August in Paris 2023
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 with the weekend of the 14 of July. That makes Paris a strange place to be: hot, sun-drenched, and without not much local feeling.
However, if this is the only time you have to visit Paris, not all is lost! There are many summer events and fun outdoor activities in Paris in August, so if you know what to expect and how to avoid crowds, August in Paris has its charm, and summer evenings are always special.
So how is Paris in August? Go on reading for what to do in Paris in August 2023, the main events in Paris August 2023, and our top tips for getting the most out of your trip to Paris.
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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 booking transportation, accommodation, and tickets to the main tourist attractions in advance is paramount.
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 in Paris 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 of Paris.
Below I list the main attractions you will need advance tickets for and have added links to my favorite trusty providers for your convenience.
Weather in Paris in August 2023
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 2023
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 sleeve 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 Paris people’s clothing tends to be more dressy than in other European cities, even in the summertime. If you are wondering what to wear in Paris in August, check out our Packing Lists for Paris. We have dedicated articles for men and women that come with our best tips and suggestions for outfits to wear in Paris this year, 2023.
Here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in August with clothes to be 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 2023
First-timers in Paris who want to visit the main sights usually find it convenient to purchase a Paris tourist pass. Check out this Paris Pass Comparison to find the best tourist pass for you.
Another good way to save time is to buy single skip-the-line tickets or combo tickets for the top tourist attractions.
Don’t overcharge your daily schedule with lots of sights and activities. Leave some floor to improvisation; you may want to have some breaks during the day if the weather is too hot.
Some trains (the oldest) of the Parisian metro do not have air conditioning, so Paris by metro can be challenging in August. Check out our best tips for using the Parisian metro in the summer.
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Does Paris shut down in August? Such a touristy city like Paris cannot shut down in August, one of the months of the year with more visitors, so don’t worry! What is closed in Paris in August? Local businesses and perhaps some restaurants in lesser touristy neighborhoods usually close in Paris in August. All the tourist attractions, hotels, and bars & restaurants in the most touristy neighborhoods in Paris will be working in full swing. Locals tend to come back to Paris in late August, so if you visit Paris during the last week of August, everything will be open.
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 2023 (and Events in Paris August 2023)
If you want to visit Paris in August for the first time, 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
If you are looking for seasonal activities and festivals in Paris in August 2023, here are our recommendations.
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! – Click here to buy your tickets to the Eiffel Tower
ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL FROM THE BEST ROOFTOP BARS
This is one of the best things to do in Paris at night in August. 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 happy to welcome also non-guests.
JOIN A NIGHT TOUR
Paris is a great city to walk, but it may be hard to walk kilometers and kilometers under the sun for some. 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 our 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.
We especially like the Musical Fountain show, with all the Versailles fountains and other water features spouting to the rhythm of the music.
If you visit Paris in August, the Musical Gardens Show usually takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Musical Fountains Show usually takes place on Saturday, Sunday, and on holidays. 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 2023, 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, proposes electric self-drive boats for 5, 7, or 11 people. These electric boats are a fun way to explore the canal as they do not require any kind of 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
Paris Plages (for 6 weeks, in July and August) is one of the best things to do in Paris in August 2023 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 in 2023.
GO ON A DAY TRIP
If you are spending more than two days in Paris, don’t hesitate to explore beyond the French capital.
Usually, the small towns near Paris are a bit dead in July or August. Our recommendation goes to Monet’s Garden in Giverny to see the famous water lilies. MonetThe water lilies start to bloom in July, so you can see the water lilies in bloom, plus dahlias, cosmos, and hibiscus.
Another good day trip to do in August is the D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy. Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze whilst visiting one of France’s most important historical sights.
HAVE FUN AT L’ÉTÉ DU CANAL 2023
L’Été du Canal is a fun event that takes place in July and August (this year from 8 July to 23 August 2023) along the banks of Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Denis.
This is definitely one of the best places to visit 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! 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.
We 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. 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 (9 July to 20 August 2023), 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 2023
When it is too hot outside, a temporary exhibition in an air-conditioned museum is always good, especially if you have already visited Paris’s main attractions. Here are the most interesting temporary exhibitions in Paris in August 2023. For the time being, there’s not much information on exhibitions in Paris August 2023 yet. Keep clicking for the latest updates.
