Summer in Paris is a special season: long days, warm evenings, blooming gardens and the slow, elegant rhythm of café life. This guide to visiting Paris in summer will help you plan a trip or inspire local outings. It covers why summer is a great time to be in Paris, typical temperatures, what to pack, top activities, transport options, recommended neighborhoods and hotels, seasonal foods to try, and easy day trips. After more than two decades in the city, summer still feels magical.
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Summer in Paris
Summer is an ideal season to visit Paris if you enjoy warm weather, abundant flowers in public gardens, long walks along the Seine, lively sidewalk terraces and scenic boat trips. The city’s parks fill with blooms and terraces hum late into the evening, making it a joyful time to explore.
Weather during Summer in Paris France
Summer temperatures in Paris are generally pleasant. Nighttime lows usually sit around 14–16°C (58–61°F) and daytime highs often reach about 24–26°C (75–79°F). Occasional heat waves or cooler, rainy days can occur, so packing layers is wise.
When is Summer in Paris?
In 2026, summer runs from Sunday, June 21 to Wednesday, September 23. These months offer the longest daylight hours and the fullest garden displays.
Things to Do in Summer in Paris
Paris offers endless activities in summer. Whether it’s your first visit or you live in the city, here are highlights to make the most of the season.
Experience a Parisian river cruise on the Seine
A river cruise remains one of the most memorable ways to see Paris. Boarding a boat on the Seine gives you a unique vantage point for the city’s bridges, monuments and riverside architecture—especially beautiful at sunset or on a warm evening.
Book a comfortable hotel with a pool
Choosing the right hotel affects your whole trip. In summer, a hotel with a pool or a cool courtyard is a lovely retreat after a hot day of sightseeing. For locals, a short staycation at a favorite hotel can be a refreshing way to enjoy city life with a splash of luxury.
Hôtel d’Aubusson*
(*Currently closed and scheduled to reopen in summer 2026.) Located in the 6th arrondissement, this hotel combines a prime location with a refined pool and an intimate hotel bar—ideal for evening drinks and live jazz.
Maison Souquet
Set in the 9th arrondissement, Maison Souquet is an intimate, richly decorated hotel with velvet interiors, a discreet pool and a romantic bar. Its historic setting and theatrical décor create a memorable stay.
Maison Proust
Maison Proust stands out for its elegant wellness offerings: a striking pool, spa facilities and a calm terrace. Even if you don’t stay overnight, dining or enjoying a cocktail there is highly recommended.
Hôtel de l’Abbaye
A quietly luxurious option in the 6th arrondissement, Hôtel de l’Abbaye evokes a Parisian private house with antique furnishings and a secret garden where breakfast feels particularly special in summer.
Hôtel La Comtesse
A more affordable choice with consistent value, Hôtel La Comtesse offers rooms with views of the Eiffel Tower—a classic Parisian perk that’s especially enjoyable at dusk.
Of the hotels listed, Hôtel d’Aubusson, Maison Souquet, and Maison Proust include pools, making them excellent picks for a summer visit.
Take a behind-the-scenes bakery tour with breakfast
A bakery tour that includes breakfast is a delicious way to experience Parisian food culture: watch bakers at work, taste fresh croissants, pain au chocolat and a selection of breads, and learn baking techniques you can try at home.
Visit a Parisian garden
Spending time in Paris’ gardens is one of the season’s greatest pleasures. Gardens to prioritize include:
- Jardin des Plantes
- Tuileries
- Parc Monceau
- Place des Vosges
- Luxembourg Gardens
- Palais Royal
See an exhibit
Museums in Paris are rewarding year-round but especially welcome in summer because they offer air-conditioned spaces. Major institutions like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and the Rodin Museum host noteworthy temporary shows alongside their permanent collections.
The Louvre
The Louvre’s permanent collection is extraordinary, and special exhibitions rotate through the galleries. Plan time for both temporary exhibits and the museum’s highlights.
Rodin Museum
The Rodin Museum is particularly lovely in summer when roses bloom in the sculpture garden. Enjoy the house collection, a coffee in the garden café and a quiet walk among the sculptures.
Musée d’Orsay
Housed in a grand former railway station, Musée d’Orsay features Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces alongside seasonal exhibitions—an essential stop for art lovers.
Musée d’Art Moderne
This museum’s permanent collection is free and includes the remarkable Dufy installation, a sweeping series of painted panels created for the 1937 Universal Exhibition.
Enjoy a Parisian café
Café culture is central to summer in Paris. For specialty coffee and pastries, favorites include KB Cakeshop, Partisan Cafe, Kitsuné, Yellow Tucan and Dose—each offering excellent coffee and a relaxed atmosphere.
Visit the Arc de Triomphe rooftop at sunset
The Arc de Triomphe terrace offers panoramic views across Paris’ grand avenues. Sunset is an especially magical time to take in the city skyline.
