What to Do in Paris This Week: August 10–16, 2026 : Art, and best activities

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Paris may be quieter in August, but there is still plenty to do in the capital this week, from August 10 to 16, 2026. Highlights include seven exhibitions, unusual walking tours, outdoor concerts, and almost a dozen free activities. On August 12, you can even watch a partial solar eclipse from several Paris parks.

Here is our selection of the best things to do in Paris this week.

Major Exhibitions to See in Paris This Week

Seven major exhibitions are currently taking place in Paris, ranging from major retrospectives to lesser-known artists and historical subjects.

• Calder: Rêver en équilibre — Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris 16th. From April 15 to August 16, 2026. This is the final week to see this major retrospective dedicated to Alexander Calder.
• Madame de Sévigné, Lettres parisiennes — Musée Carnavalet, 23 rue de Sévigné, Paris 3rd. From April 15 to August 23, 2026. The exhibition explores the famous letter writer through her relationship with Paris.
• Kourtney Roy – All Inclusive — Cité de l’Économie, 1 place du Général Catroux, Paris 17th. From February 20 to September 20, 2026. A quirky photographic journey into the world of consumer culture.
• Eugène Delacroix: Un lieu, un artiste — Musée Delacroix, Paris 6th. From January 10 to September 6, 2026.
• Simone Veil. Mes sœurs et moi — Mémorial de la Shoah, 17 rue Geoffroy-l’Asnier, Paris 4th. From February 10 to October 15, 2026. A guided tour is scheduled for Thursday, August 13.
• Hilma af Klint — Grand Palais, Paris 8th. From May 6 to August 30, 2026. This is the first major French retrospective devoted to the Swedish pioneer of abstract art, including her famous Paintings for the Temple (1906–1915).
• Aux origines. Regards croisés sur le racisme et les discriminations — Musée national de l’histoire de l’immigration, Palais de la Porte Dorée, Paris 12th. From June 5 to August 23, 2026.

Read our selection of best things to do in Paris

Guided Tours, Walks and Urban Discoveries

This week is also a good opportunity to explore Paris on foot and discover some of the city’s lesser-known neighborhoods and stories.

If you want to enjoy the summer weather while seeing Paris from a different perspective, you could also take a Seine River cruise.

Here are some of this week’s walking tours and activities:

• Guided tour – Place du Colonel Fabien becomes an urban forest — Paris 10th — Monday, August 10. Free, registration required.
• Montparnasse: In the footsteps of Giacometti — starting at Alésia metro station, Paris 14th — Tuesday, August 11.
• In the footsteps of Hélène Berr — Mémorial de la Shoah, Paris 4th — Wednesday, August 12.
• Montparnasse: Around the Musée Bourdelle — starting at Falguière metro station, Paris 15th — Thursday, August 13.
• Summer at the Museum — Musée de la Légion d’honneur, 2 rue de la Légion d’honneur, Paris 7th — Thursday, August 13.

Concerts, Shows and Summer Evenings

There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy live music and evening entertainment in Paris this week.

• Jam Session with Maxence Leroy — Estival de Jam Festival, Le Baiser Salé, 58 rue des Lombards, Paris 1st — Monday, August 10.
• Mannequin Death Squad — rock concert at Supersonic, Paris 12th — Tuesday, August 11.
• La Graine d’oreille — children’s show as part of the L’été des p’tits futés festival, Théâtre Darius Milhaud, Paris 19th — Wednesday, August 12.
• Kochersperger / Phayphet Duo — jazz at Le Son de la Terre, 2 Port de Montebello, Paris 5th — Thursday, August 13.
• Thomas Duvigneau / Jean-Baptiste Bridon — Le Son de la Terre, Paris 5th — Friday, August 14.
• Viola da gamba & harpsichord: French Baroque music — Paris 8th — Saturday, August 15.
• Paris Jazz Festival – Salomé Gasselin — Parc Floral de Paris, Paris 12th — Saturday, August 15 at 4 pm. The concert is free, although admission to the park costs €2.50.
• Jam Session with Benjamin — Estival de Jam Festival, Le Baiser Salé, Paris 1st — Sunday, August 16.

Free Activities, Nature and Family Outings

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Paris with children or simply spend a day outdoors without spending much money.

Here are some free activities taking place this week:

• NOUR – Free yoga class open to everyone — 3 avenue Maurice d’Ocagne, Paris 14th — Monday, August 10.
• Grasshopper and cricket observation — Parc Floral de Paris, Paris 12th — Wednesday, August 12.
• Watch the solar eclipse at Parc André-Citroën — Paris 15th — Wednesday, August 12, from 7 pm to 9:09 pm. The partial eclipse will reach approximately 92% visibility in Paris.
• Meet at the Garden! — free gardening workshop at the Maison du Jardinage et du Compostage, 41 rue Paul-Belmondo, Parc de Bercy, Paris 12th — Thursday, August 13.
• Board games — part of Paris en Seine 2026, Centre Paris Anim’ Bessie Smith, Paris 13th — Thursday, August 13.
• Let’s Review Bird Songs – Online Conference — Parc Floral de Paris — Friday, August 14.
• Stargazing Evening at Square Louis XIII — Paris 4th — Saturday, August 15.
• Fête des Loges — Saint-Germain-en-Laye Forest — until August 16, 2026. One of Europe’s largest funfairs is entering its final days this week.
• Fête des Tuileries — Tuileries Garden, Paris 1st — until August 23, 2026. Admission is free, while rides and attractions are charged separately. Expect a Ferris wheel, fairground rides and other entertainment in the heart of Paris.

And Also…

Don’t forget some of the classic Parisian summer activities that continue this week.

Paris Plages is still running, with deckchairs, activities and places to relax along the Seine. The Paris en Seine program also continues, offering more opportunities to enjoy the city’s waterfront during the summer.

Whether you are visiting museums, taking a walk, enjoying an outdoor concert or simply relaxing by the Seine, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Paris in August.

Have a great week in Paris!