Summer is a great opportunity to enjoy many activities without spending a lot of money. Across France, cities, associations, and organizations offer free or low-cost outings for children and adults.
Here are some simple ideas to enjoy summer near you.
Many cities open free swimming areas during the summer. In Paris, the Bassin de la Villette offers free swimming from July 4 to August 30, 2026. In Bordeaux, the Audenge basin is freely accessible all summer, offering 170 meters of filtered seawater. In Marseille, the Prado and Estaque beaches are open to everyone for free.
Parks and gardens are also great places to go out without spending money.
You can find there:
Tourist offices also often offer:
Find great deals near you:
Summer is the season for free cultural events. In many cities, you can attend:
In Marseille, Ciné-Étoilés offers free screenings from June 30 to September 25 in several neighborhoods. In Nantes, the Aux Heures d’Été Festival organizes free concerts from July 7 to August 2 in the city's gardens. In Lyon, the Guignol (f)Estival enlivens parks from August 19 to 29 with puppet shows. In Paris, the Villette open-air cinema remains one of the summer's must-attend events.
Libraries and media centers also offer many free activities:
These places also offer a cool escape during heatwaves.
📖 For further reading: How to protect yourself during a heatwave?
National museums are free all year round for those under 18.
Find cultural events near you:
Some activities are still very affordable. Municipal swimming pools generally cost between €2 and €5. Many cities offer:
Inquire at your town hall to learn about available assistance.
📖 To learn more: Digital support: where to get help with internet and online procedures?
Cities often publish a weekly calendar of free or low-cost activities on their websites. These calendars make it easy to discover events organized near you.
Soliguide allows you to find organizations and services near you for free.
You can search for:
To search:
📖 To learn more: How to find food assistance near you?
Soliguide is available:
The service is:
