Summer is officially here

I love a good party just like anyone else—and the bigger, the better! But La Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, wasn’t just a party. It was like stumbling into a city-wide concert, with music pouring out of every street corner, courtyard, and café. From rock bands blasting near the Seine to soulful jazz in tucked-away alleys, Paris turned into one big, huge stage.

What made it even more magical? It takes place on June 21st, the summer solstice—the longest day of the year. Not only was Paris singing, but it was basking in golden evening light that seemed to last forever. It felt like the whole city was celebrating the arrival of summer itself.

All I knew was:

This was THE party in Paris not to be missed. Great! So… should we make plans? But what kind of plans do you make for a party that’s literally everywhere? In a moment of semi-responsible optimism, we booked a table at a restaurant in Place de Vosges—because surely having a “home base” made sense, right? Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were about to miss the good stuff. So I texted my oldest son, who’s lived in Paris for a few years, hoping for some insider wisdom. His advice? “Just walk around. The parties are everywhere.”

That was it—our lightbulb moment. We cancelled the reservation and fully embraced the Parisian philosophy of flâner (aimlessly wandering, and taking it all in). It turns out that no plan was the best plan.

All this and a heat wave 🥵

The three of us (Rob and a friend from home), started our afternoon in Canal Saint Martin, where the crowds were just beginning to roll in—arms full of picnic baskets, folding chairs, little tables, and basically anything needed to fuel a party that could last well into the wee hours. A DJ set up on one corner, dropped a beat, and just like that, the dancing began. It was fun to watch—reminding me of my twenties, back when I could dance all night and still function like a normal human the next day. That said, I’m pretty sure I’ve still got it! 😉

We wandered through the streets, eventually stumbling upon an outdoor market serving up mouthwatering food and offering wine tastings. Yes, please! How could we possibly say no to that?

One more stop along the way at Chez Prune—a favourite spot on the canal—for a little hydration break

Refuel and Rally

After soaking up the energy along the canal (and sneaking in a little dancing of our own), we made our way back toward the 11th arrondissement, where our apartment was. Full disclosure—we needed a bit of a break. The heat was catching up with us, and we knew much of the real action wouldn’t kick off until later. We wanted to pace ourselves and keep the momentum going.

After a quick bite and time to recharge, we were back out the door—determined to keep exploring and see what other corners of the city were lighting up. After all, this was La Fête de la Musique—and there were still plenty of can’t-miss moments waiting to be discovered.

By the end of the night, our feet were tired, our ears were ringing (in the best way), and our hearts were full. It was a late night—the kind where the party kept going into the wee hours, vibrating through the streets like the city itself refused to sleep. At some point, deep into the night, I heard Britney Spears’ “Toxic” blasting from somewhere nearby and thought, Okay, this has been amazing… but it might be time to wrap it up now, lol.

That’s the thing about the best parties—you don’t really know when to leave, because you don’t want to. La Fête de la Musique wasn’t just a party; it was a celebration of summer, spontaneity, and the pure joy of music in the streets. Paris came alive in a whole new way, and I’m so glad we were there to celebrate. No plans, just music—and honestly, that might be the best kind of plan there is.