August in Europe

Most of my favorite restaurants are closed in August in Paris. If you're a foodie and restaurant dining is going to be a highlight of your trip, going in August is not good. There's plenty of restaurants open that cater to tourists, though, and the sights stay open, so the only issues you may encounter in August is the heat and the crowds.

On the other hand August is when the International Festival is in full swing in Edinburgh and the heather is blooming in the highlands! Pam

My first trip to Paris was in August and we didn't have any problems with things being closed. That isn't to say that no restaurants will be closed, but plenty will be open and you will not starve.

august closing are not as extensive as they used to be,, in the smaller mom and pop places that may close do so now sometimes for only 2 o 3 weeks instead of whole month. No tourist sites close , and not all nicer restaurants close( if you have one in particular you are interested in, just google for the website( they all seem to have them now) and check for closing dates. You will see many will still be open, or if closed, not for whole month.

I find hotel rates are cheaper in August (in Paris)as the business travel is down,, rates surge up again in September for opposite reason.

Heat in southern parts( Rome) can be sweltering, and I would never choose to go back to Rome in July or August , but places like Paris and London, its completely unpredictable, I have been in Paris during killer heat waves, but also, ( 2 yrs ago to be exact Aug10-20 2007th) weather was cool and rainy most of my 9 day visit!

Anyways, point is, the closures will not affect you in the least,, unless , as noted you are a foodie who plans on specific restos.

I've been in Paris in August, and some of the smaller, family-run places (restaurants, bakeries) were closed since the families were on vacation, but that was all that I noticed.

On another note, a lot of places will be crowded, since it seems that all Europeans go on vacation in August. So I'd be more prepared for crowds than for places being closed.

As said above, in Paris you will be fine. Where are you planning to be in France? If it's a high tourist area, you may be there with all Europeans who are on holiday then.

Thanks for your comments. We will be in Europe for July and some of August and I wanted to know if we should plan NOT to be in certain areas of Europe in August, but it sounds as if it is not as crucial as I thought it might be as far as closings. But the crowds may be an issue regardless, and we will just consider that a part of the experience of learning about the people as well as the places we are visiting.

It is helpful to us if you tell us which countries and when and not just "Europe".

Each country has its own school vacation schedules and its own traditions about summer vacation, closing of tourist spots, etc. For example, nothing would close down in Germany in August. In fact in some states, they may be back in school in August. I don't know about Italy, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, Portugal, etc.

The prime vacation time is more like mid-July to mid-August in France. Avoid summer vacation hot-spots--ie the coast--like the plague. People come back to the city after mid-August, since the kids need to get ready for school.

I avoid Paris in August like the plague!
It just does not have the same vibe as it does the rest of the year. Yes all the tourist spots are open but it is just filled with tourists EVERYWHERE.

Also to be avoided is the Cote d'Azur...it is packed with French holiday makers...You
would not believe the traffic. A friend who went to Carcassonne in August said it was like Disneyland. Remember that not only are the French on their long vacations but so is everyone else in Europe. The coast of Spain is another place to avoid in August. And wherever you are going, be sure to book in advance!

Gee Maryann, I have been in June and September too,, and oddly all the tourist sites are just as "filled with tourists everywhere" as August,, in fact, my opinion is it is quieter in August sometimes.

I think to really take advantage of it not being high tourist season one should go in Oct. Nov. Jan , Feb , or March,, the rest of the months are either busy, starting to get busy, or just coming down from being busy.. LOL

The schools here in France close for the whole of July and August. People tend to have their holidays in one of those months. The weekend to avoid in France is the one at the end of July / beginning of August (known as the changeover weekend). You will see traffic jams of epic proportions. Traditionally, everyone heads for "the coast". We are always the only hotel in THIS town to be open in August.

Roger Bruton

http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr