Updated on August 6th, 2025
In a beautiful romantic old city like Paris, warm weather isn’t the only reason to get out and go sightseeing, but it sure is the most effective! With the arrival of summer, native Parisians and tourists alike can be seen outside roaming the streets, doing some casual shopping – just in time for the Paris Summer Sales!, and lounging around lush green parks and the sandy shores of Paris Plages.
The summer season in Paris is also an invitation to travel! You too can enjoy the beautiful summer weather of Paris, and perhaps fancy yourself as a Paris local by staying in an authentic Paris apartment. Whether for a whirlwind weekend in the City of Lights or a more extended stay, we’ve compiled a guide to some of the best things to do in Paris this summer and a few handpicked furnished apartments to help you fall in love with the city. Let’s go!
Connect with Paris outdoors
Of course you can’t miss all of the major attractions and sightseeing spots in Paris, but sometimes the best way to get acquainted with a city is by seeing its natural side. After the blooming flowers of spring have subsided, Paris’s parks become verdant oases full of shady trees, rolling hills, and unexpected outdoor activities like boating, sports like cycling and rollerblading, and even horseback riding and fishing!
If you’ve checked all the classic Paris parks off your list, try a lesser-known gem like the Coulée verte René-Dumont. This modern park (opened in 1993) was constructed atop of a decommissioned railway and offers nearly 3 miles of landscaped walkways through charming flowers, shrubs, trees, and sculptures. This elevated park is perfect for a summer stroll and offers a different perspective on Paris than the most trafficked green spaces (though all are still worth a visit!). The Coulée verte is located in the 12th Arrondissement.
Another prime spot for some hot-weather family fun is Parc André Citroën! This artsy, modern park also makes use of repurposed urban space: it was built in place of a former auto manufacturing plant. This park is home to two greenhouses filled with exotic plants, six themed gardens designed to delight the senses, and even a hot air balloon in which visitors can actually ride! Kids will also love splashing through the park’s public fountains on a hot summer day. If you’re traveling with children and are looking for more activities to do with them, you should check out more kid-friendly summer activities in Paris here!
If you’re looking for something a bit more classic and relaxing, getting close to the water may be your best bet. Celebrate (or escape!) the summer temperatures by renting a rowboat in a Paris park! If modernism isn’t your taste, the Bois de Boulogne is a wonderful and historical (it was once the hunting ground of France’s royalty) park to visit in Paris. The park’s lake offers the opportunity to rent a private rowboat for €14 for an hour. Enjoy a picnic or just some quality time with your sweetheart on the lake or in the heart of this tranquil park.
If you can’t get enough of the fresh air in Paris, you’ll love this Bastille vacation rental. This alcove studio has five large south and west-facing windows that let sunlight pour into the apartment. Throw the windows wide open in the summer for natural ventilation. You can enjoy preparing fresh food in the tiled kitchenette featuring a wine rack while looking out onto the living room (you also have a window in the kitchen area for ventilation). Extra touches like a cable television and decorative fireplace make the space homey, and the elevated sleeping alcove spatiallysections the space. The youthful area of Bastille is also great for summer, with plenty of nightlife and an open-air market where you can go shopping for fresh produce six days a week!
Summer on the Seine
The Seine River has always been the center of life in Paris, but in the summer it especially comes to live. The cool breeze of the Seine draw people to the riverbanks to walk, run, enjoy a bottle of wine, and just soak in the scenery of Paris. In 2025, the Seine opened to swimmers, offering three natural bathing areas at Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Quai de Bercy. But, to benefit from the Seine yourself, you can enjoy other activities like the aforementioned Paris Plages (early July to end of August), sports activities like yoga and Tai Chi, and dance classes in the evening. Food vendors carts and floating restaurants also set up shop for the season.
Finally, what better way is there to experience the Seine than by going sightseeing on a river cruise? Cool off by getting close to the water and see famous sights around the river like the Pont Alexandre III, the Pont Neuf (the oldest bridge in Paris), and Notre-Dame Cathedral, welcoming visitors again after its restoration was completed in December 2024!
If you’d prefer cheaper and more mobile sightseeing, try bicycling along the Seine! The bridges and quays along the river are both bike and pedestrian-friendly, and a quiet and scenic way to exercise and experience the city. If you can’t bring a bike with you to Paris, consider renting one through Vélib’ Métropole, the city’s popular bike-sharing system.
If you dream of staying by the Seine in Paris, this studio vacation rental in Île Saint-Louis is the perfect spot. Just steps from the Bras Marie, this ground-floor apartment lets you soak in the charm of the 4th Arrondissement with its cobblestone streets and historic, sand-colored façade. A towering window fills the living area and its high ceiling with sunlight, while the mezzanine double bed creates a smart separation of space. You’ll find everything you need to feel at home, from a fully equipped open kitchen with oven and microwave to a bathroom where you can choose between a quick shower or a long soak in the tub.
