Paris Summer Guide: The Best Things to Do in Paris in July & August

By Mathilde Vuillemenot | Last update on June 22, 2025

Summer in Paris? C'est magnifique! As a Parisian who absolutely adores this season, I'm here to share why July and August are actually my favorite months to experience the City of Light. Yes, it can get hot (and yes, most places don't have AC), but the magic of Parisian summer is absolutely worth it.

Just keep in mind that summer, especially July, is peak tourist season, so expect a crowded atmosphere! But here's the insider tip: to beat the crowds, wake up early and plan activities later in the evening. It works perfectly because summer days in Paris are wonderfully long: the sun rises around 6 AM and doesn't set until 9 PM, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace when most tourists are still sleeping or having dinner.

Summer things to do in Paris

From fashion week glamour to open-air cinema under the stars, from refreshing Seine cruise to the quintessential French picnic experience, summer in Paris offers experiences you simply can't find any other time of year.

 

1.The Parisian Summer Experience: Picnic & Café Terraces

Here's the thing? there are two quintessential Parisian summer activities that locals absolutely live for: picnicking and café terraces!

The Perfect French Picnic Formula: It's actually super easy! Get cheese from a cheese shop, bread and dessert from a bakery, and voilà, you have an authentic French picnic! For something extra special, check out Tableaux Paris: they create cheese platters that look like works of art. You can also grab fresh fruits and cheese at the daily markets (here's the complete list with opening days).

Perfect Picnic Spots:

  • Along the Seine riverbanks, sitting directly on the pavement (classic Parisian experience!)
  • In cute parks along the river, like Île aux Cygnes, Archipel des Berges de Seine Niki de Saint-Phalle, or Jardin Tino Rossi
  • In one of the famous gardens, my favorite being Jardin du Luxembourg (big, lots of shades if it's very hot)

Terrace People-Watching: This is the other essential Parisian summer activity! There's nothing more delightfully Parisian than settling into a café terrace with a coffee or glass of wine and watching the world go by.

 

2. Entertainment: Funfair, Spectacular Shows & Tour de France

Funfair in Tuileries Garden: For two whole months, this charming fair transforms the Tuilerie garden. If you don't have vertigo, take a ride on the grande roue (Ferris wheel) for breathtaking views of the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Place de la Concorde. It's like getting an aerial tour of central Paris!

Olympic Cauldron in Tuileries Garden: A lovely addition to Paris this summer is the Olympic Cauldron back in Tuileries Garden for the entire season! After the 2024 Olympics, this beautiful symbol of the Games has returned to the gardens. It's accessible to all, free of charge, during the day, and you can see it soaring into the sky every evening: it rises at 10:30 pm in July and 9:30 pm in August.

Spectacular Castle Shows: Versailles gardens come alive with incredible fountain shows. Check out this video to see what I mean! There are afternoon shows, but the evening spectacle is truly extraordinary and ends with fireworks. Also on my summer bucket list: Vaux le Vicomte's candlelit evenings on Saturdays: live performances in the French gardens, dancing water displays, and fireworks at 11 pm. Pure magic!

Bastille Day (July 14): France's national holiday brings the city to life! There's a military parade on Champs-Élysées, and the Patrouille de France flies overhead, creating the French flag colors in the sky. Many Parisians gather in the Louvre courtyard and Tuileries Garden to watch. Don't miss the fire station parties the night before, it's such a fun way to celebrate with locals and feel truly immersed in Parisian culture!

Tour de France Finale (July 27, 2025): The final stage ending on Champs-Élysées is spectacular, but here's my insider tip, head to Montmartre hills instead! I had the chance to watch the Olympic Games cycling road race there, and it was absolutely fabulous. My favorite spot? The stairs of Sacré-Cœur. You get an incredible view of the cyclists plus that iconic Parisian backdrop. Just arrive early, it gets very crowded, but so worth it!

