Although you'll find plenty of Paris events in August to keep you entertained and busy, the city moves into vacation mode. Many Parisians depart for summer holidays while everyone who remains in the city soaks up the sunshine and enjoys the relaxed ambiance.
Planning a Visit to Paris in August?
If you're planning to come to Paris this month, consider booking tours, cruises, and other activities as early as possible to get your top choices.
Top Paris attractions & experiences:
- 1-Hour Seine River Cruise - Relax while you see iconic Paris sights
- Eiffel Tower Entry Ticket with Optional Summit Access - Sells out fast
- Louvre Museum Masterpieces Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Most popular Paris destinations this month:
- Guided Day Trip from Paris to Monet's House & Gardens in Giverny
- Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket - Favorite family-friendly activity
- Skip-the-Line Versailles Palace Tour by Train from Paris - Guided tour
This year, of course, is different from normal with the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics underway and the Paralympics games beginning.
Most of the other biggest events during August take place in outdoor venues. Look for laid-back activities and fun along Paris "beaches," concerts and other events at the Paris Neighborhood Festival, and almost a whole month of free outdoor movies in beautiful Parc de la Villette.
August includes one national French holiday: Assomption (a Catholic religious holiday) on August 15. Banks and public offices in Paris will be closed, and other businesses such as restaurants and shops may be as well.
Get ready to have a memorable time in the City of Lights, and enjoy the long sunny days and fun things to do that makes August a wonderful time to visit Paris.
Top photo: Paris Plages "beach" on the Seine River's Right Bank, (c) Paris Discovery Guide
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2024 Summer Olympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics continue through the first third of this month, and then after a short pause, the Paralympics begin toward the end of the month - so you can expect the city to be much livelier than during a normal August.
Many restaurants which normally close for a well-needed vacation have announced that they will remain open (perhaps with a pause mid-month), and you can expect the metro, trains, and RERs to continue to be packed.
If you're planning to be here in August, here are some key dates and other things to know plus a link to additional information about the games:
- Paris 2024 Olympics dates: Through August 11
- Paris 2024 Paralympics dates: August 28 - September 8
- Number of stadiums, arenas, and other Olympic venues in Paris and its immediate outskirts: 15 Olympic venues and 11 Paralympic venues, including iconic locations such as the Hotel de Ville Place de la Concorde, and Hotel de Ville
Paris Beaches - Paris Plages - 2024
Paris Plages ("Paris Beaches") transforms parts of Paris into fun-filled beaches each summer. The (usually) hot August weather makes being near the water especially appealing.
Although the event continues this year in its usual locations along the Rives de Seine, the areas along both sides of the Seine River) and the Bassin de La Villette, those locations will have a somewhat different schedule to accommodate the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Plus, Paris Plages expands this year to include a new and exciting location, the picturesque Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement, where you can find swimming areas in the Canal near Square Jacques Villemin, free entertainment, and relaxation on both sides of the canal.
So, you'll find Paris Plages activities at three main locations: the Seine River Banks (Parc Rives de Seine) in central Paris, Canal Saint-Martin, and La Villette Canal Basin in the 19th arrondissement.
At the Bassin de Villette, you can cool off in the 4 huge Paris Plages swimming pools, enjoy kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle, small boats, and other water sports, play pétanque and table football, and take part in other activities. You'll also find lots of kids' workshops, special activities for 3-7 year olds, board games, exhibitions, and libraries.
The pools at Bassin de la Villette, located on the Quai de la Loire, will be open free of charge every day from 11am to 9pm from late July through early September.
The Seine River Bank "beaches" focus on relaxation, while the plages at La Villette feature games and activities. So far, Canal Saint-Martin sounds like it will be a mix. Relax in deck chairs, visit the many floating theater, restaurants, ice cream stands, and bars along the water.
Paris Plage Dates & Times for 2024
Canal Saint-Martin: Through September 8 (entertainment ends on Sept 1)
Rives de Seine (Seine River Banks) and Bassin de la Villette: Through Sept 8
Open: 11am-9pm, and until midnight on weekends.
