Summer in Paris hits differently. The days are long, café chairs spill onto the pavement, and the whole city feels like one giant open-air party. Whether you're cooling off in shaded gardens, sipping drinks on a rooftop terrace, or cruising down the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in full glow, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your summer vacation. With your Paris Pass in hand, you’ll beat the queues, soak up the sun, and explore at your own pace. Here are 20 top things to do in Paris this summer—light on stress, heavy on joy.
Cruise the Seine with Bateaux Parisiens
Normal price: €19.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
When the sun’s out, there’s no better way to see Paris than from the water. The Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise gives you front-row views of riverside icons like Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower—all while you stay cool and relaxed. The glass-roofed boats offer shade and breeze, making this a smart mid-afternoon break from pavement pounding. It’s great for photos, and the onboard commentary gives just the right amount of history without overloading you. Bonus points if you time it for golden hour—it’s peak Paris summer vibes.
Climb the Eiffel Tower (the active way)
Normal price: €39.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Booking required
Summer’s the season to move—and the Eiffel Tower Guided Climb is the ultimate leg-day-with-a-view. You’ll take the stairs up the first two levels of the Iron Lady, pausing for breath (and photos) as Paris stretches out beneath you. It’s surprisingly doable and very satisfying, with a friendly guide to keep you motivated along the way. Once you’ve earned those panoramic views, treat yourself to a gelato from one of the nearby stands on the Champs de Mars. It’s Paris sightseeing with a twist—and way fewer elevator queues.
Stroll through the Tuileries Garden
Free entry | Daily until 9 PM in summer
Nothing says Paris in summer like a lazy walk through the Tuileries Garden. Located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, it’s all about shaded pathways, striped lawn chairs, and people-watching par excellence. You’ll pass fountains, flowerbeds, and maybe even a pop-up art installation or two. Grab an iced coffee, find a chair near the octagonal pond, and let the city buzz around you. It’s the ideal pre-museum reset or post-lunch pause. If you’re travelling with kids, the carousel and summer fairground rides are an added bonus.
Discover Monet’s water lilies at the Orangerie Museum
Normal price: €12.50 | Included with the Paris Pass
Paris Museum Pass · Booking required
When the heat kicks in, step into the cool calm of the Orangerie Museum, where Monet’s water lilies stretch across two light-filled oval rooms designed to feel like a peaceful escape from the city. It’s compact, air-conditioned, and completely beautiful—especially in summer when the light streaming in enhances every pastel brushstroke. Located right in the Tuileries, it’s the perfect cultural interlude between garden walks and café stops. Don’t skip the lower galleries either—Renoir, Modigliani and Matisse are waiting.
Chill out on the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette
Chill out on the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette
Free entry | Open daily until late
Yes, you can shop here—but the rooftop at Galeries Lafayette is the real summer draw. With panoramic views over the Paris rooftops and a prime sightline to the Eiffel Tower, it’s one of the city’s best free hangouts. The terrace often hosts pop-up bars, DJ sets, or casual food counters, and there’s plenty of space to snap photos, sip drinks, or just soak it all in. It’s relaxed, breezy, and a great way to cap off a long day of walking without committing to a full-on rooftop bar.
Bike through the city with a Paris Pass rental
Normal price: €25.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Summer and cycling go hand in hand—and with a 1-day bike rental or 2-hour electric bike option included in your Paris Pass, you’ve got the perfect excuse to explore on two wheels. Cruise along the Seine, pedal through the Latin Quarter, or ride all the way to the Bois de Boulogne for a shaded picnic break. The city is packed with bike lanes and scenic routes, and on Sundays many main roads close to cars entirely. Add a baguette and a few cheese wedges to your basket and you’re practically Parisian.