Have Champagne and macarons at the Eiffel Tower
A summit visit to the Eiffel Tower is an iconic experience. For an extra-special moment, enjoy a glass of Champagne and a small box of macarons while you admire the views. Even in summer, bring a light scarf—the summit can be breezy.
Learn to make macarons
Cooking classes that teach macaron-making are a fun and practical souvenir from your trip—perfect for recreating Parisian flavors at home.
Walk and go for ice cream
Ice cream in Paris is a summer ritual. Top spots include Berthillon for sorbets and classic flavors, Bachir for achta-style Lebanese ice cream, Une Glace à Paris for inventive choices, Glazed for unusual seasonal flavors, and Amorino for authentic Italian gelato and charming presentations.
Go wine tasting
Paris has excellent wine bars and tasting experiences. A guided tasting or an evening at a neighborhood wine bar is a great way to learn about French wines in a relaxed setting.
Experience a food and wine tour in the Marais
A guided food tour in the Marais pairs tastings with local history and is an efficient, delicious way to sample many Parisian specialties in one afternoon.
Record your memories with a Parisian photoshoot
Professional photos taken around Paris create lasting keepsakes. A short photoshoot at key landmarks or quiet streets provides beautiful images you’ll enjoy for years.
Paris in the Summer: 7 Reasons to Visit
- Long evening walks along the Seine make the city feel cinematic.
- Warm weather invites relaxed terrace dining and people-watching.
- Public gardens are at their most beautiful with roses and seasonal blooms.
- Enjoying an ice cream while strolling is a simple summer delight.
- Extended daylight gives you more time to explore each day.
- Paris Plage transforms riverbanks into a city beach during the warmest weeks.
- Street life and dog-walking are at peak levels for great people-watching.
Paris in Summer: what to wear
Parisian weather can shift quickly in summer. Your best strategy is layers: light tops, a sweater or thin jacket, and a compact umbrella. Neutral colors and classic silhouettes blend well with Parisian style; skirts, dresses and tailored trousers work well for both daytime and evenings. Comfortable leather sandals or polished flats are ideal for long days on cobblestones; bring a dressier pair for nights out and rain boots for persistent wet weather.
How to get around during Summer in Paris
Walk!
Walking is the most enjoyable way to explore Paris when time allows. Many of the city’s charms reveal themselves on foot: hidden courtyards, boutiques and neighborhood cafés.
Take the metro
The metro is fast, frequent and reaches most destinations across the city—often the quickest option for longer distances.
Take an Uber
Use a ride service when you have luggage, shopping bags or an evening out in heels. During peak hours the metro is usually faster, so factor that into your decision.
Take the Batobus
The Batobus offers a scenic way to travel along the Seine between major sights. Its route is short but pleasant, and riding by boat is a relaxing alternative to land transport.
Where to stay in Paris in the Summer
- Hotel du Louvre — centrally located near the Palais Royal and the Tuileries.
- Maison Souquet — an intimate, luxurious option in the 9th arrondissement.
- Maison Proust — elegant new hotel with a notable spa and pool.
- Hotel Parister — a stylish and more affordable option in the 9th.
- Hotel Delavigne — comfortable and well placed in the 6th arrondissement.
- Hotel La Comtesse — 4-star rooms with Eiffel Tower views.
- Hotel du Jeu de Paume — a charming stay on Île Saint-Louis, close to the Marais.
- Paris Boutik La Librairie and Paris Boutik l’Epicerie — unique boutique stays for a memorable sleepover experience.
What to eat in Paris in Summer
Summer brings market produce, light seasonal dishes and plenty of pastries to enjoy on a terrace. Highlights to seek out include the best croissants, artisan chocolates, standout donuts, classic bouillon dining and the city’s top falafel. A printed food guide or a bookmarked list helps you make the most of Paris’ culinary scene.
Easy Summer day trips from Paris
Versailles
Versailles is an essential day trip for first-time visitors. The palace, gardens and fountains showcase French history and landscape design at their most opulent.
Giverny
Monet’s home and gardens are a beloved escape outside Paris. Giverny’s water garden and flower borders offer a serene, painterly landscape—perfect in summer.
Reims and Épernay (Champagne)
Reims is the historic city center for Champagne houses and cathedral sightseeing. For vineyard visits and cellar tastings, Épernay and the surrounding countryside offer vineyard tours and tastings that make for a festive day trip.
Read more about visiting Paris
If this guide was helpful, explore additional articles on non-touristy things to do in Paris, small museums to discover, neighborhood cafés and where to eat to build a tailored itinerary.
Summer in Paris
Summer in Paris is full of possibilities: gardens, terraces, museums and riverside moments that make the season unforgettable. Pack smart, leave room for slow strolls and let the city surprise you.
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First published August 21, 2022. Last updated February 26, 2026 with additional tips and improved readability.