What to see and do in July in Île-de-France?

The Île-de-France is large, multiple and... Unexpected.

At the heart of its 12,000 square meters hides eight departments, thousand-year-old forests, museums of all kinds, exotic walks, places where we innovate, others where the latest trends are born, cobblestones, castles, fields, in short: calm as well as effervescence.

Mark your calendars, it starts.

#1. L'été du Canal: party, music and entertainment along the canals of the Ile-de-France region

From June 27 to August 9, 2026, enjoy summer by the water at the Festival L'Été du Canal.

On the program? Seven weekends ofcelebration and entertainment on the banks of the quays and on the waters of the Bassin de la Villette, the Canal de l'Ourcq and the Canal Saint-Denis, up to the northern loop of the Seine.

Sport, concerts, guinguettes, cinema, swimming, walks, workshops and activities (mostly free) will be organised for adults and children alike.

The Summer of the Canal 2026: practical information

• June 27 to August 9
• While some events take place in Paris, the majority of cities are located in Seine-Saint-Denis : Aulnay-sous-Bois, Pavillons-sous-Bois, Épinay-sur-Seine, Pantin, Bobigny, Bondy, Sevran, Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers, Saint-Ouen or Île-Saint-Denis...
• A large majority of events are free, others are paid or at reduced prices : find out before you go

#2. Italian cinema is coming to Paris from July 1 to 7 at the Dolce Vita sur Seine Festival

Every year, Rome honors French cinema and Paris, Italian cinema, during the Dolce Vita sur Seine Festival, which twins the two cities for a week of meetings and celebrations around the seventh art.

Dolce Vita sur Seine: the program?

• Exhibitions
• Previews
• Round tables
• Concerts
• Dance balls
• Activities for the little ones
• Screenings of cult films and short films on the big screen

All this, in the mythical Roman arena of Lutetia in Paris, from July 1 to 7, 2026.

One festival, five different venues

While the majority of events (free, by reservation) will take place at:

• Arènes de Lutèce (free access by reservation): 49 rue Monge, Paris.
  Access: Bus 67, 68 or Metro 7, 10 - Jussieu stop

The rest of the events will take place in other locations in the capital:

• The Italian Cultural Institute (free access by reservation): 50 rue de Varenne, Paris.
  Access: Metro 13 - Varenne or Metro 12 - Rue du Bac.
• L'École du cinéma club (between €6 and €10 for admission): 23 rue des Écoles, 75005, Paris.
  Access: Metro 10 or Bus 47, 63, 86, 87 - Maubert-Mutualité stop.
• Christine Cinéma Club (between €6 and €10 per seat): 4 rue Christine, Paris.
  Access: RER C - Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Metro 4 - Odéon, Metro 10 - Odéon
• Musée Carnavalet (free access by reservation): 23 rue de Sévigné.
  Access: Metro 1 - Saint-Paul, Metro 5 - Bréguet-Sabin

#3. Take a deep breath of fresh air in the Commanderie National Forest

Head to the south of Seine-et-Marne for a getaway in the heart of one of the most beautiful forests in Île-de-France: the Forêt Domaniale de la Commanderie.

Less known than Fontainebleau, it is nevertheless full of surprises: spectacular rocks, maritime pines, sandy paths, a gourmet inn to take a break... and a real feeling of change of scenery.

On the program?

A walk of about twenty kilometres between the stations of Nemours – Saint-Pierre (departure) and Bourron-Marlotte – Grez (arrival) which takes you through woods, marshes, belvederes and mythical climbing boulders (such as those of the Dame Jouanne).

Interested in the outing, but want to make it shorter?

The route can be modulated as desired : a break at the forest inn, a detour to the Elephant rocks, a picnic stop in a clearing, a short walk before retracing your steps... Adapt it to your needs.

How to get there by public transport?

• Line R at Nemours station — Saint-Pierre.

#4. Walk, guinguette and picnic in Oise

Would you like to take a 6 km walk along the banks of the Oise?

Get off at Auvers-sur-Oise station, departure at the Pont d'Auvers for a walk along the river to the next bridge in Butry-sur-Oise.

For the return, cross the bridge and go the other way on the other bank!

On the program?

• Landscapes that inspired the painters of the nineteenth century (Cézanne, Van Gogh, Pissaro...)
• A snack bar where you can stop to cool off
• On the way back: a shady park of 27 hectares where you can picnic in the cool, with gardens and bodies of water inspired by the four corners of the world in the park of the castle of Mery-sur-Oise

How to get there by transport?

• Line H - Auvers-sur-Oise