I could go to Paris tomorrow, or wait until August when the airfare is much cheaper. I've been to Paris many times but never in August. First time for everything I guess? I'm worried I will melt in the heat. Couldn't care less about the "crowds" as I avoid most touristy spots.

So who has had a fabulous trip to Paris in August?

I'm looking at a $500 airfare difference here. That's a hella lot of champagne and foie gras.

I spent two weeks on a home exchange in Paris in August 2008. It wasn't melting weather then (it certainly rained the one day I needed to walk a couple of miles in the countryside) - this year, who knows?

(You can read what I did from here onwards:
http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com/2008/08/ouf.html)

We are in Paris right now and it has been sweltering the last few days. The metro is like a sauna, especially when crowded as it often is in high tourist season like this. No guarantees with weather, of course, but if you are not a fan of heat wait until autumn!

These days Paris is extremely hot from June through August. The tourist books haven't caught up and still give temperatures that are way below reality.

The normal daily high for this time of year in Paris is 74° F. However, temperatures have not been "normal" in a decade, and successive "heat waves" are now pretty much the norm. Over the past few days, temperatures on the street have been around 108°. Right at this moment, it's officially 86° in the shade with 35% humidity, but in sunlight on city sidewalks and streets, it can be 20° hotter.

Almost nothing is air-conditioned in Paris, and even places that have A/C often won't turn it on or run it at such a low setting that you simply end up with stickier, more humid heat. There is typically no air movement.

However, if you don't mind very hot weather, August is a great time to visit. Just make sure you get a hotel with air conditioning, or your trip may be ruined by the heat. This reality cannot be overemphasized. Paris weather is much different (read: hotter) than it was even fifteen years ago.

If you're extremely lucky, you might get historically seasonal temps, which are warm but tolerable. That's becoming a rarity, though.

We are heading to Paris on 21st July until 29th, then having a two week+ holdiday in Canada before flying back to Paris on 19th August and staying for another week.
This last part of our trip has been the most intense to figure out as one must be aware that a lot of favorite restaurants are closed until the end August - so be prepared!
As for the weather and temps - we live in a hot climate so you would think we could cope? Well, we don't - we run inside to nice airconditioned rooms and come out when the sun goes down! I am not looking forward to the heat in Paris as I have soooooo many things lined up that I want to see.
I think the answer will be take it slow, see less, park on a bench in the shade or at a cafe and just chill!

Wait till August. If you avoid the touristy things anyway you'll find things less crowded elsewhere as so many Parisians are out of town. A taxi driver once told me he finds the traffic vastly better in August.

As to temperatures... who knows? In 2007 it was cool every day for 2 weeks in late July / early August. We didn't miss not having A/C in our hotel in 2008 in late August either so you just never can tell.

Bon voyage!

Thanks all. Patrick that link didn't work!?

I'll definitely get a hotel room with A/C. Typically I don't like temps above 80 F.

Anyone know how long the soldes last this year?

I'm all booked! I leave 8/1 and return 8/10!

Paris in August, this will be a first. Will report back for sure.

Sorry, the closing bracket got included in the URL by mistake.

Try
http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com/2008/08/ouf.html

Just got back from a week in Paris. I read about a lot of people being strongly opposed to going in August, but went anyway because this was the only time that worked with my schedule. We had a wonderful time and I would recommend going in August.

I do think the weather was unseasonably mild this year, but I am from the southwestern US and probably have a different idea of heat than some other travelers. In any case, the weather was generally in the 60s, breezy and a bit rainy.

The city was much less crowded than when I went before in June, and the road along the Seine was closed down for the "Paris Plage." This was a very nice way to experience the river in a relaxed way without cars buzzing by every ten seconds. There was also a carnival at Tuileries that added to the summer night experience.

There were definitely some shops and bistrots closed, but there was certainly no shortage of either of these. Just be careful of having that "one place" in mind. (Incidentally, this was not the case in the latter part of our trip in Rome, which I would recommend staying away from in August)

The only thing I would make sure of is to book a hotel that is air conditioned, as it does get quite stuffy inside buildings.