Lounge on the sand at Paris Plages
Not included with the Paris Pass
Free | Mid-July to late August
You don’t need to leave Paris to hit the beach. Every summer, the city transforms parts of the Seine’s riverbanks into Paris Plages—pop-up beaches complete with deck chairs, umbrellas, palm trees, and even misting stations. It’s playful, sunny, and completely free. Locals come to sunbathe, read, or play pétanque while kids splash in fountains and snack stalls sell ice cream. You’ll find the main locations near Hôtel de Ville and along the Bassin de la Villette. It’s the ultimate chill zone without leaving town.
Take in the view from Tour Montparnasse
Normal price: €25.50 | Included with the Paris Pass
Booking recommended
When the sun sets late and the sky turns gold, head to the top of Tour Montparnasse for a sweeping view of Paris at its finest. From the 56th-floor observation deck—or the open-air terrace—you’ll see landmarks dotting the skyline, with the Eiffel Tower front and centre. It’s cooler in the evenings and less crowded than other viewpoints, and the light is perfect for photos. Grab a drink at the rooftop café, or just take a moment to watch the city glow. It’s a surprisingly peaceful break from the summer bustle below.
Browse Marché Bastille
📍Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 11th arrondissement
🕐 Thursdays & Sundays, 7am–2:30pm
💸 Free to browse
Summer = market mornings. And Marché Bastille is one of Paris’s best. It’s big, lively, and packed with stalls selling sun-ripened peaches, juicy tomatoes, crusty bread, and every cheese imaginable. There’s also a fantastic street food section, so you can build your own open-air brunch on the spot. Browse with a coffee in hand, chat with vendors, and maybe pick up a straw hat or summer scarf while you’re at it. Pro tip: Sundays are the most festive, and the energy is pure Paris.
Take a chilled day trip to Versailles
Normal price: €21.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Paris Museum Pass · Booking required
Versailles in summer is less about palatial grandeur and more about picnics by the canal, shady bike rides, and long walks in the sculpted gardens. With fewer crowds early in the day, you’ll breeze through the Hall of Mirrors before heading outside to soak up the sunshine. Rent a rowboat, lounge under a tree with a baguette, or visit Marie Antoinette’s rustic retreat. It’s the ideal low-key summer day out—only 40 minutes from central Paris but worlds away in pace and scenery.
Make your own scent at the Fragonard Perfume Workshop
Make your own scent at the Fragonard Perfume Workshop
Normal price: €35.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Booking required
Looking for a break from the heat and crowds? Step into the cool, elegant world of Fragonard for a hands-on perfume workshop. You’ll learn the basics of fragrance design and leave with your very own custom blend—perfect as a personal souvenir or thoughtful gift. The space is sleek and air-conditioned, and the vibe is creative without being intimidating. Plus, the boutique stocks dreamy soaps and scents if you’re in the mood for more. It’s a relaxed way to spend a summer afternoon, especially if you’re in need of a calm, fragrant reset.
Enjoy a night at the Louvre
Normal price: €23.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Open late Fridays until 9:45 PM
Summer evenings in Paris are long—and the Louvre makes the most of it with Friday night openings. Skip the daytime rush and explore its legendary halls in cooler temps and quieter conditions. Whether you’re gazing at the Mona Lisa, marvelling at ancient sculptures, or just soaking up the palace vibes, the museum feels different after dark—softer, slower, and a bit more cinematic. The pyramid glows as you exit, making it a magical end to your day. Bonus: many restaurants nearby offer late dinners, so you don’t have to rush.
Sip Champagne in Montmartre
Normal price: €21.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Warm night? Head up to Montmartre for a glass of bubbly and a pastry pairing as part of the Champagne Gourmand experience. You’ll sip your way through French fizz while perched in one of Paris’s most picturesque hilltop neighbourhoods. It’s light, fun, and a great prelude to an evening walk past Sacré-Cœur or through the winding village streets below. In summer, Montmartre comes alive after dark—musicians in the square, painters lingering at their easels, and sunsets that turn everything gold. This little tasting session is your stylish way in.
