Best Time to Visit Paris: Month-by-Month Guide

One of the most beautiful and romantic cities on the planet, Paris is a must-visit destination for many. Each year, countless millions come to see the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe or tour its world-famous museums and art galleries.

Also considered a capital of fashion and gastronomy, its shops, restaurants and tourist sites can be enjoyed all year-round. While summer and autumn are its most popular seasons due to the warmer weather and sunshine, spring and winter also have their charms. In any case, something new, exciting and fun is always going on in France’s fancy capital.

To help you plan your trip to the City of Light, let’s take a look month-by-month at what the weather is like and what big events are taking place. We’ll also cover when prices are lower and when all its main attractions are less crowded.

What’s the Weather Like in Paris?

Located along the river Seine in the north center of the country, Paris has an oceanic climate with mild to warm summers and cool, rather rainy winters. July and August are the hottest months of the year when temperatures average around about 23 or 24°C (so 73-75°F). Heat waves can make it way hotter though.

Both spring and autumn are usually a bit more unpredictable with surprisingly warm or cold weather sometimes occurring. In general, though, temperatures remain mild and there are a decent amount of sunshine and daylight hours.

November to February is when things turn a bit chilly, the days are darker, and the rains pick up a bit. Frost is quite common with flurries of snow sometimes falling.

Best Months to Visit Paris

While the summer’s long, sunny days are when most people prefer to visit, prices are higher and there are huge queues at its main attractions. Plenty of fun events are held though with this being a wonderful time to stroll along the Seine or explore some of gorgeous gardens.

Autumn is another very busy period with Paris Fashion Week drawing massive crowds to the capital. This, and the Paris Auto Show, pushes up hotel prices though airfares are thankfully more affordable. The glittering golden hues of its trees look very picturesque with its sights being a little quieter than in summer.

Spring – so March through May – is arguably an even better time to visit as there are fewer people around and prices are lower. While the weather is a bit erratic, the blossoming trees and flowers in its parks are absolutely stunning.

Paris in January

After a lot of visitors celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in Paris, January in the city is very quiet. As it is the low-season, flights and hotels are at their cheapest and you don’t have to jostle for space at the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. All its magical lights and Christmas markets also stay up the first week. Be aware though that the very top of the Eiffel Tower closes for a month for maintenance.

Averages of just 6°C (43°F) and its 17 days of rain mean conditions aren’t great though for wandering about outside. As such, you’ll definitely want to layer up with January also often being quite windy. Snow rarely falls, despite the cold and its overcast skies. Many museums put on new exhibits with the winter sales also attracting shoppers to the city.

Paris in February

As there is not much improvement in the weather and the days are still chilly, grey and wet, February sees relatively few visitors arrive. The city also empties out around half-term when many Parisians head to the Alps or the South of France. As a result, both its accommodation options and airfares are still very affordable. The only exception is around its Fashion Week when tons of celebs, models and fashionistas pour into Paris.

With only 10 hours of daylight a day, you’re best off spending your time in its museums and art galleries. Aside from exploring Les Catacombes and Centre Pompidou with barely anyone else around, you can attend its colourful Chinese New Year celebrations. The first shoots of spring also usually start appearing towards the end of the month.

Paris in March

Once Fashion Week has wrapped up, prices fall with pretty flowers starting to pop up around its parks. With the sun now shining for four hours a day, this isn’t a bad time to visit before all the crowds arrive for Easter. There are still no queues at the Musée de l’Orangerie or Musée Rodin. You can also snap photos of the Eiffel Tower without people getting in the way.

While the weather has normally warmed up a bit by now, cold spells and even snow can still sometimes occur. Before all its rides and rollercoasters get too busy, it’s well worth spending a day at Disneyland Paris. You’ll need to wrap up warm though and take an umbrella around with you. Europe’s oldest fair, the Foire du Trone, also opens and has lots of exciting carnival games and tasty fairground food to try.

Paris in April

Often considered one of the best months of the year to visit, April in Paris is quite sunny and relatively dry with average temperatures now reaching 14°C (57°F). While hotels and flights are more expensive due to the Easter holidays, its main attractions aren’t yet as crowded as the popular summer months.

Although sudden showers can sweep the capital, more people now sit outside at its cafes or amble along the Champs-Élysées. Both the grounds and gardens at the Palace of Versailles and Jardin du Luxembourg also exhibit a riot of spring colors. In April, many take trips to see Monet’s Garden at Giverny with others instead running the Paris Marathon.

Paris in May

May is even busier as lots of public holidays like Labour Day, VE Day and Ascension Day see plenty of visitors arrive. Prices, of course, continue to rise with huge crowds milling about Montmartre and along the banks of the Seine. From now up until October, Disneyland will be pretty packed, especially around weekends and the school holidays.

