Paris Is Always A Good Idea Said Audrey Hepburn - Indeed It Is Even In A Scorching Heatwave - J'Adore x
Laura MarianiShare
ThePeopleAlchemist - Edit: J'ai deux amours Londres et Paris, par eux toujours mon cœur est ravi
"Paris is always a good idea".We all know this famous quote from Audrey Hepburn, but is this true for the summer too? Even in a scorching heatwave? I mean, summer in France means a looooong holiday (for the French) and nothing else gets done, right? Well, you'll be surprised... Paris is visually stunning, an open-air architectural vision and in the sunshine is even more breath-taking. Summer brings out the best in Paris—long days and nights when you can enjoy walking out and about, stunning views, the outdoors whilst perhaps sipping cocktails on elegant terraces, dining al fresco. Even a picnic while taking in a movie en plain air. There are many gorgeous parks in Paris from big (Bois de Vincennes, Bois de Boulogne, Buttes-Chaumont, Parc Floral, Parc de la Villette, Parc de Belleville), to elegant (Palais-Royal, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardins des Plantes), to the in-between (Parc Monceau, Parc Montsouris). Each charming in its own way and hosting various summer events that pair well with picnic time. In some, you can spread out on the grass. Others provide lounge chairs and/or benches like Luxembourg and the Palais-Royal..)
If you like to have fun, between June and August you can find the Fête des Tuileries (in the Tuileries gardens), an outdoor free-entry family fair with rides and games. Including the famous Ferris wheel. And a French double-decker carousel. And, of course, with traditional super yummy French snacks like crepes and barbe à papa.
In the Parc de la Villette, there is a month-long Cinema en Plein Air festival featuring the city's biggest movie screen perfect with some delicious food and a bottle of wine watching a movie whilst the sun sets - films start around 8:30 pm with free admission (deck chair and blanket rentals are available for around €7).
J'ADORE
You can also enjoy Paris's monuments and bridges from a boat on the Seine. A tour on Les Bateaux Mouches lasts approximately two and six hours and offers everything from sightseeing with commentary to a glass of Champagne. Or a gourmet meal served on white linen. You can either book everything online as you do, or you can go to the Pont Neuf.
The Bateaubus, an hop on and off the water taxi, operates 7 days a week, leaving every 20 minutes from nine stops around Paris (Le Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Champs-Elysées, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Notre Dame, and the Jardin des Plantes.), €17 for one day.
Also, every summer, Paris turns into a seaside resort and welcomes Paris Plages. In the new Parc Rives de Seine, sun loungers and palm trees pop up just by the edge of the water.
For the shoppers, how could I forget shopping? Paris's legendary flea markets with treasures for every budget plus every boutique and department store in Paris has super anticipated sales. The dates of the large nationwide sales in France are regulated and determined by central administration. There are just two main periods to look out for – winter (soldes d’hiver) in January/February and summer (soldes d’été) in June/July with discounts anywhere from 20 to 60 per cent off retail prices.
Of course, then there are plenty of exhibitions too...
A short Paris break in the summer means enjoying the monuments and exhibitions, the city culture, the outdoors, the river, enjoying Parisian life and its summer traditions WITH the Parisians and the food, aaaah the food, glorious, delicious food...
