

Special exhibitions
Summertime is always time for big hits when it comes to exhibitions! Some must-sees will come to an end such as Collection Courtauld at the Louis Vuitton Foundation (17th of June) and Collection Emil Burhle at Maillol Museum (21st of July).
But more original exhibits are still on: French electronic music at the Philharmonie, the Moon at Grand Palais (until 22nd of July), or Fashion Back Side (fashion pieces seen from the back), at Palais Galliera.
The SALES!
The unmissable sales will be ON from the 26th of June until the 6th of August! YES, that means 6 entire weeks of shopping opportunities everywhere in France!
That being said, some good advice is key to a successful shopping experience….While discounts will get bigger with time, needless to say, that the best pieces at most demanded sizes disappear really quickly. So fight within the first two weeks if you want to make the best out of it!
Outdoor festivals!
Check out our post last year on France’s best summer music festivals. As for classical music lovers, we don’t forget about you. Even if all theatres and concert halls are closed for the summer, you will definitely find happiness at Aix-en-Provence lyric festival and the Orange outdoor operas!
But festivals are definitely not just about music: street art and performances, photography (the legendary Arles exhibition is on the entire summer!) or dance, we strongly recommend you check out the program in the region where you are heading, there is for sure a special surprise!

Credit: Anne Fourès
How do the French do it?
July and August are traditionally school summer vacation in France. Which means that most French families take time off during that period; and they mean it: usually 2 to 4 weeks off!!
Traditionally, most vacation places are booked from “Saturday to Saturday” during the summer. The consequence? Incredible traffic jams on all roads from Fridays to Sundays the entire summer…. Called “depart en vacances” or “weekend de chasse-croisé” (some people go on vacation, others come back home), we strongly recommend you arrange your domestic traveling plans, if possible, during weekdays in the summer!
Enjoy your summer time ! 🙂