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Visiting Paris should be on anyone’s bucket list for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, since the city is one of the most impressive cultural and historical sites in the world. However, if you are tired of the never-ending spots of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame and want to see Paris through its people, you can check out some of the numerous events and celebrations that French people participate in every year.
Most events are planned ahead, so you can have the time to find accommodation and plan the travel, which is convenient regardless of your budget. It’s best to expect the city to be crowded during most months of the year, but the experience of roaming around the city is worth it. Here are our event recommendations.
The ongoing centenary celebration of Monet
Coming to Paris this year is one of the best decisions if you’re an art lover, as 2026 marks the centenary of Claude Monet. The art of the impressionist artist will be exposed and adored from March to December across Normandy and Paris, showcasing its series like Les cathedrals or Nymphéas that are known worldwide.
Some of the places that will host Monet expositions include:
- Musée des Impressionnismes, where Monet’s early works will be exhibited;
- Musée de l’Orangerie, where virtual reality will be used in the Monet and Time exhibition;
- Musée Marmottan Monet holds the largest Monet collection in the world, which you will be able to explore;
Many dates are still unannounced, so if you’re more than excited to see everything and immerse yourself in the Monet world, you can look for a long-term apartment rental Paris to be closer to the events, with some prime locations in the heart of the city. And as a gift to yourself, you can experience exclusive services such as a concierge.
The start of the Paris Plages
For summer and beach lovers, the Paris Plages event turns the spots around the river Seine into artificial beaches for people to enjoy. Therefore, the roadways along the rivers are closed, making enough space for fun activities along sandy beaches.
Usually, the locations are as follows:
- The right bank of the river starts around the Pont Neuf bridge and close to the Place de la Bastille;
- The left bank stretches from Pont de l’Alma, from where you might be able to see the Eiffel Tower, along the Orsay Museum;
The right bank is where people go to relax and simply enjoy the weather, where the sand, trees, and biodiversity are present. On the other hand, the left bank is best visited for art displays, restaurants, and activities for kids, like biking.
The Animation Film Festival in Annecy
While not exactly in Paris, reaching the festival in Annecy is a worthwhile journey to participate in the annual animation event. Usually, it starts at the beginning of June and includes a competition for the best animated movie according to different techniques, whether traditional or CGI, in feature, short, or student films.
The festival allows you to view your favorite or interesting movies in impressive screenings, and you will also be able to discuss with fellow movie lovers, so make sure you get the tickets early, since queuing up at the moment might be unsuccessful. Besides the screenings, you can find people with similar interests at the Annecy picnics, which are hosted by schools or studios freely for people to participate and network.
Some of the best screenings that won prizes at last year’s edition include:
- Arco for Best Animated Feature;
- The Night Boots for the Audience Prize;
- Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake for the Gand Foundation Award for Distribution;
But here’s what to expect to see this year at Annecy:
- Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia;
- Love, Death + Robots — “How Zeke Got Religion”;
- Pol the Pirate Mouse — “Cave Monster”;
The 30-year marking of Canal du Midi
The Canal du Midi achieved its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site 30 years ago for its unique, ingenious constructions and inventive engineering throughout the Industrial Revolution. The Canal du Midi is part of the Canal des Deux Mers, which connects the Mediterranean with the Atlantic.
This year’s celebration will set cultural and sporting events for people to explore the sights, some of which you’ll have to see yourself:
- The Canal de Brienne in Toulouse;
- The Seuil de Naurouze, the highest point of the canal;
- Saint-Ferréol Lake, the oldest water reservoir;
Besides the canal’s structures, you should make the most of the cuisine and wine-tasting opportunities, as the abundance of vineyards surrounding it makes up the perfect Parisian vacation. Here are some resorts and restaurants to consider visiting:
- L’Arbousier in Homps or La Raffinerie in Béziers are the perfect spots for a lively atmosphere;
- The Grand Bief is an amazing spot among the vineyards, in an unspoiled countryside;
The Bastille Day
Of course, you cannot miss Bastille Day , or the National Day of France, on the 14th of July. The day marks an important moment in the country’s history from the French Revolution, and it takes place on the Champs-Élysées, where celebrations will include military parades, musical performances, and amazing fireworks.
Remember that celebrating that includes alcohol limits consumption after 4PM to keep things safe around, so day drinking is more acceptable. At some point during the evening, you will be able to hear amazing compositions from the French National Orchestra or the Radio France Noir, as well as other artists at the base of the Eiffel Tower, and the fireworks follow later in the night. Choosing Champ de Mars to see the fireworks is a great decision when you’ve also booked a dinner cruise on the Seine.
Are you ready for the Parisian experience?
Visiting some of the landmarks in France is amazing, but getting accustomed to how Parisians enjoy their lives and experience events is much better. Therefore, you must at least once travel to Paris for the Paris Plages and Bastille Day, since these are national events, but this year is special for Paris since it will celebrate Monet’s centenary and 30 years since Canal du Midi became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.