Paris, France
🇫🇷Best Time to Visit Guide

Paris

France

City of Light, timeless romance

12°C avg
10 rain days/mo
3.5 crowds
See Monthly Breakdown
Best Time to Visit
Jul – Aug
Score: 41/100 • Perfect conditions
Consider Avoiding
Nov – Dec
Score: 0/100 • Less ideal
Overall Score Scale
0
100
Climate Overview

Weather in Paris

Monthly temperature ranges and rainfall patterns to help you pack right

Jan
7°
2°
10
Feb
8°
2°
9
Mar
12°
4°
10
Apr
16°
7°
9
May
20°
10°
10
Jun
23°
13°
9
Best
Jul
25°
15°
8
Best
Aug
25°
15°
8
Best
Sep
21°
12°
9
Oct
16°
8°
10
Nov
10°
5°
11
Dec
8°
3°
11
Cool
Mild
Warm
Hot
Best months
Crowds & Prices

When to Save Money

Monthly crowd levels and price indices for Paris

Avg Crowds
3.5
Avg Prices
3.8
Quietest
Jan
Cheapest
Jan
Jan
2
Low
Feb
2
Low
Mar
3
Moderate
Apr
4
High
May
5
Very High
Jun
5
Very High
Jul
5
Very High
Aug
5
Very High
Sep
4
High
Oct
3
Moderate
Nov
2
Low
Dec
2
Low
1-2: Best value
3: Moderate
4-5: Peak season
Sweet spot month

Pro Tip

Months marked with a star offer the best balance of low crowds and affordable prices. In Paris, consider visiting in January, February, November.

Month by Month

What to Expect Each Month

Detailed month-by-month guide to help you plan the perfect trip to Paris

Low CrowdsBudget Prices

Weather

Cold and grey with occasional rain. Average 3-8°C. Short daylight hours.

Highlights

  • Post-holiday sales (soldes)
  • No queues at museums
  • Cozy cafés and wine bars
  • Winter light on Seine

Consider

  • Many outdoor attractions less enjoyable
  • Some restaurants closed early January

Packing

  • Warm coat
  • Layers
  • Umbrella
  • Comfortable waterproof shoes
Low CrowdsBudget Prices

Weather

Still cold but days lengthening. Average 4-9°C. Mix of cloudy and sunny days.

Highlights

  • Romantic atmosphere for couples
  • Chinese New Year in Marais
  • Fashion Week buzz
  • Fewer tourists

Consider

  • Weather unpredictable
  • Fashion Week inflates hotel prices

Packing

  • Winter coat
  • Scarf and gloves
  • Layers
  • Umbrella
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Spring arriving with milder days. Average 6-12°C. Cherry blossoms appear.

Highlights

  • Cherry blossoms begin
  • Outdoor cafés reopen
  • Jardin des Tuileries blooming
  • Longer daylight

Consider

  • Weather still variable
  • Easter crowds if falls in March

Packing

  • Light jacket
  • Layers
  • Umbrella
  • Walking shoes
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Pleasant spring weather. Average 8-16°C. Gardens in bloom.

Highlights

  • Paris in bloom
  • Perfect walking weather
  • Easter celebrations
  • Outdoor activities resume

Consider

  • Easter week very busy
  • April showers common

Packing

  • Light jacket
  • Umbrella
  • Layers
  • Comfortable shoes
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Beautiful late spring. Average 12-20°C. Long sunny days.

Highlights

  • Roland Garros (French Open)
  • Rooftop terraces open
  • Nuit des Musées
  • Perfect weather

Consider

  • Multiple public holidays (crowds)
  • Hotel prices rising

Packing

  • Light layers
  • Sun protection
  • Comfortable walking shoes
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Early summer warmth. Average 15-24°C. Longest days of year.

Highlights

  • Fête de la Musique (June 21)
  • Outdoor cinema season
  • Paris Jazz Festival
  • Long twilight evenings

Consider

  • Peak season beginning
  • Book everything in advance

Packing

  • Summer clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Light cardigan for evenings
Peak CrowdsPeak Prices

Weather

Hot summer. Average 17-26°C. Occasional heatwaves.

Highlights

  • Bastille Day fireworks (July 14)
  • Tour de France finale
  • Paris Plages opens
  • Outdoor events

Consider

  • Very crowded
  • Some local shops closed
  • Heatwaves possible

Packing

  • Light clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Water bottle
  • Comfortable sandals
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Peak summer heat. Average 17-26°C. Parisians on vacation.

Highlights

  • Paris Plages beach
  • Rock en Seine festival
  • Some businesses closed = less rush
  • Summer nights

Consider

  • Many local restaurants closed
  • Some neighborhoods feel empty
  • Heatwaves

Packing

  • Light clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Water bottle
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Pleasant early autumn. Average 14-22°C. City comes back to life.

Highlights

  • La Rentrée (city awakens)
  • Journées du Patrimoine
  • Perfect weather
  • Fashion Week

Consider

  • Fashion Week hotel surge
  • Back-to-school crowds

Packing

  • Light jacket
  • Layers
  • Comfortable shoes
Moderate CrowdsModerate Prices

Weather

Beautiful autumn colors. Average 10-17°C. Crisp and often sunny.

