10 things to see and do in Paris in August
Let yourself be amazed by the music and cinema of the French capital in August, a month in which the pleasant temperatures will allow you to make the most of all the outdoor activities.
If you travel to Paris during the month of August, you will discover that there are many attractions and things to do. This month is famous for musical events such as Rock en Seine, as well as other cultural proposals related to international cinema. Plus, it's a time with great weather. So, without further ado, let's start with this guide.
1. Be dazzled by the nighttime spectacle of the Versailles Fountains
It happens only in summer and only on Saturdays between mid-July and the end of August. This is when the magnificent fountains of Versailles are lit up to the sound of classical music from the time of the Sun King.
I recommend you check out the different options for booking your tickets to Versailles and you will experience it all, including the spectacular fireworks finale in the gardens of Versailles. If you are in Paris in August, you should not miss it. So don't hesitate to book your tickets as far in advance as possible. Here are some of the options available to visit this monumental emblem: - Tickets for the Palace of Versailles, from $23- Tickets for the Palace of Versailles, the gardens and the estate of Marie Antoinette, from $29- Guided tour of the Palace of Versailles without queues, from $67- Golf cart and bike tour of Versailles, from $174.
How to get to Versailles
And to get there you can, on the one hand, buy tickets to the Palace of Versailles with transport from Paris, book an excursion to Versailles from Paris with guided tour of the Palace or, on the other hand, buy the ticket independently and book a transfer to and from Versailles from Paris or even hire a helicopter flight to Versailles from Paris. Can you think of a more original way to get there?
2. Take a beach walk in Paris Plages
Paris Plages is a tradition where a beach atmosphere is created on the banks of the Seine River. To give you an idea, 5,000 tons of sand are transported, along with a hundred palm trees, and hundreds of beach umbrellas.
The beaches are on the banks of the Seine from the end of July to the end of August. So, if you miss the beach on your summer trip to Paris, you know where to go. There are numerous food and drink stalls, free concerts, dancing, misting stations and tons of fun activities like sandcastle building competitions.
It is one of the best places to visit in the summer both day and night. Plus, at night you can see its illumination and all its charm from the river if you book a cruise on the Seine.
3. Refresh and relax at Aquaboulevard
If you travel to Paris in August, don't hesitate to book your ticket for Aquaboulevard, an impressive water park. In fact, in addition to being the largest in Paris, it is one of the most acclaimed in Europe. It has a total of 11 water slides and numerous water activities and attractions
In addition, for those looking to relax, it has a relaxation area with sauna, jacuzzis and pools where you can relax. Do not hesitate! It is an ideal proposal for both the more adventurous and for those looking for more tranquility.
4. Let yourself be dazzled by Monet's gardens
If you are passionate about the work of Claude Monet, I recommend you to book an excursion to Giverny and discover the source of inspiration of the impressionist painter, an ideal way to discover his flowery gardens, his house and the water lily ponds, with a professional local guide.
In addition, after the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the historic center of the town of Giverny, which is located in the Normandy region, on the west bank of the Seine River, where the painter lived for more than four decades. And very importantly, you won't have to worry about how to get there, as this midday tour includes round-trip transportation.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to make the journey on your own, you can book a guided tour of Monet's house and gardens in Giverny.
5. Visit Montmartre at the Tréteaux Nomades festival
Under the starry skies of the Montmartre district, this special festival takes place between late August and early September. The fun event brings together artistic comedy, musicals, poetry and lots of theater.
You can see up to 30 actors on stage in six different locations with the aim of making theater accessible to all. The atmosphere is non-stop from noon to midnight.
As a tip for your stay in Paris, I recommend you always go early and more to the free access events. And if you want to get into the neighborhood before going to the festival, book a tour of Montmartre.
6. Discover the Eiffel Tower at the Fête de la Libération in Paris
August 25 is a very important day in Paris, where the liberation of France from German occupation is celebrated, with several events around the city and a big celebration in the front square of the Hotel de Ville. The celebration of the liberation of Paris is usually accompanied by speeches, shows, French flags and food stalls.
