August in Paris 2024
All you need to know and the best things to do in Paris in August 2024.
Are you visiting Paris in August? In Paris, August is the second hottest month of the year and also the time when locals go on their annual vacation. Actually, some people start their summer holiday on the weekend of July 14th. That makes Paris a strange place to be: hot, sometimes humid, and without much local feeling.
However, Paris in August is actually pretty wonderful. Paris in August also has plenty of sunshine (which is not to be taken for granted in Paris), blue skies, and blooming flowers. There are many summer events and fun outdoor activities, so if you know what to expect and how to avoid crowds, August in Paris has its charm, and summer evenings are always fun. This year, Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics, so the city will be a special place to be!
So, what is Paris like in August? Keep reading for what to do in Paris in August, the main events in Paris August 2024, and my top tips for getting the most out of your trip to Paris.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, we’ve got you covered! Below are our must-guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! Compare plans and prices amongst the world’s leading programs with Travel Insurance Master
Table of Contents:
- Is Paris Busy in August? Crowds Forecast
- Paris Weather in August
- What to Wear in Paris in August 2024
- Best Tips for Visiting Paris in August 2024
- Best Things to Do in Paris in August 2024 (and Events in Paris, August 2024)
- Where to Stay in Paris in August
Related content
Is Paris Busy in August? Crowds Forecast
Is Paris crowded in August? Paris in August is extremely busy!
August in Paris is the high season, when most people have holidays, so it is paramount to book transportation, accommodation, and tickets to the main tourist attractions in advance.
This year, Paris in August will be more crowded than usual due to the Summer Olympics 2024, which will be held from Friday, 26 July, to Sunday, 11 August 2024. Also, expect restrictions to circulate in the areas close to the main venues.
Hotels, especially good ones with a pool, sell out fast or charge ridiculous prices for last-minute bookings, and it is normal for places such as the Eiffel Tower to have tickets booked out months in advance.
As locals leave for their summer holiday, it’s mainly tourists who tend to gather around Paris’ tourist neighborhoods and attractions. A good tip for avoiding crowds in Paris in August is to explore the lesser-known districts.
Below, I list the main attractions for which you will need advance tickets and have added links to my favorite trusty providers for your convenience.
Paris Weather in August
In August, Paris is hot and sunny. The average temperatures in Paris are 25C maximum and 16C minimum, with an 11% probability of rainfall.
The good news is that it is rare to experience days of canicule (heatwave) in August. Still, it is good to avoid physical activities, protect your head and eyes from the sun, adapt your outfits to the temperatures, and drink water continuously.
What to Wear in Paris in August 2024
What to pack for Paris in August? The month of August calls for summer clothing!
Leave your jeans at home and pack natural fabrics, summer dresses, short-sleeved tops, and sandals. Also, it is important to protect your head and eyes from the sun.
If you are traveling to Paris in August, we suggest adding a light jacket or shawl to your Paris packing list for when you want to visit a church, as shorts and tank tops are not allowed.
Paris is the city of fashion and chic, and Parisians tend to wear more dressy clothing than in other European cities, even in the summertime. If you are wondering what to wear in Paris in August, here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in August with clothes that are comfortable and stylish.
If you need ideas on how to combine things to blend in with locals, check out our Spring /Summer style guides for men and women.
Best Tips for Visiting Paris in August 2024
First-timers in Paris who want to visit the main sights usually find it convenient to purchase a Paris tourist pass. While the Paris Museum Pass is the most popular, I recommend checking out this Paris Pass Comparison to find the best tourist pass for you.
Another good way to save time (and sometimes money, too) is to buy single skip-the-line tickets or combo tickets for the top tourist attractions. Tiqets always has many interesting bundles for Paris; check it out!
Don’t overcharge your daily schedule with sights and activities. Leave some room for improvisation; if the weather is too hot, you may want to take breaks during the day.
Does Paris shut down in August? A touristy city like Paris cannot shut down in August, one of the months with more visitors, so don’t worry! But things are different in the less touristy neighborhoods, and, yes, you’ll pass plenty of closed-up restaurants and shops with “Closed for Holiday” notes on the door.
What is open in Paris in August? All the tourist attractions, hotels, bars, and restaurants in the most touristy neighborhoods will be working in full swing, especially this year with the Olympics! Locals tend to come back to Paris in late August, so if you visit during the last week of August, everything will be open.
With the Summer Olympics in Paris, prices in bars and restaurants will be higher than usual, especially in the center. Avoid the most touristy Arrondissements to save money and book in advance.
Getting around Paris by metro in August can be challenging, and it will be even more challenging during the Olympics. Check out our best tips for using the Parisian metro in the summer and allow more time for your metro journeys.
Need travel insurance for France? Be sure to check rates and coverage with our recommended provider, SafetyWing. SafetyWing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). SafetyWing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.
15 AUGUST – PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN FRANCE
On 15 August, the Catholic Church feasts the Assumption of Mary, and it is a public holiday in all of France.