Seine River Cruises
August is also the perfect month to experience the city by water on a Seine River cruise. Get a ticket for a daytime sightseeing cruise, a romantic "Illuminations" cruise, or one of these fun experiences:
August Concerts in Paris - 2024
Paris concerts during August include classical music by candlelight at Sainte-Chapelle and other beautiful historical churches.
Get your tickets now:
More Paris classical concerts in during August
More Paris rock, pop, jazz, rap, & other performances during August
More concerts throughout the year
Festivals du Parc Floral: Paris Jazz Festival, Classic in Green, Pestacles, Nocturnes - 2024
Parc Floral (the Paris Botanical Garden) in Bois de Vincennes hosts four concurrent musical festivals: Paris Jazz Festival, Classic in Green (classical music), and Pestacles (a children's concert series for ages 4 and up).
The outdoor concerts take place every Saturday and Sunday on several stages in the park. All of the 25 concerts are free this year, although Parc Floral charges a small 2.60€) entrance fee during summer and early fall.
Check the Festival's website to download a brochure with dates, lineups, and concert times. Most take place in the afternoon and early evening, except for the Nocturnes concerts which tend to be late at night. The brochure is in French, but the information is easy to figure out even if you only know a few words. Important tip: if you see "gratuit," that means the concert is free.
Bring a blanket and a picnic or buy wine and a sandwich at the park's snack bar, and get ready for a relaxing afternoon and evening enjoying the sunshine, flowers, wandering peacocks, and virtuoso musicians.
Dates: June 26 - September 8
Getting there: Bois de Vincennes, located in 12th Arrondissement on the eastern edge of Paris, is easy to reach - just hop on RER A train or Metro Line 1 to the Chateau de Vincennes Metro Station - the park is about a 3-minute walk from the station. You can find out more about Parc Floral here.
Bonus activities: Arrive early and stroll through Parc Floral's famous gardens, or explore Bois de Vincennes' other attractions such as its spectacular zoo, Lac Daumesnil (rent a row boat!), the aquarium, and 14th century Château de Vincennes.
Aura at Les Invalides - 2024
The Aura immersive show takes place during evening hours and brings to life the architecture and history of the Invalides Dome with spectacular lighting effects, imagery, and music designed to showcase the site's beauty and heritage.
For about 50 minutes, brilliant video projections inside the interior of Les Invalides will take you through the creation of the dome and the panorama of events associated with this important monument.
Please note: This is walking experience as you move to different parts of the dome; you will need to take stairs outside and inside the dome, so not accessible for wheelchairs; also, please know that no restrooms are available onsite.
Dates: Through 2033
Location: Invalides Dome, 2 Place Vauban, 7th arr; Metro: Ecole Militaire, Tour Maubourg, Varenne, Saint-François Xavier
Want to visit Les Invalides, Napoleon's Tomb, and the Army Museum during regular visiting hours? Book priority entry tickets online.
Celebrate the Liberation of Paris - 79th Anniversary 2024
On August 25 each year, Paris celebrates the anniversary of the Liberation of Paris on during World War II.
On that day in 1944, Free French forces headed by General Philip Leclerc fought their way into Paris and forced the Nazis to surrender, bringing 4+ years of German occupation to an end.
This year marks the 79th anniversary.
To learn more about the struggles and victories leading up to this momentous event, visit the Liberation of Paris Museum (4 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 14th arrondissement) where permanent and special exhibits provide military, political, and social history of the occupation and liberation of the city. More information: website
Summit Visits at the Eiffel Tower 2024
The clear, sunny days of August are a wonderful time to experience the sweeping views of Paris from the Summit, the top level of the Eiffel Tower. The number of tickets is limited and the number of visitors wanting them is large, so reserve yours as soon as you know your dates.
While you're there: visit the "rooftop" terrace 1st floor where you can enjoy casual food, drinks and hand-made ice cream while soaking up the exceptional views.
Find best ways get Eiffel Tower skip-the-line priority access - why waste time standing in line?
Book Your Eiffel Tower Tickets Now
Assumption Procession in Paris
The Fête de l'Assomption, a Roman Catholic religious celebration commemorating the Virgin Mary's rise to heaven, takes place in France on August 15 each year.
Traditionally, Assumption Day observances begin on August 14 with a 6:30pm Mass at Notre Dame, followed by a vigil at 8:30pm and a procession by torchlight around the Cathedral and along the Seine River at 9:30pm.
