Every summer, generally from mid-July to mid-August, Parc de la Villette hosts a free open-air cinema on its great lawn, with a giant screen set up for the occasion and deckchairs provided for viewers from the afternoon onward. The lineup mixes recent releases and film classics around a different theme each year, generally with several screenings a week, weather permitting. The atmosphere is thoroughly relaxed: many visitors arrive well before the screening with a picnic, to enjoy the park and claim a good spot on the grass before nightfall.
The Géode, the park's iconic sphere
Recognizable by its shimmering mirrored surface beside the Canal de l'Ourcq, the Géode borders the great lawn where the outdoor cinema takes place, in a green setting that feels unusually rural for a screening right in the heart of Paris.
The Grande Halle de la Villette, another pillar of the park
This former 19th-century cattle market, converted into a performance venue, also borders the great lawn and hosts many of the park's events throughout the year.
Tips
The deckchairs available on site are limited in number and go quickly from early evening; bringing your own blanket or rug is the safest way to be sure you'll have something comfortable to sit on the grass. The full summer lineup, along with the year's theme, is usually announced in spring on the park's website; it's worth checking screening times, which vary slightly depending on sunset.
