Gaile

I understand that July &amp; August are not considered high season in Paris. We want to take advantage of the low rate offered by a particular hotel. We're actually thinking of visiting in July preferably rather than August.<BR><BR>However, what is it like in either month-much less crowds or no? I assume many places are closed in August also, correct? We've only visited Paris during April and October, never in summertime.<BR><BR>Your helpful insight will be appreciated. Thank you.<BR><BR>

Doug

Actually, July and August are the high tourist season in Paris , at least for North America. It is more expensive and the tourist areas are absolutely packed.<BR>During those two months Parisians go on vacation (the last of July first of August the most likely time) often to the coast. Some restaurants , clubs ,markets etc that cater to the locals will be closed. This is not the best time to go, but it is often the only time many people can go.<BR>The weather in Paris in the summer can be quite hot and many hotels do not have air conditioning . That could be one reason for the low rate.

ann

I've been there in two different Julys. One was beautiful weather - sun, 80s but not so hot that AC was needed at night. The other it was cold and rainy - like in the 60s, and for most of the month! (that was in 2000). It was very crowded in July at least in the touristy places like the islands, montmartre, museums. I've also been in March and it was much less crowded. The weather was actually not much worse than the cold July and we like Paris better with less tourists. One thing to be aware of is that it stays light out very late in July (till well after 10) and probably not much different in August. I didn't notice any difference in hotel prices and certainly not in restaurant prices. Airfare is obviously much higher in summer (about twice the cost of a ticket in March).

Paris Expert

In fact, for Paris July/ August is considered low season, when it comes to hotel rates. Air tickets, however, are more expensive during these months, as are hotel rates in areas like Provence and the Riviera.

Christina

I've been there a lot in July and it is NOT more expensive except for air, as PE above says, and quite a lot of hotels do indeed offer discounts in July/Aug as it is low hotel season. I stay at one that does and I know many do. The reason for the low rate is because there are not as many business customers, that's why. I know many people think Paris is only a tourist destination, but it is a major world capital for business purposes. Even hotels with AC often offer discounts in July/Aug. <BR><BR>I like it in July a lot, particularly the 1st 3 weeks. Some hotels only offer discounts after Bastille Day (7/14), however). The reason I like it is because it does stay light very late, which I enjoy, and the opera/ballet season run late in Paris and have shows until about mid-month (that is why I what to be before that. <BR><BR>The weather is not normally bad at all and not that hot. It is usually 70-80 during afternoon, and cools down some at night. Of course, sometimes it can get hot, but that is not the most common case. There are a lot of tourist crowds in July, of course--you will notice that a lot around museums and main tourist attractions. I haven't been in August so can't compare, but I would definitely choose July for a lot of the reasons I mention, as well as more things are closed in August and more Parisians leave which give it a different feel.

Beth

I have been in Paris in late July and mid-April. Our July (2001) had temps in the low-mid 90s although it dropped enough at night for sleeping without AC. We didn't let it keep us from cramming the days full, but we were uncomfortably hot and needed a lot more water. April was clear and cool and even my photos were better. But I will take Paris whenever I can.

Gaile

Thanks so much Christina. The problem I have is with getting a reasonable airfare from San Francisco!

Betsy

I've been to paris several times during these months. I found August to be more European travelers than American but both months there were very large crowds around the main tourist sights. By planning sightseeing around that you can avoid a lot of crowds. Going to the Louvre when it opens or visiting it on a its late night for instance makes a huge difference. While Paris is very safe, I like that it is light so late as a solo traveler. The one thing I'm always gambling on is heat. I have just missed incredible heat waves the last two times I visited. Paris is usually very humid when it is hot, a difficult combination for me, so i always get a hotel w/air just in case.

Christina

I usually go solo, also, and that is one reason I like it in summer when it stays light until 9:30-10 pm. I've been in Paris two Julys when it was downright chilly, so you never know. I've only been there once during a real heat wave in the 90s and that was only a day or two. I don't consider Paris very humid, but I think that depends where you are used to (I live in Washington DC which is very humid, Paris is nothing like that).<BR>To be on the safe side, you might want to book a hotel with AC. I've had one a couple times with AC in Paris but never used it in July--I don't really like AC unless it's at least 90, though.<BR><BR>Gaile, why don't you try New Frontiers (www.newfrontiers.com) for a cheap flight from San Francisco? They are part owners of Corsair (or vice versa, I forget), a French charter airline that flies from San Francisco in the summer (and Los Angeles all year). They do offer very cheap flights, about as cheap as you can get from California, I think. It is a charter airline and no frills, but I've never heard anything too terrible about it.