On the 15th, additional Assumption Masses take place throughout the morning, and then a procession of several thousand marchers and a figure of Mary and Baby Jesus winds around the narrow streets of Ile de la Cité near Notre Dame until about 6:30pm when another Mass concludes the ceremonies.
Due to the 2019 fire at Notre Dame, other churches are taking turns hosting and leading the Marian Procession for the Feast of the Assumption on the 15th until the great cathedral reopens. Last year, the procession departed from Notre-Dame de l'Assomption des Buttes-Chaumont Church, with stops at Saint Joseph-Artisan Church (2:30pm), Saint-Laurent Church (3pm), Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church (4pm), and ended in front of Notre Dame Cathedral (5pm) - please note, the route may be the same for 2024, but still needs to be confirmed.
As a visitor, you are welcome to join the procession if you'd like, or just watch as it goes by. Crowds are not dense (actually, they're often sparse), so you can easily find good viewing spots along the route and near Notre Dame.
When August 15 falls on a Friday or a Monday - which it does NOT in 2024 - you may find many stores and restaurants closed as Parisians take the opportunity to have a 3-day weekend during prime summer weather, assuming they haven't already left town for an even longer August vacation.
Otherwise, many other places including most museums remain open, even though Assumption Day is a French public holiday. Confusing? Yes, somewhat.
More information: Notre Dame website (in French)
Paris Walking Tours for August 2024
Get a close-up view of the city's treasures when you go on these special guided walking tours - perfect activity for balmy August days in Paris!
- Pure Chocolate Walking Tour - Explore upscale Paris's Right Bank while you visit master chocolate makers, sample some of the city's best chocolates, and learn about chocolate as an art form
- Steet Art Tour - Discover Paris's thriving street art scene on this fascinating walking tour through parts of the 19th and 20th arrondissements
- Medieval Paris Private Walking Tour - Discover life in the Middle Ages in Paris as you stroll along medieval streets past Notre Dame Cathedral, Hotel de Cluny, and Fountain of the Innocents as you learn about about this period's culture, art, and architecture.
Find out about exciting Day Trips from Paris
Paris Exhibits - Must-See Shows for August
Here are just a few of the top exhibitions you can see in Paris this month:
- Centre Pompidou: Vera Molnar: Parler à l'Oeil - Paintings, drawings, photographs, and murals pay tribute to the creativity of this pioneer in numeric art.
Dates: Through Sept 2, 2024; Level 4
Tickets: 15€ adults; book online (includes some shows plus permanent collections) or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry; shows in several galleries require an additional ticket at (usually) an extra cost of 1-2€, so book the "permanent and temporary" ticket if you want to see one of these exhibits. Or enhance your visit with a private tour by an expert guide.
Getting there: Rue Saint-Martin between Rue Rambuteau and Rue Merri, 4th; Metro: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet; RER: Châtelet les Halles, lines A, B, D - Atelier des Lumieres: Egyptian Pharaohs - Discover ancient Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs in this virtual journey along the Nile River in Upper and Lower Egypt as you see legendary rulers, great battles, famous temples and tombs, and majestic landscapes; purchase online; you can also purchase at the door for 2€ more per ticket but there's no guarantee you'll get in as timeslots are often fully booked
Dates: Through January 5, 2025 - Orsay Museum: Tonight with the Impressionists: Paris 1874 - Inventing Impressionism - This immersive expedition in virtual reality will transport you back to the 1874 “Salon des Refusés.”
Dates: Through August 11, 2024
Tickets: Book a reserved-access ticket for skip-the-line access, or use your Paris Museum Pass for free entry
Find more Paris museum exhibitions for August & future months
Paris Museum and Attractions Passes
Get free admission and skip-the-line access to 60+ museums in and near Paris when you have a Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days. (Access to special shows may require additional ticket.) More info
Les Arènes Lyriques Outdoor Concerts in Montmartre - 2024
For a memorable evening in August in a memorable only-in-Paris setting, book a ticket for a Les Arènes Lyriques concert in one of the city's most unique settings: a secret hillside garden close to Sacre Coeur Basilica where 18 musicians and opera singers perform a classical concert under the stars.
