Paris in July: Weather, Events and What to Do

On the morning of 14 July, the jets of the Patrouille de France roar low down the Champs-Élysées trailing blue, white and red smoke, and for a moment the whole of Paris stops and looks up. That night the Eiffel Tower disappears behind half an hour of fireworks, and in fire stations across the city the firemen throw open their courtyards for a dance that goes on until dawn. Bastille Day is the high point of Paris in July, but the whole month has a festive, slightly giddy feel: deckchairs and palm trees along the Seine, open-air cinema on the grass, swimmers in the river for the first time in a century, and evenings so long and warm that dinner rarely starts before nine.

It’s also the hottest and one of the busiest months of the year, and the one when Parisians begin their great summer escape. This guide covers the weather and how to cope with a heatwave, what to pack, crowds and prices, Bastille Day in detail, Paris Plages and swimming in the Seine, the other events of July 2027, and whether July is the right month for you. Prices and dates were checked in September and October 2026; treat prices as the right order of magnitude and confirm event dates nearer the time.

Paris in July at a glance

Climate figures are the Météo-France averages for 1991–2020 at Paris-Montsouris.

The weather, honestly

Hot, dry and long

July is the warmest month in Paris, with an average high of 25.7°C and lows around 16°C, and it has the fewest rainy days of the year, about seven, though the rain that does fall often comes in heavy thunderstorms. A typical July day is warm and sunny with a pleasant evening, perfect for sitting outside until late.

Heatwaves

The averages hide the real issue. July heatwaves have become a regular part of Paris summers, and they can be severe: the city’s all-time record, 42.6°C, was set on 25 July 2019. When a canicule hits, temperatures can stay above 35°C for days and barely drop below 25°C at night. Paris isn’t built for it. Its stone buildings and zinc roofs soak up the heat, many older hotels and flats have no air conditioning, and some Metro lines become ovens. A heatwave doesn’t ruin a trip, but it changes how you should spend your days; see our tips below.

Long evenings

In early July the sun still sets close to 10pm, and even by the end of the month it’s light until around 9.30pm. Parisians make full use of it: the quays, parks and canal banks fill with picnics and apéritifs as soon as the offices close, and dinner is a late affair.

What to pack

• Light, loose clothes in cotton or linen. Parisians dress smartly even in summer, so pack something presentable for the evening.
• A sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream.
• A refillable water bottle, to fill at the city’s free drinking fountains.
• Comfortable sandals or breathable trainers.
• A light layer for air-conditioned museums and the odd cool evening.
• A compact umbrella for the thunderstorms.
• Swimwear, if you’d like to try the Seine bathing sites or a city pool.
• A small fan if your accommodation has no air conditioning.

Our Paris packing list has the full checklist.

Crowds and prices

July is peak season. Visitors arrive from all over the world, the French summer school holidays start on Saturday 3 July 2027, and the big sights are busy from opening to closing. Queues at the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Sainte-Chapelle are at their longest, and Eiffel Tower summit tickets can sell out six to eight weeks ahead, so book everything you can: the Louvre costs €22 for EEA residents and €32 for everyone else since January 2026, and timed slots go fast.

Hotel prices are high all month. The curious thing about July is that while the visitors pour in, Parisians start to leave. By the last week of the month, the city’s residents are heading for the coast and the countryside, the traffic thins, and the first neighbourhood restaurants and bakeries put up their summer closure notices, a trend that peaks in August. Our guides to where to stay in Paris and the cost of a Paris trip help with planning.

Bastille Day, 14 July

France’s national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and the Fête de la Fédération a year later, and Paris celebrates it in three parts. In 2027 it falls on a Wednesday. Our Bastille Day guide has the full details; here’s the outline.

The morning parade

The military parade down the Champs-Élysées, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde, begins in the morning and is the oldest regular military parade in Europe. It opens with the flypast, led by the Patrouille de France trailing the tricolour, followed by marching troops, cavalry and vehicles. To see it, arrive very early, ideally by 7.30am, and aim for the stretch near the Arc de Triomphe or the Concorde end; security checks are strict and the crowds are many deep. If you’d rather not stand for hours, watch the flypast from anywhere along its route and the rest on television, as most of France does.