This is a day off for French workers and affects the opening hours of public offices and smaller shops.
In the Paris city center, around the main tourist sights, you are unlikely to notice the impact of this holiday, but public transportation may be less frequent, and some restaurants may be closed.
The list of top sights opened on 15 August includes the Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, Château de Versailles, Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower, and all the castles near Paris. Also, take extra time to get anywhere on this day and remember that local shops are likely to be closed.
Best Things to Do in Paris in August 2024 (and Events in Paris August 2024)
If this is your first time in Paris, you may want to tick some top tourist attractions off your bucket list. The itineraries below are thought for this, and they are planned around the main sights and the most popular neighborhoods in Paris:
- Paris in one day
- Paris in two days
- Paris in three days
- Paris in four days
- Paris in five days
- Paris in six days
- Paris in one week
Combine these itineraries with seasonal things or events in Paris in August 2024 for a wonderful trip to Paris. Here’s the list of the top things to do in Paris in August 2024. Some of the events (or the dates of certain events) are not confirmed yet, so keep clicking for the latest updates.
SUMMER OLYMPICS 2024 – KEY EVENTS IN PARIS IN AUGUST
The 33rd Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris from Friday, 26 July to Sunday, 11 August 2024. While the main events will take place in July 2024, most of the finals will be in August.
Following the Olympic Games tradition, the official Closing Ceremony will take place on 11 August 2024. The Olympic Flame will be ceremoniously extinguished, and a mixture of pride and nostalgia will sweep over the crowd, cherishing the memories created and the bonds forged during these historic Olympic Games.
You can check the full Olympic Games Schedule here.
CLIMB UP THE EIFFEL TOWER BEFORE SUNSET
The Eiffel Tower is a must-see in Paris, but it is a terrible place to visit during the day in August. Go up the Eiffel Tower after 8 pm to get some fresh air and see how the sun sets in Paris; it’s a magical experience! – Check out availability on the calendar below
ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL FROM THE BEST ROOFTOP BARS
This is one of the best things to do in Paris at night during the summer months. Look for the best rooftop bars in Paris and see the city from above with your favorite cocktail in hand. Some of these cool rooftop bars are part of stylish hotels, but they are also happy to welcome non-guests.
JOIN A NIGHT TOUR
Paris is a great city to walk, but for some, it may be hard to walk kilometers and kilometers under the sun. That’s why Paris night tours are so popular during the summer months.
Discover the magic of Paris when it is lit up at night with this Paris by Night Walking tour or this Paris by Night bike tour, or look for the hidden heart of Paris with this Secret Paris guided tour.
This top-rated Paris Segway Night Tour is a fun alternative for exploring Paris at night.
VERSAILLES FOUNTAIN SHOW
Versailles is a wonderful place to see in August (check out this Versailles quick guide). The Versailles Gardens are great to explore in the summer when all the grooves are open to the public for the musical gardens and musical fountains shows.
I especially like the Musical Fountain show, when all the Versailles fountains and other water features are spouting to the rhythm of the music.
If you visit Paris in August, the Musical Gardens Show (without the fountains running) usually takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, while the Musical Fountains Show usually takes place on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. You can visit any of the Versailles Gardens shows alone (without the Château) or buy a combined ticket to the Château of Versailles and Gardens to save time and money – Click here to buy your tickets to Château de Versailles & Garden Show
On weekends and holidays, the Night Fountains Show closes the day with spectacular fireworks. For the Versailles show dates and Versailles Fountains schedule, check out our quick guide to the Fountains of Versailles.
GO TO AN OPEN-AIR CINEMA
In the summer, La Villette in Paris 19 turns into an outdoor arena offering delightful opportunities for al fresco evenings in the city. La Villette’s Open-Air Cinema runs from mid-July to mid-August 2024, and there’s always an interesting program of films.
Many people like to arrive at La Villette earlier to block a good spot to watch the film, which is usually preceded by a picnic and some glasses of wine. Click here for the full program at La Villette, outdoor cinema included.
EXPLORE OLD MONTMARTRE IN THE AFTERNOON
Montmartre is the highest part of Paris and the perfect place to be late in the afternoon to get some fresh air.
If this is your first time in Paris, this Stories of Old Montmartre walking tour covers the main sights of Montmartre. If you already know Montmartre’s main sights, then go off the beaten path with our secret map of Montmartre.
After the walk, look for a restaurant terrace nearby for an alfresco dinner in one of the most beautiful areas of Paris.
SAIL THE PARISIAN CANALS YOUR OWN WAY
Marin d’ Eau Douce, located at Canal de la Villette in Paris 19, offers electric self-drive boats for 5, 7, or 11 people. These electric boats are a fun way to explore the canal, and they do not require a boating license.
When you book your boat, consider a picnic option on board for lunch or a pre-dinner French apéritif.
SUMMER FUN AT PARIS PLAGES
In 2024, due to the Olympics and Paralympics taking place in Paris, this event will not be held
Paris Plages (for 6 weeks, in July and August) is one of the best things to do in Paris in August and a fun way to relax by the Seine River for a couple of hours. There are also other Paris Plages locations in the north, by the canals, with a much more local feeling.
