Top 7 things to do in Paris in August

Are you coming to Paris this summer to celebrate your destination wedding or simply discover one of the most beautiful city in the world  ? It is a Paris insiders secret that August is certainly one of the best months to visit.  You can expect a great weather with much smaller crowds since most the ‘Parisians’ take their annual vacation AKA ‘ les grandes vacances’. The city of lights becomes your own personal playground and there is a lot to do. Are you ready to be Sumptuous ?

August 15th celebrate the Assumption, it is a holiday in France, and many things in Paris will be closed including most department stores. Some great places remains open during the month of August, and you might find yourselves on your own at the most iconic palace that we adore !

What about taking a day trip out of Paris to the Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, enjoy the summer fountain shows at the Chateau de  Versailles that features extra ordinary firework, or the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, with a short 2 hour train ride. Exploring the seine river bank by bike is also a fun activity. There is also concerts around the city, such as a classical music concert at the stained-glass masterpiece, La Sainte Chapelle, located on the île de la Cité.

Here’s a list of the top 7 things to do in Paris in August. Hope you will like them all, it has been tested and approved by the Sumptuous Events team !  We want to make sure you’ll have  a memorable and authentic experience.

1. LES GRANDES EAUX NOCTURNES

Be prepared to watch one of the most spectacular light and firework show in the iconic Versailles Castle.  Every Saturday night in summer, two hours and a half of enchanting stroll in the magnificently illuminated Gardens of Château de Versailles with the fountains playing to the wonderful sound of music. The grand finale with a dazzling fireworks display by Groupe F over the Grand Canal is really worth the trip. Our advice is to arrive ealry, and booked your private transportation. Versailles is also a perfect venue to host your wedding in Paris ! But you already know that !

2. FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION 

The Fête de’ Assomption brings all the faithful from around the world to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The two part religious festival includes an evening river procession along the Seine around the islands of Paris on the evening of  August the14th. On the following day, after a traditional mass, a grand procession takes place on foot through the Ile de la Cité. It’s a memorable experience that you will never forget !

3. LUXEMBOURG GARDENS

The Parisian Park feel even better in August, when all the trees and flowers are in full bloom. Located in the latin Quarter, the Luxembourg gardens are beloved by Parisians longing to tan on a lawn chair in the sunshine or enjoy an improvised picnic. Parents bring their Children to race their sailboats in the basin behind the Sénat. It feels good being there ! A favorite circuit for joggers and amblers, the many paths are also perfect for a morning stroll past espaliered orchards and the old apiary, where beekeeping is taught and the honey is sold in the fall. Make sure not to miss the excellent art exhibits at the Musée de Luxembourg.

4. OPEN AIR CINEMA AT LA VILETTE

Located in a not so touristic district of paris. Spend a beautiful summer evening with your lover and friends in Paris outdoors at the open-air cinema at the Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement. Each summer the festival presents movies from around the world in a very  pretty park setting. Most of the  films are in English, and also the selection runs from art films to blockbuster. You could prepare a picnic from our favorite cafe ‘Carrette’ and enjoy a fun & relaxing evening in the park.

5. JAMES BOND  007, THE EXHIBITION

Since you are in the district of La Villette you should go and check the fantastic James Bond Exhibition which presents more than 500 original objects for an extraordinary journey in the most famous spy’s world. Aston Martin, gadgets, photos of shootings to name a few. The exhibition redraws the biggest ever produced saga by showing the golden pistol of Scaramanga in The Man With The Golden Gun, the white tuxedo of Roger Moore in Octopussy, and all the Q’s iconic gadgets as the attaché case of James Bond in From Russia With Love. The Aston Martin DB5 silver of 1964 in GoldenEye is even here. What are waiting for ? We are preparing a full article on that exhibition. 

6. PARIS PLAGE

It’s been several years now, that the mayor of Paris has decided to transform the seine river bank into a beach. Although it is not really a luxury experience, It is worth to pay a little walk to see how the Parisian spend their afternoon, for those who do not take their vacation. The quais along the Seine transform into a temporary beach resort complete with sandboxes where you can rent deck chairs & umbrellas  to soak up the sun. There is even a floating pool ( where you should probably avoid swimming ), live entertainment at night and many sport events. you can expect all together a fun summer atmosphere. If the heat of the summer is really getting you down, you can still go to the outstanding Sofitel Molitor Hotel, which featured one of the most iconic and gorgeous swimming pool !

7. FAUBOURG SAINT HONORE

What about asking skipping the taxi, and grab a bike to explore the designer street ‘Faubourg Saint Honore’. Beginning at the Palais Royal and ending at the Elysée Palace, it’s an afternoon prowl to satisfy the most indefatigable shopper. The favorite haunt of fashionistas the world over, here you will surely rub elbows with Saudi Princesses . Whether it is the ultra-hip, the French status labels or something less pricy but every bit as stylish, you’re sure to find it here.