Paris in August – where have all the people gone?

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At the Sainte Eustache market on Sunday, there were only two regular stalls – fruit & vegetables and fish and certainly no oysters! There were a couple of other people selling jewellery and scarves. When we arrived, there was absolutely no one at the fruit & vegetable stall and the three vendors were looking very glum. They expect next Sunday to be even more deserted and probably won’t be there.

Free parking spaces in our street in the middle of Paris
Free parking spaces in our street in the middle of Paris

As we walked down our street on the way back, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were not only free parking spaces but that the cars weren’t bumper to bumper as they usually are. Sometimes we can hardly get the trolley through the spaces in between.

Rue Viledo looking completely deserted
Rue Viledo (Telescope coffee shop on the left) looking completely deserted

I can imagine that visitors must be very disappointed to find half the restaurants and shops closed, except in the very touristy areas, and the markets more than half empty.

Back of the Decorative Arts museum next to the Louvre
Back of the Decorative Arts museum next to the Louvre on a hot August day

The first half of August, up until the public holiday of the Assumption on 15th August, is traditionally the quietest part of the year in Paris, particularly if 15th is a Thursday and makes a very long weekend. It’s all due to the weather of course. This year, we had an exceptionally hot July but most people prefer to go to the coast or country in August when they’re more likely to get some sun and decent temperatures.

Closed until 19th August - the music box shop in the Palais Royal
Closed until 19th August – the music box shop in the Palais Royal

There’s a saying that after 15th August, le temps se gâte – the weather deteriorates. Last year was not the case; we were painting the front gate and cycling in Blois in a heat wave. But with the rentrée not far away at the beginning of September, most people prefer to be back home getting ready for the new school year during the last week or so of August.

Under the shady trees in the Tuileries with Orsay Museum in the distance
Under the shady trees in the Tuileries with Orsay Museum in the distance

For the people who live here permanently though, it’s nice to have some peace and quiet. Life goes at a different pace. It’s warm (most of the time) so you can wander down to the river or eat in Tuileries Gardens and feel you’re still on holiday.

Deck chairs in the Palais Royal Gardens
Deck chairs in the Palais Royal Gardens

You can even take your deck chairs down and enjoy a picnic near the fountain in the Palais Royal gardens and stay there for the rest of the afternoon!

The Marne river near Pont de Bry
The Marne river near Pont de Bry

You can visit your friends in the suburbs or drive to the Marne to go cycling without having to spend hours in the car. We could hardly believe it last Sunday when we drove along the quays. There was not a soul. We wondered for a minute whether the road had been cordoned off and we had somehow got onto it by mistake!

Café next to the bakery on Place des Petits Pères that's closed in August
Café next to the bakery on Place des Petits Pères that’s closed in August

Fortunately, the fact that about 90% of the city’s bakeries are closed is not a problem for us, because we make our own bread. But if you’re really desperate, you can consult the list on the Paris City Hall’s website (scroll down to find the pdf file). However, I’ve had to wait for two weeks to get a new pair of contact lenses !

Resting in our little wood during our lightening visit to Blois two weeks ago
Resting in our little wood during our lightening visit to Blois two weeks ago

So how are we coping with an empty city? Tomorrow, we’re off to Blois for week to make the most of the rest of the summer. Let’s hope the weather is fine enough to go cycling every day. And if it’s too hot, we’ll take our deck chairs up into our own little private wood.

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10 thoughts on “Paris in August – where have all the people gone?”

  1. Interesting to read this, Rosemary. I have heard that a lot shuts down at this time.. I love visiting the music box store, I will make a purchase when we are graced with a grandie! Also at alliance the other day we had a new student, a young lady and an artist who spend a year in Le Blois, so she was very interested to hear about your new photo blog 🙂 x

    1. Fortunately, by the time you get here, everything should be open again! Thanks for passing on the info about Blois Daily Photo.

  2. We have had ‘summer-like’ weather here in Sydney with our winter days reaching 23C! With less than 3 weeks till the official first day of spring I think we are in for a HOT summer too.

    1. Hi Corried and welcome. 23C already – that’s warm for winter. It’s actually my favourite temperature. It’s only 16C here this morning but it will get warmer during the day.

  3. Great article, Rosemary. I’ve never visited Paris in August but can imagine it must be a bit strange with so many locals away on holidays.
    I saw some deck chairs just like those ones in Italy recently – a great idea!
    Enjoy Blois.

    1. Thanks Carolyn, it’s a bit strange when there are only tourists left. Aren’t the beaches amazing in Italy with all the deck chairs lined up?

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