Keep in mind that in Charles de Gaulle's victory speech, he remarked: ""Paris liberated! Liberated by itself, liberated by its people with the support of the armies of France, with the help and support of all France, of the France that fights, of the only France, of the true France, of the eternal France!".
If you have time, I recommend you book your night tickets for the Eiffel Tower in Paris, select the latest possible time and you will be able to see the light show and the flags all over the park.
7. Enjoy an outdoor movie
Thought big screenings were a thing of the past? Think again. Every August in Paris, many movies are shown for free, including classics and more modern films (most of which are shown at the Parc de la Villette). The films are usually shown in their original language, so if you don't understand French, you may be able to see a movie in English!
The best part about attending is that not only is it free to enter, but you have the option of bringing your own picnic, or even borrowing loungers to sit and watch a movie or two in total comfort. If you're wondering how to get there, don't hesitate to book the Paris Big Bus night tour bus and then it's a double.
8. Attend the Wonderland Paris Festival for free
One of the new free, outdoor activities that visitors to Paris and locals can enjoy in August is Wonderland Paris, a summer festival that runs through early September.
From celebrity chefs cooking delicious food to outdoor concerts. Wonderland Paris is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, so don't hesitate, it's worth a visit. And if once you're done, you want to delve deeper into the culinary culture, book a gastronomic tour.
9. Enjoy a moment of disconnection with the Classique au Vert
Classique au Vert is a classical music concert festival that takes place mainly during the month of August at the Parc Floral in the Bois de Vincennes.
If you want to relax a bit, enjoy good music in this magnificent and beautiful park, Classique au Vert is an event you should attend. Watching the sunset to the rhythm of classical music is something that only Parisians and classical music lovers will know how to describe to you.
If you like this music and plan to go to Paris for 7 days or more, I would recommend you to reserve at least one day for this classic event!
10. Rock at the Rock de Seine
Join the Parisian stalwarts who have stayed in the city during August, and rock out! The event lasts three days and takes place in mid-August in the Parc de Saint-Cloud, just outside Paris. Started in 2003, there are now five stages, with 65 bands representing rock, power pop, electric and folk music.
You can even set up camp and sleep overnight in the park. What an experience! Of course, you must reserve your campsite online, in advance and have a valid pass. It is important to know that only those with a three-day ticket will be able to leave and re-enter the festival.
The good news is that you can get there by metro on line 10, so it pays to know how to use the metro and how to get around Paris in general so you don't miss a single minute. If you are going to Paris for 3 days in August, you already know a way to have a great time during those days. For more information visit the official site.
Is Paris closed during August?
While it is true that part of Paris closes during August, this usually only affects family businesses and smaller restaurants that decide to rest part of this month, visit relatives and change of scenery.
So, if you have heard this somewhere, I can assure you that August is still a good month to get to know the city and enjoy the most of Parisian events, as you have seen in this post.
Weather in August
While there are numerous things to see and do in Paris all year round throughout the year, August is an ideal month to travel to Paris as the average temperature ranges between 18 and 24 degrees, which means perfect weather for wandering the Parisian streets, plus you will have more hours of sunshine to enjoy the city.
It is worth noting that in recent years, Paris, France and Europe in general, have seen more and more instances of heat waves. If there is a heat wave during your visit to Paris, then it is important to be prepared: stay hydrated and wear cool clothes. I would also consider booking a hotel that has air conditioning, as this service in Europe is not always a given, especially in B&Bs and older hotels.
What to wear in Paris in August
When packing your suitcase, include plenty of breathable and light clothing, as well as sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
On the other hand, the evenings can be a bit chilly, so it would be advisable to pack a light jacket just in case. However, if you are going to Paris with the idea of visiting the interior of some religious buildings, keep in mind that you may need to cover your shoulders and knees before entering.