It's summer in Paris and the City of Light is bursting with sunshine, music, art festivals, and street markets. Catch live music at the annual Paris Jazz Festival or at the 13th-century Gothic church, La Sainte Chapelle. Of course, June is also the perfect month to see the splendor of Versailles or of Monet's gardens in Giverny. Here is our complete list of the top quarante-sept summertime events and activities for June 2023.

Esprit de Paris – The Top Experiences

Things to Do in Paris June 2023

VIP Dinner Cruise with Champagne & Live Music

We love this nighttime dinner cruise, and we think you will, too. You'll find that everything looks better from a bateau sailing along the river at night. Famous landmarks will pass by as you enjoy a multi-course French meal that starts with champagne and includes wine. For VIP treatment choose the Service Premier option with the best seating, the best meal, and the ultimate experience.

Dinner or Lunch on the Eiffel Tower

Without a doubt dining on the Eiffel Tower is the ultimate Paris experience. And now it's easy to book at table at Madame Brasserie, the newest culinary star on the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy the menu created by Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx. Choose the Grande Dame – Paris View option for the best views and the best meal. Lunch is also available.

Maxim's of Paris Seine Dinner Cruise

Summertime in Paris is the perfect season to board a bateau on the banks of the Seine River for a dinner cruise hosted by Maxim's of Paris, the historic brasserie that debuted in 1900. Now, more than a century later, you have the chance to enjoy their signature dishes — with truffles, lobster and fresh seafood featured on the menu.

VIP Twilight Tour – Champagne Cruise + Eiffel Tower

This wonderful evening package combines champagne, the river Seine, and the Eiffel Tower. This sunset champagne cruise fits the bill. You're first on board to a special VIP area where you'll sip champagne and see the landmarks of the city lit up at night in all their glory. Then, ride the elevator at the Eiffel Tower for iconic views of the city we all love.

Louvre Museum Private Tour

Million of visitors means there are always long lines at the Louvre. But why stand in line when you can book a private, VIP tour that not only gets you in a lot faster, but takes you directly to the best and most famous works of the museum's vast collection. When the tour is over, you can stay in the museum as long as you like.

Skip the Line at the Eiffel Tower

You know that the Eiffel Tower is very, very popular. So it won't be surprising to hear that the line-ups are very, very long. That's why we strongly recommend you sign up for a tour that lets you bypass the lines. (It's what we do.) There's nothing as satisfying as a tour that gets you past the queues and up the tower, for some of the best views of Paris.

Versailles + Monet's Magical Gardens in One Day

This full-day, two-in-one activity takes you to a pair of unmissable sights in a single day – Monet's gardens at Giverny and the royal estate at Versailles. You'll see the chateau and gardens of Versailles as well as the luscious gardens of Claude Monet in nearby Giverny at their peak of perfection. A classic French lunch is also included on this very popular day trip from Paris.

Classical Music in Paris

Now that the warm weather has returned, so have classical music concerts at the acoustically-perfect La Sainte Chapelle, the 13th-century gem of a church on Île de la Cité. See the amazing stain glass while listening to the music of Vivaldi, Pachelbel, and Albinoni. Another essential experience is to catch a performance at Palais Garnier. The building is so magnificent it will take your breath away. See what's playing when you're there.

Dinner + Cabaret at the Moulin Rouge

1889 was a big year for Paris. The Eiffel Tower was built, the International Exhibition was staged, and Moulin Rouge opened its doors. More than a century later you can still take in a show where the French can-can premiered. The furious rhythms and scintillating costumes, along with a champagne-fueled dinner, make the Moulin Rouge a must-visit destination.

Champagne Cruise Along the Seine

Is there a better way to celebrate in summer in Paris than a relaxing cruise down its romantic river? It's incredible to see the city's sights from a fresh perspective. And, if you know us, you'll know that our very favorite is this champagne-fueled cruise along the Seine. A private sommelier will be on hand to pop the corks, pour the bubbles, and fill you in on tasting notes as you glide by the best of Paris landmarks.

Musée d'Orsay Impressionism Tour

The Musée d'Orsay holds the world's most important collection of Impressionist art, with scores of stunning works by the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Renoir. Since the lines are always long, the best way to get to see the art is on a skip-the-line tour with an Impressionism expert guide. Once the tour finishes, you're free to spend as much time as you want perusing the masterpieces.