The firemen’s balls

On the nights of 13 and 14 July, many of the city’s fire stations open their courtyards to the public for the bals des pompiers, the firemen’s balls: part street party, part disco, with a bar, music and dancing until the small hours. Entry is usually free or by a small donation to the firefighters’ charities. The station in the Marais on rue de Sévigné is one of the most famous, and queues there start early; smaller neighbourhood stations are just as much fun and far less crowded.

The concert and the fireworks

On the evening of 14 July, a free open-air concert takes place on the Champ de Mars, followed at around 11pm by the fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower, one of the most spectacular in the world. To see it from the Champ de Mars, arrive in the afternoon, bring water and a picnic, and expect a security perimeter and no glass bottles. Alternatives are the Trocadéro (very crowded), the bridges and quays along the Seine, the steps of the Sacré-Cœur (distant but atmospheric), a rooftop bar, or a dinner cruise on the Seine, which needs to be booked weeks ahead. Leave plenty of time to get home: the Metro stations near the Eiffel Tower are closed or overwhelmed afterwards, so walk a few stops before you try to board.

What’s open on 14 July

It’s a public holiday, so banks, many shops and some restaurants close, but most of the big sights and museums open as usual; check the opening hours of anywhere you plan to visit, and remember that the parade route and the Champ de Mars are closed off for much of the day.

Paris Plages and swimming in the Seine

Paris Plages

Every summer since 2002, Paris has turned stretches of its waterfront into a beach. Paris Plages sets out deckchairs, parasols, palm trees and sand along the riverside park on the Right Bank of the Seine and around the Bassin de la Villette in the north-east, with free activities from beach games and sports to concerts and reading corners. In 2026 it ran from 4 July to 30 August, and the 2027 edition is expected to follow the same pattern; check the dates nearer the time. It’s not the Riviera, but on a hot evening with a cold drink, it’s a very Parisian pleasure.

Swimming in the Seine

Swimming in the Seine was banned in 1923. A century later, after a huge clean-up of the river for the 2024 Olympics, Paris opened three free public bathing sites in the summer of 2025, and they returned in 2026, from 4 July to 30 August:

• Bras Marie, in the 4th arrondissement facing the Île Saint-Louis, open daily from 8am to 6pm in 2026.
• Bercy, in the 12th, open daily from 11am to 9pm in 2026.
• Bras de Grenelle, in the 15th facing the Île aux Cygnes, with shorter hours and timed sessions at weekends in 2026.

Entry is free and doesn’t need booking, though queues form on hot afternoons. The sites close temporarily after heavy rain, when the water quality drops, so check before you go. There’s also an open-air swimming area in the Bassin de la Villette, part of the Paris Plages programme. Expect the 2027 season to run on similar lines, and check the City of Paris website for the confirmed dates and hours.

Other events in July 2027

The summer sales

The soldes d’été, France’s official summer sales, usually start in the last week of June and run for four weeks, well into July. Discounts deepen as the weeks go on. The department stores on boulevard Haussmann and the boutiques of Le Marais and Saint-Germain are the main hunting grounds; our Paris shopping guide has the details.

The Tour de France finale, 25 July

The Tour de France runs from 3 to 25 July 2027 and finishes in Paris on Sunday 25 July, with the riders racing laps of the city centre and the final sprint on the Champs-Élysées. It’s free to watch from the roadside. Arrive early for a spot near the barriers, especially around the Concorde and the top of the Champs-Élysées, and bring water: you may wait for hours for a few seconds of riders flashing past, repeated on each lap.

Open-air cinema and summer festivals

From mid-July, the lawns of the Parc de la Villette usually host a free open-air cinema season, with films projected on a giant screen after dark; bring a picnic and a blanket, or hire a deckchair. The Fête des Tuileries funfair runs all summer, and the Paris l’Été festival brings theatre, dance and circus to venues across the city. Early July also brings the haute couture fashion shows and, at the exhibition centre at Villepinte, the giant Japan Expo festival of Japanese pop culture. Check this year’s programmes and dates; for the whole year, see our Paris events calendar.

