(Top left) Outdoor sculpture exhibition in Luxembourg Garden during Paris summer vacation. (Top right) Tahitian dance during Paris Beach 2006. (Bottom left) A scene of escaping the heat under trees at Paris Beach 2006. (Bottom right) Panoramic view of a lazy sunbathing session at Paris Beach 2006. Every summer vacation, this usually hurried metropolis suddenly appears somewhat paused, detached, and empty; the Parisians are gone (actually many Parisians continue working, as people always choose July or August for vacations). All schools, large and small, are on break, administrative agencies are halved, and major companies are no exception, as the long summer holiday is sacred and inviolable. The entire society slows down suddenly; even Parliament adjourns in August, and government officials go on leave. One can imagine the atmosphere and scenes of the Parisian metropolis. Streets and roads become much smoother, no longer congested as usual. Tourist attractions, department stores, and major art museums are filled with tourists from around the world. On the streets and in the metro, almost everyone encountered is a tourist. Paris becomes a city for tourists. As an art capital and flower city, Paris is the most charming and favored metropolis globally, currently ranking first among global tourist destinations. Of course, the atmosphere and romantic scenes of Paris are unique, with magnificent monuments and historic sites, endless art museums, museums, and exhibitions, concerts, operas, and dances that never cease, parks and gardens for leisurely strolls, exquisite cuisine and fine wines to savor, and a paradise for shopping. There are also various outdoor activities and programs during the summer vacation, such as concerts, jazz, circuses, visual arts exhibitions, and outdoor movies in the evenings. All swimming pools in Paris open up; to cool off, one can not only enjoy the seaside ambiance at Paris Beach but also bring swimwear to swim lightly in the pools.

The biggest festival in Paris during the summer vacation is Bastille Day, July 14th, which turns the Parisian metropolis into the most joyous carnival. Besides the grand military parade held during the day on the world-famous Champs-Élysées, folk dances take place on the streets of various districts when the lights come on in the evening. Colorful fireworks displays are held at night under the famous Eiffel Tower, attracting tens of thousands of people and bringing the Parisian summer to a climax. Every summer vacation is also the time for the most eye-catching Tour de France cycling race. This year, starting from London, UK, it detours through Belgium and circles major French provinces, with the final stop entering Paris on July 29th, circling Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. It becomes the grandest international sports gala of the year, bringing the Tour de France to its peak and attracting crowds from all over the globe. Both grand events center on the Champs-Élysées (France's showcase), becoming the best and most effective advertisement for the City of Flowers.

From late July to late August every year, the banks of the Seine along the city center become a famous beach, stretching from the Passerelle des Arts (connecting the Louvre and the Collège de France) down to Pont de Sully. Since last year, a new beach has been opened on the Seine section in front of the Bibliothèque nationale de France in the 13th arrondissement, and this year it continues to expand to the industrial district of Villette. Every year, the large square of the Paris city hall transforms into a grand white sand volleyball court. Parisians who do not leave the city and tourists from around the world can also enjoy the unique atmosphere of a beach vacation and feel the poetic nature of life by the sea. Starting July 15th this summer, people can ride Velib bicycles to tour Paris, which is quite convenient with hundreds of bike stations distributed across various areas, offering more than ten thousand bicycles for use by Parisians and tourists alike. This will be a uniquely refreshing tour of Paris. With various leisure carnivals (concerts, theaters, movies, circuses) and exhibitions, Parisians and tourists who choose to vacation outside the city can freely participate in activities. This year is a grand event for contemporary European art, with the German Kassel Documenta and the Italian Venice Biennale held simultaneously every five years. Although Paris does not have major art exhibitions, there are numerous contemporary art shows if passing through Paris: the Centre Pompidou’s rich collection of modern art is noteworthy, including the special exhibition "L'Air de Paris," the solo exhibition of Philippe Mayaux, winner of the 2006 Duchamp Prize, and the solo exhibition of Annette Messager. The Palais de Tokyo Contemporary Art Center features the retrospective of Swiss artist Steven Parrino, the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris hosts the special exhibition of François Morellet, and the Musée d'Art Contemporain du Val-de-Marne near southern Paris presents the thematic exhibition "Exploring the Categories of Productivity - 3." Do not forget that gallery exhibitions in Paris continue until the end of July.