Richard Nahem, an ex-New Yorker living in Paris, leads private insider tours showing visitors the Paris most of them never see on their own (www.eyepreferparistours.com), and also writes a popular insider's blog at www.eyepreferparis.com.
Most people envision Paris at the end of July and during the month of August as having empty streets and deserted boulevards, shops hanging signs on their doors with the words "Closed for Vacation" and the mass exodus of millions of Parisians leaving the city to take their annual vacations. However, in recent years with the economic climate changing in France, many Parisians remain in Paris during the summer, enjoying a staycation. More restaurants and shops stay open and the city now provides a healthy dose of activities and cultural events.
Here is a list of some popular and fun events for summer 2015 in Paris.
Paris Plage
Celebrating its 13th year, Paris Plages/The Paris Beach is one of the most popular summer attractions in Paris. A section of the highway along the Seine river is closed to traffic and transformed into a seaside resort that includes areas with sand, beach chairs, chaise lounges and umbrellas, so head on down to the beach with your swimsuit to get your Parisian tan. The approximate 1.5 Km stretch along Le Voie Georges Pompidou also features concerts, petanque ball, cafes, ice cream stalls, Tai Chi classes, a sand pit for kids to build sand castles, and volley ball.
Le Voie Georges Pompidou
Open July 20 to August 23, 2015
Cinema en Plein Air
The retro American drive-in has been modernized to a car-less version in a Parisian park. Every year a series of films are shown outdoors after dark in the Parc Villette. The films are a mix of classic and cult French, American, and foreign films. For 2015 screenings include Moulin Rouge, Rebecca, Caché, Inside Llewyn Davis, Louise Wimmer, Beetlejuice, Mon Oncle, and The Shining.
July 22-August 23, 2015
Admission free, chairs and blankets an additional 7€
http://www.cinema.arbo.com/index.php?p=films&a=2015
La Fete du Tuileries
The beautiful Tuileries Park is turned into an amusement park in summer. Kids and adults can squeal with delight on all their favorite rides, including a roller coaster, a giant water slide, a Ferris wheel overlooking all the wonders of Paris, and a classic merry-go-round. There are also games of chance, ice cream stands, cotton candy, churros and Belgian waffles.
June 27 – August 23, 2015
Tuileries Park- near Place de la Concorde
Summers of Dance Festival
For the last 11 years The Chatelet Theater has presented a summer dance festival. This season they proudly showcase the New York-based Alvin Ailey Dance Theater directed by Robert Battle. Invited to perform for the fourth time in Paris because of its immense popularity, the company will perform many of its iconic pieces including Home, Revelations, Pas De Duke, and The River and will also have premiers of After the Rain, Bad Blood, Exodus and Grace.
July 7- August 1, 2015
Theatre du Chatelet
Place du Chatelet, 75001
http://chatelet-theatre.com/en/event/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater