Paris in the summer

Paris in the summer; surely one of the most beautiful times to visit the city. Many of us have heard of the joys of visiting the city of lights in the spring time, yet this year Paris in April has seen plenty of rain and even some snow! The best months to visit the city are June and July. If you're looking for an authentically Parisian experience you should avoid August, when the locals pack up and head off on holiday and the city is overrun by tourists!

Here are just a few delightful ways to spend your summer in Paris:

Lounge in the Tuileries

There is simply nothing better than strolling through the Tuileries Gardens on a hot, summer's day (ice cream optional). Take a book and maybe a baguette purchased at one of the many nearby boulangeries, then find a quiet corner or a comfy bench and take in the beautiful views. It's a great spot for people watching.

Take a Walk

On a sunny day in Paris, the best thing to do is walk. It's the perfect way to see the city without pushing on to the crowded, stuffy metro carriages! Whether you plan your walk or simply pick a starting point and set off, make sure you have a street map with you in case you get lost. A lovely area for a summer's day stroll is the Ile St Louis with Notre Dame at its heart; it is a relaxed, quaint corner of the city. Head to Berthillon for some of the best ice cream you have ever tasted and then take a wander along tiny, cobbled back streets that wouldn't be out of place in the pre-revolution era - it's almost as if you've stepped back in time! Finish your afternoon with an iced coffee or glass of wine at the Cafe St Regis, a local institution and the perfect place to wind down after a long day.

Picnic at the Champs de Mars

The gardens surrounding the Eiffel Tower are the perfect spot for a romantic picnic a deux. You don't even need to pack your ingredients in advance - with so many tiny patisseries selling the most tempting cakes and boulangeries offering every kind of sandwich you could dream of, a picnic in Paris is a foodie's dream! Some sandwiches, cakes and a bottle of local wine could set you back just a few Euros and if you can tear your eyes off each other, you'll have one of the most romantic views in the city!

Don't forget to pack comfy shoes, floaty summer dresses and of course your travel insurance documents when you head to Paris, particularly if you're travelling alone. But most of all, get practicing your French and be ready to say 'Bonjour, Paris!'