It’s almost summer in Paris 2024! A visit to Paris in the summer is always a good idea. The Parisians know better than anyone how to enjoy summer days. As soon as the weather warms up, the best summer terraces in Paris and best rooftop bars in Paris fill up with people enjoying a café au lait or a good glass of wine while relaxing and watching the world go by. With summer temperatures you can also fully enjoy the many parks in the city from early in the morning until late at night. Or let yourself be surprised by the many events and festivals organized between June and September in the city of lights.
Whether you choose a charming café in the quaint Montmartre district or a trendy spot in the Jewish quarter Le Marais in Paris, the lively atmosphere is everywhere in summer. Paris in the summer is the high season, so book your hotel and tickets for attractions in Paris as much in advance as possible. Many Parisians go on holiday elsewhere in August, so it is generally a little less busy during this period. From lazing on the beach to shopping during the sales, you have many fun options in the French capital to keep you entertained during the summer. We tip 9 of our favorite activities during the summer in Paris 2024.
TIP: cooling off in Paris? To cool off, go underground and visit the famous catacombs in Paris →
• Fun to do: Hop On Hop Off Open Bus Tour Paris + Cruise on the Seine (1u) →
1. Olympic Games in Paris 2024: ready to start?
It’s still a while to wait, but the Summer Olympics in Paris are really coming. The best athletes in the world will compete against each other for more than two weeks in the summer of 2024 at iconic locations in the City of Light. The Olympic Games will be the largest event ever organized in France. Paris had previously been the setting for the Olympic Games in 1900 and 1924. During this edition, the organization mainly focuses on innovation, participation and sustainability.
More than ever, the Olympic Games are the perfect time to visit the famous sights in Paris and attend some fun sporting competitions. It’s summer in Paris. Ideal to enjoy nice weather!
TIP: book the best hotels for the Paris Olympics 2024 sufficiently in advance because the demand for hotels during this period will of course be very high.
• Read also: Paris Olympics 2024: dates, schedule, tickets & hotels →
2. Paris Plages 2024: experience a summer day at the beach
In the summer months, this year from July 6 to September 8, 2024, Paris turns into an oasis of relaxation and fun thanks to the unique concept of Paris Plages. You can visit the banks of the Seine, Bassin de la Villette and Canal Saint-Martin. Every year, the banks of the Seine (due to the Olympic Games, this location is only open on July 27, the day after the opening ceremony) are transformed into beautiful beaches, where both residents and tourists can enjoy an unforgettable summer experience in the heart of the city. Complete with sand, sun loungers, parasols and even palm trees.
You can participate in sporting events such as beach volleyball and pétanque, or enjoy dance and music performances that are regularly organized on the beaches. Or how about kayaking or pedal boating on the Seine? Paris Plages is also recommended for families with children. Special play zones are created where children can play in the sand, jump on trampolines and enjoy fun attractions. Furthermore, there are also plenty of food and beverage outlets dotted around the beaches of Paris Plages where visitors can enjoy treats from refreshing ice creams to delicious local dishes.
3. Drinking cocktails at the coolest rooftop bars
The warm weather is of course the ideal weather to enjoy a nice snack and drink at one of the many rooftop bars in Paris. The perfect places to enjoy delicious cocktails with a beautiful view over Paris. In recent years, a lot of nice rooftop bars have been added. Many of these are hotels and restaurants participating in this trend. Below are 7 of our favorite rooftop bars to enjoy during your next city trip to Paris:
– Le Perchoir Marais (4th): Cool hotspot in the trendy Le Marais district
– Rooftop de l’Hôtel Dame des Arts (6th): brand new hotel with panoramic roof bar
– Le Georges (4th): beautiful terrace on the famous Center Pompidou
– Bar Rochechouart (9th): breathtaking view of the Sacré-Coeur
– Terrass” Hotel (18th): cozy roof terrace in Montmartre
– Sequoia Rooftop Bar (2nd): elegant bar and garden with sublime 360-degree views
– The Shed (2nd): a hidden and green oasis on the roof of the Hotel des Grands Boulevards
• Read also: 10x Best rooftop bars in Paris with a beautiful view →
4. A day of shopping during the summer sales in Paris
This year’s summer sales in Paris are from June 26 to July 23, 2024. Shops in Paris will then sell their current range at greatly reduced prices to make way for the latest collections afterwards. The perfect opportunity to go on a bargain hunt in Paris for well-known French fashion brands and find heart-stopping pieces to complement your wardrobe. Many stores will already offer sales of 50% and even 70% at the start of the sales.
