In the first week of January, all of the big Parisian stores have their annual sales, and there are bargains galore.

In mid-January and mid-February the world-class fashion shows may crowd the city for a few days, but it's the expensive hotels, not the budget ones, that will be filled to capacity.

In July, and even more so in August, Parisians go on vacation and head south to the Riviera. This leaves some hotels and restaurants, some cafés and shops closed for up to a month, what the French call the fermeture annuelle (annual closing).

During the first two weeks in October, Paris' famous auto show brings thousands of enthusiasts to the city, booking it solid.

New Year's Eve is called Fête de St-Sylvestre in Paris. It's a night when everyone goes out for an enormous multi-course table d'hôte meal in a favorite restaurant. Places at the banquet table must be reserved in advance, and can cost as much as 100€ per person.

But what a feast! It can be difficult to find a simple, normal meal on New Year's Eve.

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When to Go to Paris