Paris is a bucket list destination for many travelers, but if you have your heart set on visiting the City of Light, you’ll want to make sure you don’t plan a trip for this summer.
Why? Although Paris is a beautiful city and an incredible destination, summer is actually one of the worst times to visit — especially this summer.
Here’s why you should avoid Paris this summer (and when you should go instead.)
Summer Olympics
Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics, and while it’s an exciting event, it’s going to make the city even more expensive than it normally is this summer.
The Olympics will be held from July 26 through August 11, 2024.
During this time (and in the weeks around it) prices for accommodation in Paris will skyrocket to astronomical heights. According to Reuters, the average price for a hotel room during the Olympics will triple to over $1,000 per night.
For the average traveler, visiting Paris during the Olympics will be an overwhelmingly expensive endeavor, which is one of the reasons you should avoid the city this summer.
Extreme Heat
Another reason to skip Paris this summer is because of excessive heat. It might not get as hot as southern Spain or southern Italy does, but Paris can be downright unpleasant during the summer.
In particular, July, August, and September are the worst months for heat.
Being a major city with millions of people in it, Paris is several degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside. In 2023, there were numerous days during the summer when the average temperature exceeded 90° F.
For American travelers used to constant, strong air conditioning at home, Paris in the summer can be a rude awakening.
Many hotels and apartments don’t have air conditioning, and even in nicer hotels, the air conditioning might not be what you’re accustomed to at home.
Tourist Crowds
Paris is one of several cities in Europe that you should avoid during the summer unless you like being in massive crowds of tourists during your vacation.
Popular tourist hotspots in and around Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Sacre Coeur, and the Palace of Versailles, are packed with crowds during the summer.
The crowds this summer will be even worse due to the Olympics. Paris has already seen a record number of visitors in 2023, but that is only expected to grow this year.
For many people, Paris is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list trip. In that case, you probably don’t want your memories of the city to be tainted by having to elbow your way through crowds or wait in long lines, and that’s why skipping Paris in the summer is a good idea.
When To Go To Paris Instead
France is one of the world’s most visited countries, and Paris is the number one tourist destination in the country. That means that no matter what time of year you visit Paris, you’ll find some tourist crowds.
However, as someone who has both lived in Paris and visited many times, I can say that spring and late fall are the best times to visit the city.
The top months I would recommend for visiting Paris are April, May, October, and November.
These are the months when you’ll enjoy the best weather, the fewest crowds, and the lowest prices. If you don’t mind colder and rainier weather, visiting Paris from November through March (with the exception of the weeks around Christmas) is even less crowded.
This is also when you’ll find the best deals on flights from the U.S. to Paris, with November, January, and February being the months with the cheapest flights.
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