franco-American friendship is not just diplomatic history; it is part of Paris’s cultural memory, visible in symbols, revolutions, alliances, and shared ideals. Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, with Monday closures. This is also a smart July choice because it is indoors, central, and free, making it a good stop for travelers who want to enjoy some culture without spending hours in the sun.
9. Rent a Boat
For a different view of Paris without the effort of walking in the heat, rent a small electric boat and make your own cruise along the city’s canals. At Marin d’Eau Douce and Click&Boat visitors can rent license-free electric boats from the Bassin de la Villette for trips along the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Canal Saint-Martin, and surrounding waterways; boats can usually fit 5, 7, or 11 people, and rentals can last from one hour to a full day. Another option is AKWA, which rents license-free electric boats on the Canal de l’Ourcq, with prices starting at €45 for one hour for a classic boat for up to 4 people, €60 for one hour for a boat for up to 6 people, and €80 for one hour for a boat for up to 9 people; longer rentals are also available, and AKWA lists a barbecue boat from around €300 for 2.5 hours for up to 10 people.
10. Wine Tastings & Cooking Classes
Paris in July is about eating well without overdoing it. Start with the 2026 winner of the Grand Prix de la Baguette: Fournil Didot, at 103 rue Didot in the 14th arrondissement. Baker Sithamparappillai Jegatheepan won the 33rd edition of the competition in February 2026, making this bakery one of the most delicious food stops of the year. Buy a baguette tradition, which usually costs around €1.30 to €1.50, then build a simple picnic with cheese, fruit, and something cold to drink. For a more immersive food experience, book a French cooking class; Le Foodist offers cooking, pastry, baking, and wine experiences in Paris, including market-to-table classes and pastry workshops, often ranging from about €100 to €200+ depending on the format and length. A wine tasting is another easy way to enjoy French culture while staying cool, with indoor tastings in cellars, wine bars, or tasting rooms often ranging from about €50 to €100, and sometimes including cheese or charcuterie pairings. For a classic Paris meal, consider a bouillon for traditional French dishes at accessible prices, a shaded terrace for a slower lunch, or a neighborhood bistro for dinner after the heat drops. July is not the time to rush from one famous restaurant to another. It is the time to sit, drink water, eat well, and let the city slow down around you.
July in Paris: Plan Around the Heat, Not Against It
July in Paris can be unforgettable, but the smartest itineraries respect the weather. Do big outdoor events early, late, or in the evening. Save museums, tastings, cooking classes, shopping, and shaded terrace breaks for the hottest hours. Carry water, avoid long midday walks, and do not be afraid to slow down. The best July plan might be a World Cup match at the Eiffel Tower Summer Terrace, an air-conditioned shopping break during les soldes, jazz in the park, Paris Plages in the morning, the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées, a museum visit at Carnavalet, a boat ride on the Canal de l’Ourcq, and one truly good baguette. That balance of festive, cultural, delicious, and comfortable is what makes Paris in July feel like summer at its best.
Mariam Rubalcava is a writer from Paris based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She collaborates with lifestyle publications including Frenchly, 7×7 Magazine, and Le Détour, and her work focuses on travel, food, culture, hospitality, sports, and major events in the United States and France. Alongside her writing activities, she works in the technology industry in Silicon Valley. Mariam is actively involved in the French community in the Bay Area and volunteers with the Alliance Française Silicon Valley, where she supports cultural, educational, and community initiatives that promote the French language and culture.
