Since 2013, mk2’s legendary Cinéma Paradiso series has been pulling off some of the coolest pop-up movie nights across France. They’ve taken over the Grand Palais, set up screens in the Louvre’s majestic courtyard, and even parked themselves by the river at the Seine Musicale. But for their late-September run, they are completely outdoing themselves. The destination? The Eiffel Tower, no less.
From 24 to 27 September 2026, a free cinematic playground will pop up inside the Gustave Eiffel lounge, right on the monument’s first floor. Perched a lofty 57 metres above the ground, the space boasts massive glass walls that serve up sweeping, panoramic views across the Paris skyline, framed beautifully by the tower’s iconic ironwork. Honestly, with a backdrop that spectacular, it’ll be a challenge to keep your eyes on the actual movie screen.
‘After the Louvre, taking over the Eiffel Tower is a deeply symbolic milestone,’ says Elisha Karmitz, CEO of the mk2 group. The whole idea is to hand this global landmark right back to the locals, giving Parisians a completely fresh, unexpected way to experience it. For the Eiffel Tower team, who are hosting the festival for the very first time, it’s a perfect match. As Patrick Branco Ruivo, Managing Director of the tower’s operating company (SETE), points out, the monument has always had a massive love affair with the silver screen, inspiring generations of filmmakers.
The full movie lineup and special guest list won’t drop until September 8, and the best bit? Entry is entirely free. Tickets are handed out through a public lottery system on mk2-festivalparadiso.com. You are definitely going to want to move fast when that draw opens.
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