Highlights

  • Fall foliage
  • Nuit Blanche
  • Montmartre harvest festival
  • Wine season

Consider

  • Days getting shorter
  • Can be rainy

Packing

  • Medium jacket
  • Layers
  • Umbrella
  • Scarf
Low CrowdsBudget Prices

Weather

Cool and grey. Average 6-11°C. Rainy days common.

Highlights

  • Beaujolais Nouveau release
  • Christmas lights begin
  • No crowds
  • Cozy atmosphere

Consider

  • Grey weather
  • Short days
  • Dress warmly

Packing

  • Warm coat
  • Umbrella
  • Layers
  • Waterproof shoes
High CrowdsHigh Prices

Weather

Cold winter. Average 3-8°C. Festive atmosphere.

Highlights

  • Christmas markets
  • Champs-Élysées lights
  • Window displays
  • Festive dining

Consider

  • Holiday crowds
  • Premium prices
  • Cold weather

Packing

  • Winter coat
  • Warm layers
  • Gloves and scarf
  • Waterproof shoes
Events & Festivals

What's Happening in Paris

Major events, festivals, and celebrations throughout the year

Feb

February

Chinese New Year Parade

Colorful parade in the Marais and 13th arrondissement Chinatown.

cultural
Mar

March

Paris Fashion Week

2 weeks

World-renowned fashion shows attracting global designers and celebrities.

cultural
May

May

Nuit des Musées

Free admission to museums across the city until late at night.

cultural
Jun

June

Roland Garros

2 weeks

French Open tennis tournament at Stade Roland Garros.

sports

Fête de la Musique

Free live music throughout the city on the summer solstice (June 21).

music
Jul

July

Bastille Day

National holiday with military parade and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.

holiday

Tour de France Finale

Final stage of the Tour de France cycling on the Champs-Élysées.

sports

Paris Plages

July-August

Sandy beaches along the Seine with activities and bars.

festival
Aug

August

Rock en Seine

3 days

Major rock festival at Domaine National de Saint-Cloud.

music
Sep

September

Journées du Patrimoine

2 days

Open doors to usually closed historical buildings and monuments.

cultural
Oct

October

Nuit Blanche

All-night contemporary art festival with installations across Paris.

cultural
Nov

November

Beaujolais Nouveau

Release of the new Beaujolais wine with tastings and celebrations.

food
Dec

December

Christmas Markets

Nov-Dec

Traditional markets at La Défense, Trocadéro, and other locations.

festival

Local Tips

  • 1Avoid August if you want to experience local Parisian life—most locals are on vacation.
  • 2The best time for photography is spring (April-May) when the city is in bloom.
  • 3Book museums and attractions online to skip lines, especially in summer.
  • 4September offers the best balance of weather, crowds, and authentic city atmosphere.
  • 5Winter visits reward with no crowds and a cozy, romantic atmosphere.
Explore More

Related Tools

More tools to help plan your perfect trip to Paris

Seasonal Journaling

Capture the Season in Paris

Thoughtful prompts to help you journal about how the season shaped your experience

Spring

How did the spring blooms in the Luxembourg Gardens make you feel?

Cherry blossoms and tulips

Any Season

Describe the light in Paris during golden hour—why do artists love it here?

The famous Paris light

Summer

What was it like experiencing Paris in the summer heat? How did you cope?

Hot Parisian summers

Autumn

How did autumn leaves along the Seine change the city's mood?

Fall foliage

Any Season

Describe a rainy day in Paris. Was it romantic or frustrating?

Paris rain

Winter

What winter tradition or decoration surprised you in Paris?

Christmas markets and lights

Photo Checklist

Perfect Photo Moments in Paris

Know exactly when to capture the best shots based on season and timing

Nature

Cherry blossoms at Notre-Dame or Trocadéro

Late March - Early April

Early morning for empty shots

Golden Hour

Eiffel Tower sparkling at night

Year-round, every hour

Trocadéro or Champ de Mars viewpoints

Activity

Café terraces in spring sunshine

April - May

Saint-Germain has the most photogenic

Golden Hour

Summer sunset from Pont Alexandre III

June - August

Golden hour starts late in summer

Nature

Autumn leaves at Palais Royal gardens

October - November

Yellow leaves frame the columns

Festival

Christmas lights on Champs-Élysées

Late November - January

Blue hour for lights + sky color

Weather Shot

Rainy reflections on cobblestones

November - March

After rain, not during

Crowd Timing

Empty Louvre pyramid at dawn

October - March

Winter means fewer tourists at opening

Festival

Montmartre vineyards at harvest

October

Fête des Vendanges festival

Activity

Seine riverbanks in summer

July - August

Paris Plages artificial beaches

Weather Shot

Foggy morning at Sacré-Cœur

November - February

City emerging from mist below

Nature

Jardin des Tuileries in spring

April - May

Chairs, fountains, and blooms

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Data Source

Climate and weather data sourced from World Bank Climate Data. Historical climate data from weather stations and climate models

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