How To Beat the Crowds in Paris

Paris’ peak tourist season runs from late May through August, bringing a wealth of festivities from the French Open and Paris Plages (when temporary beaches and swimming areas are installed along the city’s waterways) to the Fête de la Musique (a major annual music festival). Unfortunately, it also brings monumental crowds, high prices, and soaring temperatures. Not to mention the fact that, in France, August means vacation, and many shops and restaurants close for the season. Instead, the best times to visit Paris are during the spring and autumn, which bring cooler temperatures and fewer summer vacation visitors.

Insider tip: Not averse to frosty temperatures? The cold months are the quietest time of all—and winter tours of Paris help make the season convivial.

Let’s face it: There’s pretty much never a time when the Louvre—aka the world’s most visited museum—is quiet. Ditto for Paris’ other top-tier museums. But that doesn’t mean your visiting experience has to be a stressful one. Instead, make navigating even the busiest galleries simpler by exploring with a personal guide. Whether you need help finding your way to masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo or want to avoid wasting time in long ticket lines, many private tours at the Louvre (as well as at the Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou) offer priority entry and a personal guide to steer you past the fellow onlookers.

Only want to stay on the Champs-Élysées? Looking at hotels right next to the Eiffel Tower? Planning to book a room in the heart of the Latin Quarter? While spending the night right next to the city’s most popular monuments or in its busiest neighborhoods can be convenient, it also guarantees crowds (and higher prices to match). Instead, discover a more local side of Paris when you stay in one of its outlying neighborhoods. Head to vibrant Belleville and explore the area on a street art tour, try the foodie-friendly 11th arrondissement, or explore the well-heeled 17th Arrondissement. You won’t just enjoy the relative calm—you’ll also discover local secrets in Paris.

Insider tip: If you're wary of venturing too far off the tourist trail, traveling on the Metro is an affordable, convenient, and time-saving way to get around, no matter where you’re based.

If summer is Paris’ primetime, weekends are also, unsurprisingly, typically the busiest days at the city’s top monuments and attractions. Making the simple swap of exploring on a weekday—preferably early in the day—is one way to ensure you’ll be accompanied by fewer crowds. The Eiffel Tower recommends visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday; Tuesdays and Wednesdays are also typically the quietest days at the newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral, and you can skip the worst of the crowds at the Palace of Versailles by exploring on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Speaking of those top Paris attractions: While visiting on a weekday is a good start, securing your tickets in advance is even better. Particularly at landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, where lines to purchase tickets can be hours-long, prebooked entry lets you bypass all that hassle and head right in. It’s also worth thinking ahead when booking popular Paris activities such as Seine river cruises and Moulin Rouge shows. Additionally, many Parisian restaurants prioritize reservations over walk-ins, which can get snapped up several weeks in advance—be sure to get your bookings in early to avoid disappointment.

Insider tip: Local resources such as Le Fooding can be a great way to discover restaurants and bars you’d otherwise miss.

Paris is home to a wealth of internationally renowned monuments and attractions. But those sights are also likely to be some of the busiest in town. To plan a crowd-free Paris itinerary for busy seasons, explore its “dupe” destinations and other lesser-known attractions. Swap the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) for the elegant Monceau Park (Parc Monceau); head to the Marmottan Monet Museum instead of the Musée d’Orsay; and stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin in lieu of the ever-crowded Seine. Both to escape the crowds and experience the city’s breadth, it’s well worth going beyond the heavy-hitters.

Paris has been known as La Ville Lumière—the City of Light—since the early 19th century, when it installed gas lamps to illuminate its streets after dark. Today, it’s still true that the city is at its most atmospheric after sunset, while the comparable lack of crowds makes nighttime sightseeing an excellent off-peak activity in Paris. Whether you choose to explore on an evening walking tour, admire the views from an open-top bus, or even travel by vintage Citroën 2CV, there are many ways to experience Paris’ late-night beauty.

Speaking of off-peak sightseeing, here’s some Paris travel advice for you: Avoid rush hour at all costs. L’Heure de Pointe, as it’s known here, generally occurs on weekdays between 8–10am and from 5–7pm, and it can make navigating the Métro and city buses a particularly packed and unpleasant experience. Instead, steer clear of rush hour and find other ways to explore. Waiting out the rush hour is a great excuse to find a people-watching perch at a local café, relax with a good book in a city park, book a walking tour, or venture into a museum.

Sometimes, the best way to escape the crowds in Paris is to escape Paris altogether. Thanks to the city’s six major train stations and affordable public transit, planning a countryside day trip is both easy and wallet-friendly. You can venture out to historic marvels such as the Château de Fontainebleau (an underrated château that’s much less crowded than Versailles), head to Reims to admire the UNESCO–listed Reims Cathedral and embark on a Champagne tour, or follow in the footsteps of the Impressionists in the quaint town of Barbizon. You won’t just enjoy a more peaceful experience—you’ll discover a whole new side of the region.