 

3. Culture: Open-Air Cinema & Cool Museum Escapes

Open-Air Cinema: Nothing says summer in Paris like watching movies under the stars! There are screenings throughout the city (here's the complete list – use Google Translate as it's in French). The most coveted spot is Cinema Paradiso in the Louvre's Cour Carrée, but it's so popular they hold a random draw for tickets. I've been entering for years and never won! More accessible options include Parc de la Villette, which often shows movies in English.

Cool Museum Escapes: When the heat becomes too much, head to museums with air conditioning! Museum Carnavalet and Atelier des Lumières are my go-to cool refuges. Since few Parisian museums have AC, always check before you go if beating the heat is your priority.

 

4. Beat the Heat: Pools, Seine Swims & River Cruise

When the Parisian summer heat becomes intense, there are plenty of refreshing options to cool down while still enjoying the city!

Swimming Spots:

  • Molitor: Fancy and pricey, but they have a great lunch and swim offer Monday through Thursday
  • Piscine Joséphine Baker: A public outdoor pool "floating" on the Seine? so unique!
  • Annette K: A barge with a pool, coffee shop, and sports activities. Such a cool concept!
  • Swimming in the Seine: Yes, really! Three spots opened in 2025 for Paris Plages. 

Seine River Cruise: My absolute favorite cooling strategy! I recommend the 2-hour "Best of Both Worlds" cruise by Canauxrama. Half the journey is on tree-lined Canal St-Martin (lovely shade and even goes through a tunnel!), then you're on the Seine with full sun but refreshing wind. I did this on a 95°F (35°C) day and it was perfect! Just bring a hat and sunglasses.

 

5. Fashion: Sales Season & Haute Couture Week

Summer in Paris means two things for fashion lovers: incredible sales and haute couture week!

July Sales (les Soldes): This is shopping paradise! Every store participates, but I've curated a list of 15 cute stores loved by locals that are absolute must-visits during sales season. Don't miss Galeries Lafayette and Monoprix, they have the best selection and discounts. Pro tip: check the official sales dates before your trip, as they're regulated by the government and every store follows the same schedule.

Haute Couture Week (early July): While you won't get into the actual shows without industry connections, fashion week brings incredible energy to the city! Head to spots where the shows happen and people-watch the most stylish fashionistas from around the world. I love positioning myself near Hotel de Crillon or Hotel Plaza Athénée where the fashion elite stay. For show locations, check last minute, but common venues include Grand Palais and Jardin des Tuileries. Even if you can't get inside, the street style is a show in itself!

 

6. Why August is Actually Amazing (Despite What You've Heard)

I often hear that August gets a bad reputation because people assume "everything is closed", but this isn't really the case anymore! Yes, many Parisians leave the city for vacation, but that actually means you get to enjoy a more local, less crowded Paris experience.

What's true is that some restaurants and bakeries do close for vacation in August. If you have a specific restaurant wishlist, check with them before booking your trip. What's also true: if I were a tourist, August would be my favorite month! Fewer crowds at major attractions, easier reservations, and a more relaxed Parisian pace. You'll feel like you're discovering secret neighborhoods and hidden gems.

Just make sure to book a hotel with air conditioning, that's non-negotiable for summer comfort in Paris!

 

Final Summer Tips for Your Parisian Adventure

Summer is my absolute favorite season in Paris, and I hope this guide helps you fall in love with it too! The key is embracing the heat rather than fighting it, take long lunches in shaded café terraces, enjoy leisurely Seine-side strolls in the evening when it cools down, and always have your next cooling strategy planned.

Pack light, breathable fabrics, comfortable walking shoes (those cobblestones can get hot!). Most importantly, adopt the French art de vivre: slow down, savor each moment, and remember that you're experiencing Paris in its most vibrant, alive season. The long days, outdoor terraces, and magical summer light will create memories you'll treasure forever.

Bon été à Paris! (Have a great summer in Paris!)