Night Bike Ride + River Cruise

Travelers adore this nighttime bike ride, probably because it's two great activities in one fun evening. Following your expert guide, cycle around the ancient and modern streets of the city, visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Champs Elysées. Cycling completed, hop on a river boat for a nighttime cruise on the Seine.

Vintage Tour of Paris

Here's how to feel like you're starring in your own movie set in Paris. Climb into the back seat of a sleek, black Citroën Traction Avant from the 1940s, driven by a "gentleman driver". It's so much fun seeing the sights like this, and made even better with the sun roof opened all the way. As we say in our review, this is "retro luxury from another era."

Airport Transfers

Here we to share one of our best tips — before you leave home, arrange your transportation from the airport into central Paris. It's comforting to be prepared and to know what's going to happen when you arrive. Readers love these VIP transfers that take you right to your hotel and pick you up when you're ready to leave.

The Best Left Bank Hotels

Who doesn't love staying on the Left Bank of Paris? Since Hemingway and the Jazz Age, the Left Bank has defined the essence of Paris. The Saint-Germain neighborhood is charming, and so are the best of the hotels in the quartier. In fact, here are our picks of the top 5 Left Bank hotels — with a couple of bonuses as well!

The Wonders of Versailles

Things to Do in Paris June 2023

Best of Versailles Tour with Priority Access

Don't complicate your time in Paris with train schedules and guidebooks. Go the royal route. From the centre of Paris, your driver/guide takes you to the royal estate. Use your priority tickets to skip the lines and head directly into this grand chateau. Afterwards, there's time to stroll through the stunning French gardens.

Half-Day, Skip-the-Line Tour of Versailles

If you don't have a full day to spend at Versailles or Giverny, we heartily recommend this half-day, small-group tour. It includes priority access and transportation from central Paris. With your guide at your side, you'll learn about the royals' lavish lifestyle and their lasting legacy.

Versailles Bike Tour + Chateau Visit

We love to kickstart summer with this 2-in-1 tour. Cruise the country around Versailles on two wheels — your guide takes you through the forests and pastures, to the local market and then on to the gardens of Versailles to visit the historic buildings, including Marie-Antoinette's farm. Afterwards, explore the Chateau de Versailles as long as you like.

Your Own Private Versailles

Experience the grandeur of Versailles without the crowds on this VIP tour of the royal estate. Your private driver takes you from your Paris hotel to the priority entrance at the palace. Bypass the long lineups for the chance to see areas of the chateau usually reserved for dignitaries. Also on the itinerary are the Hall of Mirrors, the king and queen's private residences, and the magnificent gardens.

Delectable Food & Wine Experiences

Things to Do in Paris June 2023

Bateaux Mouches Dinner Cruise + Live Music

This dinner cruise gets a lot of praise, and for good reason. A cruise along the Seine will create long-lasting memories of Paris. On a magical evening you'll view the city from a private table as you enjoy a 4-course classic French dinner, accompanied by live music. As your bateau slowly floats past famous illuminated landmarks — the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower — you'll thank yourself for having made this reservation.

Bateaux Parisiens Gourmet Lunch Cruise

What's not to love about this fun, casual, and affordable cruise along the Seine while dining on a classic 3-course lunch? A cruise on a bateau is something you must do in Paris, so why not have lunch at the same time? Look out the window as the iconic monuments of Paris pass by. Combine great dining with a tour of Paris… riverside. Be sure to choose the Service Premier option for the ultimate experience.

Cheese & Wine Tasting in a Paris Cheese Cellar

Master the art of fromage in a hidden cheese cave in the Marais with a Parisian cheesemonger at your side. Seven classic French cheeses will be presented along with wines (this is France, after all) to learn about the amazing history of how cheese became one of the most important food groups, along with baguettes and chocolate. The small group is limited to 10 to ensure there's more cheese for you!

The Food & Wine of the Marais

This popular food & wine tour gets rave reviews, and no wonder. It all takes place in the historic Marais, where you begin at the oldest food market in Paris. Then follow your food-expert guide through the ancient neighborhood to visit the top food & wine shops, tasting the best of French food like cheese, charcuterie, baguettes, chocolate, and wine. Oh, and there's lots of sampling!

