What to Do in Paris When the City Empties Out in August

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Paris tourist season may range from mid-April through to the end of summer, but anyone who’s spent the dog days of August in the City of Lights will tell you that the city is a little more subdued at this time. A lot of Parisians go on vacation, and many shops and businesses will shut down for the entire month.

That’s why travel vlogger Jay Swanson put together this video to share a few ideas on summertime activities to get you through the heat wave and the empty streets. One big tip he recommends is having a few backups when visiting shops or restaurants, as it can be hard to find information online if somewhere is closed for the month. But most museums, like the Louvre and the Musée Rodin, are still open, as well as the majority of beautiful churches and monuments that dot each quartier. The big must-do, however, is pretty simple: grab a bottle of wine and some snacks, and find a spot along the Seine (perhaps at the Paris Plages) to picnic.

For some more specific tour guides from Jay, check out this video on Louvre life hacks, or this one on why you need to visit the Musée D’Orsay.

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