What should I expect to be closed in Paris in August?
 

I know that many Parisians take their holiday during this month. In an effort to help me plan, including which area to stay in(I'm leaning towards the 7th), I'd like to know, generally or specifically, what is closed during mid-August. Is it much of the city, or just a few restaurants and shops? Thanks.

It is basically the local restaurants and small shops such as boulangeries and cafes that will be closed for their annual vacations all or parts of August - the impact on the average tourist is minimal. All big stores and many restaurants, cafes will be open - it's mainly the neighborhood small places that close - as these oft family-run places simply shut because manay of their normal clientele is on vacances so their business dries up. Paris is a joy to be in during August as the oft suffocating smog dissipates as the traffic is way down - the oft smog-scarred view from the Eiffel Tower is much better. Some streets are even turned into pedestrian streets - tons of sand are brought into the banks of the Seine by the Louvre to create a 'beach' - the decrease in traffic is the most pleasant. As for hotels August is actually one of the lower seasons - especially in hotels that cater to business types who do not come to the city that month.

I'm another one of those rare people who loves Paris in August (Two of us in a row, my goodness!) Many restaurants will be closed. If food is your top priority and if you have a "list" of restuarants you particularly want to dine at this could be a problem. But there will be no shortages of places to eat. Also, some shops will be closed in July rather than August, and some will take their four-week vacation from July 15 to Aug. 15.

Thank you both.

Dave in Paris, I will be arriving in Paris on August 16. Is there a website or other source at which I can check to see if particular restaurants will be open/closed?

Also, this may be a stupid question, but, do you live in Paris? If so, I have another question or 2 for you! Thank you kindly.

I think you will need to check with any "target" restuarants individually to find whether they'll be open during your stay. I do live here (though there's a lot I don't know.) Test me!

There is a website for Paris restaurants - http://75.resto.fr - that list most of the restaurants in Paris. It includes the days of the week the restaurant is closed and also indicates whether it is closed in August. Once you have a list of restaurants, you might want to check with the restaurants to be sure.

See; I told you I didn't know everything!

Let me re-phrase that: Yet another thing subtracted from the long list of things I don't know. Thank you mamc!

When I lived in Paris my favorite bakery closed down for August. This is a sorrow almost beyond description. Also, I recall, parking restrictions are relaxed and there are plenty of street places available. That will work in in your favor if you are driving, if it is still the case.

I have only been to Paris once, it was in August, and I did not notice anything to be closed (I'm not saying things weren't just nothing that effected my trip).

The last time we were in Paris in August I noticed that some restaurants, etc., were closed. I did not think the city was any "less busy" since there seemed to be a lot of those Europeans on THEIR vacation who had come to visit the city.

My neighborhood, at least, in the 11th arrondissement just east of Place de La Basille, is notably less busy -- less car and pedestrian traffic -- in August.

my visit was in august, nothing seemed closed,all attractions/markets/shops open as usual.

the weather was great. a whole rain free week.

mamc, thanks for that website. I searched 4 separate restaurants (Allard, Le Florimond, Le Clos des Gourmets and Au Bon Accueil.) The first two are closed and the latter 2 are open. That site will be very helpful for restaurant planning meals.

Deave in Paris I am looking for your opinion. THIS IS NOT A TEST!!! Here goes...

I will be in Paris for one week by myself. I have absolutely no agenda while I am there, other than to sit in cafes, take in a few museums, walk a lot and sit in the beautiful parks. I am comfortable going anywhere during the day by myself, but at night, will probably prefer to stay close to my hotel. So, the area I stay in must be: (1) safe for a womam to walk alone at night (with the usual precautions, of course); and (2) close to good restaurants (not haute cuisine), because I like to eat well! I have ruled out an apartment, because I think I will enjoy contact with others at a hotel.

Last year, I stayed very centrally located on rue Bonaparte in the 6th, but would prefer to try something new this year. I like Le Marais, but think I will pass on it this trip. I do enjoy the 7th, and am considering Le Vernueil and L'Hotel d'Orsay (both near the musee d'Orsay, and Relais Bosquet (closer to the Eiffel Tower on rue Champ du Mars). My concern with the 7th is, although it appears residential, will it be too touristy so close to the Eiffel tower?

I am also interested in the possibility of staying a bit further out of the mainstream areas, to get a flavor for day to day Parisian life. Should I look at the 12th, the 16th, both, or something else? Any particular suggestions? Thanks in advance!

O.K...YOU HAVE 25 MINUTES...BEGIN!

Your agenda sounds great! I can't image how a paris visit at that pace could go wrong.

In the 7th, the Hotel de Varenne near Invalides and just down the street from the French Parliament is quite nice:

http://www.varenne-hotel-paris.com/

We've stayed there a few times ourselves. It's off the street, and your breakfast is served outside in good weather. And the price is attractive, I believe.

The 7th around Invalides is extremely well-policed, with government offices and the National Assembly nearby. And the 7th has elegance and green spaces. But restaurant choices are somewhat more limited in that arrondissement than in some other areas of the city. In August, the resident-tourist balance in that affluent arrondissement will shift, perhaps somewhat more so than in some other arrondissements.

The 16th is residential and fairly affluent. I don't know it well, though I lived there very briefly upon arrival 18 years ago. We live on the borderline of the 11th and 12 arrondissements, halfway between Place de Bastille and Place de La Nation.

