What to Do in Paris in July 2025 – Quick Guide by a Local

July in Paris

All you need to know for your trip to Paris in July 2025. What to expect from the weather, what to pack, and my insider tips about summer in Paris. If you’re in a hurry, jump directly to what to do in Paris in July here.

In Paris, July is a month with long days, no transportation strikes, and warm weather guaranteed. People like to eat ice creams, spend lazy evenings al fresco by the canals or on a shady terrace, and make the most out of Paris at night.

July is also the month with more outdoor festivals, especially music festivals. From jazz festivals to rock festivals, there’s something for everyone! The downside of July in Paris is that prices are higher and tourism is intense, which makes sightseeing unpleasant and tiring.

So what is Paris like in July? Keep reading for my top tips to get the most out of your summer trip to Paris.

Table of Contents:

• Is Paris Busy in July? Crowds Forecast
• Tips for Visiting Paris in July 2025
• Best Things to Do in Paris in July 2025 (and Events in Paris, July 2025)
• Where to Stay in Paris in July
• Weather in Paris in July
• What to Wear in Paris in July 2025

Related content

Is Paris Busy in July? Crowds Forecast

What is Paris like in July? Paris in July is very busy!

Despite the hot temperatures, July is the high season in Paris, when most people have holidays. If you visit Paris in July, it is paramount to book accommodation, transportation, and tickets to the main attractions and shows well in advance.

Hotels, especially the good ones, sell out fast or charge ridiculous prices for last-minute bookings. Also, it is normal for places such as the Eiffel Tower to have tickets for the best time slots booked out months in advance.

Below, I list the main Paris attractions you will need advance tickets for and have added links to my favorite trustworthy providers for your convenience.

• The Eiffel Tower
• The Louvre Museum
• Versailles Palace
• Orsay Museum
• Catacombs of Paris

Tips for Visiting Paris in July 2025

If you travel to Paris in early July, you will still find some local feel. Parisians start leaving the city for their summer holidays around mid-July, France’s National Day. This means that if you visit Paris in late July, you will find more tourists than locals.

If you are visiting Paris for the first time and plan on visiting many tourist sights, consider purchasing a Paris tourist pass to save time and money. The Paris Museum Pass is the most popular, but I recommend checking out this Paris Pass Comparison to find the best tourist pass for you.

Alternatively, there are many interesting Paris bundles with skip-the-line access to the top tourist attractions.

Getting around Paris by metro in July can be challenging. Check out my best tips for using the Parisian metro in the summer and allow more time for your metro journeys.

Leave some float in your daily schedule. If it is too hot outside, you may want to take a break somewhere for a coffee or a cold drink.

Need travel insurance for your trip to France? Be sure to check rates and coverage with my recommended provider, SafetyWing. SafetyWing – Essential or Complete – works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days) and covers unexpected medical and travel issues while abroad. It also includes coverage at home, and you can sign up at any point during your travels! Check out plans and prices.

Best Things to Do in Paris in July 2025 (and Events in Paris, July 2025)

What to do in Paris in July? If you are visiting Paris for the first time, you may want to tick some of Paris’ top tourist attractions off your bucket list. The itineraries below are thought for Paris first-timers and cover the main attractions in Paris as well as the most iconic neighborhoods:

• 1 day in Paris itinerary
• 2 days in Paris itinerary
• 3 days in Paris itinerary
• 4 days in Paris itinerary
• 5 days in Paris itinerary
• 6 days in Paris itinerary
• 7 days in Paris itinerary

Apart from all these places and other beautiful sights that you will find in this Paris Travel Blog, these are the best things to do in Paris in July 2025:

CLIMB UP THE EIFFEL TOWER BEFORE SUNSET

The Eiffel Tower is a must-see in Paris, but it is terrible to visit during the day in July. Go to the Eiffel Tower after 8 p.m. to get some fresh air and see how the sun sets in Paris. It’s a magical experience!

Tickets from the Eiffel Tower website can be purchased only two months in advance. To be sure you get the date and time slot you want in July, book as soon as possible – Click here to buy your Eiffel Tower tickets

EMBRACE PARIS’ BUSTLING NIGHTLIFE

In summer, Paris comes to life in the evening. You have great night festivals with live music, books, and food stalls, and many concerts fill Paris’ biggest parks.

The area along the Seine banks is a fun place to be for waterside pétanque, drinks on the bar-péniches, or casual picnics dangling the feet over the water. Paris night tours are very popular in the summer as well, as it is more enjoyable to explore the streets of Paris with the fresh air. Check out what to do in Paris at night.

ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE COCKTAIL IN THE BEST ROOFTOP BARS

This is one of my favorite things to do in Paris in July. Look for the best rooftop bars in Paris and see the city from above with your favorite cocktail in hand. Some of the best rooftop bars are located on top of hotels but are also open to non-guests.

VERSAILLES’ FOUNTAIN SHOWS

One of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris in July is Versailles (click here for my Versailles Guide). The Versailles Gardens are great to explore in the summer, when all the grooves are open to the public and the garden shows take place.

I especially like the Musical Fountain show, when the fountains of Versailles and other water features are spouting to the rhythm of the music.

In July, 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.