The concert takes place on 10 evenings from July 26 through August 17, and tickets usually sell out quickly. You can find more information and book here.
Want to stay nearby? Find out about Montmartre's best hotels for all budgets.
La Fête Foraine des Tuileries - 2024
La Fête Foraine des Tuileries - literally, a "Fun Fair," or carnival - normally suddenly pops up in Paris's Tuileries Garden in early July for two months of non-stop entertainment. With 60 attractions, multiple restaurants, and a traditional guinguette (a sort of country-style outdoor bar with snacks, music, and dancing), it offers fun for all ages.
But this year, due to Olympics Games on the Place de la Concorde and Tuileries Garden, the carnival will take place in the Bois de Boulogne on the Muette Lawn west of the city.
All the usual attractions will be there - the amusements, the restaurants, the guingguette - and its reasonably easy to get to. Just take the Metro Line 9 to the Muette station, or RER C to Avenue Henri-Martin station. The Lawn is about an 8-10 minute walk.
Dates: July 6 through September 1, 11am to 11pm (12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays)
In case you are planning ahead for a trip in 2025, this is what normally happens when the Fest is in its usual spot in Jardin des Tuileries:
With a giant ferris wheel (hint: have your camera or phone ready to take great skyline photos of Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower), carousels, bumper cars, "fun houses," gut-wrenching rides for thrill seekers, children's games, and a lot more, the carnival entertains families with kids, teens, and everyone else seeking fun throughout the rest of the summer.
And of course, massive amounts of carvival food will be for sale: cotton candy, waffles (gaufres), crepes, ice cream, fried dough, BBQ, and drinks.
If you're visiting Paris, combine a stroll through Tuileries Garden and the Fête Foraine with a visit to other nearby attractions: the treasure-filled Louvre, Monet's giant Water Lily paintings at Musée de l'Orangerie at the opposite corner of the garden, and the Musée d'Orsay almost directly across the river.
When: July 6 through September 1, 11am to 11pm (12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays)
Where: Jardin Tuileries (Tuileries Garden) between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, 1st arrondissement (enter through the gate near the Tuileries metro station)
Metro: Tuileries
Admission: Free - plus whatever you spend on rides and games (most cost between 2-12€)
Jazz à la Villette 2024
The Jazz à la Villette Festival stages two weekends of superb musical events in Parc de la Villette's major venues: Philharmonie de Paris, Grande Halle de La Villette, and Cité de la Musique.
Don't miss this unforgettable experience of hearing some of the best French and international musicians at one of the world's leading jazz fests,
There's also a special kids' program.
The festival runs from August 29 - September 8.
Lineup and more information: Jazz à la Villette website
Silhouette Short Film Festival 2024
Wrap up the summer and welcome early fall in Paris at the free outdoor Silhouette Concert and Short Film Festival held from August 30 - September 7 at Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge in Paris's 19th arrondissement.
During the festival's 9 days, you'll have the chance to see numerous different French and international short films in a variety of categories: animation, drama, documentary, experimental, films for young audiences, and more.
Each evening's program kicks off at 6:30pm, with the film portion beginning at 7:30pm. Food and beverages are available for purchase at reasonable cost onsite.
Address: 5 Avenue Debidour, Paris 19
Metro: Pré St-Gervais or Telegraph; Tram 3bis: Robert Debré Hospital
Admission: Free
More Information: Event website
Rock en Seine Music Festival 2024
Rock en Seine, the biggest summer musical festival in France and one of the biggest in Europe, brings 5 days of non-stop rock to Paris with 75 popular artists performing on 6 different stages from August 21-25.
This year's artists include Maneskin, Lana del Rey, Massive attack, The Offspring, The Kills, plus many more.
Here's a flavor from a recent festival: Malik Dhoudi with "Sous Garantie:"
Concerts take place at Parc de Saint-Cloud, a beautiful large park (famous for being the site of Marie Antoinette's rose garden) about 1 mile outside of Paris and easily accessible on the Metro.
You can get single-day tickets, but the 2-, 3-, and 4-day passes offer better deal. With a 4-day pass (or three 1-day tickets), you can camp overnight at the park for an additional modest fee.
