As the third-most visited city in the world seeing up to 15 million tourists every year, the romantic and adventurous nature of the city of Paris is clearly attractive to many. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum, the Musee d’Orsay to the Versailles Palace, Paris is a complete tourist destination for those looking for excitement with a touch of history, a dollop of culture and a whole lot of sophistication. Whether you feel like taking a walk along the Seine, or exploring one of Paris’s many museums, there’s plenty to do in the city of lights and love!
What makes Paris in August a must-visit?
Workers in Paris get five paid weeks of vacation every year, which generally fall in the month of August. While the locals use their time off to escape to cooler climates, this is a great time for tourists to take over the city! Enjoy the host of open-air events Paris has to offer to celebrate its weather, like the Paris Plages, the Gay Games, Open Air Cinema Festival, and the Rock en Seine Festival featuring Macklemore and Thirty Seconds to Mars amongst other popular artists. If you’re up for a leisurely tour of the city with minimal crowds, shorter lines and warm, sunny weather, book your tickets to Paris in August!
Paris in August : Things to do
1
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower, with its intricate lattice design and rich cultural heritage, is the face of Paris. This 324-metres-tall structure provides unparalleled views of Paris and is a must-visit for all tourists. Skip the lines by opting for one of the many tours and packages available, and maybe even have a romantic dinner amidst the lights of Paris!
Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France,
Paris
Getting There ›
2
Palace of Versailles – Versailles Night Fountain Show
As if the beauty of the Palace of Versailles weren’t enough, the whimsical Musical Fountains Show amidst the backdrop of the lush gardens should be enough to make your jaw drop. Held every Saturday night from March 27th to October 30th, explore the Gardens of Versailles as the fountains dance to the rhythm of the music!
Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles,
France
Getting There ›
3
Louvre Museum - In Society
Created elegantly in European pastels that are so fragile, that they have been compared to a butterfly’s wings, explore the masterpieces of Rosalba Carriera, Maurice Quentin de La Tour, Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin, Jean-Baptiste Perronneau and others, artists of the Enlightenment Society and geniuses of the 17th and 18th century. These works date back from the times of Louis XV and Louis XVI. Held from June 18th to September 10th, these paintings provide a whole new perspective on the golden age of pastel.
Musée du Louvre, 75001 Paris,
France
Getting There ›
4
Orsay & Musée de L’Orangerie - The American Abstract Art and the Last Monet
Experience the rediscovery of the great paintings and art at Giverny, and the emergence of ‘Abstract Impressionism’, through an exhibition of some of Monet’s later works and around twenty major paintings by American artists such as Rothko, Clyfford Still, Barnett Newmann and many others. Held from 13th April to 20th August at the Musée de L’Orangerie, this is a must-visit for art enthusiasts!
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris
France
Getting There ›
5
Seine Dinner Cruise in August
Float gently along the Seine in a glass canopy boat while you indulge in a scrumptious three-course French meal, including classics like velouté of butternut squash, poultry pâté with foie gras, braised beef steak and Cheese Ossau Iraty! This one hour fifteen minutes cruise is specially designed to round off a spectacular day in the city of lights and August is definitely the best time of the year to go for one.
Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
France
Getting There ›
6
Day Trip to Normandy
Take this guided tour to truly understand the sacrifices made by the Allied soldiers during the Second World War, through the museum at Utah Beach and the American Cemetery. You will also get to experience the culture and history of Normandy by visiting a 17th century barn. Don’t forget to take pictures of the incredible view of the English Channel at the cliffs at ponte-du-hoc!
Paris in August : Events to Look out for
Paris Plages – Beaches by the Seine
August weather in Paris can often be muggy and hot – what better way is there to cool off than on a sandy beach, with a cold drink in your hand? Enjoy the artificial beaches provided on the banks of the Seine every summer, and maybe even enjoy some exclusive beach-side fests like Festival Fnac Live, along with family and friends!