Norman Foster – Centre Georges Pompidou, until 7 August 2023
Eternal Mucha – Grand Palais Immersif, from 22 March to 5 October 2023
Picasso Celebration: the Collection in a New Light – Musée National Picasso-Paris, from 7 March 2023 to 27 August 2023
Medieval Treasures from the Victoria & Albert Museum – When the English spoke French – Musée de la Marine, until 23 October 2023
Chagall, Paris – New York – Atélier des Lumières, from 17 February 2023 to 7 January 2024
Paul Klee, Painting Music – Atélier des Lumières, from 17 February 2023 to 7 January 2024
Notre Dame de Paris, from Builders to Restorers – Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, from 15 February 2023 to 29 April 2024
Yves Saint Laurent – Shapes and Forms – Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, until 14 January 2024
Naples in Paris – Musée du Louvre, until 8 January 2024
Harry Potter, l’Exposition à Paris – Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, from 21 April 2023 to 1 October 2023
Elliott Erwitt – Musée Maillol, from 23 March to 15 August 2023
La Fabuloserie a 40 ans – Halle Saint Pierre, from 25 January to 25 August 2023
Money in Art – La Monnaie de Paris, from 30 March 2023 to 24 September 2023
Basquiat X Warhol, Painting Four Hands – Fondation Louis Vuitton, from 5 April to 28 August 2023
Ramses & L’Or des Pharaons – Grande Halle de la Villette, from 23 April to 6 September 2023
Sarah Bernhardt: And the Woman Created the Star – Petit Palais, from 17 April to 27 August 2023.
NEED MORE IDEAS FOR AUGUST IN PARIS 2023?
You may also want to have a look at our guides to Paris in July and also 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 the list of the best hotels with pool in Paris that aren’t just limited to 5-star hotels.
We 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.
SLEEP WITH EIFFEL TOWER VIEWS
If you have the budget, why not treat yourself to the pleasure of waking up with an amazing Eiffel Tower balcony view?
Some of the best hotels in Paris also come with awesome views of the Eiffel Tower, especially beautiful during its night show!
Check out the best hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
The good news is that a cozy room with Eiffel Tower views is not exclusive to the best hotels in Paris. If you are looking for a more local experience, there are also beautiful, fully equipped apartments to rent with amazing Eiffel Tower views
Check out the best apartments with a view of the Eiffel Tower
HOTELS AT LE MARAIS IN PARIS 4
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 in Paris 4
HOTEL DE JOSEPHINE DE BONAPARTE, Paris 4, $$$$
Located in a former convent, this charming hotel is inspired by Napoleon’s wife, Joséphine de Bonaparte. Its uniquely decorated rooms are elegant and romantic, and its cozy saloons are the perfect place for a last glass of wine.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTEL FRANCE LOUVRE, Paris 4, $$$
Hotel France Louvre is a typical Haussmanian-style hotel located in Le Marais. The rooms are small but cozy, all elegantly furnished in Louis XIV style. Some of them have lovely views over Hôtel de Ville and Tour Saint Jacques.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTELS AT SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS
The neighborhood of Saint-Germain, 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 entertainments, beautiful cafes, and restaurant options.
Click here for the best hotels in Saint-Germain
XRELAIS CHRISTINE; Paris 6, $$$$
This hotel is set in a 16th-century private mansion in the heart of Saint Germain-des-Prés. Its rooms are unique and designed in different styles. Guests can enjoy elegant common spaces, a garden, a spa, and a fitness center.
Click here for the Latest Prices
HOTEL CHAPLAIN PARIS RIVE GAUCHE: Paris 6, $$$
This chic and modern hotel is located only a few meters from Luxembourg Gardens and is one of the best mid-range hotels in Saint-Germain. The rooms are fancy and colorful. We especially like its chic dining area and floral courtyard, where you can have breakfast or a drink.
And there you have it, the best things to do in Paris in August 2023 and main Paris events August 2023 to help you plan your coming trip to Paris. Bon voyage!
