39 brilliant things to do in Paris this August

The latest project from the Experimental Group gives delivers sexy dishes perfect for date night, girls night, or any other night for that matter.

The azure blue façade contrasts perfectly with the beige stone of rue du Roi de Sicile. It's easy to imagine yourself on the waterfront in the lovely Mediterranean heat. 

For those that consider crab the humble counterpart to lobster...think again. 

At the end of rue Crespin du Gast we saw a place blossom with big baskets of rhubarb, chives, strawberries, thyme and a multitude of other plants. Whatever it was, it won't last long... 

A stone's throw from Colette on Rue Saint Honoré, the Tuileries gardens, and Rue de Rivoli, Balagan's location couldn't be any more French if it tried. 

The blue front window is as blue as the Aegean Sea, with a shaded terrace and smells of hot pitas, gyros and grilled fish are excuding from the doors. 

Whilst the vegan movement is picking up steam, the meat lovers certainly haven’t said their last words just yet. Having said that, the two owners of Bien Elevé in the 9th don’t like to be referred to as just meat-loving carnivores. 

Like its big sister, Restaurant Copenhagen, Flora Danica has gone through a bit of a refurb. Gone is the sombre decoration and same-same menu, and instead we're treated to a vibrant and stylish ambiance - on and off the plate.  

Though an undeniable indulgence, dinner on the rooftop of Mama Shelter is a surprisingly homely affair – in no small part thanks to the mellow vibe engendered by the ping-pong table and the array of hammocks and mattresses. 

Once a coaching inn in the 17th century and now an elegant restaurant in the heart of the touristy Marais, Grand Coeur is the latest offering from Mauro Colagreco, probably best known for his double Michelin starred address Mirazur in Menton. 

The primary colours, exposed pipes and air ducts make the Centre Pompidou one of the best-known sights in Paris. The then-unknown Italo-British architectural duo of Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers won the competition with their 'inside-out' boilerhouse approach, which put air-conditioning, pipes, lifts and the escalators on the outside, leaving an adaptable space within. The multi-disciplinary concept of modern art museum (the most important in Europe), library, exhibition and performance spaces, and repertory cinema was also revolutionary...

When? August 5-September 17 2017 

What? A series of free classical music concerts in the sunshine.

Where? In the Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes, Classique au Vert returns to Paris this summer with another brilliant series of free open air concerts. Featuring classical music in many different guises, this year the series offers an awesomely diverse programme, ranging from the Orchestre de chambre de Toulouse to Geneva Camerata.  

Where? Port de Loisirs Bobigny

When? 5-6 August

What? Following the knock out success of July's Macki Music Festival, the two DJ organisers are coming back for more with Macki Off. Its a free event set at Bobigny port but with ticketed party boats leaving the quay for a very generous €8. Be sure to get down and groovy on both land and 'sea'. 

Where? Olympia

When? 16 August, 8pm

What? With 100 million records sold worldwide, four-time Grammy winner Lil Wayne is bringing the party to Paris this August. The hip-hop artist holds the record for having the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart - beating even the King himself, Elvis Presley. His latest album FWA (Free Weezy Album) featuring Whiz Khalifa and Jeezy is his 11th studio album and shows the maestro has no signs of slowing down despite rumours of retirement.

Where? Le 6B

When? 19 August - 2pm-2am

How much? €8.99

6B's 3000m2 vast open space plays host to sandy beaches and a line up conjured up by the funkiest French radio station, Le Mellotron. Expect sun-soaked easy groovers from Madame Sans Gêne too to add some spicey house music to the mix. With party boats, 2 main areas and multiple punchy sound systems to boot, whats not to like? 

When? August 25-27 2017

What? Outdoor rock festival with an international line-up.

Where? The Domaine National de Saint-Cloud Launched in 2003, the Rock en Seine festival in the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud park west of Paris is the city’s premier annual rock festival – something like the French Glastonbury. 

When? August 31-September 13 2017

What? A ‘jazz’ festival that’s very creative with its programming.

Where? The Parc de la VilletteThe Jazz à la Villette festival is one of the most hotly anticipated events of the back-to-school season for musically-minded Parisians. Every concert is unique, a meeting between different artists: jazz, funk, hip-hop, blues and world.