Is it really that hot in Paris in August???
 

I saw that August 2003 14,000 people died in France from the heatwave.

Now what I have read about typical August weather, it seems the same as what we deal with in the NW US during that time, but a little more humidity. Am I wrong?

We are planning our honeymoon in Paris the middle of August, and I really want to know what I need to gear for!!

I was planning on summer dresses and sandles (but all my clothes are mostly black).

I really hope it's hot this year! We have been practically freezing to death in Paris the last two Augusts. Some of us are almost hoping for a repeat of the infamous killer heatwave at long last. Please give us some warmth this summer! (I used my air conditioner a grand total of 2 days in 2008.)

My experience is July is the iffy month for Southern Europe. However, Paris isnt like Rome. Paris doesnt get really hot in mid August often, you might even get days where the high is 60. Bring a sweater.

I had to buy a sweater in Paris last August, it was so cold. There's no telling what the weather will be, so just check forecasts right before you leave and plan accordingly.

The problem is not so much absolute heat (daytime highs = low 80's F), but, rather lack of air conditioning in older hotels and apartments.

Best wishes for a cool August.

I would definitely suggest packing some layers that you can add or peel off as need be. And I wouldn't only pack black. We've visited Paris many times in August, including August of 2003, and as a poster above noted, you won't know the weather until about a week ahead of your visit.

That being said, I hope that you've reserved a hotel with AC, just in case, and because it's good for shutting out street noise.

It depends where you are in the US as to whether Paris is more humid, obvously. It is definitely not more humid than where I live and a lot of other places in the US. I suppose it might be more humid than places in the NW, but I'm not that familiar with your humidity, to be honest. It's more humid than Denver.

That 2003 heatwave was an anomoly, not the norm. Anyway, August is statistically not as hot as July in Paris.

Yes, it really can be that hot. We've been when it's stiffling (over 90F). We've also been when it was very pleasant (60s-70sF). As others have said, you'll have to check a week or so before going to get a more accurate picture - and plan on layering.

We were in Paris, of course for only 5 days, in August of '04. It was cold and rainy, and I had spent extra for good AC, thinking about the summer of '03.

Weather if funny that way.

Looks like you are from WA.

Summer in Paris means A LOT of humidity. If you have not been to a high humidity location, it might be hard to imagine that the temperature in the upper 80's feel that uncomfortable.

To give you an image, think about just staying still in a shade. The shirt gets damp from your perspiration. If you sleep in an hotel without an A/C, you wake up on a damp sheet.

Also, when the humidity is that high, the temperature does not drop much at night. It is never that hot at night on west coast.

We were there late August of '06, and it was cool to the extent that Parisian women were wearing pashminas looped around their necks. We went to Dijon, then to Annecy, and by the time we returned to Paris 7-8 days later, it was hot (early Sept. by this time) and were glad to have A/C in hotel. So, it varies. You can check the weather closer to your departure time, but that doesn't help you plan ahead with your honeymoon wardrobe. As others have said, layering is the way to go.

September is more reliably warm than August.

I also agree that it can be wonderful weather in August. Last year we spent the whole summer there, and bought an a/c for the apt fearing a hot August. We used it twice the whole summer!
I disagree with most posters that state that Aug is not the best month. We find most all the restaurants we want to visit open, most of the shops, and the city a bit less crowded. You should have a nice time