Best Travel Times

It is possible anywhere you go that a hotel rate in October would be more in August if there is some major event going on convention, conference, etc.

How tolerant to heat are you? I made a huge tactical error a few years ago and went to Paris in the 3rd week of August. I hit a heat wave and thought I would perish. I was out at 7 or 8A and back to my hotel in the AC by 3 in the afternoon. Temps were 95F. It was miserable because even by sunset it had not cooled off and many of the restaurants I ate in either had no or weak AC. Many museums feel like they are barely air conditioned. I had to leave one (Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine) because it was stifling.

So...I'd consider August only if heat doesn't bother you.

There were fewer crowds when I went that time of year but it was also after the 2016 terrorist attacks and Paris was suffering from decreased visits due to that (according to the taxi drivers, hotel and restaurant staff, etc).

Thanks for the insight on temps in August as I also do not do well in heat. My question about hotel rates though applied to higher rates in October then August which I thought would be just the opposite because of summer crowds.

In Paris, August is probably the very cheapest month for hotel rooms.

Any other month will be more expensive for hotel rooms in Paris than August, because Europeans generally go to the beach, mountains or countryside for August holidays rather than to big cities (that is of course a generalization).

Thanks, Pam good insight. Appreciate all the good input

As far as the heat, it could go either way. You could be unlucky, like the other poster, and have to deal with several days of high heat. On the other hand you could be lucky. I spent the whole month of August in Paris and I think maybe two days were over 90. It wasn't particularly cool, most days the temps were in the low 80's, and it rained a couple of days. I had an apartment without A/C and even then I wasn't terribly uncomfortable. The main reason I chose August was for the lower rate on the apartment i chose. I agree that the A/C in some museums and restaurants isn't like what we are used to in the US. If you don't tolerate heat well be sure to get a place with A/C so at least you will be able to get good sleep if it's really hot during the day. Your other option is to go with the higher rates for hotels in Sept and Oct.

We were there during Fashion Week two years ago. Notice no difference. Paris is big with lots of people. If there were more because of Fashion Week it was not obvious to us. Paris is busy all the time especially with conferences and events in the fall and spring. Rates may vary but I don't it is significant.

September usually has a couple (maybe more?) big trade shows. This means a high demand for rooms. It doesn't much affect tourist sights though. Maybe the expos now spill into October as well, or it could be that what is misnamed "shoulder season" is much more popular than summer.

If the hotel is posting rates and accepting reservations, those are the prices.

It can be a significant difference in rates. We have buzzed through Paris on our way elsewhere at the end of August the last two years. Then we’ve come back through in either September or October on our way home. August is bargain month for hotels because of the lack of business travelers. September, during Fashion Week, was twice the August price at Ibis. In fact, we heard the desk clerk say all hotels at CDG were full for that night. But it’s lots of business going on, not just Fashion Week.
So if you chose September or October, you should reserve early.
Temperature : we were there two years ago and agree with Pam that it was hot. However, last August was fine.

Thanks to all for your responses. You have made our travel plans a whole lot less complex. Thanks again for all the valuable info.