Open-Air Cinema at Parc de la Villette: Free Films Under the Stars
Few Parisian summer traditions are as beloved - or as relaxed - as the Cinéma en Plein Air at Parc de la Villette. Each year, the park's great lawn becomes an open-air screening room: a giant screen rises over the grass, hundreds of people spread out blankets and picnics, and as darkness falls a film begins under the stars. Best of all, it is completely free.
It is one of the most easygoing nights out in the city - no ticket, no fuss, just a warm evening, a picnic, and a film in one of Paris's largest and most modern parks on the north-eastern edge of the city. Here is what to expect from the 35th edition in summer 2026 and how to make the most of it.
At a glance:
- When: 22 July-16 August 2026 (the 35th edition), with two screenings daily.
- Where: The Prairie du Triangle lawn at Parc de la Villette, 19th arrondissement, between the Grande Halle and the Philharmonie de Paris.
- 2026 theme: "L'Appel de la forêt" - "The Call of the Forest" - screened on a new LED screen.
- Screenings: A family session at 18h and an adult session at 21h each day.
- Cost: Free; deckchair and blanket rental is available for €6 (21h session only).
What the Open-Air Cinema Is
The Cinéma en Plein Air is a free summer film festival held outdoors on the Prairie du Triangle, the large open lawn near the Philharmonie de Paris. For 2026 - its 35th edition - the festival introduces a new LED screen in place of the inflatable screen used in past years, and moves to a two-screening format: a family-friendly session at 18h and a main adult session at 21h, every day of the run. Each edition follows a theme; in 2026 the programme is organised around "L'Appel de la forêt" (The Call of the Forest), pairing classics with more recent titles.
The atmosphere is the real draw. People arrive in the early evening to claim a patch of grass, unpack a picnic, and settle in for the light to fade. It is unpretentious, sociable, and a wonderful way to experience a Parisian summer night the way locals do.
Schedule & Films
Screenings run daily across the four-week season from 22 July to 16 August, with two sessions each day: a family screening at 18h and a main screening at 21h for adult audiences. The full line-up and daily schedule are published on the La Villette website ahead of the season.
"Films are shown in VOSTFR - original language with French subtitles - while animated films screen in VF (French dubbed), making this one of the most visitor-friendly cultural nights in Paris for English speakers."
The 21h session is timed for after sunset, so it typically begins as darkness properly falls rather than at a fixed clock time in practice. Aim to arrive an hour or two before the session you want for the best spot and the full picnic experience.
Getting There
Parc de la Villette sits in the 19th arrondissement in the north-east of Paris. The nearest Métro is Porte de Pantin (Line 5), a short walk from the screening lawn; Porte de la Villette (Line 7) serves the other end of the park, and several tram and bus lines stop nearby. Once inside, head for the Prairie du Triangle near the Philharmonie - the inflatable screen is easy to spot.
Making a Night of It
The screening is an evening event, which leaves the rest of the day free to explore Paris before heading out to the park. A relaxed daytime works best - the Original Paris Walking Tour or the Full Day Tour with Eiffel Tower, Métro & Montmartre let you see the city's highlights and still have energy for a late film. To pack the major sights into one guided day, the Grand Parisian Full Day Experience covers the icons with a guide.
Practical Tips for the Open-Air Cinema
- Arrive before sunset: The best spots on the lawn go early. Come an hour or two ahead to settle in and enjoy the golden-hour atmosphere.
- Bring a blanket - or rent a deckchair and blanket: The film is free, but a deckchair-and-blanket rental is available for €6 for the 21h session (not offered for the 18h family screening) if you would rather not sit on the grass.
- Pack a picnic: Bring food, drinks, and something warm to wear once the sun goes down. Food and drink are also sold on site.
- Pick your session: The 18h screening is family-friendly, and the 21h screening is the main adult film - check the official La Villette programme to confirm which title is showing at which time each day.
- Plan your return: The 21h film finishes late. Note the closing times for Métro Line 5 (Porte de Pantin) or have a backup plan for getting home.
For help planning a Paris trip around a summer film night at La Villette, including daytime experiences and booking assistance for major sites, contact our Tour Concierge at support@onejourney.com.
