Best time to visit Paris

April to May and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

April to May and September to October

The shoulder seasons, April to May and September to October, balance mild weather and manageable crowds; May and September are the most often singled out.

“we strongly recommend the shoulder seasons as the best times to visit Paris” enchantingtravels.com
“Spring and fall are best, with generally good weather and fewer crowds” ricksteves.com
“Paris peaks in May and September for mild weather and cultural buzz” merveil-paris.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

Paris month by month

Average high and low in Paris, and days with rain

January46°F / 38°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…January and February are very cold with many fully overcast days; daytime averages about 3C.January is a quiet month with maximum privacy at landmarks.The Grand Prix d'Amerique horse race takes place at Bois de Vincennes each January.Hyper Weekend Festival
February48°F / 38°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…February is very cold, but winter sales draw shoppers.Paris Fashion Week is held in late February and late September.
March55°F / 42°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…March stays cool, averaging about 9C, but Paris empties during school holidays and long weekends.Early March can bring lower rates, which rise as shoulder season starts mid-month.Cherry and magnolia blossoms typically peak from late March to mid-April.European Artistic Crafts Days (JEMA)
Best timeApril62°F / 46°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…April weather is very uncertain, swinging between showers and sun.April school vacations bring many families, and Paris in April is very popular.Art Paris fair is in early April, and the Paris Marathon is usually early April with road closures.Festival du Livre de Paris (Salon du Livre)
Best timeMay68°F / 52°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…May is named among the best months for mild weather and cultural buzz.La Nuit des Musees is in mid-May, with many museums open late and free.Crowds and ticket lines grow toward May, though less than in summer.French Open (Roland-Garros)
June74°F / 58°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…June has the longest days; sun lingers until about 10 PM, with Fete de la Musique on June 21.Fete de la Musique on 21 June brings free concerts across Paris.Summer Sales run in June and July.24 Hours of Le Mans
July78°F / 61°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…July is hot and busy; the end of the Tour de France and Bastille Day draw huge crowds.Bastille Day on 14 July brings free events, a military parade and fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.Bastille Day
August78°F / 61°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…In August Parisians are on vacation, traffic is easier and museum queues are shorter.Free concerts are held at Bercy Village on Tuesday and Thursday nights in August.Jazz à la Villette
Best timeSeptember71°F / 55°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…September is among the most pleasant months for temperatures and events.Mid-September is harvest time in nearby Champagne.Paris Fashion Week returns in late September.Braderie de Lille
Best timeOctober62°F / 50°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Le Salon du Chocolat, the world's largest chocolate festival, is in late October.October is a shoulder month with decent weather and fewer crowds than mid-summer.In the second half of October the countryside shows fall colors.Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre · Common crane migration at Lac du Der
November52°F / 43°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…The least pleasant period begins in November, with grayness and abundant precipitation.November and February have no lines at the Louvre.Lille Christmas Market · Paris Christmas Markets
December46°F / 39°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…The Champs-Elysees is lit with Christmas lights and festive markets appear across the city.Notre-Dame area and Chatelet host Christmas markets.Sunset often arrives by 5 PM in winter.Grand Palais des Glaces

Weather: Paris averages from Meteo France (1981 to 2010 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Paris from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Paris

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to AugustHottest months, longest days, queues at attractions and higher hotel prices.
June and JulyHigh season centers here and early booking is needed.

Quietest

WinterRelative quiet, with fewer crowds at restaurants, shows and sights.
November and FebruaryOff-season with no lines at the Louvre.

Watch for

Mid-November onwardMucky, icy and unpleasant outdoors, so plan around indoor attractions.
Easter weekend and school vacation weeksCrowded, with hotel rates rising.
SpringWeather is variable; March can still feel wintry.

Questions people ask

What is considered high season in Paris?: June to August is the busiest period, with the hottest weather, queues at attractions and higher hotel prices.
What is Paris like in the winter?: Quiet and often gray and wet, with cold temperatures, but Christmas lights and markets, museums and cafes make it worthwhile.

Best time to visit Paris

April to May and September to October

Paris month by month

Every date to Paris from your city

What's on in Paris

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Paris

April to May and September to October

Paris month by month

Every date to Paris from your city

What's on in Paris

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

Best time to visit other places