Paris in August
August is a month of real tradeoffs in Paris. Tourists in, Parisians out. Many neighborhood restaurants and small shops close for annual vacation; big sights all stay open. Paris Plages turns the Seine into a beach.
Weather
Warm, highs near 78F (26C), occasional heat waves
Crowds
Prices
What's on in August
Mid July through August
Paris Plages. The Seine quays become sand-and-deckchair beaches. The best of August Paris.
Things to do in Paris
- 1
The Louvre. Book the first timed slot and go straight to what you came for; Wednesday and Friday evenings run late and calmer. official site ↗
- 2
Musee d'Orsay. The Impressionist floor is the best single museum floor in Europe. Thursday evenings stay open late. official site ↗
- 3
Eiffel Tower. Summit tickets sell out weeks ahead in season. The classic photo is from Trocadero at sunrise. official site ↗
- 4
Notre-Dame and the islands. Reopened after the fire restoration; entry is free but the timed-entry app queue moves fast in the morning. official site ↗
- 5
Montmartre at first light. Sacre-Coeur steps before 9am belong to locals and bakers. By noon in season it is a scrum.
- 6
Luxembourg Gardens. The city's living room: toy sailboats, chess games, and the chairs you are actually allowed to move.
- 7
Versailles. A full day, and closed Mondays. Tuesdays are the most crowded as a result; aim midweek. official site ↗
- 8
A Seine-side evening. Picnic on the quays in summer or book the last river cruise of the day for the lights.
Beat the crowds
- →Book the Louvre's first entry slot of the day, enter at the Carrousel or Porte des Lions entrances, and see your must-list in reverse order from the crowds.
- →Do headline sights before 9:30am or in the last two hours before closing; spend the middle of the day in gardens, food streets, and lesser museums that never queue.
- →Museums with timed reservations reward booking two to four weeks out in spring and fall; same-week almost always works in November through February.
Know before you go
- !August: many family-run restaurants and small shops close two to four weeks for annual vacation. Major museums, department stores, and sights all remain open. Check any specific restaurant before you build a day around it.
- !Most museums close one day a week: the Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay and Versailles on Mondays. Plan the pairings accordingly.
- !May is a minefield of public holidays (May 1, May 8, Ascension, Pentecost). May 1 in particular closes nearly everything, including the Louvre.
Paris in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Paris?
August is a month of real tradeoffs in Paris. Tourists in, Parisians out. Many neighborhood restaurants and small shops close for annual vacation; big sights all stay open. Paris Plages turns the Seine into a beach.
What is the weather like in Paris in August?
Warm, highs near 78F (26C), occasional heat waves.
Is Paris crowded in August?
Paris is busy in August, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Paris in August?
Paris Plages (mid july through august).