• Read also: Paris sales season: best shopping places & hotels →
5. Celebrate the start of summer with Fête de la Musique
Fête de la Musique is also back this year on Friday, June 21, 2024. In Paris, but also everywhere in France. Get ready to dance to the beat of live music thanks to the many free concerts and DJ sets organized outdoors. But there is also a party in concert halls, museums and restaurants in Paris. Whether you are a lover of rock, jazz, electro, rap, metal or even classical music, you are sure to find what you are looking for as the music festival honors all styles and genres. Not to be missed if you are in Paris on this day!
• Info & program on fetedelamusique.culture.gouv.fr →
6. Summer evenings at the best music and film festivals in 2024
Paris has a busy festival calendar all year round with music, theatre, film, dance, street art… There is something for everyone and for all ages. Each event attracts tourists and Parisians and is the opportunity to get together for a good time with family or friends. In the summer, festival-goers can enjoy great events in the most beautiful locations outdoors.
Must-see music and film festivals in Paris this summer:
• We Love Green: from May 31 to June 2, 2024 | Welovegreen.fr
• Solidays: from June 28 to 30 June, 2024 | Solidays.org
• La Defense Jazz Festival: from June 24 to June 30, 2024 | Ladefensejazzfestival.hauts-de-seine.fr
• Fnac Live Paris: dates to be confirmed | Leclaireur.fnac.com
• Lollapalooza Paris: cancelled | Lollaparis.com
• Rock en Seine: from August 21 to August 25, 2024 | Rockenseine.com
• Jazz à la Villette: from August 29 to Septembre 8, 2024 | Jazzalavillette.com
7. Enjoying a nice ice cream: time for refreshment!
During the summer in Paris, it’s hard to resist a nice ice cream. With sweet scents and flavors of vanilla, hazelnut, raspberry, strawberry or lemon, it’s time to refresh your taste buds. There is something for every ice cream lover. At high temperatures you can of course also go to many places in Paris for the best ice cream, made artisanally. Perfect places to satisfy your ice cream hunger on balmy days (or just all year round). You can also enjoy your ice cream on the banks of the Seine or in one of the beautiful parks such as Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris. In a jar or in a cone, please?
• Read also: 8x Best ice cream shops in Paris for refreshment! →
8. Discover Paris in summer by bike
Walking is always a good idea, but it does limit the distance you can travel. That’s why summer in Paris is one of the best times to rent a bike. When the parks and gardens are in full bloom, the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the days are filled with sunshine, cycling in Paris is wonderful. In recent years, a huge number of new cycle paths have been built and it is becoming easier and safer to cycle in Paris.
• Fun to do: Paris highlights bike tour (4h) →
9. Take a boat trip on the Seine along the highlights
A boat trip on the Seine remains a unique experience and of course also fun to do during the summer. You see Paris in a different way and the view of the beautiful historic buildings and bridges are truly beautiful.
You usually depart from the Eiffel Tower and you sail past famous sights of Paris such as the Grand Palais, Notre Dame, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Pont Alexandre-III and of course the Eiffel Tower.
Paris in summer is the perfect season to explore the city of lights. Summer in Paris is great fun because there is always so much happening and there is so much to see and experience. Also discover the 10 best things to do in Paris & places to visit. Time to enjoy summer days in Paris!
The best hotels to stay during summer in Paris
- 7x Best cheap hotels in Paris to spend the night
- 6x Best boutique hotels in Le Marais Paris
- 5x Best hotels in Montmartre Paris
- 12x Best romantic hotels in Paris for a weekend getaway
- 7x Best luxury hotels in Paris with 5 stars
- 8x Most charming hotels in Paris to dream away
- More hotels in Paris? Have a look at booking.com
