I have no firm plans yet but I have been batting this around for a couple days now and I have a list of my own pros and cons about Paris in July vs. October (heat and more crowds, but longer daylight hours and the sales in July!)

I'm really torn about which time of year to go, either early July or early October. So this is where I turn to my Fodorite friends...

In the past several yeas my trips to Europe have been in the fall and I really like that time of year, but I thought it might be nice to try the summer. I know heat can be an issue and accommodations with AC is a must, but I live on the SC coast and think I would be ok...think 95% humidity in the summer! I do know that I do not want to go in August and June isn't an option right now.

I've been checking airfares for both July and October and they are just about the same price, maybe a difference of less then $100, so that's not an issue at the moment. You never know though with airfares!

I'd like to hear about any experiences you've had in Paris in July and any tips or warnings you can offer.

My brother booked on British Air--some sort of "special"
He said July is way too crowded but consider he is NOT a shopper.
after Oct.are some real bargins but the weather is colder and some rain...
My grand-dtr and I are going in mid-September

The only time I would ever consider Paris in July is if I were to be there for the Tour de France. I like mid September to mid October. At least then one gets to see a bit of Paris by night! Those daylight hours can be good but Paris is The City of Light and it never gets dark enough to see the lights before I fall asleep!

My preference would always be October, but the fact is, I'm often there in July, and while I'm not much of a shopper, Paris never fails to delight me no matter what time of year I'm there.

Longer daylight hours and better shopping would seem to tip the balance for you in this case. Go in July. It won't disappoint.

I've been in July and in October and I liked both.

I agree that you'd be safer with A/C esp in July...I think Paris in the Summer is wonderful regardless of any crowds, etc.

I'm thinking of the leaves turning on the trees lining the banks of the Seine near Notre Dame and saying to myself: "Self, October sounds like a nice time to go to Paris."

I'm also saying to myself: "Self, there'd be a whole lot fewer dang tourists in Paris in October than July and it wouldn't be so frickin' hot and traveling throughout Paris on buses and trains wouldn't be a horrid sweat-smelling experience."

And I'm coming to the conclusion that October would be preferable.

I must admit I am very partial to early October and after reading what BigRuss said to "himself" he makes a good point I hadn't thought about the buses and trains. I was there last September and at various times the Metro was packed cheek to jowl and now sitting here I can only imagine what that would be like in July...of course I could always adjust the timing and not be on public transport during rush hours.

Thanks everyone for your input.

During rush hours the metro will be packed year long. I have had such good luck going in late September/early October many times. The light that time of year can be fantastic and the days haven't closed in that much. I've never really shopped the big half-years sales so can't comment on what you would be missing.

I think the question would be: what are your goals on this visit? If your main goal is shopping the July sales, then it's a no-brainer. If shopping is a nice bonus but not key, then I'd say October.

For me, I am always interested to attend one or more concerts/operas (and occasionally, ballets) while I'm in Europe. July/summer generally is dark for these venues, so I prefer going during the season is on (usually Sept-May, but varies from venue to venue).

One other thing that would sway me July vs October, is what kind of exhibitions will be on at museums during those months. If it's something that I'm very interested in, I will try to go during the timeframe the show is on.

October - definitely. But then I HATE hot weather - and if it's much over 80 I lose all interest in doing much but sitting in an AC room. (MY first trip to Paris was late June and we got 2 95+ days in a row. Luckily the hotel had good AC - and I went out only in the early AM and the evening those days.)

I go in July a lot, probably about every other year, and like it a lot. In many ways, I prefer it to the Fall, it's just really nice to have it light out so late, sort of the summery casual feel, concerts in the parks, many hotels have major discounts at that time of year (all of the ones I've stayed at are about 25% or more off), etc. Of course I only stay in hotels with AC now.

I am very big on performing arts and that is possible in Paris until mid-July. The ballet closes right on Bastille Day, I think. Even then, they sometimes have special things after that, I saw the Ballet of Cuba one year at the Grand Palais (which was thrilling for me, as we can't see them in the US), and that was end of July or beg. of August.

Tourist crowds don't mean that much to me as I don't spend time going to major tourist sites much any more. Even in museums, it isn't that big a deal to me if you go early or in late afternoon. I don't like shopping and do very little of it, so those sales have nothing to do with why I go in July. I really would not make a decision based on that, they are just sort of avg. dept store sales of merchandise that hasn't sold by then.

I'd go in October too, if I had to choose between both time periods.