10 Reasons to visit Paris in 2018
Where are you going this year? In our opinion, the answer should always be Paris!
Now that 2018 is here, you can start making your plans to visit the City of Light. In previous years, we’ve talked at length about the delicious reasons for visiting Paris, charmed you with sightseeing tips, and expounded on everything from the best flea markets to fun day trips.
With 2018 here, we’ve combed through the listings of upcoming events to pick out a few highlights.
More budget tips for Paris:
• 50 Ways to save on your Paris vacation
• When is the best time to visit Paris?
• How to save on your Paris hotel
10 Reasons to visit Paris in 2018
So book that cheap airfare, reserve your room at one of our favorite Paris hotels, and mark your calendars for these exciting 2018 events in Paris!
1. Music to your ears
February & March 2018
With the new Mama Mia movie coming out in theaters in July 2018, it only makes sense that you should warm up your vocals and practice the lyrics to Abba’s greatest hits at a comedic musical in the City of Lights. Abba Mania shows begin on February 3rd but tickets are on sale now. If slick hair and black leather jackets are more your style, Grease will also be showing in Paris through the summer.
On the other hand, you might have noticed that the entertainment media has been a little quiet these days. That’s because Paris has been hosting a well-known American artist who goes by the pseudonym of Lady Gaga since October 2017. She will be performing in Paris until February 21, 2018.
If you’re planning a summer trip, fear not, Lady Gaga is not the biggest name that Paris has to offer. Ed Sheeran will be in Paris in July 2018 to bless your ears with his melodic voice.
Lastly, we’re sure you didn’t fly all the way from the U.S. only to enjoy American or British artists, right? A very popular French artist, Oreslan, will be having his concert in Paris from March 15, 2018. He is very popular for his short but catchy song, Basique.
Related: Paris Nightlife: How to save on bars, clubs & culture
2. Printemps du Cinéma
March 2018
Once you arrive in Paris, it’s only logical that you take advantage of the plethora of foreign films that Europe has to offer. The National Federation of French Cinemas created Le Printemps du Cinéma, a three-day film festival (Sunday – Tuesday) where you can see movies in various small cinemas around Paris. The best part? Tickets are just a mere €3.50!
3. La Verticale de la Tour Eiffel
March 2018
Sometimes when we return from vacation, our pants feel a little bit tighter. We blame all of those crêpes and pain au chocolat. You can work off some of those extra pounds at the challenging experience known as the Vertical Race of the Eiffel Tower. Participants have to climb all 1,665 steps of the iconic landmark. Some of the best racers have completed the steps in under eight minutes. If you do decide to embark on this epic stair-master, please be aware that EuroCheapo is not responsible for any shrinkage in your waistline!
4. Cinéma du Réel
March & April 2018
You’ve probably heard of the star-studded Cannes International Film Festival in the South of France. But did you know that Paris has its own low-key version known as La Cinéma du Réel? This Parisienne international documentary film festival started in 1984, and it features outstanding works of non-fiction. The festival takes place at several locations throughout Paris and the tickets are around €6 per person.
Explore the fashion world at Yves Saint Laurent fashion house. Photo: Yann
5. Yves Saint Laurent Museum
May 2018
Okay, we confess: Even if we can’t always afford it, one of the reasons we love Paris is for its renown taste in luxury. Yes, that was us you spotted taking a very touristy picture with the lit-up Chanel letters at the store on 47 rue Vieille du Temple. And yes, that was also us taking another photo next to the spectacular Louis Vuitton store at 2 Place Vendôme.
From Dior to Hermes, the French haute couture industry is unmatched. In order to give us commoners a look inside the bourgeoisie lifestyle, the Museum of Yves Saint Laurent is hosting the inaugural exhibition until September 2018. You can see more than 50 designs that Saint Laurent curated during his career through accessories, sketches, photographs, and films. This museum is unique because it is located in the actual house that Yves Saint Laurent used to live in! Tickets are €7.
Related: Free and discounted museums in Paris
6. Sales, everywhere!
June to August 2018
In the U.S., people line up for hours in the freezing cold, all in an effort to brave the crowds while searching for a great Black Friday deal. Here in Paris, we prefer to keep things a bit more gentil. Thus, by law, stores are required to have sales twice a year. There’s one during winter (January 10th to February 20th) and one during the summer (June 27th to August 7th). When it comes to sales, the French don’t play around — during these periods, you can get deals that up to 80% off!
7. Bastille Day
July 14, 2018
Bastille Day is the biggest holiday in France. Known as La Fête Nationale in French, this literally translates to the National Celebration. Bastille Day is a very important day in France because it marks the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. In Paris, there is a big military parade on the Champs-Élysées in front in the morning, and then a brilliant fireworks display on the Eiffel Tower.
Visit museums for free all night long during Nuit Blanche in October. Photo: Isabell
8. Nuit Blanche: An all-nighter in Paris
October 2018
Les Nuits Blanches translates into “pulling an all-nighter.” Every year for 12 hours, anyone can get access to a number of galleries, art installations, museums, and street shows, all for free. In addition, certain metro lines will remain open past the normal closing hours, so you can stay out late. This year, it’ll take place from October 6th to 7th.
9. Paris Chocolate Fair
October & November 2018
Stop! Step away from the Ferrero Rocher and step into Le Salon du Chocolat. From October 31st to November 4th, the Paris chocolate fair hold’s the world’s largest event dedicated to chocolate; it features chocolate made by 500 participants from 60 countries, including more than 200 renowned chefs!
10. New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Élysées
December 2018
Join one of the biggest parties in Europe when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. Les Parisiennes take their laisser-faire attitude very seriously, and as a result, the metro runs all night and is free of charge, plus, the bus service from both Orly Airport and Charles de Gaulle Airport is also free to everyone arriving on the 31st of December! Now, you really have no excuse but to book your ticket to Paris and join the crowd on the Champs-Élysées when they ring in 2019. In fact, New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Élysées will be much more memorable than Times Square because, in Paris, it is absolutely legal to carry and consume alcohol on the streets. Santé!
About the author
A very interesting list, even for those of us who have visited Paris a lot!
The price of the spring festival films has gone up to 4 euros.
I would caution anyone coming between Christmas and Epiphany that, apart from this party, Paris is deadly dull. Just like in August, the Parisians will have all left the city in droves. Cultural life comes to a halt. Many, many restaurants and shops are closed, and the people who cannot leave are in a pretty grumpy mood. Life returns after about January 7.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the information Rob. We love hearing from our readers to help us keep updated on prices and new details. Long live Paris!