PARIS IN SUMMER:

Summer begins with the French Tennis Open, and there are many events and festivities until July. Thereafter the French begin thinking of their own annual holiday, but there are big celebrations on Bastille Day (14 July) with military displays for the president and his guests.

June:

- Festival St-Denis, Basilique St-Denis. Concerts with emphasis on large-scale choral works.

- Fête du Cinéma, films shown all over Paris for F1.

- Fête de la Musique (21 June), all over Paris. Nightlong summer solstice celebrations with amateur and profesional bands.

- Flower show, Bois de Boulogne. Rose season in the Bagatelle Gardens.

- Paris Jazz Festival (May-July), Parc Floral de Paris. International jazz musicians come to play in Paris.

- Paris Air and Space Technology Show (mid-June), Le Bourget Airport.

- Prix de Diane-Hermès (2nd Sun), Chantilly. French equivalent of the British Ascot high society horse racing event.

July:

- Tournoi International de Pétanque (2nd weekend), Porte de Montreuil.

- Paris Quartier d'Eté (mid-July-mid-August). Dabce, music, theater, ballet.

- Tour de France (late July). Last stage of the world's greatest cycle race finishes in the Champs Elysées.

- Fêtes de nuit (July-mid-September: Saturdays), Versailles. Son et lumières with music, dance and theater.

- La Villette Jazz Festival (early July), Parc de la Villette.