On the plus side, the weather is lovely with there now being about seven hours of sunshine and 15 of daylight a day in which to wander about in. It does rain quite a bit though for 15 days on average. Although large lines form at the Louvre, its many museums do stay open longer on La Nuit des Musées. You can also watch some of the world’s best Tennis players comPete at the French Open.

Paris in June

Absolute peak tourist season in Paris begins in June when hordes of holidaymakers descend upon the Eiffel Tower, Arc d Triomphe and all its other iconic landmarks. While flight prices are cheaper than in July and August, accommodation is extortionate as so many top events take place. Its long, sunny days are ideal for sightseeing even though long queues and large crowds are guaranteed wherever you go.

Besides making the most of the good weather by strolling around its parks and gardens, you can catch some great acts at Fête de la Musique. It’s also a nice time to take trips along the Seine or visit some chic chateaux in the surrounding countryside. Otherwise, you can attend the Paris Air Show or party it up at Pride. From June until September, countless concerts are also held for the Paris Jazz Festival.

Paris in July

As the school holidays start, the City of Light is somehow even busier in July with its hotels, restaurants and attractions all absolutely packed. While the teeming crowds can sometimes get a bit much, its days seem to stretch endlessly with the sun usually setting around 10PM. All kinds of outdoor concerts, exhibitions and film screenings only add to its vibrant feel.

Other than ambling around the Père Lachaise Cemetery or Place des Vosges, you can watch the concerts, parades and fireworks displays that take place for Bastille Day. The wonderful, warm weather is also perfect for suNBAthing on the artificial beaches that are erected along the Seine in summertime. In addition, the exhilarating end to the Tour de France culminates after three weeks of hard racing at the Champs-Élysées.

Paris in August

August is actually quieter as many Parisians leave the city on holiday and lots of local shops, cafes and art galleries close for the month. While flight prices are at their highest, hotels are actually more affordable than either June and July or September and October. In general, its days are long, sunny and hot though it still rains a bit for around 12 of them.

Asides from seeing sites like Sainte-Chapelle and Sacré-Coeur, you can picnic in its parks or stroll along by the river. If you’re coming to try some of the city’s best restaurants, be aware that many of its top chefs take the month off. At the end of August, loads of excellent bands perform at the hugely-popular Rock en Seine festival.

Paris in September

Although the kids are back in school, September is way busier than August as Parisians pour back into Paris for ‘la rentrée’. While flights are now cheaper, hotels are more expensive with long queues still forming at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Its days are usually pretty sunny with the leaves on its trees slowly turning a gorgeous golden color.

After the summer break, brilliant ballets and operas begin again at Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille. The second edition of Paris Fashion Week also takes place when all the latest spring and summer looks are modeled. Prices for accommodation do shoot up around this time. To top it off, the Fête d’Automne has plenty of concerts, plays and dance performances for you to enjoy, continuing on into December.

Paris in October

As its weather is usually still quite decent, the crowds and prices only start to decrease a bit towards the end of October. Temperatures of 16°C (61°F) are comfortable for sitting outside at cafes or sauntering about the Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg. While these are now lit up by some amazing autumnal foliage, it does rain for about 14 days on average.

Other than watching PSG play an action-packed Football match, you can always attend the week-long Paris Auto Show. Before the weather worsens further, it’s worth taking scenic day trips to places like the Loire Valley and Monet’s Garden at Giverny. Very special parades and performances are also put on for Halloween at Disneyland Paris.

Paris in November

With the days starting to shorten and skies turning grey, Paris finally sees a lot fewer people visit in November. While prices are more affordable, there are now just three hours of sunshine and nine of daylight a day to wander about in. The rain and wind also pick up around this time. As such, you’ll want to layer up and spend more time indoors at attractions like the Centre Pompidou and Musée Rodin.

Halfway through the month, its already elegant avenues are magically lit up with millions of twinkling lights, ready for the holiday season. Some Christmas markets can also already be found in Montmartre and near the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Asides from enjoying some of the Fête d’Automne events, you can watch the grand Military parades and flyovers that are held at the Champs-Élysées for Armistice Day.

Paris in December

While the first half of the month is quite quiet, its glittering streets, shops and tourist sites fill up during the Christmas holidays. Although Paris is pretty dark, cold and wet during this period, there is a very festive feel in the air. Besides exploring its enchanting markets, there is some fun ice skating to be had at the Hôtel de Ville. Disneyland Paris also goes all out for Christmas though shooting about on a rollercoaster can be bitingly cold.

As averages of 7°C (44°F) aren’t great for being outside, you’re best off visiting its many art galleries and museums. You can also watch a memorable show at the Moulin Rouge or take a romantic cruise along the Seine. Spectacular fireworks shows, concerts and cabarets then all welcome in the New Year.