Paris In August – What’s on, Weather & Best Things To Do
On one hand August is generally the time most Parisians go on vacation – but on the other it is one of the more popular times for tourists to visit the city. From the Feast of Assumption celebrations at Notre Dame to the Paris Plages (urban beaches), August brings a unique summer vibe you will enjoy.
📅 August At A Glance
☀️ August Average Temperatures: High 79°F (26°C) | Low 61°F (16°C)
🧡 Sunrise/Sunset: 6:45am | 9:00pm
🎫 Booking Urgency: Recommended to book tickets for cabaret shows, most monuments and museums 4-6 weeks in advance
📶 Crowd Meter: High
🇫🇷 Notable Events: Assumption Day Celebrations (August 15), Paris Plages Swimming Until August 31
🖼️ Museum Shows: Louis Vuitton Foundation Calder Reve en Equilibre until 16 August 2026 | Book Here →
🎥 Outdoor Cinema: Parc de la Villette 22 July-16 August (lavillette.com) | Metro Porte de Pantin (Line 5)
🛥️ Getting Around: Batobus Hop on Hop Off Boat. Learn More Here →
🗼 Les Frenchies Recommendation: Have an evening picnic at the Eiffel Tower and watch the light show – a true Parisian experience.
Paris Weather in August & what to pack
Paris enjoys warm and sunny summers, with long days thanks to its northerly latitude. In August local Parisians take their holidays. Neighborhoods away from central tourist areas can feel quiet. August can bring some hot days but the evenings can still be cooler. Even in the heat it is a time to be outdoors enjoying a leisurely apero or one of the city’s many outdoor events.
- Average Temperatures: High 79°F (26°C) | Low 61°F (16°C)
- Rainfall: On average August has 7 days of rain but is generally dry
🔥 A Note About Heat Waves In Paris
Despite Paris’s temperate, mild climate, it can experience heat waves in summer. During a heat wave temperatures can rise into the mid-80s°F (around 30°C) or higher and be accompanied by humidity. AC does exist in Paris – including in most museums and some restaurants and shops. Even during the hottest days it does normally cool in the evenings. If you are concerned about the heat, check with your accommodation before booking to confirm if they have AC.
What To Pack For Paris In August
As always we recommend a versatile capsule wardrobe geared for warm summer days. Light weight clothing that provides some sun protection when you are outside or cruising down the Seine is a good idea. Mix and match pieces. Parisian style is actually quite simple – so worry less about fashion and more about comfort and pack light to leave room for Paris shopping! A light weight shawl or shirt for cool evenings is worth it. Opt for stylish sneakers or comfortable sandals with support to allow you to walk. Leave the cute strappy sandals with thin soles at home. They are more suitable for your summer parties than walking on the cobblestones of Paris!
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
When packing for your trip less is more. Leave behind your “just in case” items. Paris has stores at all price points and pharmacies in every neighborhood. Anything you forgot you can buy and believe us you will never use that extra thing you brought “just in case”. Read our full packing guide here →
What’s On In Paris In August
Assumption Day At Notre Dame
On August 15 Paris celebrates the Feast of the Assumption, a Catholic holiday honoring the Virgin Mary. The events at Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris are special and celebrated August 14-15 with special masses and an outdoor jubilee processional led by the faithful carrying a silver statue of Mary. See official website notredamedeparis.fr for more information and schedule.
Paris Plages – An Urban Beach
In preparation for the Summer Olympics in 2024, the mayor of Paris set a goal to bring swimming back to the Seine. The result? Paris Plages now creates relaxing “beach” sites along the river and some have swimming including Bras Marie (4th arrondissement), Bercy (12th arrondissement), and Bras de Grenelle (15th arrondissement).
Cinema at Parc de la Villette
Free Admission | Closest Metro: Porte de la Villette (Line 7) | Showtimes: 6pm and 9pm
The Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement hosts a classic screen on the green summer cinema running through August. If you love movies the schedule includes many English speaking and international films. Find the schedule at lavillette.com/en/manifestations/open-air-cinema-25-26/
Les Grandes eaux nocturnes du Château de Versailles
Admission: €15 (gardens only) – €35 Versailles estate passport ticket | Garden Fountain Shows: Saturday and Sundays from 9am to 7pm | Night Fountain Show: Saturdays from 8:30pm-11:00pm
The gardens of Versailles come alive in the summer with special fountain shows on the weekend days and a spectacular night show on Saturdays. The night shows transform the gardens with a stunning light show and music with dramatic effect against the trees and fountains. The show includes a fireworks display in front of the Grand Canal. Tickets to the garden shows are included with your Chateau Versailles passport ticket or as a stand alone purchase. Advanced purchase is highly recommended. For more information see the official website chateauversailles.fr.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip – Getting To Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is only 30–40 minutes from central Paris. The good news: the journey from Paris to Versailles is genuinely easy if you know what to do. The bad news: there are a few mistakes that catch visitors off guard. To help you navigate – take a look at our Versailles Transport Guide →
Best Things To Do In Paris In August
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Paris in August.
