Paris by Month & Season: Q&A

REVISE  Choosing where to stay in Paris can be challenging simply because you have so many wonderful options.  Each neighborhood offers its own vibe, attractions, things to do, places to shop, and of course, appealing cafes, bistros, and restaurants.  So naturally, you may have lots of questions.

In the Sunday edition of my free Paris Discoveries Newsletter, I answer reader questions about Paris travel.  Not surprisingly, where to stay and which hotel to book are among the most frequent inquiries. 

This article is part of the Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive and brings together my answers about neighborhoods, arrondissements, and choosing the right area and hotel for your stay.

Some questions focus on the best neighborhood for your first visit, the feel of different areas, and choosing the right hotel when online reviews vary.  I've lightly edited, expanded, and updated my original answers, and added photos to make this a more complete Paris travel resource. 

Interested in staying in the Marais or Saint-Germain?  You'll find those Q&A archives here:

• Where to Stay in the Marais (placeholder: add links later)
• Where to Stay in Saint-Germain (placeholder: add links later)

 

List of Paris Events

Bruce's Question:

Love your articles! My question is: Is there a list of calendar events for the year some place? This helps to know when to travel and get the best rates.

Susan's Answer:

Hi Bruce, I'm so happy to know that you're enjoying the articles!

Here are several that will help with planning, including the first one which focuses on specific events:

• Top Paris Events, Holidays, & Things to Do Each Month provides an overview of what's going on each month, with links to month-specific articles where you'll find more details.
• When Is the Best Time to Visit Paris? breaks down the best time based on seasonal factors and events, budget, weather, crowds and lines, and last but definitely not least, the amount of daylight hours during various times of the year.
• Which Season is Best for Visiting Paris? includes a breakdown about visiting Paris during Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, pros and cons for each season, and what to expect
• Why Visit Paris? is more about things to do than events, but hopefully it provides some inspiration.

Thanks for asking this question. I don't think that I've shared any of these articles in this newsletter before, and hopefully they will be helpful to you as well as others. Wishing you much enjoyment while planning your trip!

What to Do in Paris in October

Brenton's Question:

I will be traveling to Paris in October to catch the Steelers/Saints game. I've been to Paris on two different occasions; the most recent trip included more time in the museums - along with a day trip to the Champagne region. As I'll be there for 5 days, anything new I should look forward to participating in?

I enjoy jazz and I'm a bachelor, so meeting new faces is always welcomed!!

Susan's Answer:

Paris's big Jazz sur Seine festival takes place during October 9 - 24 - so if that coincides with your dates, check it out.

EDIT First, check out events and activities in Paris in October, including details about the big annual grape harvest festival in Montmartre, in case that coincides with your dates.

Another good option is to join one or more of the small group tours, where you'll also see interesting parts of the city.

Here are three that I recommend for fun and possible socialization, including one that's aligns with your interest in jazz clubs and another where you'll explore the famous Sancerre region and taste 10 of their populular wines:

Paris Live Jazz Night with Local Guide - An evening's immersion in the local jazz scene and nightlife

Paris: Dark History & Ghostly Guided Walking Tour - Explore the darker side of the city on this fun night tour; the starting point is near Les Halles

Sancerre Wine Day Trip from Paris - October is grape harvest season, so if you enjoyed the Champagne tasting excursion on a previous trip, you might consider this one where you'd see a different region - 10 tastings, lunch, and cheese

Tips for Enjoying August in Paris

Hanne's question:

I've visited Paris several times, and although I know that August is the Parisians' holiday month, nevertheless my husband and I have rented an apartment close to Rue Monge for 9 nights.

We have two 'must do' activities: visit Notre Dame and make a trip to Giverny.

But I would appreciate greatly if you have any specific tips for the month of August. I speak French and have no problems using the internet for tickets etc.

Susan's Answer: 

That sounds like a wonderful trip.  I love being in Paris in August because unless you're near one of the biggest tourist sites, the city is usually quite tranquil. 

Many Parisians do depart as early as mid-July for their enviably-long summer vacations, and although the city gets many visitors from other countries (who come as part of their own summer vacations), they mostly cluster around the biggest tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower.

It's a great month to spend a lot of time outdoors, either along the Seine River where the annual Paris Plages (beaches) event will be taking place, or enjoying Paris's many beautiful gardens, including four within about a 10-minute walk from most parts of Rue Monge: Jardin des Plantes where roses will be in full bloom in the rosarie, Luxembourg Garden with the Medici Fountain and a pond where children use long poles to "sail" small wooden boats across the water, a hidden garden surrounding an ancient Roman arena, and along the Seine, Jardin Tino Rossi, where you can stroll past modern sculptures by Brancusi, Zadkine, and many others, and even join dancers on the small plazas if you feel so inclined.

There are also lots of free festivals this month - outdoor movies, jazz and classical concerts, and cultural events - plus the always-popular Rock en Seine Music festival and a ticketed jazz festival. Check my August in Paris article on the PDG website for details and more ideas.

Since you're staying near Rue Monge and will be in apartment, you might enjoy stopping by the outdoor market held at Place Monge (by the metro station) on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings. There's normally quite a lot of carryout food there in addition to all the fresh produce, meats, cheeses, etc. You're also not too far from the Rue Mouffetard food street, which also has a number of produce vendors, cheese stores, wine shops, butchers, fish mongers, etc., in addition to all the small cafes and creperies.

Also, here's a quick tip about visiting Notre Dame: although advance booking of the free tickets to visit the cathedral is normally no longer necessary as the entrance line moves quite quickly, August (and July) are both months when having tickets may get you inside a bit faster than having to wait in the "no ticket" line.  You can get them on the Notre Dame website a day or two in advance.  But if you don't want to bother (I probably wouldn't, even though I genereally loathe wasting time in line when there's a faster way to get in), no worries - any possible wait time should be quite short.

Also, to repeat the warning that Notre Dame has been posting on its website, scammers are selling fake admission tickets.  Admission is always free - after all, it's a church! - and you never need a ticket to get in. 

See Questions & Answers on Similar Topics

Should You Split Your Paris Stay between 2 or More Neighborhoods & Hotels? - Find out when and why to consider doing this, plus practical tips

Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive - See Q&As on all topics

---

Paris Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  If you purchase through our links, PDG may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Merci for your support!