If camping doesn't appeal to you, make reservations at one of the three very nice 4-star hotels located nearby (you may be shocked by how much cheaper they are vs similar Paris hotels - but book now because they're all quite popular):
- Les Jardins de Saint-Cloud - Air-conditioned condo hotel with outdoor and indoor pools, a fitness room, and sun terrace; all units have kitchenettes
- Hotel Acanthe - Boulogne-Billancourt - Air-conditioned guest rooms, with a lovely outdoor terrace for guests; across from the metro station
- Hotel Paris Boulogne - Air-conditioned guest rooms with onsite fitness room
Getting to Parc de Saint-Cloud: Take the Metro to the Boulogne/Pont de Saint Cloud station. Walk half a block, cross the bridge over the Seine, and you'll reach the park in about 2 minutes. Entrance to the park is free for pedestrians.
More information & tickets: Rock en Seine website
Paris Discovery Tip: Not interested in Rock en Seine? Visit Parc de Saint-Cloud on another day. Explore the beautiful gardens, spread out a picnic lunch on the lawn, and enjoy August in Paris at its best.
Les Extatiques Festival at La Défense - NOT in 2024
Please note: Due to the 2024 Paris Olympics Games scheduled for this site, this festival will not take place this year. We're leaving the following information from last year up in case you're planning a 2025 trip so that you can see what usually happens:
The annual Les Extatiques Festival at La Défense, located in Paris's skyscraper-filled business district just beyond the city limits, features new monumental sculptures by eight contemporary French and International artists.
Look for the sculptures along La Défense's Esplanade, a long park-like paved space that functions as an outdoor art gallery (and also hosts La Défense's enormous Christmas Market). You'll find them in the stretch between the Grande Arche and the multi-colored Bassin pool and fountains.
Dates: Through Sept 29 (to be confirmed)
Admission: Free
Metro: La Défense (about a 5-minute ride from the Charles de Gaulle/Etoile station on Line 1; if you walk down the whole 1 km (.6 m) length of the Esplanade, you'll end up at the Esplanade de La Défense station and can hop on the metro there to go back to Paris - or continue walking for another mile or so to the Arc de Triomphe.
While you're there: Admire the futuristic architecture of the surrounding buildings on both sides of the Esplanade.
Cinéma en Plein Air - Outdoor Movies at Parc de la Villette - NOT in 2024
Please note: Due to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, this popular open-air movie series will not take place this summer. We're leaving the following information from last year up in case you're planning a 2025 trip.
Free outdoor movies continue at Parc de la Villette through August in the Cinéma en Plein Air festival. A great mix of classic films and recent hits are shown in their original language with French subtitles as soon as the sky is dark enough (sunset in Paris is around 8:30pm at the beginning of August).
Bring a blanket to sit on, a picnic dinner, and a bottle of wine. Food will also be sold at the site.
This is the schedule from last year:
August Cinéma en Plein Air Lineup:
August 2 - Hand in Hand (French)
August 3- Le Grand Bal (French)
August 4 - The Black Swan (English)
August 5 -
The Artist (English)
August 6 - Hello Sadness (English)
August 9 - If It Was Love, According to the Crowd (French)
August 10 - Eden (French)
August 11 - Dancer in the Dark (English)
August 12 - Eyes Wide Shut (English)
August 13- Life is Beautiful (English)
August 16 - Grisgris (French)
August 18 - Beloved (French)
August 19 - High Heels (Spanish)
August 20 - West Side Story (English)
Cost: Free
Nearest Metro: Porte de Pantin
More about Paris in August
More Top Paris Things to Do & See in August
More Articles about Things to Do & See in Paris in August
- Arènes de Lutèce - Where to find this hidden Roman Arena in Paris, and things to do once you get there
- Top 10 Paris Attractions - Places and sights you won't want to miss!
- Paris Arrondissement Map & Paris Neighborhoods - "Getting Around Paris 101" - See at a glance where all the top attractions are located!
- Paris Summer Sales - Our top 10 tips for getting the biggest discounts and bargains on Paris designer fashions
- Paris Beaches - Where to enjoy the last few days of summer
Need Reservations? Use this Paris Hotel & Apartment Map
Planning to visit Paris in August? Use this Paris hotel map to find accommodations and make your reservations:
Booking.com
