Paris in either August or December w/ young kids

The only thing I can think of is that Paris is in fact quite crowded at Chtistmastime. Yes, lots of Parisians go to visit family elsewhere, but it seems that more tourists come here to make up the difference.

It seems to me that your sense of being able to take advantage of outdoor space with the little ones in summer gives August a slight edge while they are this young. Do be sure to reserve a place that you are SURE has functioning a/C if you do end up deciding to come then. You may not end up needing it, but it will pay for itself in sanity maintenance for you if you need it!!

P.s. I'm pretty sure your lodging will be slightly cheaper in August. Tiny difference! Just that rates will be high at Christmas.

I visited over Christmas vacation one year, and I can confer, many of the major tourist sites were very crowded. Restaurants within the inner arondisements were also packed.

I wouldn't worry about the weather too much. Paris has a maritime climate and rarely gets especially cold. Every park I encountered was open and full of people, if not in full bloom.

Paris also puts on a particularly impressive, but tasteful light display for the Christmas holidays. No giant inflatable snowglobes, but stylish arrangements that augment the city, rather than drowning it in schlock.

Find yourself an air-conditioned hotel and go in early August. Nothing much will be closed during this time - rather, most businesses close during the latter half of the month.
Apartments normally do not have air-conditioning, so if you're used to using it, you will be miserable in August.

It won't be "cool" in December - it will be downright cold and most likely wet.
Not a good time for kids or adults to be outside, especially during flu season.
The days are very short, which might put a crimp in your activities.

I'd definitely vote for early August.
Just plan to bring shorts and t-shirts and you'll be OK.

I would go in August. I do not think that any of the uniqueness of Paris is lost just because some locals are on vacation that month. It could be hot for sure but that is what AC is for. I personally love the heat and rarely use AC and everyone beside me in my household loves cold weather better. But we all agree on August because no one likes cold wet weather and from what we have seen from our visits to Paris in November and December, there is a very good chance that it will be wet. From what I have seen, the lowest prices for hotel rooms in Paris are in August and mid November to mid December, with August being a bit lower.

I too would vote for early August with a hotel or apartment with air conditioning or at least fans (plural). If you go in early August you'll be able to take advantage of the festivities Paris puts on for local people who remain in the city and don't go away for holiday. The area and activities we like the best are located along the Basin de la Villette near Canal St. Martin. It will be advertised along with the Paris Plage along the Seine. In addition to the central area's lovely regular parks, like Luxembourg Gardens, these special plages (beaches) are really popular with families.

I'd pick August as well, because of your kids, although it's my least favorite month. Been there many, many times in August and it has often been in the high 90s - low 100s and high humidity. Miserable for sightseeing. A/C very important but no help when you're out and about surrounded by concrete. But being able to be outside at parks for your kids would be my priority, and staying daylight til 10:30 ish pm a bonus with kids. The Luxembourg Gardens has an amazing playground they will enjoy. As well as marionette shows, donkey rides, carousel... two cafés and bathrooms. Oh, and ice cream and crêpe stands 😊

Well, here is a lone voice for Paris at Christmas time. I have twice been there in late December into early January and found the weather better than at home, but then I live in Montreal. There are so many things that kids would enjoy, from the ice skating rinks at Hotel de Ville and the Tour Eiffel to the fascinating and fun windows of the big department stores on Boul. Haussmann. Father Christmas/St. Nicholas/Santa Claus patrols just outside the stores, as well. There is a Ferris wheel at Pl. de la Concorde, which I have never been on (sigh) but surely kids would love it. The Christmas market on the Champs Élysées is fun but maybe not for the two year old, unless he is exceedingly precocious indeed.

Anyway, if it seems that the trip can take place only in .December, do not despair ..... chilly weather is miles better than a heat wave.

I agree that the Parisian store windows and other Christmas decorations are wonderful for kids, and Paris is beautiful this time of year. However from several viewings of the public ice skating rinks, I didn't see many small children (just a lot of energetic teens). I don't know if your kids can ice skate, but if not this would not be an option for them (other than to observe). The parks, banks of Seine, boat rides, outdoor cafes, street markets, and other seasonal outdoor entertainment, all point to August being the best time for your young family to enjoy Paris -- planning for possible heat, of course.

Traveling with small kids you really do have to organize around their capabilities and comfort. I dislike travel in hot weather but for little kids and Paris I would want to be spending most of my time in the parks and gardens and would choose August. It is also a relatively cheap time for hotels (Christmas is high season for apartments and hotels). Dragging little kids around Paris in the rain doesn't seem like much fun and while Paris is a great winter city for adults, what are you going to do with small kids on chilly cold days in Paris?

Well, if going to Paris in August with children means you should/would spend most of your time in parks and gardens, you may as well stay home, where there are also parks and gardens.

Thanks for all of the replies thus far. While we aren't spending (nor should we) all of our time at parks/gardens, I do think they offer a great temporary alternative or break to a day. I believe my gut instinct of August probably is the best bet. I just wanted to hear it from a few others :-)

Christmas in Paris is on high on our list and I think we will do this down the road when the youngest is a little older. Weather will almost always be a crap shoot most places in August or December so one way or another, we are rolling the dice and will plan accordingly.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I will most likely post additional questions and topics as our definite plans start to take shape.

Have a good one!

Norma -- yeah when you have small kids you really should drag them through museums and things you want to do because hey they are just luggage. With kids it is a good idea to design a trip that works for kids. But then I once went to Paris and spent an entire week going to a different park every day and reading. If you think visiting Parks in Paris is just like home, you haven't spent much time in Paris.

Christmas in Paris is great -- not so much for a two year old -- but there are a fair number of activities like the Christmas markets with their amusement park rides and bouncy houses and such that are fun for kids so Christmas is not a terrible time to go. But with small kids I would want to go in good weather so outdoor kids activities could be a part of every day.

I agree that a 2 yr old is mostly "luggage".. ( sounds heartless but it does fit) .. however an 8 yr old can be a vocal participant and that can be good if she/he is happy.. and very bad if they are bored and miserable.

I vote August.. the Paris Plage will be on then and that's fun for kids that age. I would take a picnic down there in early evening if it is hot and everyone enjoys themselves.. and btw this is WHERE the locals with kids go on hot afternoons.. so you will be mingling with the many many locals who can not afford to go away in August.. ( and is one of the primary reasons the Paris Plage exists.. its not for the tourists but for the locals!)

Hi,

If you're dealing with the weather factor, going in early August is the same as going in July as regards to the heat. No experience in the winter, but in 2011 I rendezvoused with my 10 year grandson in Paris, then we all four took the TGV to Perpignan, then transfered from Perpignan to Collioure where we reserved small hotel. ....all very nice, no problems with the train travel back and forth, the heat, etc. For your family I vote for going in August to Paris.

I've been in Paris in both August and in late December/early January. With the ages of your children I would definitely choose August. You never know what the weather will be from one year to the next, but our August visit the weather was quite nice - in the 70's at the highest. On the other hand, the 10 nights we were there in the winter it was freezing. Literally. The warmest it ever got was 33 degrees. The Eiffel Tower was closed past the first level due to freezing temperatures. Daylight hours are quite long in August and quite short in December. The 2 year old will mostly just be along for the ride, but there will be more to keep that child happy, such as parks, in the nicer weather.

Paris Plage is from July 20 to 21 August 2017. Most of the activities will be centered at Basin de la Villette. The rest of it is just a place to sit and eat ice cream along the Seine.

I concur that August would probably be better. It gets dark super early in December. I think you will enjoy the outdoors much better in August.