On weekends and holidays, the Night Fountains Show closes the day with spectacular fireworks. For the Versailles show dates and fountains’ schedule, check out this quick guide to the Fountains of Versailles.

VISIT THE LOUVRE AT NIGHT

If you travel to Paris in July, visiting the Louvre Museum at night is a good idea. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the Louvre is open until 9 p.m., and it is nice to see how the sculptures are lit by the moonlight. Also, there are fewer crowds at night.

ENJOY THE PARKS AND GARDENS OF PARIS

The gardens in Paris are one of locals’ favorite places to be in Paris in July. Relax and sunbathe by the ponds or look for a guinguette (a casual place with food and drinks, usually in a park or the countryside) in the shade for a coffee or a cold drink.

Here’s the list of the most beautiful gardens in Paris.

EXPLORE OLD MONTMARTRE IN THE AFTERNOON

Montmartre is the highest part of Paris, and late in the afternoon is a great time to go to get some fresh air while exploring one of the most picturesque areas in Paris. This self-guided Stories of Old Montmartre walking tour covers the main sights of Montmartre, while this article about secret Montmartre is perfect for curious second-timers in Paris.

After the walk, look for a restaurant terrace nearby for an alfresco dinner in one of Paris’ most beautiful areas. My favorite is L’Eté en Pente Douce at 8 Rue Paul Albert.

SAIL THE PARISIAN CANALS YOUR OWN WAY

Marin d’ Eau Douce, located at Bassin de la Villette in Paris 19, offers electric self-drive boats for 5, 7, or 11 people. These electric boats do not require any boating license, and they are a fun way to explore Canal de la Villette and Canal de l’Ourcq, perhaps with a picnic on board and rosé wine.

SUMMER FUN AT PARIS PLAGES

Paris Plages is one of the main events in Paris in July. It is also the only opportunity for families with lesser revenue to experience some fun summertime without leaving the city.

For six weeks (in July and August, dates TBC), Paris Plages is a fun place to be in Paris. Click here for the list of activities and locations.

GO ON A DAY TRIP

If you have an extra day during your trip, grab a train to go beyond the French capital. A good idea for July is to visit one of the castles near Paris. Enjoy its magnificent rooms and halls and also get the most out of its gardens – Click here for other beautiful day trips from Paris

HAVE FUN AT L’ÉTÉ DU CANAL

L’Été du Canal is a fun event that takes place in the summer months (from 5 July to 10 August 2025) along the banks of Canal de l’Ourcq and Canal Saint-Denis in the 19th Arrondissement of Paris. The Été du Canal’s agenda is always full of fun activities for kids and adults along the canal or in the water.

CHECK OUT THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS IN JULY IN PARIS 2025

If you are visiting Paris in July 2025 for a cultural weekend, you may want to check what’s going on in the art galleries or the museums’ rooms dedicated to temporary exhibitions:

Au Fil de l’Or – Musée du Quai Branly, from 11 February to 6 July 2025

Wax – Musée de l’Homme, until 7 September 2025

Body and Soul – Bourse de Commerce-Pinnault Collection, from 5 March to 25 August 2025

Fashion on the Move #3 – Palais Galliera, until 12 October 2025

Louvre Couture – Musée du Louvre, until 21 July 2025

Here’s the full list of exhibitions, shows, and concerts for your dates in Paris (use the calendar on the left side to select a date range).

NEED MORE IDEAS FOR PARIS, JULY 2025?

Have a look at my articles about Paris in June and August in Paris. Some of the activities suggested in these pieces are also great for July in Paris.

Where to Stay in Paris in July

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 in your favorite neighborhood or near one of Paris’ tourist attractions 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 a pool in Paris that aren’t just limited to 5-star hotels.

Weather in Paris in July

Summers in Paris are hot and sunny. The average temperatures in Paris in July are 26C (79F) maximum and 16C (61) minimum, with a 10% rainfall probability.

CANICULE IN PARIS IN JULY (HEATWAVE IN JULY)

Canicule is the French word for “heat wave.” It is usually used when the temperatures are higher than 31C (88F) in the morning and 21C (70F) at night for three consecutive days.

In the last few years, we have experienced a few days of canicule, so if you are visiting Paris in July, you should know there may be a few days of intense heat in the city.

During these periods, it is suggested to look for indoor activities (with air conditioning), avoid physical activities and sports, wear a hat to protect your head from the sun, and drink lots of water.

Remember that you can drink tap water in Paris. Avoid tons of plastic by using a refillable bottle.

What to Wear in Paris in July 2025

What to wear in Paris in July? July in Paris calls for summer clothing!

Leave your jeans at home and pack summer dresses, short-sleeve tops, and sandals. Also, it is important to protect your head and eyes from the sun. Remember that you need a little more coverage when entering a church, so packing a long skirt or a thin jacket or scarf to cover your shoulders is always a good idea.

If you are wondering what to pack for Paris at this time of year, here’s the ultimate guide to packing for Paris in July with comfortable and stylish clothes. If you need inspiration to combine things to blend in with locals, check out my Spring /Summer style guides for men and women.

• Paris Summer Style Guide for Women
• Paris Summer Style Guide for Men

And there you have it – the best things to do in Paris in July 2025 and seasonal events to help you plan your trip to Paris this summer. Bon voyage!

Click here for more Paris travel tips

Back to Homepage