The 12th is quite upscale close by Place de la Nation, as are the under the archway shops of art restorers and other craftspeople, mixed with pleasant gift shops and cafes, on Blvd. Diederot in the 12th -- enjoyable and interesting - and the strip park over the shops, wich offers a walk all the way to Vincennes, is very pleasant, although no hotel in either of those areas comes to my mind. I'm a partisan of the 11th arrondissement for a variety of reasons (among them that I'm not obligated to dress nicley). The restaurants are varied, multiple and fairly priced. But I recognize that the grittier neighborhoods of the 11th aren't for everyone. I do suspect, based on what you've said, that you should be staying in the Marais this time. I fear this hasn't been very helpful, but I'll follow this thread, and may have a few other thoughts.

Thank you for your reply. I will re-read and consider all of your points.

Why do you believe that I should stay in the Marais? Please explain your thoughts.

Thanks!

Because, if I'm not mistaken, you're looking for a neighborhood that's lively yet comfortable, with a measure of authenticity and a good variety of choices of restaurants and cafes, and a touch of class!

Dave, you get an A+!!!

Iregeo,

What are you? A Marine drill seargent? An assistant high school principal?

If you want to cool it and still be close to the action find a hotel near Place Maubert, 5th.

a Marine Drill Seargent.

Sir, thank you sir!

You could stay in many parts of Paris and be in residential areas. In fact, you could be in a more residential area in some of the inner quartiers if you venture more than a couple hundred km from the Seine, which many folks do not. I'm thinking of the 5th, for example, most folks who talk about staying in it only mean a very small area. The 16th arr is huge, also, with a lot of different areas in it and some I would like to stay in and others would be too far out for me.

In any case, I wouldn't personally want to stay in the 7th around those govt and embassy buildings as it's rather quiet for my taste without restaurants and stuff, as someone mentioned. However, the 7th is not touristy because of the Eiffel Tower -- tourists go to the tower and right around, they don't roam all over the 7th arrondisement because of that. In fact, any area with a tourist attraction only has lots of tourists right around it, in general. I could get back to the 5th as one example, or Montmartre for another.

Actually, the area you named in the 7th doesn't really have much to do with the Eiffel Tower (near the Orsay).

And a very pretty Drill Sergeant too, I bet :D
Sir yes Sir ((F)) LOL

Hi Scarlett. You made me blush. I'd send you a little heart, but I don't have the patience to learn how!!!

Christina, I am happy for your input, and I just reviewed a thread with your Marais hotel recs.

I chose the hotels around the Orsay in part because of the price and a/c, their ratings from Tripadvisor, and because there actually are many restaurants in the 7th that appeal to me. Now, I know that many of them may be closed. Also, the area is close enough to walk to the 6th at night (right?), an area I am more familiar with, which is comforting since I will be alone. But....I'm also interested in the Marais....I'M SO CONFUSED!!!!
What a pleasant dilemma.

Maybe I should start fresh. I'm looking for a 3*, air conditioned hotel. What do you suggest and why?

Many thanks!

Hotel D'Angleterre, rue Jacob, 6th.
3 * a/c . Our favorite hotel in Paris so far.
(( L )) = ((L))

Christina knows her Maris hotels better than I. We've stayed at the Pavillon de La Reine, on the Place de Vosges. Lovely, but it's not a three-star. The Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais, in the Marais, receives high marks on decor, calm and friendliess of the reception, and I'm pretty sure you can find reviews, probably, to start, with search function of this board. In the 7th, the Hotel Varennes meets your criteria. Hopscotch is spot on about the 5th around Place Maubert. Low-key and elegant on some streets. The Hotel de Notre Dame, on 19 rue Albert, close to Place Maubert, is very pleasant. Rooms smallish but well equipped. But I'm not sure whether it's air conditioned.

That's 19 rue Maitre-Albert, and here's the Hotel de Notre Dame:

http://www.cybevasion.com/hotels/fra...e-dame_73.html

A nice place, but I see nothing about air conditioning.

Iregeo,

There are 37 reviews of the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais on Tripadvisor.com. (I'm at loose ends this morning, waiting for my wife to return from Uganda and tell me more about those cute storks that perch on the buildings in Kampala.) But back to Paris: The vast majority of those reviews are positive, an impressive number are glowing -- and there are a couple of sour notes. I think we'll stay there ourselves one of these nights!

Dave, you are so kind. I looked at the Varenne, which seems to offer a wonderful summer special -- 99 euros! The hotel looks lovely, too.

Pavillon de La Reine -- I wish!! Probably better wait to spend that kind of cash until my husband joins me.

I received a quote from Le Caron de Beaumarchais a few days ago -- 130 euros. About the only negative comment I saw had to do with the size of the room, which I don't think will be a problem for one person.

I think I just need to step back for a moment or two and decide on an area. I now have about 10 quotes from hotels! Should be enough to choose from!

Thanks again. I hope your wife gets home safe and sound with many good stories to tell.

We stayed in the 7th a few years ago during the last two weeks of August. Some restaurants were closed, but there were still plenty open within walking distance of our hotel (Muguet). It was very quiet at night - often we were the only ones walking back to the hotel but I never felt unsafe (we were two women).

I love the 16th. It's where we usually stay in Paris. It is mostly residential and parts of it are also very lively with excellent cafes, restaurants and shopping...for example, around the Place Victor Hugo and parts of Passy. Other parts have more of a village feel, like the Auteuil section with its lively street market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Still other parts are a little TOO residential, with nothing but apartment buildings, one after the other (mostly over toward the Bois de Boulogne) for example, the Boulevard Lannes.

In August, I would not stay in the Auteuil section. It will be a little too quiet, many of the residents away for their holiday and it can look depressing, all those apartments with their security blinds rolled down and shut tight.

BTilke, I often read your posts and enjoy your style of travel. What are some of your favorite hotels in the 16th, as well as other areas of Paris?