Paris in August

I%26#39;m planning on vacationing in Paris in Late July or early August. Is this a bad idea? I%26#39;ve heard that Paris is pretty much shutdown in late July and August. Is this true? What can I expect there during this time? What kinds of inconveniences will I incur? What is the atmosphere like? Will I regret it? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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For those of us that live here, August is one of the best times of the year to be in Paris. The weather is generally great and the city is much quieter as compared to July, as it%26#39;s the month that traditionally French people take their holidays.

Family run stores and such will probably shut down for 2/3 weeks. Your local breadstore may be closed and there%26#39;ll be less bistros open than in July but it%26#39;s really not the end of the world.

The metro is faster and is less crowded. It%26#39;s easier to get a seat at a bar or restuarant. And walking around the city with less traffic and people is a joy.

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You probably would not notice that the locals are not in the city if someone didn%26#39;t tell you. Most places are opened though some smaller stores will be closed, some restaurants, bistros, cafes.....amazingly even in big tourist areas (those French!).

Everything runs as usual and while traffic is less than other times, there is still plenty on the rues. Museums are opened and crowded with tourists.

Paris does its share to make itself fun for those who visit and stay in town....the beach they set up till mid August along the Seine, concerts, a fair in the Tulleries, other interesting things to do. If you havent been there other times of the year.....really you will hardly notice the difference.............It is still crowded, busy and very beautiful in summer.

You will notice it more in other areas of France where hotels are sometimes full, especially at the beaches. But there are also special festivals and activities in summer all over the country....

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I%26#39;m with Ptegan...it is a great time to be here. Even if the closest bakery to you is closed, there will be at least one open nearby... it is the law and strictly controled by the prefecture, so I can guarantee it. August is also a great time for picnics, enjoying the sunset over the seine at 10pm from the pont des arts, dancing along the seine in the sculpture gardens near the jardin des plantes and all kinds of good stuff.

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Thank you so much for the very informative responses. Just one more question: Do you think the open-air produce markets will be open in August? Thank you!

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Yes, they are open in August, some of them are sparcer than usually, but still worth the trip.

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I can%26#39;t believe people think Paris shuts down in August, you must be crazy. you won%26#39;t notice anything different. locals take holidays at different times so a family run business might be shut when you are there but a few weeks before or after you are there, their will be another family run business shut for their holiday but open when you are there. you are talking about the tiny little family run places that most touristes miss anyway. July august is a mad house with tourists from all over the world so do you think the Parisians would miss out on the trade? come on get with the programme, I am from Niagara Falls Ont and do you think that closes in August? July and Aug is my favourite time, everything is open and the place is buzzing, I would not go any other time of the year.

Early evening we sit on the massive lawn/park right in front of the eiffel tower and just watch the people and tower etc, after a couple of mins one of the illegal vendors will turn up with a bucket of cold beers and waters and you can buy them and just sit back and relax. Then watch the cops on bikes chase them all away only to come back 2 mins later to sell you more or just say no thanks and they won%26#39;t bother you. Go and enjoy Paris in the summer it is the best time ever in my opinion