Date: July 7 to September 2, 2018
Cinema outdoors at Parc de la Villette
This special outdoor cinema festival screens several famous and excellent films every year, along with some lesser known, artsy independent films that you may enjoy if you’re a film aficionado. Best of all, entry is free of charge! Spread out a picnic blanket, grab some comfortable deck chairs and watch your favorite movie in the warm summer air!
Date: July 18 to August 19, 2018
Rock en Seine Festival
This hugely popular music festival happens every year and is one of the most important music events in Europe. Having seen Radiohead, The Arctic Monkeys, The Black Keys, and many others, this year, Rock en Seine features 30 Seconds to Mars and Macklemore, amongst other popular artists at the Parc de Saint-Cloud. Be sure to book your tickets online fast, before they run out!
Date: August 24 to August 26, 2018
Assumption Day - French National Holiday
The 15th of August every year is a day of holy importance for Catholics all over the world, in honor of a vision of Mary that was seen in a cave by a little girl in Lourdes, in 1858. Enjoy religious festivities, church celebrations and the communal meals around the city, which include delicacies like salads, poultry, cheeses, fresh fruit and cream!
Date: August 15, 2018
Liberation of Paris Festivities
The liberation of Paris celebrates the deliverance of Paris from Nazi forces in 1944. Join the festivities at the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville(which used to hold public executions!), where Charles de Gaulle addressed Parisians after the war. Complete with an artificial beach, this venue hosts a public dance all night long and is the best way to round off a fun trip to Paris!
Date: August 25, 2018
The Gay Games
The Gay Games have been around since 1982, and have been a symbol of tolerance and celebration for LGBTQ folk, and aims to unite people from different walks of life, diversities and societies through sporting events. Visit from August 4th to August 12th2018 to be a part of this incredible venture!
Date: August 4 to August 12, 2018
Paris Essentials
LanguageFrench
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+33
Socket Type C & E
CurrencyEuros €
Weather
August is generally muggy and warm with temperatures ranging from 75F to 100F. Showers are quite common. Be sure to carry plenty of sun protection and water, as well as any medication if you are prone to extreme reactions to the sun!
Where to Stay
Picking a hotel in Paris that falls in your budget and is also reasonably accessible from places of interest is of utmost importance to your trip. Hotel Tolbiac, located just 5 minutes from the Tolbiac Metro stop, is a family-fun budget hotel that is quite popular amongst tourists. Other popular options include Hotel de la Mare, Hotel Paris Louis Blanc, Pacific Hotel and Un Hotel a Bastille. If you’re looking for a fancier stay, check out Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière just minutes away from the Arc de Triomphe, Shangri-La Hotel, Prince de Galles Hotel, or the Park Hyatt Paris.
What to Pack
Apart from the usual book guides of Paris and some basic conversation aides, you should remember to pack for the weather in Paris in August – hot, muggy, and often wet. This means adding hats, sunscreen, caps, umbrellas, a rain coat and maybe a light jacket for the night to your repertoire.
Getting Around Paris
Paris and its suburbs are divided into 6 zones, which are traversed by many modes of transport. The public transport options you can avail of in Paris, ranging from the underground metro, Tram, RER suburban express train, bus, and the night bus or Noctilien. While metro tickets allow travelers to go beyond Paris city limits, RER travelers may need to pick up a special ticket. Opting for the Paris Pass allows you to use these modes of transport for free!
Tips to Visit Paris in August
- Paris gets very crowded in August due to the influx of tourists, so be prepared to wait in lines or push through crowds. However, you can avoid this by arriving early at tourist destinations or opting for tours that include skip-the-line options.
- Be sure to take a walk along the Seine in the warm weather – opt for a cruise or a river walking tour, and carry along a picnic for a great experience!
- Pick up a handy map from Streetwise Paris, or use Google Maps to get around.
- Make sure to keep a note of all the festivals that are happening in Paris during the summer – these are the highlight of the season!
- Be sure to check if your hotel has air conditioning, if you feel that this is something you may require during your stay!
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