Fête de la Musique

Invented by the French culture ministry in 1982 on a simple rule: on 21 June, music is played in the streets, free, by anyone, professional or not, and the usual noise regulations are relaxed. It has since spread to more than a hundred and twenty countries.

In Paris it means every square, courtyard, bar doorway and church has something happening, from conservatoire students to a man with an accordion, and the metro runs late.