August 10, 2011 by Erica Berman
August. An ideal time to be in Paris, as long as you don’t expect endless days of sunny hot weather or being able to work on the perfect tan. Yes, as the current season has shown, Parisian summer weather can be unpredictable! Being in Paris in August is still fabulous (and my favorite month of the year by far), as long as you don’t need to:
• Receive medical attention of any kind…
• Get a haircut
• Order furniture
• Perform administrative tasks
• Renovate your apartment or fix a small leak
Picnicing at La Villette before a movie
As of July 1, the French are either on vacation, planning vacation or dreaming of vacation. When August 1 rolls around, they are pretty much all truly en vacances (if not physically, at least mentally). Nothing serious is possible in Paris before September and la rentrée. One must know this and plan accordingly.
You can forget about ordering the new couch you’ve been coveting anytime between July 1 and Sept 1. “Oh là là Madame… the factory where the couches are manufactured is closed until the end of August! Zut, alors the 6-8 week delay will bring you to at least mid- October before delivery can be made.”
You can try to get to the dentist to repair the filling that inconsiderately fell out over dinner. Another chorus of “Oh là là Madame, ze dentist is on vacation and will be back September 1.” Continue Reading »
Posted in Events, Parisian Living | 7 Comments »
July 14, 2010 by Genevieve Sandifer
I love Paris in August. Although it gets a little steamy at times, the city empties out of its usual crowds of Parisians as everyone jaunts off to their country homes for the traditional 4-week summer holiday. A strange calm descends over the slanted rooftops and all of a sudden, I don’t have to fight for a seat at a sunny terrace in the middle of the afternoon in St. Germain.
What’s more, Haven in Paris is offering some pretty amazing special offers in some of our most in-demand flats this year, just in time for a last-minute break in Paris — when the city is at its most relaxed.
Keen to wander down car-free cobble stone streets? The Marais has some of Paris best shopping, food and cafés — the best of which Amy Thomas recently blogged about here.
How about living right on the Place des Vosges — one of Paris’ oldest places and a fabulous place for strolling, napping in the sun and, of course, people-watching. Just a 10-minute walk to the Ile St Louis, Notre Dame and some delicious Berthillon gelato on the banks of the Seine. Continue Reading »
Posted in Homes, Parisian Living | 4 Comments »
August 3, 2009 by Tory Hoen
August in Paris is all about slowing down and appreciating life’s little pleasures. In other words, you have an excuse to do absolutely nothing. In that spirit, the Forum des Images invites you to sit back and let them do the work, as they bring classic and contemporary films to you — for free!
The much awaited 9th annual Cinéma au Clair de Lune festival runs from August 5th-23rd and takes place in various arrondissements throughout Paris. The festival’s outdoor film projections take advantage of Paris’ naturally cinematic backdrops, and all films are free and open to the public. The 2009 film line-up spans époques and locations, featuring classic films and futuristic thrillers. This year’s festival is dedicated to Claude Berri, the famed French director, writer, and producer who died in January of this year. The festival kicks off with a screening of Jacques Becker’s Casque d’Or and includes a diverse selection of films, most of which are set in Paris or France. Continue Reading »
Posted in Arts, Parisian Living, Travel | No Comments »
