Paris in July: What to Do, Weather & Events

Paris Weather in July & what to pack

Paris enjoys warm and sunny summers, with long days thanks to its northerly latitude. It is a time of year when Parisians and visitors alike spend time outdoors and there are plenty of festivals to enjoy.

• Average Temperatures (F°/C°): High 77 / 25 | Low 61 / 16 
• Rainfall: On average July has 8 days of rain 

What To Pack For Paris In July

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 bring less in your suitcase. 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!

What’s On In Paris In July

Bastille Day Parade & Fireworks

France’s national day is July 14, marking the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 and the beginning of the French Revolution. Celebrations include air force flyovers and a military parade on the Champs-Élysées as well as evening fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. Neighborhood celebrations, often centered around local firehouses or other public venues, usually include music and dancing similar to a neighborhood block party in the United States.

Tour de France Finish

The world’s most famous cycling race ends its 21 stages in Paris on July 26. The athlete with the lowest cumulative time across the approximately 2,200 miles of the race wins and wears the iconic yellow jersey. The race route in Paris famously includes a climb up the hill at Montmartre and a finish line at the Champs-Élysées.

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 starting July 22. 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/

Best Things To Do In Paris In July

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Paris in July.

🛥️ 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.

🛍️ Shopping – Les soldes d’été

France holds two official sales periods annually. The summer sales run until July 28 and feature significant discounts (30-70%) on a range of goods. This is a great excuse to visit the flagship Galleries Lafayette department store on Boulevard Haussmann. While you are there take time to enjoy the gorgeous art nouveau glass dome towering above the store and take a break at the rooftop cafe for a panoramic view of the city. Galleries Lafayette also makes VAT tax refunds easy. For all your shopping be sure to check out our VAT Tax Refund Guide.

Things To Book Before You Arrive

If you are planning to visit Paris in July and you plan to visit some of the city’s more prominent attractions – here are a few we strongly recommend booking in advance.

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