The idea of a Paris trip during the summer is nothing short of exciting, especially with so many things you can do. From exploring the Louvre Museum to experiencing a dinner cruise on the Seine River, the French capital is packed with memorable experiences that make it a popular travel destination. In fact, more tourists are geared to visit Paris this year for the Summer Olympics, with flight bookings to the city up by 125% compared with the same travel period last year.
While it’s easy to get excited about your trip, it’s still essential to make necessary preparations to ensure an unforgettable vacation. These include packing sun essentials, researching places to visit, and knowing secret gems where you can avoid crowds and cool down amidst the hot weather. That said, here are some essential tips for a summer Paris trip:
Bring sun protection
European summer heat waves caused record-breaking temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius in parts of France last year, according to the European Space Agency. This makes sun protection crucial to prevent skin and eye damage. When looking for a pair of sunglasses, it is always best to opt for an established brand. You can wear a pair of regular or prescription sunglasses like the Ray-Ban Aviator and Clubmaster classics to add a little Parisian finesse to your outfits. These sunglasses can also be fitted with polarized lenses to reduce glare and improve comfort on sunnier days. On top of that, you can put on a sun hat to provide extra coverage for the skin on your neck and ears and apply sunscreen such as the Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 offers lightweight yet maximum sun protection. That way, you can enjoy a summer Paris trip without worrying about issues like sunburn or glare.
Explore historic spots to maximize your visit
There are lots of places that you can visit during your summer trip to Paris, including the famous Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Aside from these iconic landmarks, you can also visit historic and cultural sites like Montmartre – a melting pot of creativity. Montmartre has a thriving artistic community, and it’s also served as a muse to some of the world’s most renowned artists like Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh. It also houses famous cabarets like Moulin Rouge and Le Chat Noir. Summer is the best time of the year to explore this district, as exploring the cobbled streets is more enjoyable in good weather. You can go to the Place du Tertre, where you can witness artists paint live in the outdoors and even commission personalized works to help you remember your visit.
Wear breezy clothing
Paris is a renowned fashion capital, so it’s best to keep that in mind when packing clothes for your summer trip so you can have Instagram-worthy fits. But make sure you don’t sacrifice comfort, especially since you’ll be spending most of your time exploring the many romantic spots in the city. To help you stay cool in the summer heat, you can try wearing loose and breezy yet fashionable clothing, such as the breezy linen maxi dress from Lee Matthews or a button-down shirt from E.L.V. Denim. You can also consider packing UV-protective clothing from Uniqlo to provide extra sun protection. That way, you can embody Parisian style while staying comfortable throughout your trip.
Find spots where you can cool down and relax
Exploring Paris’ many iconic landmarks can be exhausting, especially in the intense summer heat. The crowds of tourists can also add to your weariness. If that’s the case, then you can try searching for spots that can help you cool down and avoid the influx of people, such as the Buttes Chaumont Park, which is one of the biggest green spaces in Paris. You can also unwind in outdoor cafés or restaurants like Carette, where you can enjoy homemade macarons and chocolat chaud after a long day of roaming around the city.
A summer Paris trip offers an experience like no other. Be sure to follow these tips to help you have an unforgettable experience in the City of Love without succumbing to the heat.