A Taste of Montmartre Food & Wine Tour

Up on the hill of Montmartre you join a food-expert guide for a walking tour of the historic quartier. At eight food shops you taste some of the best examples of French cuisine — crusty baguettes, tender crepes, cured speciality sausages and a glass or two of wine. The setting is pure Paris nostalgia: cobblestoned streets, café terraces, private mansions, and Place du Tertre, world-famous for painters, cafes, and Parisian ambiance.

Saint-Germain Chocolate & Pastry Walking Tour

Parisian chocolates are amazing, but if you want to expand your chocolate universe to include fabulous French pastries, then spend an afternoon sampling your way through Paris chocolate shops, patisseries, and boulangeries. As always, a food expert leads the way on this small-group tour.

Wine Tasting in the Heart of Paris

In a wine-tasting room in the heart of Paris, a professional sommelier leads you through a guided tasting of wine from five regions of France. As you learn about the wines you match them with some of the best French cheeses and charcuterie. You drink from select Riedel glassware and your tasting even includes champagne. This makes for a glorious break in the middle of your Paris day.

Learn the Art of Croissants with a Parisian Chef

Flaky, buttery croissants will be a lasting taste memory from your time in Paris. While you're in the City of Food, take the opportunity to learn how to make croissants from a professional chef. You are carefully and clearly taught all the steps to master the iconic French pastry, even back home, in your own kitchen.

Paris Cooking Class & Food Market Tour

This cooking class kicks off with a tour of the best open-air market in the Latin Quarter. After exploring and shopping at a typical food market, you'll prepare a complete, 3-course lunch menu, with Chef at your side. When the cooking is done, sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor… with wine, of course! The class size is limited to ensure personal attention.

Glorious Day Trips From Paris

Things to Do in Paris June 2023

The Historic D-Day Beaches

Perhaps the most famous battle site of World War II, the landing beaches of Normandy still evoke powerful memories and emotions. Visit the most important sites on a day trip from Paris and remember those who fought there. Also included is a guided tasting of the region's famous cider.

Spend a Day in the Champagne Region

Only an hour from Paris is world-famous Champagne country. On this wonderful day trip you focus on the bubbly with guided tours and tastings at some of the most famous champagne houses. In between, enjoy lunch at a boutique winery. Sample as much as you want, your expert guide is doing the driving — door-to-door from your Paris hotel.

The Loire Valley – Chateaux & Wines

Sure, it's the former playground of royalty and home to some of the most magnificent castles in the world, but the Loire Valley also produces some of the best wines in France. See the most spectacular chateaux — Chateau Chenonceau and the amazing Chateau Chambord — and taste refreshing Sauvignon blanc, crisp Pouilly-Fumé and delicate Cabernet Franc wines.

Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny

Get a glimpse into the magic of Monet. Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism, designed these beautiful gardens where he painted for four decades. On this semi-private afternoon tour you visit his famous pink house and his gardens at Giverny, not far from Paris. The iris gardens and the idyllic lily pad pond will be at their peak of summer perfection.

Magnificent Mont Saint-Michel

This day trip from Paris takes you to the fairytale island just off the Normandy coast. Explore the Benedictine abbey that becomes separated from the mainland during high tide and wander along the narrow streets, the shops, and the abbey's ramparts. On your way you drive through the picturesque Normandy countryside. A classic French lunch is included on some of the tours.

What's On at the Museums

Things to Do in Paris June 2023

Louvre & Orsay Museums Skip-the-Line Tour

The best way to experience the two most popular Paris museums is on this two-in-one tour. See the best works of the Impressionist masters at the Musée d'Orsay, then the dazzling classical art at the Louvre. This combo tour gives you the best of both art worlds with plenty of information and no hassle. Plus you skip the line at both museums.

Manet/Degas

Edouard Manet (1832-1883) and Edgar Degas (1834-1917) were both key players in the art world of the late 1800s. This exhibition showcases the two painters and highlights their similarities and differences.
• Musée d'Orsay
• Ends July 23, 2023
• Information…

Songlines – Australian Desert Tracks

This exhibition brings together hundreds of artworks by Aboriginal artists on the trail of the Seven Sisters, one of the country's most popular legends.
• Musée du Quai Branly
• Ends July 2, 2023
• Information…

Sarah Bernhardt

The "Divine" Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), actress and artist, is of course the focus of this exhibition. As a matter of fact, the Petit Palais houses one the best portraits of her, as well as several of her own sculptures. The must-see exhibition includes more than 600 works tracing Sarah Bernhardt's life and career.
• Petit Palais
• Ends August 27, 2023
• Information…

Senghor et les Arts

A portrait of the writer, poet and statesman Léopold Sédar Senghor (1909-2001) following the independence of Senegal. (If his name rings a bell it may be because the pedestrian bridge in front of Musée d'Orsay is named for him.)