July, week by week

Early July: the summer begins

The French school holidays start on 3 July 2027, the summer sales are in full swing, and Paris Plages and the Seine bathing sites usually open in the first week of the month. The city is at its busiest, but still fully open.

Mid-July: Bastille Day

The firemen’s balls on the night of 13 July and Bastille Day itself on the 14th make this the most festive part of the month. Book any restaurant or cruise for the evening of the 14th well ahead.

Late July: Parisians leave

The Tour de France arrives on 25 July, and by the end of the month the city’s own residents are heading off on holiday. Traffic thins, some restaurants and shops close for their summer break, and the heat, if it comes, is usually at its most intense.

What July is best for

Life by the water

In July, Paris lives along its river and canals. Picnic on the quays of the Île Saint-Louis, join the crowds along the Canal Saint-Martin and the Bassin de la Villette in the evening, take a dip at one of the Seine bathing sites, or take a Seine cruise at sunset; our guide to Seine river cruises compares the operators. For more summer ideas, see our guide to things to do in Paris in summer.

Long nights out

The Tuileries stays open until 11pm through the summer, the rooftop bars are in full swing, and the city’s terraces are busy until late. Our guides to rooftop bars and Paris at night have plenty of ideas.

Cool day trips

On hot days, the forest of Fontainebleau, with its shady paths and sandstone boulders, is a welcome escape from the city, and the château is one of the finest in France; see our Fontainebleau day trip guide. Monet’s garden at Giverny is at its fullest, with the water lilies in flower, though it’s busy; go early. Versailles is at its most crowded in July, and its gardens are shadeless in the afternoon heat, so visit early in the day. Our list of day trips from Paris has more.

Beating the heat

• Start early. Sightsee in the cool of the morning, when the queues are shorter too.
• Go underground. The Catacombs stay at around 14°C all year, which makes them the coolest sight in Paris on a scorching day; book ahead, and remember they’re closed on Mondays. Our Catacombs guide has the details.
• Use the museums and churches. The big museums are air-conditioned, and the great churches, from Notre-Dame to Saint-Sulpice, are naturally cool.
• Find shade and water. The parks of the Buttes-Chaumont, the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne are shadier than the formal gardens of the centre.
• Swim. Try the Seine bathing sites, the Bassin de la Villette, or a public pool such as the Piscine Joséphine Baker, which floats on the Seine in the 13th arrondissement.
• Carry water and refill it at the public fountains.
• Rest in the afternoon and go out again in the evening, when the city comes alive.
• Book air-conditioned accommodation. It’s the single most important decision for a July trip.

Opening hours and closures

• Museum closing days don’t change: the Louvre closes on Tuesdays; the Musée d’Orsay, Versailles, the Musée Rodin and the Catacombs on Mondays.
• 14 July is a public holiday; most sights open, but check, and expect road closures.
• Summer closures begin in late July, when some family-run restaurants, bakeries and shops close for two to four weeks. If you have your heart set on a particular place, check before you go.
• Gardens stay open late, with the Tuileries until 11pm.

Paris in July with children

July is the start of the long French summer holidays, so the children’s attractions are busy, but there’s plenty to do. The toy sailboats on the Grand Bassin of the Jardin du Luxembourg run daily from 11am to 6pm in summer (€6 for half an hour), the Tuileries funfair is in full swing, and Paris Plages has free activities for children. On hot days, head for shade, water and air conditioning. Our guides to Paris with kids and parks for children have many more ideas.

Getting around in July

Walking is the best way to see Paris in July, but plan shady routes and avoid long walks in the midday sun. The Vélib’ bike-share is good for the evenings and the riverside cycle lanes; see our guide to cycling in Paris. The Metro is busy and some older lines are uncomfortably hot in a heatwave; the newer, automated Line 14 is generally more comfortable. On 14 July, expect road closures and crowded stations around the parade route and the Champ de Mars. For a week’s stay, the Navigo Découverte weekly pass (€32.40 plus €5 for the card) covers all your journeys.

