It’s almost an article of faith to assert that the city of Paris empties out for the month of August, as the population heads south for the summer holidays.

It’s not entirely true of course: some people take their holidays in July, and there are always tourists around. Nonetheless, from personal experience Paris really is much quieter in August.

I took this photo one evening last week, sitting at a pavement table sharing a pichet of rouge with the much-beloved. It’s on the Boulevard d’Hôpital, which is one of the main east-west arteries on the left bank of the Seine, in the centre of Paris. Normally there’s constant traffic and the pavements are crowded, but I was pleased to capture this moment of relative tranquility.

Last On The Card August 2026