The location is as special as the apartment itself. You’re within a short stroll of Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and the vibrant Marais district. Take a quiet walk along the Seine, browse the island’s boutique shops, or catch the Metro at Pont Marie or Sully-Morland (line 7) to easily reach all corners of the city.
Find a summery souvenir at the world’s largest outdoor flea market
Avoid being cooped up inside for even a moment during the lovely Paris summer by taking your souvenir shopping outdoors as well! A stroll through the Puces de Saint-Ouen may be just what a summer trip to Paris calls for. This flea market, the largest in the world, is full of antiques and curiosities at every corner, perfect for tracking down a one-of-a-kind memento from your trip to France. Outdoor markets are the perfect summertime activity. With a stay in a furnished apartment, you can enjoy them to their fullest by preparing the fresh ingredients from Paris’s outdoor food markets in your own kitchen (a feature you won’t find in a hotel!).
Fill your summer calendar with live music in Paris
Another way Paris embraces the summer season is with live music and outdoor concerts! First up on June 21st is the Fête de la Musique, a nationwide celebration of the summer solstice with a full day and night of music. Musicians of all genres and skill levels take over the streets, parks, museums and public spaces, filling Paris with spontaneous performances. As you walk, or dance, through the city, you’ll find music around every corner, plus special programming at major venues and cultural sites.
Next, the Paris Jazz festival returns from end of June to early September, set in the beautiful Parc Floral de Paris. This ticketed festival celebrates Paris’s vibrant jazz scene with a lineup of established and emerging talents.
Finally, there’s Paris’s most popular music festival, Rock en Seine, which will hit the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud for several days in August. This iconic festival brings together a lineup of international rock, pop and electronic acts, drawing around 40,000 attendees per day. Passes are required, but it promises to be one of Paris’s biggest parties of the year! For even more music-filled adventures, explore our blog and uncover the Paris’s best spot to enjoy music!
Celebrate summer with Paris’s annual events
Speaking of parties, summer brings a few lively celebrations in its wake! Of course, you can’t miss Bastille Day on July 14. You can think of this holiday as France’s equivalent to the US’s Independence Day, celebrating the beginning of the French Revolution which eventually culminated in France becoming a democracy. The day kicks off with the famous military parade down the Champs-Élysées, and you can expect fabulous fireworks displays around the Eiffel Tower at night.
Another festivity is the Nuits des Étoiles (early August), three nights dedicated to astronomy and stargazing that occur annually in Paris’s most beautiful observatories. Experts will be on hand to meet the public, lead the stargazing, and answer questions. The events are free and open to the public of all ages, a great place to bring the budding astronomers in your family!
If you’re looking to rent near the Champ de Mars, take a look at this one-bedroom vacation rental in Les Invalides. This stylish loft, located on the top floor of a classic Haussmannian building with an elevator, offers both charm and comfort for two guests. Hardwood floors and exposed wood details add warmth throughout the room, while large sliding wooden doors separate the bedroom from the living and dining area. The open kitchen comes fully equipped, perfect for preparing a meal before heading out for a picnic near the Eiffel Tower. The modern bathroom features a walk-in shower, a washing machine and a dryer.
This accommodation sits in the elegant Invalides district, one of Paris’ most refined neighborhoods. Stroll along Rue Cler, a cobbled market just 500 meters away, explore the open-air market on Avenue de Saxe (900 meters), or take a walk to the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars. For exploring the rest of the city, the La Tour Maubourg metro station (line 8) is just 250 meters away.
Experience Paris’s Summer nights with Light and Water Shows
Summer in Paris isn’t just about sunny afternoons; the city comes alive at night with some spectacular events. Two must-see experiences will elevate your summer evenings: Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes at the Château de Versailles and AURA at Les Invalides.
On select Saturday nights (from mid-June to early September), the gardens of Versailles come alive with Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes. The historic fountains dance to music while hundreds of lights illuminate the gardens, sculptures, and pathways. A spectacular fireworks show over the Grand Canal marks the evening’s conclusion, making it a memorable excursion just outside of Paris. It’s the perfect way to pair French history with a summer evening under the stars.
Back in central Paris, AURA at Les Invalides is an immersive light and sound show inside one of the city’s most iconic monuments. Using projections and music, the experience brings to life the grand architecture of the Dome Church (home to Napoleon’s tomb) in a way that feels both historic and futuristic. Shows take place on select evenings during the summer, and tickets often sell out quickly.
Both events offer a chance to see Paris’ landmarks in a whole new light and are a must for anyone looking to make their summer nights in the City of Lights unforgettable.
In fact, why not rent a Paris furnished apartment for a month or more to ensure you get the most out of summer in Paris? With celebrations, music, sports, and the ability to spend a virtually unlimited amount of time outdoors in the fresh air, you won’t want to miss a thing. Prepare to have the ultimate summer in Paris by planning your trip today!
.
Leave a Reply