Can I ask where in the world you are reading or hearing this stuff???

If 50% of the normal population of Paris leaves in August &/or 50% of the stores are closed, I'll eat my hat!

I do agree about the weather this year, same as Geneva and Paris are often similar, so is (believe it or not) Seattle to Geneva. It's been cool this summer both places.

The summer I was in Venice/Paris was a freakish heatwave, I do realize that.

Suze, To answer your specific question, the 50% of Parisians leaving Paris came from a quote in a recent National Geographic Traveler article. As for the 50% of stores closing reference, that was just a question of my trying to gauge if Paris in August is a ghost town, or just a lot quieter than normal.

I have heard so many differing opinions on this subject, though now I am starting to see one consistency: that in the past, the advice not to go to Paris in August may not be as relevant today as it was 20 years ago. The voice of my mother saying never go to Paris in August might be outdated.

Thank you for the replies, they are very helpful.

I've been to Paris in August and it was fine - don't be concerned - you will have a great time. The only thing that was closed that bummed me out was a specific tiny bakery because I had lived across the street from it when I was growing up. We had no other problems at all so you should not worry about anything other than AC in your hotel and what to pack. Have a good time!

Thank you for answering. Wow. I just can't believe that is a fact (that 1/2 of the population of Paris goes somewhere else in August) & quoted in National Geo Traveler no less.

It's always been a known and true fact that August is when the majority of Parisians take their "leave",~~ In all books written by people living there it is evident. HOWEVER: having said that, it appears to have changed somewhat in the past several years,,,and that is intersting and good to know. Thanks for the insight. I know some people who went in August with NO hotel A/C and really were uncomfortable.
(someone mentioned Edinburgh...August is Tatoo and Festival month,, horribly overcrowded and accomodations are hard to come by.)
What about Scandanavia? Weather would be pleasant.
However ,if the OP so loves Paris ,then it would be good to see it in August, for variety, and see for herself if there is a difference than when she has been there before.

What about "slipping" over to Zurich and/or the Bernese Oberland in the mountains for part of your trip.?
Just a thought...but perhaps you like CITIES better. Zurich itself is very cosmopolitan.
(and I'm the one who just above said it might be interesting for you to SEE Paris in August~~~ to judge the difference from your other trips. ~~~IF there IS any!

Now if you would like to see one of the main national museums with fewer people than usual, you can try the Quai Branly museum. It's the only one where local visitors outnumber tourists.