When Is The Best Time To Visit Paris?
As you think about your trip to Paris one of your first questions may be when is the best time to visit Paris? The answer? Truely there is no bad time or month to visit Paris. The only “right” month is the month you want to come! That said there are some trade offs and considerations we can help you think through as you plan – so let’s get to it!
⚡ Quick Facts — Best Time To Visit Paris
📅 Timing and Crowds: High tourism season in Paris runs between April and September.
☀️ Weather: Paris is in a mild temperate zone with weather that does not normally face extreme heat or cold. See our full article on seasons and weather here →
🍁 Fall In Paris: Crisp days and rainy periods, a quieter time to visit.
❄️ Winter In Paris: Winters are mild in Paris, a quieter, cozy time to visit.
🌸 Spring In Paris: Good weather, blooming gardens and more manageable crowds.
🏖️ Summer In Paris: Warm temperatures, larger crowds and beautiful summer evenings/light.
💵 Timing and Cost: From April-September tourism season can result in higher prices for accommodation and flights.
🇫🇷 National Holidays: French holidays = closures of some monuments and attractions. Always check official attraction websites to confirm holiday closures. Christmas Day (Dec 25), New Years Day (Jan 1) and May Day (May 1) are common closure days. France’s national day (Bastille Day July 14) is a day of celebration. Holiday periods in France in November and May can also result in reduced commercial hours and attraction closures.
Best Time To Visit Paris – Paris By Month
Sometimes your travel plans are driven more by the months you are available to travel – so below is a month by month comparison chart.
|
Month |
Weather |
Crowds |
Price |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January |
45/36°F |
Low |
$ |
Quiet museums, winter sales, best hotel rates |
|
February |
48/37°F |
Low |
$ |
Valentine’s, romance, low crowds |
|
March |
54/40°F |
Building |
$$ |
Early spring, longer days, fewer tourists |
|
April |
61/45°F |
Rising |
$$$ |
Blossoms, gardens, the Paris Marathon |
|
May |
68/50°F |
High |
$$$ |
Peak gardens, tennis (Roland-Garros) |
|
June |
73/57°F |
High |
$$$ |
Longest days, festivals, great weather |
|
July |
77/63°F |
Peak |
$$$ |
Bastille Day, Tour de France, Paris Plages |
|
August |
77/63°F |
High |
$$$ |
“Empty Paris,” beaches, open-air cinema |
|
September |
70/55°F |
Easing |
$$ |
The sweet spot: great weather, thinning crowds |
|
October |
63/48°F |
Moderate |
$$ |
Autumn color, wine harvest, fewer tourists |
|
November |
54/43°F |
Low |
$ |
Wine, culture, early Christmas lights |
|
December |
48/39°F |
Holiday Peak |
$$$ |
Christmas markets, lights, festive Paris |
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
When considering your flight options and budget – season and timing can make a difference. Although winter is an obvious time to find cheaper flight deals, with flexibility in timing/dates you can find deals in any season. For advice on booking flights see our article here →
Best Time To Visit Paris – Season By Season
Paris features an array of things to do and see specific to the season. Here are a few to be aware of.
🎄Paris Festive Season – mid November to Early January
Paris Christmas season brings festive lighting to the City of Light starting in mid November. The shop decorations and windows are beautiful – particular favorites are the Galleries Lafayettes department store and the Louis Vuitton Vendôme location. One of the best features of the holiday season are the outdoor neighborhood Christmas markets where you can stroll among traditional wooden “chalets” selling various small gifts and enjoy a chocolat chaud (hot chocolate).
🎁 Les Frenchies Quick Take – Christmas in Paris
Paris pulls out all the stops during the holiday season. Strolling in the evenings through the Marais with its cafes and shops lit up for the holiday is a beautiful experience. The Christmas market in the Tuilleries Gardens (mid-November through December) is a fun experience full of delicious food and an opportunity to pick up small gifts. (watch our youtube video on this here) If you are shopping for holiday gifts don’t forget about your VAT refund!!! Read our VAT refund guide here →
🐇 Paris Spring Bloom – April, May and Early June
Spring brings beauty to Paris’s many gardens and parks and is a good time to stroll through the Tuilleries or visit the Jardin des Plants. The Easter Holidays are a popular travel time in Europe and crowds can be heavier than you might expect during the holiday period. If you are an impressonist art lover, spring is a great time to visit Monet’s gardens’s at Giverny and his greatest works at the Best Museums in Paris.
