Things to do, and shows to see, outdoors in Paris

As freedom is bestowed upon us, it’s got us itching to get out and reconnect with the Paris that we know and love. Seeing as indoor activities should be kept to a minimum during this time for the safety of others and ourselves, what better summer to immerse ourselves in the great outdoors? Thanks to the picturesque backdrop of Paris, as well as the art and culture rushing through the veins of the city, it’s the perfect place to spend a summer al fresco. Whether it be outdoor theatre that you’re interested in, or a simple picnic in the park, we’ve got you covered.

Boats

First on our list is boats. It only makes sense to take advantage of the rich body of water flowing through the city and have some fun of our own. There are many ways to enjoy our beloved Seine, starting with simple boat rides down it. You can hop on and off from many places dotted around central Paris. Various companies offer boat rides, commentary and dinner, such as Bateaux Parisiens and Vedettes de Paris, so you’ll surely be able to make an evening of it. 

If you prefer to get more hands-on with your aquatic activities, why not pay a visit to the Bois de Vincennes and hop on one of the four lakes situated around it? It’s located in the biggest park in Paris, rendering it the perfect place to be to fill your day with outdoor activity. 

Rollerblading by Night

An innovative way of spending an evening in Paris, and one of our personal favourites, is rollerblading, and it’s more popular than you may think. In fact, every Friday night in Paris, the Pari-Roller Association hosts a late-night rollerblade course through the entire city. It’s a crowd favourite, and for good reason. We can’t think of anything better than whizzing through the city of lights by night. The meeting point is Tour Montparnasse in the 14th district of Paris; all you have to do is show up with your blades at 9:30pm and get ready to roll! Check out their website for more details. 

Parisian Parks

We couldn’t possibly mention outdoor activities in Paris without including a nod to spending time in one of the many Parisian parks. Classic bike rides are always on the cards in a city with so much greenery, and one of our favourite outdoor spots to visit is the Bois de Boulogne. There are lakes and waterfalls dotted around this welcoming park, as well as the beautiful Château de Bagatelle. You’ll find it’s a great place to cycle through or even have a stroll around, and you certainly won’t get bored of the views!

If you’re looking for something a little slower in pace, a good, old-fashioned picnic never goes out of style. Last week, we even made a blog post on the best picnic spots in Paris to pay a visit to before (or after) a show. Check it out here. 

Ballon de Paris

The Ballon de Paris Generali is the biggest hot air balloon in the world! And what better city to see from up above (150m, to be exact) on a clear summer’s day than Paris. Be sure to check the weather before your visit, but if the sun’s out, the balloons are up, and you shouldn’t hesitate to hop on and experience this birds-eye view first-hand. Flights resumed on 30th May after a period of closure, so it’s now completely safe and encouraged that you experience this unique event! 

See an outdoor show

Theatre in Paris are proud to announce our collaboration with Contact, a new concept of show, adapted to suit current social distancing measures put in place in Paris. We can’t wait for this show to hit the streets, it’s a concept totally new to us, and bound to grip any theatre lover alike. The show itself is based around an app that will lead you through the streets of Paris, enabling you to follow the action for yourself, first-hand. The audience will be comprised of small groups, thus limiting the risks that mass gatherings provide. The fact that it’s outdoors also ensures safety, meaning that you can, once more, enjoy the theatre with ease! Check out the Contact page, as well as the Theatre in Paris box office, and be sure to get your hands on tickets!

If you’re feeling inspired to see a show in Paris but aren’t sure where to start – worry not! We recently made a blog post detailing the upcoming shows in Paris that we recommend seeing, so have a read here. In addition, you can always head on over to our website to see what’s coming up. As always, we have a wide selection, ranging from classical to cabaret. We hope to see you soon!