Vicki Lesage, Author: Paris in July: Looking Ahead to August

It's been a blast being part of "Paris in July" this month. I've talked about ice cream, flip flops, the Marais, Bastille Day, and writing in Paris. And bloggers around the world have joined in to celebrate all that is Paris. Now as July ends and August begins, what is Paris like?

Paris in August is a unique phenomenon. It's both empty and crowded. Loud and quiet. Parisian and not Parisian. It passes slowly but is over with before you know it, and then it's back to the hustle and bustle of work. You have to enjoy it while it lasts!

Empty

A good percentage of the workforce is on vacation in August. If you're stuck at work, it will be really quiet. If you're traveling around town, it will seem like nearly everything is closed. Even the local bounlangerie will take a few weeks off, forcing you to walk a few steps further to discover a new boulangerie in your neighborhood. That could be a good or bad thing. I love my boulangerie and don't like any other ones nearby (I'm picky) so when mine is closed, I'm lost.

Crowded

In contrast to the emptiness left by fleeing, vacationing Parisians, all the tourist spots are jam-packed. While I do enjoy certain Parisian tourist attractions, you'll never catch me there in August. You're just asking to get hot, sweaty, and pissed-off as you try to work your way through the crowds.

Beautiful

The long days lead to intense sunsets, best enjoyed during a picnic along the Seine or over a bottle of rosé anywhere with a view. Soak it in while you can - it'll be cold again soon!

Have you been to Paris in August? What was your impression?

Another View

Fellow American writer in Paris, Adria J. Cimino, is co-hosting the "Paris in July" event this year and has invited me along. She and I are writing about similar themes throughout the month, sharing our different perspectives. Here's her take on August in Paris:

The last day of July and the scent of vacation is in the air for many Parisians. With a minimum of 25 vacation days a year, Parisians traditionally take at least two weeks off in the summer – and the most popular time is August...

Read the full post here

Paris in July: Musings on the City of Light

This post is part of "Paris in July," an annual Paris-themed blogging event created by Karen at A Wondering Life and Tamara at Thyme for Tea. Join in the fun and check out their sites for awesome posts about the City of Light, contributed from bloggers around the world!