Where to stay in July

Air conditioning is non-negotiable in July; check before you book, because many charming older Paris hotels don’t have it. After that, think about noise and evenings: Le Marais, the Latin Quarter and the Canal Saint-Martin area are lively until late, while the 7th and the residential parts of the 15th and 16th are quieter. Staying near the Seine puts you close to Paris Plages and the bathing sites. Book early for the Bastille Day week. Our guide to the best arrondissement to stay in compares the areas.

Is July a good time to visit Paris?

It depends how you feel about heat and crowds. July has the best weather on average, the longest evenings of high summer, Bastille Day, Paris Plages, swimming in the Seine and a festive mood all month. It’s also the hottest and most crowded month, with high prices and the real risk of a heatwave that makes sightseeing hard work.

Our verdict: July is a wonderful month for a city break built around evenings, rivers and festivals, and Bastille Day alone is worth planning a trip around. Book air-conditioned accommodation, book your tickets early, and plan your days around the heat. If you’d rather have warmth without the crowds and heat, June or September are kinder; August is quieter still, though more of the city is closed. Our month-by-month guide and our guide to the best time to visit Paris compare the whole year.

Practical tips for July

• Book air-conditioned accommodation and timed tickets as early as you can.
• Plan Bastille Day: arrive early for the parade, or pick a fireworks viewpoint and get there in the afternoon.
• Bring swimwear for the Seine bathing sites, and check they’re open after rain.
• Sightsee early and late, and rest in the heat of the afternoon.
• Carry water and refill it at the free fountains.
• Check restaurants in late July for summer closures.
• Watch your belongings in the crowds on 14 July and around the big sights.

Frequently asked questions

Is July a good time to visit Paris?

Yes, if you don’t mind heat and crowds. July has warm, mostly dry weather, long evenings, Bastille Day and Paris Plages. It’s peak season, so book ahead, and heatwaves are common.

How hot is Paris in July?

The average high is 25.7°C and the average low around 16°C, but heatwaves regularly push temperatures above 35°C. The city’s record, 42.6°C, was set on 25 July 2019.

What happens in Paris on Bastille Day?

A military parade with a flypast on the Champs-Élysées in the morning, a free concert on the Champ de Mars in the evening, and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower at around 11pm. Fire stations across the city hold firemen’s balls on the nights of 13 and 14 July.

Can you swim in the Seine in Paris?

Yes, in summer. Since 2025, three free bathing sites have opened in July and August: Bras Marie facing the Île Saint-Louis, Bercy, and Bras de Grenelle. In 2026 they ran from 4 July to 30 August. They close temporarily after heavy rain.

When is Paris Plages in 2027?

The 2027 dates haven’t been announced. In 2026, Paris Plages ran from 4 July to 30 August along the Seine and at the Bassin de la Villette, and it usually follows a similar pattern.

When does the Tour de France finish in Paris in 2027?

On Sunday 25 July 2027, with the final stage ending on the Champs-Élysées.

What should I wear in Paris in July?

Light, breathable clothes, comfortable sandals or trainers, a sun hat and sunglasses, plus a light layer for air-conditioned museums and a compact umbrella for thunderstorms.

Is Paris empty in July?

No, it’s one of the busiest months for visitors. Parisians start leaving on holiday in the second half of the month, and some local restaurants close, but the main sights are at their most crowded.

Staying on into August? The weather stays hot, but the city changes character as Parisians leave: many neighbourhood restaurants close around the middle of the month, while Paris Plages, the Seine bathing sites and the open-air cinema carry on. Our guide to Paris in August has the details.

Related Paris Guides

• The Best Time to Visit Paris, Month by Month
• Paris in June
• Bastille Day in Paris
• Things to Do in Paris in Summer
• Paris Events Calendar
• Seine River Cruises
• The Paris Catacombs
• What to Pack for Paris

Photo Credits

The 14 July flypast through the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel: Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, Paris 14 July 2016 002 by Ddeveze, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.