canal saint martin

It’s August in Paris – Where Are All the Parisians?

If you’re visiting Paris this month, you may be surprised to see that there are very few locals lolling about. Cafés, shops, and restaurants have shuttered, with possibly a sign in the window indicating that their staff will be back come September.

This isn’t a Purge situation, but rather a regular Parisian tradition of les grandes vacances, or “the big holiday.” Since most French people get a full five weeks of paid vacation, a large portion of Parisians flee the capital for the entire month of August, and that includes some of our favorite fromagers, restaurateurs, and barmen.

That said, don’t believe for just one minute that you’ll be encountering a total wasteland when you arrive in Paris in août. Here are some of our favorite things to do in a Paris sans Parisians.

1. Visit Paris’ Museums

The Parisians may be gone, but Paris’ museums won’t be shutting their doors. Enjoy a wander through the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, or Catacombs and take in Paris’ past.

2. Eat AT Some Great Restaurants

Many Parisian restaurants will close their doors in August, but that isn’t the case for all of them! Here are a few of our favorite restaurants that will be remaining open this summer:

If you need help finding a restaurant (or planning the rest of your trip!) consider letting Paris Uncovered help you plan your trip!

3. Take Advantage of Paris’ Summer ACtivities

Paris in summertime is filled with fun things to see and do. Not only will many of the parks be empty enough for you to take advantage of the free seating at the Tuileries or the centuries-old pushboats at the Luxembourg gardens, but you can also:

Share your favorite summer activities with Paris Uncovered via Facebook and Instagram!