Paris heatwaves dampen tourism, but autumn outlook remains bright

Paris, known for its romantic charm, has taken a hit from the recent heatwaves, with tourist numbers plummeting by 7.2% in July compared to the same period last year.

Summer exodus accelerates

As temperatures soared, Parisians fled the city in droves for their summer holidays, hastening the traditional exodus. The heat also led to a 1.4% decrease in overnight stays in June compared to the previous year, a trend that continued into July.

New attractions emerge

However, the heatwaves have also brought unexpected benefits, with the Seine River and other waterways attracting record numbers of swimmers, including 13% international visitors in 2025. The Canal Saint Martin's recent opening for swimming has been a major draw, generating over 1,300 online articles this year alone.

Autumn promises a comeback

Looking ahead, the Paris tourism sector is expected to bounce back in the autumn, with an estimated 3.2 million visitors projected to arrive between August and October, a 3.2% increase compared to 2025. The return of students, coupled with a packed cultural calendar and major events like concerts by PLK, Jay-Z, and Celine Dion, will contribute to the uptick in tourism.

Business Travel is also set to recover, with professional meetings in October anticipated to boost air arrivals by 5.8% compared to 2025. Paris je t'aime has been quick to adapt, promoting the city's new attractions and developments, which seems to be reinvigorating interest in the City of Light.