Public holidays in France, when most things are closed Many tourist attractions remain open during Spring and Summer public holidays. On Christmas, New Year's Day, 1st May and 14th July, virtually all shops are closed.
Major tourist attractions stay open all year (except for major holidays), but some smaller museums along with many boutiques, antique shops, Michelin-starred bistros, and art galleries close during August, the month when many Parisians leave the city for their own vacations.
Shops. The majority of shops are open all day from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Some smaller shops may close over lunchtime between midday and 2pm, or all day on Monday. Sunday and public holidays are the usual closing days, although there are some exceptions ...
Traditionally, most people went in August, when factories closed and the country pretty much shut down. But as the French economy has evolved and manufacturing has declined, people can now choose which month to go on vacation.
Spring (especially April and May) and autumn (particularly September and October) are ideal for visiting Paris – crowds are thinner, but the weather is temperate and lovely.
So, off season is in the winter months of the year. January, February and March are going to be considered off season in Paris and if you plan a trip during these months you'll be greeted with cheaper airfare, better hotel rates and sometimes even some hotel deals will be being run by Paris hotels.
Paris rarely receives snow and as far as rain goes, December is one of the rainiest months of the year. If you're wanting to avoid precipitation, come during February, the second least rainy month in Paris.
Paris is definitely NOT closed during August. In fact, many hotels offer some of their best pricing of the year during the month of August so it can be a great time to visit. Not shut down,but like many European cities a dream to move around by public transport when the commuters are mainly on holiday.
Throughout France, Sundays are traditionally a day of rest. Banks, shops, supermarkets and many restaurants are closed across the country. This mostly holds true in Paris as well, though shops in popular tourist areas (e.g. Champs Elysées) remain open seven days a week.
Small businesses that don't have staff to ride through the vacation period sometimes close and put everyone on holiday at the same time. Just about everything else stays open. A visitor won't even notice it, but the locals notice that there is less traffic in August, and the air is cleaner if no heat waves occur.
Truth be told, not all of Paris is dead in August. Many neighborhoods remain lively. In the north and east of the city, in places like Pigalle, Bastille and the Canal Saint Martin, the streets are still bustling and young people are out in the evenings.
Data from Kayak suggests that January, March and September are the cheapest times to visit – there are no school holidays or bank holidays during these months, so prices tend to be lower.
Paris is known as an expensive city, but the cost of a trip to Paris can vary depending on your budget and travel style. Accommodation, food, and transportation costs are the main expenses to consider, but there are ways to save money by planning in advance, using public transportation, and eating at affordable places.
Because like other popular destinations, Paris is a tourist destination where this is always an individual(s) who speak in English (in my case). Hotels… no problem. The front desk always spoke English and we never had any issues checking in or out.
Is Paris Crowded in August? Parisians head out of town on vacation and to their country homes in August. This means the Metro will be less crowded as will some attractions. It also means you can expect less French people around as you navigate Paris.
CUSTOM. There was a time when factories closed in August, putting many people on the same holiday timetable. As the years passed, and the economies of France and Italy became more diversified, this was no longer a forced vacation, but it did become a habitual one.
We've been answering this question every year for more than a decade. If you are planning to visit Paris in late July or August, it's important to know that most restaurants close for summer vacation. They vary a lot in terms of how much time off they take, and when they take it.
Europeans vacation in July and August, jamming the Riviera, the coast of Brittany, the Dordogne, and the Alps (worst from mid-July to mid-August), but leaving the rest of the country just lively enough for tourists. And though many French businesses close in August, the traveler hardly notices.
August has its real advantages: long days that allow for drawn-out strolls, picnics, or other activities outdoors (scroll down for a few suggestions). There's a more laid-back ambience, in contrast to the frenetic cosmopolitan vibe you'll often experience earlier or later in the year.
If you're visiting Paris this month, celebrate the tail-end of summer at a free jazz festival at Parc Floral plus mostly-free music and film fests. More top events include the fabulous European Heritage Days, Paris Fashion Week, and free cultural events across the Marais neighborhood.
First-time travelers should try and plan around 4-5 days—ample time to enjoy some classic Parisian highlights and visit a few of the 20 arrondissements (neighborhoods).
September is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors in France, as the temperatures have already started to cool. This means you're unlikely to experience the extreme temperatures we can get in France in August.