🛥️ Take a Seine River Cruise
A Seine River Cruise in Paris is one of those experiences that sounds a little touristy until you’re actually on the water. Then, suddenly, Notre-Dame is sliding past at eye level, the Eiffel Tower comes into view around a bend, and you realize this is one of the best ways to see the city — particularly on a summer afternoon or evening when your feet are telling you no more walking! Bonus – take a lunch or dinner cruise. Take away the worry of where to eat and how to avoid the crowds and enjoy your meal while the city glides by.
🎨 Enjoy Smaller, Less Travelled Museums
Paris has more than 100 world class museums. The Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay may get most of the attention, but if you are seeking a calmer environment, away from the well travelled favorites take a look at our Best Museums in Paris guide. Among the best, here are a few we recommend for a summer morning or afternoon:
- Rodin Museum: One of the first places we send visitors who want something beautiful but not exhausting. Find many Rodin’s famous sculptures in the garden, including the Thinker. While you are there visit the cafe, one of the best spots to enjoy a cool drink on a summer afternoon.
- Musée Marmottan Monet: The museum holds over three hundred works by Monet and contemporaries like Berthe Morisot. The largest Monet collection in the world housed in a former hunting lodge at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement.
- Musée National Picasso Paris: The best place in the world to see Picasso isn’t Barcelona or Málaga – it’s Paris. The museum holds the most complete public collection of Picasso’s work. A manageable museum that can be enjoyed comfortably in about 90 minutes to two hours.
✅ Louis Vuitton Foundation Museum – Modern Art + Beautiful Setting
Most museums are about what’s inside. but this place is about both the art inside and the Frank Gehry designed building, a structure of 3,600 curved glass panels that looks like a ship under full sail. If you are looking for a quieter place a visit to the Foundation’s cafe and its view over the Bois de Boulogne is a welcome escape. The museum’s foremost collection of modern art puts on blockbuster shows. The current show, Calder Reve en Equilibre, is on until 16 August 2026
→ Read Our Full Guide to the Louis Vuitton Foundation
→ Book Tickets to the Louis Vuitton Foundation
🚲 Fun Outdoor Activities For August
Summer is the best time to be outside and explore Paris. Here are a few fun activities we recommend:
- Take a Bike Tour. Cycling is one of the best ways to discover Paris. It is also one of the most underrated. In two to three hours on a bike you’ll cover more ground than a full day on foot, glide past landmarks that take your breath away and hear stories about the City of Light that no guidebook will ever tell you. Read Our Guide To Paris Bike Tours →
- Enjoy and Outdoor Art Class. It’s an iconic scene – a artist drawing or painting the scene along the Seine or perched somewhere in the Tuilleries Gardens flowing watercolors across a page. Art classes in Paris are memorable and genuinely one of the more unique things to do in Paris – they require no experience just your interest and creativity. Read Our Guide to Paris Art Classes →
- Paris Vintage Car Experience. Taking a vintage car tour in Montmartre is a fun way to explore one of Paris’s most iconic neighborhoods. Riding in a classic Citroën 2CV, explore the winding streets and hidden gems of Montmartre, from the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica to the lively artists’ square, Place du Tertre. Read More Here →
Things To Book Before You Arrive
If you are planning to visit Paris in August and you plan to visit some of the city’s more prominent attractions – here are a few we strongly recommend booking in advance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is August a good time to visit Paris?
August is the time when most Parisians take their holidays but visitors continue to come. The main event in August is the celebration of Assumption Day (August 15), a Catholic holiday honoring the Virgin Mary. Festivities in Paris center on Notre Dame Cathedral with special masses and an outdoor jubilee processional led by the faithful carrying a silver statue of Mary. See official website notredamedeparis.fr for more information and schedule.
What is the weather Like in Paris in August?
Paris enjoys warm and sunny summers, with long days thanks to its northerly latitude. August is a time of year to spend time outdoors and there are plenty of festivals to enjoy. Average Temperatures (F°): High 79 | Low 61. August is a drier month with an average of 7 days of rain.
How Do I avoid the Summer Crowds in Paris?
If you are traveling to Paris in summer – particularly in July and August – and you plan to visit some of the city’s top sites (the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Sainte Chappelle), we highly recommend you book in advance of your arrival (4-6 weeks in advance to get your preferred days/times). However, if you are looking for less visited sites there are many smaller museums and outdoor activities that allow you to enjoy the city from a different perspective. For more information on museums see our full guide to the Best Museums In Paris
Do Paris hotels Have AC?
Despite Paris’s temperate, mild climate, it can experience heat waves in summer. AC does exist in Paris – including in most museums and some restaurants and shops. Even during the hottest days evenings are usually cooler. If you are concerned about the heat, check with your accommodation before booking to confirm if they have AC.