• Musée du Quai Branly
• Ends November 12, 2023
• Information…

Ouvrir l'Album du Monde – Photographies 1842 à 1911

Immerse yourself in 19th-century photography. See treasures from the museum's photographic collections, many revealed for the first time.

• Musée du Quai Branly
• Ends July 2, 2023
• Information…

Faith Ringgold

A major figure in American feminist art, Faith Ringgold's work has covered everything from the civil rights movement to Black Lives Matter. This exhibition is the first in France to bring together a group of major works by this important Black artist.

• Musée Picasso
• Ends July 2, 2023
• Information…

Naples in Paris: Masterpieces from the Museo di Capodimonte

See masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael, never before seen outside of Naples. Sixty masterpieces from the Capodimonte Museum will be exhibited in the glamorous Grande Galerie, the Salle de la Chapelle, and the Salle de l'Horloge.

• Louvre Grande Galerie
• June 7, 2023 to January 8, 2024

Moï Ver – Ci-Contre

Forgotten genius, Moï Ver (1904-1995) was an early master of the photographic montage. Born in Lithuania, he studied painting with Klee, Kandinsky, and Albers. This retrospective brings together more than 300 photographs, paintings, drawings and prints, many of them on display for the first time.

• Centre Pompidou
• April 12 to August 28, 2023
• Information…

Picasso Celebration: The Collection in a New Light

For the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso's death on April 8, 1973 British designer Paul Smith, famous for his work with color, tailoring, and detail, will lead the direction of this exhibition showcasing the best of the museum's collection.

• Musée Picasso
• March 7 to August 27 2023
• Information…

Philippe Starck – Paris is Pataphysique

FYI, pataphysique is described as the "science of imaginary solutions". As a youngster, Philippe Starck skipped school and took refuge in the parks and gardens and museums of Paris. One of them was Musée Carnavalet, where he found inspiration. Paris has always been his muse — for his interior design, architecture, restaurants, hotels, and everyday objects. This exhibition explores the link between Paris and Philippe Starck.

• Musée Carnavalet
• March 29 to August 27, 2023
• Information…

The Best Events in Paris

Things to Do in Paris June 2023

Fête de la Musique

Paris — and, in fact, all of France — is filled with music on the longest day of the year as live bands and individual musicians play in parks and streets, on stages and on stairways. Check the schedule to see where to catch live music here in the City of Music. .
• June 21
• Information…

The French Open

This Grand Slam tennis tournament is the only one played on red clay. The French Open starts during the last week of May at Roland Garros stadium. If you're a tennis fan, this is one of the most dramatic tournament of the year. Expect to see plenty of red clay flying.

• May 22 to June 11, 2023
• Information…

Nuit Blanche – White Night 2023

For the first time in its history, Nuit Blanche will take place on sunny days! This brainchild of former mayor Bertrand Delanoë is a Paris all-nighter with monuments, museums, and theaters kept open from dusk to dawn. Expect to be one of thousands who stay awake all night exploring the artistic side of Paris.
June 3, 2023
• Information…

MakeUp Paris 2023

This is the festival of cosmetics, attended by trendsetters, manufacturers, and lovers of makeup.

• Carrousel du Louvre
• June 14 & 15, 2023
• Information…

Annual Paris Jazz Festival

One of the truly magical international jazz events, held in the beautiful gardens of Parc Floral.

• Parc Floral de Vincennes
• June 29 to September 7, 2023
• Information…

Salon International de la Maison de Poupée

That's right, it's the International Dollhouse Show, attracting vintage dollhouse collectors from around the globe. Sort of creepy-cool, and scheduled to take place mid-June.

• Novotel Paris Est
• June 18, 2023
• Information…

Fête des Tuileries – Paris Funfair

Could be the the best fairgrounds ever? Even better, it's held in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries in the middle of Paris. Kids love the trampolines, bumper cars, and cotton candy.

• Jardin des Tuileries
• June to August