Cole Porter may have loved Paris in the springtime, but the summer months are an ideal time to visit the iconic French capital. From the famous 14th July celebrations, with fireworks and street parties, to summer evenings spent relaxing with a drink in one of the Parisian pavement cafes, there are plenty of reasons why the summer is the best time to hit the city of love. However, while the mid-summer heat is ideal for many, Paris is, perhaps, best enjoyed in September, when the weather is still warm, but without the blistering heat which can become oppressive in some large cities. With the ability to travel from London to Paris in under 9 hours by bus, it is a great choice for short breaks this Autumn.
The warm weather of late summer and early autumn is perfect for enjoying some of Paris’s many stunning parks and gardens. The Jardin des Tuileries is particularly beautiful at this time of year. Created by Catherine de Medici to decorate the area surrounding the Tuileries Palace, the gardens are perfect for a sunny afternoon stroll. Also set within the gardens of the Tuileries palace is the Orangerie museum, which is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. This world-renowned museum and art gallery is home to some incredible works including Claude Monet’s famous Water Lilies series, which are a must-see for any art lover.
If you visit Paris, be sure to take a trip down the River Seine on a Bateau Mouche. A Parisian river cruise allows you to sit back and see the sights of the city, and guides are available in a variety of major international languages. For a different perspective on this romantic city, an evening river cruise allows you to see Paris by night, with famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower illuminated against the dark sky. September is the ideal time to explore Paris under the cover of darkness, either by boat or on foot – it gets dark earlier than in the summer months so you won’t have to wait too long to see the city all lit up, and the evenings are still pleasantly balmy at this time of year.
This wonderful city really is on our doorstep, just a short trip across the channel from the UK. Traveling by coach is a great option if you want an affordable and hassle-free way to get to Paris. Inter-continental coach travel has undergone a complete transformation in recent years, and traveling from London to Paris by road is now a surprisingly relaxing experience. Luxury travel such as that offered by iDBUS coach trips now have more leg room and features including plug sockets and WiFi, so whether you want to surf the net or get on with some work en route to Paris, you can do so from the comfort of the coach.
While visiting Paris later in the summer or in the early autumn means you’ll miss Bastille day on July 14th, the Paris Autumn Festival (le Festival de l’Automne) more than makes up for it. Kicking off in early September, this annual festival gives the city a chance to celebrate the best of international culture, so a trip to Paris during the Festival de l’Automne might broaden your horizons even more than you expected!
French children, like those in the UK, return to school in September, meaning that Paris is more peaceful in the late summer and early autumn. Although there is just as much to see and do during high summer, if you visit later on in the season you’ll benefit from a slightly cooler, more pleasant climate and the calm that comes as the busy tourist period is winding down. With less time spent queuing to see the fantastic museums and monuments boasted by this stunning European city, September is definitely a great time to visit Paris.
