This post contains our top 10+ suggestions for things to do in Paris during the month of August, updated for 2023, including concerts, events, sports, and popular attractions.
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST
Our top 10 list helps you decide how to spend your time in Paris with the best concerts, events, attractions, and activities available in August.
Be sure to check out our other popular posts on Paris:
- Tickets to the Eiffel Tower
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
- River Seine Boat Cruises
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- Day Trip to Versailles
Be sure to also check out our master post on things to do in Paris at any time of the year.
1. Visit the Palace of Versailles
This free-to-enter popular attraction is often busy and tickets are required.
Another reason to visit Versailles this August is their Night Fountains and Musical Gardens show, every Saturday from April through October.
Also in August, after the show, there will be a Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors with dancers, artists, singers, and musicians in costume.
For more details, make sure to read our post about visiting the Palace of Versailles.
2. Discover The Louvre
The Louvre started out as a palace for French royalty and is now one of the world's most famous museums.
Almost everyone will recognize the glass pyramid outside the museum as well as the impressive architecture.
You can see the Mona Lisa and visit at almost any time of day, as they're open late several days a week.
If you want to see the most impressive view of the pyramid outside we recommend going after dark.
TIP: Entry to The Louvre is included on several tourist attraction discount passes in Paris.
For more things to do in the evening, check out our activities in Paris at night post.
3. Take a Sightseeing Tour
August is a great time to get out and enjoy the City of Lights!
You’ll have the sunniest weather all year, which means endless opportunities to enjoy a walking tour or bike tour.
If you’re interested in something like the popular hop-on-hop-off bus tours, check out our Paris bus tour comparison.
TIP: You can find hop-on-hop-off bus tickets and other tours on several tourist attraction discount passes.
4. Take a Food Tour
French food is famous all over the world and for good reason.
When you visit Paris it's the perfect time to sample as many dishes as possible.
Food tours are the easiest way to get a local guide to point you in the direction of all the best food options.
Food Tours Available
- Dessert and Pastry Tours
- Chocolate Tours
- Wine Tours
- Food and Bike Tours
For a comparison of the best food tours in Paris, take a look at our post.
5. Visit the Eiffel Tower
Can you say you’ve visited Paris without a photo in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower?
August is a great time to see the famous landmark, while the skies are most likely to be clear to allow for a fantastic view from the top or a perfect picnic in the park below.
The crowds will likely be at their heaviest in August, so we recommend getting your tickets in advance.
Check out our tips on visiting the tower here.
6. Festivals du Parc Floral
In August, four music festivals take place in one park in Paris:
- Pestilence | a concert series for children
- Paris Jazz Festival | Jazz music
- Classic at Green | Classical music
- The Nocturnes | a mix of classical and jazz music
Concerts take place at Parc Floral de Paris, in the 12th arrondissment, close to Château de Vincennes.
The series runs from June 28th to September 6th, 2023.
Daytime concerts are free, while evening events are not. For more information, visit the festival website.
Find more budget-friendly things to do in our free activities post.
7. Attend Even More Festivals and Celebrations
Paris comes alive during the summer and there are a number of events and celebrations for visitors to take part in.
A few of them are:
La Fête des Tuileries | June 25th-August 28th
This family-friendly annual carnival takes place in Jardin des Tuileries. There are games, rides, a Ferris wheel, food, and much more.
Admission is free although there is a cost to take more in the individual fairground attractions.
Silhouette Short Film Festival | August 25th-September 2nd.
There are both French and international films on show, for free, at Parc de la Butte du Chapeau Rouge.
Rock en Seine | August 23rd-27th
This 3-day music festival takes place in Domaine National de Saint-Cloud.
In 2023 you'll find Billie Eilish, Florence and the Machines, The Strokes, and more.
L'Été du Canal | July 8th-August 13th
Some of Paris' canal banks are turned into recreational and cultural event spaces.
There are food and drink trucks, sporting events, dance performances, art exhibitions, boat tours, kayaks for rent, and much more.
La Nuit aux Invalides | dates TBD
An incredible 360% immersive sound and light show takes place at Hôtel National des Invalides.
Narration in both English and French and music are matched to images projected onto the building.
Liberation of Paris Day | August 25th
in 2023 it's been 79 years since the liberation of Paris from German occupation.
You'll find celebration events in front of city hall and elsewhere including speeches, troop drills, and music.
8. Attend a Pro Sporting Event or Tour Stade de France
August is a quiet month for sports in Paris. However, there is a chance to see a football game.
Football (Soccer)
If you’re with the family, it could be fun to take a guided tour of Stade de France and see where their football and rugby teams spend most of their time for home games.
See more family-friendly suggestions from our post on what to do with kids in Paris.
9. Enjoy the Theatre
There might be a few shows available to enjoy in Paris during August.
Moulin Rouge
What could be more Parisian than spending an evening at a cabaret?
The Moulin Rouge is known for its live music, extravagant costumes, and beautiful performers in a luxurious environment.
Performances run regularly year-round, and we recommend getting your tickets a few months out as they do tend to sell out.
How to Become a Parisian in 1 Hour
This one-hour comedy show has become a popular staple for visitors coming through the City of Lights.
Olivier Giraud performs his one-man show in English, giving hilarious lessons on how to interpret facial expressions and when to use specific phrases.
This show is recommended for those aged 16+.
10. Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
With a tourist attraction discount pass, you’ll get to see much more at a bulk discount - up to 55% for some popular attractions!
These passes can also save you time with skip-the-queue privileges at select popular tourist attractions.
Just Some of the Attractions Included in Discount Passes:
- The Louvre Museum (Skip-the-Line)
- Seine River Cruise (Fast Track)
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Picasso Museum
- Eiffel Tower
Take a look at our discount pass comparison post to see which one could save you the most time and money.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Here here are a few attractions that didn't quite make the top 10 list but we couldn't leave out.
Paris Plages City Beaches
Every summer between mid-July and early September, the banks of the River Seine become home to pop-up beaches in the middle of the city.
This annual, free summer fun is open to everyone and a draw for both locals and visitors.
The beaches are generally open from 9:00 am to midnight and you can find the main one on the right bank between the Louvre and City Hall.
You'll see sand, swimming pools, and live music depending on the day.
Paris Museum of Modern Art
One of the best free museums in the city is the Paris Museum of Modern Art.
This museum holds a wide array of impressive contemporary works, including paintings, mixed-media installations, and sculptures.
The permanent collection is always free to see.
For more free things to do, check out our free activities in Paris post.
Cinema en plein air at La Villette (Open Air Cinema)
For over 30 years thousands of guests have gathered on the lawns of La Villette Park to view free movies at night.
Films are screened in their original version with subtitles, and films begin at nightfall.
Guests can bring a picnic and a blanket to sit on, or deckchairs can be rented.
Films are shown between July 19th and August 20th, 2023.
Check out the Cinema en plein air on the la Villette website for a list of movies.
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