So we had plans to go to France this summer in early August. A friend of mine who used to live there advised against in. Telling me how hot and empty the city is at that time. Is it really that bad? How hot does it get and is it really a ghost town? We're thinking about visiting Paris and maybe a cute little town outside the city. Are stores and restaurants closing down in the city too??

It can get hot, but keep in mind the average high for August is 75 degrees. As for things shutting down, your friend was right that while they lived there things likely did shut down. In recent years this is no longer the case. Most restaurants, and some businesses are found out that it was good business to stay open.

We were in Paris in October of 2005 and it was over 80 degrees! I thought it was pretty uncomfortable, but then again, I'm not big on the heat AND we had packed for fall/winter weather.

Paris is not a ghost town in August. Although many Parisians leave town for their annual vacation, you will find that many stores, restaurants, and most museums are open for business, some with slightly abbreviated hours.

As for weather,it's hard to predict. We've visited when temps have hit nearly 90 in the daytime, and other times when temps were closer to 70. Regardless, for both noise, and comfort, I'd highly recommend reserving a hotel with AC.

We spent a week in Paris in August 2004; our hotel had A/C so it wasn't bad. be aware that many restaurants don't have A/C and obviously, sitting in the outdoor cafes can be uncomfortable. We were there during the really bad heat wave so we just paced ourselves, spent the midday hours in museums and had a great time. The only thing that was closed was some famous ice cream shop on isle de la cite and a couple of the restaurants. Overall, we had no issues with closures at all.

We have been to Paris 3 times in the summer over a period of 25+ years. Every time I was reminded of the line from the song, "I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles."

Most cities b/c of the preponderance of closely spaced buildings and all the concrete sidewalks and asphalt streets are uncomfortably hot when the temps go much above 80, IMO. AC is vital, as is allowing for respites in the parks,

On our most recent trip it was so hot that I felt I was in Florida in the summer, such was the discomfort of heat plus humidity, w/o a hint of a breeze. It is not the time of year I would pick but if it is when you can go, it is still Paris!

We arrived in Paris at the end of August one year (three years ago) and it was very, very hot. Surprisingly so, I really hadn't anticipated the heat being that bad. (and that was coming from Australia!!) Also several of the restaurants and shops were still closed. It wasn't a ghost town, but personally I was glad we weren't there for the month of August as my husband had initially wanted to be.

If this is your only choice of time, ie go then or never, then certainly go. If you can change the month, then perhaps consider that option as well. September is a lovely month to be there.

Schnauzer

We've traveled to Parius, usually in either July or August and during the latter there was plenty that was open for business.

I agree that it is NOT a ghost town and there will be plenty of visitors from other places who are also on THEIR vacation/holiday.

As to A/C...it will probably be HUMID and you'll appreciate having an A/C'd room at night in particular IMO.

Paris is not a ghost town in August - although you will find some small businesses - esp family restaurants etc - closed for the month.

As for the weather - it's usually not as hot as NYC or DC - but every time I've been there in the summer we've had some 90+ days - and many/most places do not have AC.

I think the real issues are:

Your ability to tolerate heat

Being sure your hotel has good AC (some have none, and some have european style "air cooling" which reduces the temp a little - but is not what we're used to in the US).

Last August I went, it was cool. Some days in the 60's. Even in the hot years, it doesnt get really hot like Rome or Athens. Its not a ghost town, but the high end restaurants & theaters are closed. To make up for it, there are lots of outdoor festivals in the parks.

Enjoy
Paris is by far the BEST place to go in Europe

Hi S,

I would rather be in Paris in August than in NYC or DC.

I would rather be in Paris anytime, than anywhere else.

It would be great if Paris were less crowded than it is in Aug - shorter lines, no waits, etc.

Get a hotel with AC.

Enjoy your visit.

OK, you've convinced me to go anyway. It's really the only time we can go and I'm dying to see Paris! I'll make sure we get a room with AC though. Thanks for your advice!!

Hi

I doubt that it will be too hot but I guess it depends on what you are used to. Check out http://www.weatherbase.com for weather stats.

Here is my Paris trip reports with pictures http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Last August was the coldest August in 60 years in Paris, and August 2006 was not much better.

We are <b>hoping</b> for a hot August this time!

But with no heatwave as 2005 , right kerouac ?

A friend of mine was in Paris during that days and sweared he never had so much hot here in Spain.

Oh, sorry , I remember now that the heatwave was in July !!

Yes. Happy Travels!

There have been lots of threads on here where people ask about things closing in August, I remember one recently. Some small places do close. Big stores sure don't.

It isn't any hotter in August than in July in Paris. It's not hotter than where I live in the US (Wash DC), or many others in the US, so it depends what you expect.

You can always look up average weather statistics by the month for Paris on weather.com or somewhere like that (or weather underground). It isn't consistent enough for someone to say it is always hot every day in August, every year.

Paris in the summer is somewhat cooler than either DC or NYC.

The difference is that in the latter everything has AC - from stores to hotels and restaurants and buses/subways. In Paris, most place will not have AC. So instead of being hot a couple of hours while touring you're hot 24 hours a day.

To me - this is completely intolerable - I can;t sleep if the room temp is higher than 70 - so I always avoid countries without AC in the middle of the summer.

But - it depends on your personal tolerance for heat.

We are in Paris right now and I find it to be very hot and it's only about 77. For me personally, I don't think I could handle it in the summer. With all the walking I've been getting pretty sweaty. I can't believe it, it was chilly two years ago when I was here at the same time but regardless I love being here.