2009 Summer events in Paris

Those looking for some summer fun need look no further than Paris. Paris offers a myriad of summer activities of all shapes and sizes. Many Parisians leave the area for summer vacations which leaves more room for tourists. Each year on the 21st of June, Paris holds The Fête de la Musique. This popular event brings hundreds of street performers to the city streets. Many different types of music are played during the festival including jazz, hip hop, electronic, and rock. The festival gives tourists the chance to enjoy free shows as they explore the area.

July comes fun filled with Bastille Day on the 14th where a huge parade ends with fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. The Paris Cinema International Film Festival spans between the 2nd and the 14th of July. During the festival, tourists can see those new to the film scene as well as meet their favorite movie stars. In 2009, the festival will be held in arrondissement 5. The Summer Arts Festival also begins in July. This festival starts July 15, 2009 and ends on August 9, 2009. The four week long festival allows visitors to enjoys all types of art from dance to film to painted works. Located in the Latin quarter, tourists can enjoy the Bohemian feel of the area while enjoy many different types of art.

Also starting in July, is Paris Plage, which is a beach that is created especially for this festival along the banks of the river Seine. At Paris Plage, visitors can have fun in the sand while enjoying live music. Many vendors set up in the area where food and drinks can also be purchased. Paris Plage starts on July 20th and ends on August 20th. The Open-Air Cinema Festival at the Parc de la Villette runs from July 15th to August 16th, 2009. This is located at the Parc de la Villette. Visitors can come out here, spread out a blanket, and watch one of around 35 movies that are played on the large outdoor screen.

In August, besides enjoying the last parts of many festivals, many tourists can enjoy Shakespeare’s Garden Theater Festival where visitors can enjoy many of Shakespeare’s plays such as Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet in a romantic, open-air setting. Located in arrondissement 16, this festival is best enjoyed in August but actually starts in May and ends in October. It gives a great end to the wonderful summers that Paris offers.