Seasons of Paris: When to Go & What to Know

Paris in spring is like Mother Nature saying, “Your croissant tastes better outside”. The days start to warm—average highs are around 60°F (15°C)—but you’ll still want a light jacket, especially with the occasional spring shower (about 1.6 inches of rain per month). From March to May is the sweet spot of the tourist cycle—busier than the quiet winter months but not yet swamped by summer crowds. Walk through the open courtyards of the Palais-Royal surrounded by blooming magnolias—a short-lived but stunning scene you won’t find in any other season

Paris in spring

During summer, Paris is that magical moment when your favorite museum offers both world-class art and blissful air-conditioning. This is the peak tourist season mid-June through August. Average temperatures: Highs range from 72–77°F (22–25°C), with occasional heat waves pushing into the 90s°F (mid-30s°C). Lows are usually around 55–60°F (13–16°C). Long days are a summer highlight, with up to 16 hours of daylight in June. The sun typically rises around 5:45 am and sets close to 10 pm at the peak. Generally, the weather is warm and sunny, but with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm. Summer is rooftop season—the best time of year to have cocktails during the golden hour. You can also find Paris Plages, the banks of the Seine, and Bassin de la Villette transform into pop-up “beaches” with sand, lounge chairs, and ice cream stands.

Paris in summer

Fall in Paris is the time to trade chilled rosé for bold red wine, and sunny café terraces for cozy, candlelit corners. Fall in Paris is September through November. September is still quite lively due to warm weather and Fashion Week crowds, but by October the city slips into shoulder season—fewer tourists, lower hotel rates, and more relaxed attractions. By November, the city is becoming quieter. During fall, the weather shifts dramatically. September: highs ~70°F (21°C), lows ~54°F (12°C); October: highs ~61°F (16°C), lows ~48°F (9°C); November: highs ~50°F (10°C), lows ~41°F (5°C). Beginning in September, restaurants start featuring game dishes, wild mushrooms, chestnuts, and hearty stews. Then in early October, the grape harvest festival at Paris’ only working vineyard, complete with wine tastings, music, and food stalls, is truly unique. Believe it or not, November is host to Black Friday—it takes place on the same day in France as it does in the United States. It is an excellent time to grab a bargain.

Paris in fall

Paris in winter is discovering that every cobblestone street seems to lead to another cup of velvety hot chocolate. The winter months span December through February, with the weather staying fairly consistent: December sees highs around 46°F (8°C) and lows around 39°F (4°C); January, the coldest month, averages highs of 45°F (7°C) and lows of 37°F (3°C); and February brings highs near 48°F (9°C) with lows around 37°F (3°C). It’s truly a magical season for the City of Light. In December, Paris comes alive with sparkling holiday markets. This is the only time of year you’ll find ice skating in the city, whether at Hôtel de Ville or the Grand Palais Éphémère. And in February, what better place could there be to spend Valentine’s Day? Channeling Audrey Hepburn’s timeless wisdom, I like to say, ‘Whatever the season, Paris is always a good idea.”

Paris in winter

Pro tip: In August, many Parisians leave the city for their own holidays, and while major tourist attractions stay open, plenty of neighborhood restaurants, boutiques, and smaller sites close for weeks at a time. That’s why it’s often best to use Paris as a jumping-off point to other destinations—like the South of France—where beaches, seaside towns, and summer festivals are in full swing. Trains from Paris to the Riviera, Provence, or even Corsica make it easy to pair a couple of days in the City of Light with a coastal escape.

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