Click on our Paris Plages post for all the locations and the list of events.
GO ON A DAY TRIP
If you are spending more than three days in Paris, don’t hesitate to explore beyond the French capital.
The small towns near Paris are usually a bit dead in July or August. My recommendation is to go to Monet’s Garden in Giverny to see the famous water lilies. The water lilies start to bloom in July, so you can see them in bloom, plus dahlias, cosmos, and hibiscus.
Another good day trip in August is the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy. Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze while visiting one of France’s most important historical sights.
HAVE FUN AT L’ÉTÉ DU CANAL 2024
L’Été du Canal is a fun summer festival that takes place in July and August (this year from 6 July to 11 August 2024) along the banks of Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Denis.
This is definitely one of the best events in Paris in August. You can have a drink or an alfresco dinner by the canal, dance in a summer guinguette, or enjoy a boat ride or other water activities.
GO TO THE POOL
If you travel to Paris in August, a splash at the end of the day is always a good idea! In addition to some wonderful hotels in Paris with a pool, the city boasts unique Art-Déco swimming pools, which are also listed as historical monuments. These pools, overlooked by rows of open walkways with old-fashioned cabins for private hire, are the perfect opportunity to relax and cool down in a beautiful atmosphere.
I recommend Piscine Pontoise, in Paris 5. This swimming pool is very central plus it opens until 11.45 pm from Monday to Friday.
The Josephine Baker swimming pool is also special, but usually crowded. This pool is floating on the Seine River, moored in Paris 13 close to Bibliothèque Francois Mitterrand. This one-of-a-kind swimming experience is even more special in summer when the glass roof opens up to reveal a huge sun deck providing a fabulous view of the Seine.
New in Paris! This summer (dates TBD), it is possible to have a bath in Canal Saint Martin (Paris 10) from noon to 4 pm. The section of the canal for swimming is located between 116 and 126 Quai de Jemmapes, for a maximum of 300 people. A post-swimming shower is compulsory for all swimmers. The showers (plus some chaises longues for sunbathing) are located just in front of the canal.
CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN AUGUST IN PARIS 2024
When it is too hot outside, a temporary exhibition in an air-conditioned museum is always good, especially if you have already visited Paris’ main attractions.
For the time being, there is not much information on exhibitions in Paris in August 2024. Keep clicking for the latest updates.
Mexica: Offerings and Gods at the Templo Mayor – Musée du Quai Branly, from 3 April to 8 September 2024
The World as It Is – Bourse du Commerce, from 20 March to 2 September 2024
The Egypt of the Pharaohs, from Cheops to Ramses II – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
The Orientalists: Ingres, Délacroix, Gérôme… – Atelier des Lumières, from 9 February 2024 to 5 January 2025
Immersive Experience “Aura Invalides” – Musée de l’Armée, from 22 Septembre 2023 to 31 December 2024
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR AUGUST IN PARIS 2024?
Check out this post about the best events and festivals in Paris this year for more things to do. You may also want to have a look at our guides to Paris in July and Paris in September. You can enjoy most of the proposed activities also in August.
Where to Stay in Paris in August
As you make your bed, so you lie. Find the right accommodation in Paris – whether it’s a hotel or guesthouse, holiday apartment, or private apartment. We have them all! Book your accommodation by using the interactive map below.
Summer in Paris is hot, and one of the best ways to deal with it is to mix sightseeing with a refreshing break at your hotel pool. Here’s a list of the best hotels with pool in Paris that aren’t just limited to 5-star hotels.
I recommend Booking.com for booking your hotel in Paris. They have a wide variety of accommodation of all kinds and good rates. In addition, they propose the option to cancel for free, most of the time up to 24 hours.
WAKE UP WITH AN EIFFEL TOWER VIEW
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up at an amazing hotel with an Eiffel Tower view? Some of the best hotels in Paris also have awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, which is especially beautiful during its night show! – Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS
Le Marais is a central neighborhood in the Seine’s Right Bank, perfect to set your base in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is beautiful, well connected by the metro, and with many beautiful cafes and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Le Marais
- Hotel de Josephine de Bonaparte (charming 4-star hotel inspired by Napoléon’s wife)
- Hotel France Louvre (mid-range hotel in a typical Haussmanian style)
HOTELS AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
The neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on the Left Bank, is a great place to put your luggage down in Paris, especially if you are visiting Paris for the first time. It is picturesque and central, with many entertainment, beautiful cafes, and restaurant options – Click here for the best hotels in Saint-Germain
- Relais Christine (4-star hotel in a 16th-century private mansion)
- Hotel Chaplain Paris Rive Gauche (mid-range hotel a few meters from Luxembourg Gardens)
And there you have it – the best things to do in Paris in August 2024 and the main Paris events August 2024 to help you plan your trip to Paris this summer. Bon voyage!
