Parisians are famous for fleeing the French capital in the summer in search of cooler climates. But with a host of celebrations and cultural activities on offer, there’s no better time to take the temperature of the City of Light. 

Petit Palais

1. Fete de la Musique 

Celebrating the summer solstice on June 21 each year, this event (which has expanded to more than 100 countries across the globe in the three decades since its inception), is an excuse for the whole city to let its hair down, with concerts in parks and palaces (including Jardin des Tuileries and the Petit Palais), as well as impromptu gigs on street corners and even apartment balconies. Getting around town to soak it all in is a cinch, with discounted public transport and some Metro lines running all night. 

2. Bastille Day

July 14 is not the day to visit Paris if you’re looking for a quiet time. But with the French going all out to celebrate the start of the Revolution, including a full military parade down the Champs Elysees (with tanks, helicopters, jets and thousands of soldiers) and a half-hour fireworks display from the Eiffel Tower (and elsewhere), it’s a pretty memorable way to experience the city. Among the unexpected highlights: the tradition of fire stations throwing open their doors to the public on the 13th and 14th for dancing and demonstrations, as part of the fun and quirky Fireman’s Balls.

3. Cinema en Plein Air

Held from late July to late August in Parc de la Villette in the northeast of the city (half an hour’s walk along Canal St Martin from Gare du Nord), this charming, free event (there’s a small rental fee if you want a chaise longue) showcases recent releases and classic films nightly on a giant screen in a gorgeous outdoor setting. Last year saw Beetlejuice and The Shining mixing it up with Far from Heaven, Moulin Rouge and many more. One of the best picnic spots in town.

4. Paris Plages

Running from mid-July until mid-August, this hugely popular initiative sees the banks of the Seine (as well as Bassin de la Villette and even some city squares) transformed into urban beaches. First launched in 2002 to give Parisians a reason to stay in the city over summer, it’s now a huge tourist draw in its own right, with deckchairs, ice cream vendors, book-borrowing and beach volleyball providing an excuse to lounge around in the summer heat, as the beaches open from 9am to midnight. A related development in 2013 was the opening of Les Berges, which saw a 2km stretch of riverside road in front of the Musee d’Orsay given an industrial-chic makeover with the installation of outdoor activity stations as well as bars, restaurants and a promenade for walking, rollerblading and cycling. There are even renovated cargo crates (aptly named “Zzz”) where you can take a nap.

5. Rock en Seine

A three-day affair (this year it runs from August 26-28), Rock en Seine is well established as the city’s top summer music festival. Last year’s edition, which saw 66 acts take to five different stages, was headlined by the Libertines, Kasabian and the Chemical Brothers, and the first wave of artists for 2016 has just been announced: expect Foals, Massive Attack and Chvrches, with lots more to come. The location, on the banks of the river, inside the 17th century Domaine National de Saint-Cloud park, takes some beating, and it’s an easy 10-minute walk to and from the nearest Metro stop. A three-day pass goes for €119 ($181), but you can also buy passes on a per day basis.  

ESSENTIALS

La Maison Champs Elysees

Getting There
Air France has direct flights from $1,320 return, while Qatar Airways can get you there, via Doha, from $1,050.

Where to Stay
La Maison Champs Elysees is a fancy boutique property just behind the Grand Palais. In the heart of the so-called Golden Triangle, it’s a short walk to the Champs Elysees, Jardin des Tuileries and—just across the Seine—the Musee d’Orsay. 

Open since 2012 in a classic 19th-century townhouse, it’s most famous as the first interior project by fashion house Maison Martin Margiela, with 17 of the rooms and suites taking inspiration from trompe l’oeil, in surreal and unexpected fashion. In our White Cover Suite, for example, the furnishings and objects in the room–including the pictures on the wall–were draped with white cotton, while the ceiling above the bed lit up a night to reveal a huge mirror. We also snuck a peek at the Curiosity Case suite, in which the walls and floor are painted black and haunting objects and images are mounted on the wall. 

It’s definitely not for everyone (although fashionistas will love the off-the-wall style), but not all of the rooms are quite so outlandish (and even those that are still come reassuringly equipped with Macs, flatscreen TVs and bespoke toiletries). And while the in-house restaurant, La Table du 8, sticks to the whimsical theme with poured concrete flooring and “floating” tables and chairs, the quiet breakfast terrace, surrounded by greenery despite the heart-of-the-city location, really is great. Rates start from $205 per night (excluding breakfast) if you book through Design Hotels.