See the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the Seine
Free from most bridges or riverbanks
Every night on the hour after sunset, the Eiffel Tower sparkles—and summer is the perfect time to see it. Grab a spot along the Seine near Pont Alexandre III, Trocadéro, or Champ de Mars and watch the show with locals and visitors alike. Bring snacks or a bottle of wine and you’ve got yourself a no-frills picnic with world-class ambience. It’s romantic, easy, and iconic without trying too hard. No ticket needed—just show up, look up, and enjoy.
Let the kids loose at Jardin d’Acclimatation
Entry from €7; rides extra
Travelling with kids? You’ll win summer vacation in their eyes with a visit to the Jardin d’Acclimatation. This leafy amusement park near the Bois de Boulogne mixes vintage rides, splash zones, pony rides, mini rollercoasters, and shady picnic areas. It’s the kind of place that feels delightfully retro, with enough modern updates to keep everyone happy (read: good snacks and lots of benches). Summer also means extended hours and special events, from puppet shows to mini-concerts. Grown-ups will love the nearby Louis Vuitton Foundation too—hello, air-conditioned art break.
Explore street art in the 13th arrondissement
Explore street art in the 13th arrondissement
Free and walkable any time
Trade the usual museum crawl for something edgier: the open-air street art gallery of the 13th arrondissement. Massive murals wrap around apartment blocks, warehouses, and side streets, thanks to years of curated urban art projects. Artists like Shepard Fairey and Invader have left their mark here, turning the neighbourhood into a bold, colourful backdrop for summer walks. Grab a cold drink and spend an hour or two just wandering. It’s a great way to see a lesser-known part of Paris—and your camera roll will thank you.
Sip a French apéro in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Normal price: €19.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
French Apéro Experience
Nothing says summer in Paris like an early evening apéro—a pre-dinner ritual involving drinks, snacks, and people-watching. This included Saint-Germain-des-Prés apéro experience gets you a spritz or glass of wine alongside classic nibbles like tapenade, saucisson, or fromage. The atmosphere is charming and relaxed, and you’re right in one of the city’s most elegant neighbourhoods. From here, it’s an easy stroll to the Seine, or a perfect spot to linger and chat as golden hour lights up the cafés.
Take a chilled museum break at Musée d’Orsay
Normal price: €16.00 | Included with the Paris Pass
Paris Museum Pass · Booking required
There’s something refreshing about ducking into the Musée d’Orsay on a hot day. Housed in a former train station, its high ceilings and natural light make it an airy space to admire masterpieces from Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and more. It’s never overwhelming—just the right size for a relaxed cultural hour or two. In summer, the clock-window views over the Seine are especially pretty, and the museum café is perfect for iced coffee breaks. It’s a classic that somehow always feels cool—literally and figuratively.
Climb to Sacré-Cœur for the sunset
Free | Open daily until 10:30 PM
A short climb up Montmartre rewards you with one of the best views in Paris—and in summer, the Sacré-Cœur sunset is a rite of passage. As the sun sinks behind the rooftops, musicians play on the steps, friends clink glasses, and the golden haze makes everything feel like a film set. If you’ve got energy, climb to the dome for 360° views; if not, a picnic on the hill does the job beautifully. This one’s low-cost, high-impact, and never gets old.
Cool off at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM)
Closed Mondays
The Paris Museum of Modern Art (MAM) is a brilliant summer pick: cool, quiet, and packed with 20th-century gems from Picasso to Delaunay. Entry to the permanent collection is free, so it’s easy to pop in between strolls along the Seine or a visit to nearby Palais de Tokyo. The vibe is more laid-back than the Louvre, and the building’s design adds to the airy feel. Don’t miss the Raoul Dufy mural—it’s like stepping into a seaside dream, right in the middle of the city.
Whether you’re sipping Champagne on a terrace, cruising past landmarks on the Seine, or hunting down the best pastries from a market stall, Paris in summer is pure joy. The days are long, the vibes are high, and with your Paris Pass in hand, you’ll skip queues and dive straight into the good stuff. From rooftop views to riverside apéros, this is a city that knows how to do summer properly. So grab your sunnies, plan loosely, and let Paris surprise you—because that’s half the fun.
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