The atmosphere in Paris in August is not quite normal. This is the time of the French national holiday. Parisians leave for the Côte d’Azur and the ocean. The city takes a break from its local residents and is populated by tourists. It is not easy to find a French person in the capital in August. But maybe it’s for the best not to meet gloomy Parisians? However, airfares are at their highest during this time. Hurry up and book them in advance.
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What to do in Paris in August?
Take a river boat ride
August is perfect for outdoor activities. Use bicycles and river trams instead of buses and the metro. You can book a boat trip on the Seine here. It’s best to book in advance, because standing in line in the sun is not as pleasant as sailing down the river.
Walk around the city
Walk and stroll around. You can do this just for fun, following the pretty streets. But be sure to set aside one day to explore the city. Sign up for a group or individual sightseeing tour with guides in Paris. There are many options for different neighbourhoods, so choose a tour that suits you here.
Be sure to take a walk along the pedestrian embankments. You can combine your walk with an informative tour of the city along the Seine. For those who prefer more secluded promenades, our mobile audio guide to Paris is ideal. Tours costing the price of a cup of coffee can be easily downloaded directly to your smartphone and used offline. Here is the link.
Take a break at one of the charming Parisian cafés along the way.
Visit famous parks
Have a picnic in one of the parks, such as the Bois de Boulogne or the gardens of Versailles with their fountains. If you don’t want to rely on public transport, rent a car for a few days (you can choose a car here) or book a transfer with a driver (taxis for the Paris-Versailles route are available here).
Ride the rides at amusement parks
In the summer, an amusement park with rides and cotton candy appears in the very centre of the city, in the Tuileries Garden. But you can also go to a theme park for the whole day. The most popular is, of course, Disneyland. But we also recommend Parc Astérix. Most of the rides there are water-related. It’s just what you need on a hot day. You can find tickets to Parc Astérix at this link. Read here to find out how to get there.
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Sunbathe on the beach
Bring back a bronze tan from France after relaxing on the unique Parisian beach right in the city centre on the banks of the Seine. Another beach with swimming pools is located next to La Villette Park. And in front of Paris City Hall, you can play beach volleyball.
Get out of Paris
While it’s still warm and green, be sure to get out of Paris to admire the beauty of nature. The best destinations in August:
- Giverny – Claude Monet’s garden
- Versailles – the royal estate with fountains
- Fontainebleau – Napoleon’s favourite estate
- The Loire Castles – the most beautiful and ancient castles in France
- Normandy – the Atlantic coast is best visited during the warm season
» READ MORE – Paris Museum Pass
Main events in Paris in August
Beach entertainment
Paris Plage, or Paris Beach, is open until mid-August. The banks of the Seine and some city squares are covered with sand for a month, and deckchairs and ice cream kiosks are set up. In the evenings, there are theatre performances and live music. The central Paris Beach is located on the Georges Pompidou embankment, next to the city hall and not far from Notre Dame. The nearest metro stations are Hôtel de Ville and Pont Marie.
Film festival
Every year, La Villette Park hosts an open-air film festival. In August, several dozen films are shown free of charge on the lawns.
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Exhibitions
All of Paris’ popular museums are open as usual. It is very pleasant to walk around them because they are air-conditioned. Be sure to book tickets in advance for the top museums, the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou, as there are many visitors at this time.
Weather in Paris in August
The weather in August is a lottery every year. It is not for nothing that Parisians go to the seaside. One year they say, «to cool off in the water,» and the next year, «to warm up.» Most often, August in Paris is hot. Sometimes the thermometer stays at +30°C for the entire month. But sometimes the weather is very pleasant and comfortable for walking.
- Minimum temperature: +15°C
- Maximum temperature: +30°C
- Average temperature: +22, +24°C
» READ MORE – Paris in June 2025: events, weather, entertainment
Preparing for your trip
Since August in Paris is a warm, and sometimes hot and humid month, make sure your hotel has air conditioning. And don’t skimp on water: drink and wash often. There are plenty of drinking fountains on the streets of Paris for this purpose.
Choose a hotel in Paris in AugustRain is rare in August, but thunderstorms do occur. So don’t forget to bring an umbrella. It also helps protect you from the sun.
» READ MORE – Paris in July 2025: weather, holidays and entertainment
What to wear in Paris in August?
Pack summer clothes: light dresses, shorts, T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, sandals or flip-flops. Don’t forget comfortable trainers, they will come in handy for walks in parks and along the embankments. And take a light windbreaker and jeans in case it rains.
Be sure to bring a hat or cap to protect you from the sun, SPF cream and sunglasses.
We recommend:
With our audio guide to Paris, you will always have stories about popular attractions and interesting routes at your fingertips. You can download it here.
Find a nice hotel on booking.com where you will want to wake up in the morning and drink coffee with croissants on the balcony! We can offer you a list of hotels with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Have a nice holiday in August!
Share in the comments which month you liked Paris the most.
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