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When traveling to Paris, you'll notice many people stay outside all day and night. Even in the winter, locals bundle up and sit under heat lamps on sidewalk terraces. But it's in summer that the city truly comes alive. Daylight stretches well into the evenings and parks are filled with locals and tourists alike.
Summer is also the season when many Parisians flock to summer homes, so it can feel like tourists have the run of the place. Thankfully, there are plenty of local experiences to try if you know where to look. Here's how to do summer in Paris like the locals do.
Gideon/Flickr
With more than 400 parks and gardens, Paris is the perfect picnicking city. Pack a blanket and go to the open-air market or épicerie to stock up on cheeses, a bottle of rosé and a fresh baguette. Some of the most famous parks are the Jardin des Tuileries, Champ de Mars and Place des Vosges, but opt for a less popular park for a more local experience. Try Buttes-Chaumont, the Bois de Boulogne or sit along the banks of the Canal St. Martin.
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Many Parisians head to beachier locales in August, so it's common for restaurants to close for a few weeks. You won't go hungry, but it’s best to plan ahead so you don’t find yourself at a tourist trap. A great resource for summer restaurant information is Paris by Mouth. This fantastic food site keeps track of the opening hours of the top restaurants in Paris. It’s best to make a reservation in advance.
ErasmusOfParis/Flickr
Parisians staying in town for the summer can be found sunning themselves on the banks of the Seine. Paris Plages is a pop-up beach on the Seine that has been a fixture on the summer calendar since 2002. This year’s event will run from July 7 to September 2 in three locations: the Voie Georges Pompidou, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Bassin de la Villette, where a swimming pool is set up in the river. There are beach chairs, outdoor cafes, and courts for playing bocce ball or pétanque. And it’s totally free.
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