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
If you are a Monet fan spring is the best time to visit Paris and to take a day trip to his home and gardens at Giverny. The gardens are at peak bloom in May and June. The trip to Giverny at this time is truly a special experience.
→ Our Recommendations for Day Trips To Monet’s Home and Gardens at Giverny
☀️ Paris Summer Fun June, July and August
Although the summer high season brings crowds, Paris hosts some wonderful events in the summer months. In June France celebrates music with its nationwide Fête de la Musique culminating in special events and neighborhood celebrations on June 21. One of our favorite recommendations for the summer months is an evening picnic at the Eiffel Tower to enjoy the tower’s hourly light show. A great summer tradition in Paris is the Paris Plages along the Seine. In July and August you can enjoy these urban beaches where you can find riverside pools (Pont Louis-Philippe (4th) and Bercy (12th)), kayak rentals or just a nice place to sit and enjoy a cool drink. Summer evenings are a great time for a Seine River Cruise – Read More here →
✅ Beat the Heat – Take the Hop On Hop Off Boat
Walking around central Paris in the summer heat can make for a long day. That’s exactly why we love the Batobus — Paris’s hop-on hop-off boat service on the Seine River. Think of it as a floating metro with 9 stops at the city’s biggest landmarks. Find Out More About Batobus here →
🍁 Paris In Fall – Calm, Cozy October and November
Autumn in Paris means the start of the cultural season – new shows at art galleries, concerts to enjoy, and also cooler temperatures. This calmer season is perfect to enjoy cozy meals and some warm, cheesy raclette (see our recommendation for where to enjoy raclette here).
🇫🇷 Les Frenchies Tip
Paris hosts more than 100 museums and the fall season often marks the change of exhibitions and special openings and shows. Beyond the famed Louvre and the beloved Musee D’Orsay – sites like the Louis Vuitton Foundation, The Pinault Collections’s Bourse De Commerce and the Paris Museum of Modern Art host regular, special exhibitions. Read more about Paris’s Best Museums here →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Best Time To Visit Paris
What is the Best Time To Visit Paris?
There’s no bad time or month to visit Paris. The only “right” month is the month you want to come! Fall: Crisp days and rainy periods, a quieter time to visit. Winter: Winters are mild in Paris, a quieter, cozy time to visit. Spring: Good weather, blooming gardens and more manageable crowds. Summer: Warm temperatures, larger crowds and beautiful summer evenings/light. See our weather and packing article for more detail.
What French Holidays Might Result in Closure of Paris Attractions?
France has a number of national holidays that may result in closure of some monuments and attractions. Always check official websites to confirm any holiday closures or reduced hours. Christmas Day (Dec 25), New Years Day (Jan 1) and May Day (May 1) are common holiday closure days. France’s national day (Bastille Day July 14) is a day of celebration. Holiday periods in France in November and May can also result in reduced commercial hours and attraction closures.
When is the Cheapest Time To Visit Paris?
When considering your flight options and budget for your visit to Paris – season and timing can make a difference. Although winter is an obvious time to find cheaper flight deals, with flexibility in timing/dates you can find deals in any season. For advice on booking flights see our article here →
What Is the Best Month To Visit Paris?
There is really no “best time” or month to visit Paris. The timing of your visit really is based on what works for you. The holiday season (November-January) brings brings festive lighting, shop decorations and neighborhood Christmas markets. Spring brings beauty to Paris’s many gardens and parks and Easter holiday visitors (April-June). The summer season brings the Fête de la Musique culminating in special events and neighborhood celebrations on June 21 and the Paris Plages (urban beaches) along the Seine. Summer evenings are a great time for a Seine River Cruise – Read More here →. Fall in Paris (Oct-Nov) means the start of the cultural season – new shows at art galleries, concerts to enjoy, and cooler temperatures.