👉 Jump to:Best Time to Visit Paris | Travel Seasons | Weather & Climate | Tips | FAQ
April and May are the best time to visit Paris, France for fewer crowds and comfortable weather. This time of year is when it stays light longer, more attractions are open, and day trips are more easily accessible.
This being said, there are Paris attractions open throughout the year. There are also unique Paris activities that are best enjoyed seasonally.
Overall, there are benefits to visiting Paris at different times. I’ve picked up a lot of helpful information in my ten years of living in Paris. I break down everything I think you should know in this article.
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Table of Contents
When is the Best Time to Visit Paris, France
I recommend visiting Paris, France in April and May. This is the “shoulder season” in between Paris’s low and high seasons. This is the best time to visit Paris because there are fewer visitors, monuments, and museums are open, and travel is easier.
But the shoulder season in April and May isn’t the right time for everyone. That’s okay, though. Paris’s other shoulder season between September and October offers fewer crowds and scenic foliage. The summer and winter also have their benefits.
Here’s what you need to know about Paris’s seasons:
When to Visit Paris for Good Weather
Visiting Paris in spring is the best time for good weather. Spring can still be chilly, but you’ll likely see some sun. April and May are when you’ll experience the most comfortable temperatures. In April, the average temperature is between 46 and 62 F. In May, it is between 52 and 68 F.
Avoid Paris in August if you’re looking for nice weather. It can get very hot. Many public places in Paris are still not air-conditioned, including some buses and subway lines.
You’ll likely see some rain in Paris no matter the season. Paris does average less rain between July and September, though. This time of year averages 6-7 days of rain per month as opposed to the average 8-9 days of rain per month during the rest of the year.
When to Visit Paris for Cheap Prices
Late winter is the best time to visit Paris for cheap prices. The off-season in January through April is especially great for discounted rates on flight prices. Hotel rates are also low at this time.
Do note that fewer attractions may be open during this time, especially in early January. For example, the Eiffel Tower closes for a few weeks every year around this time.
The exception to visiting Paris in the winter for cheap prices is visiting during the holiday season. Late December is a very popular time to visit Paris. You won’t save much money if you visit then. Wait until January through early February for savings. Mid-February is ideal.
👉 Pro Tip: Paris Fashion Week raises hotel prices throughout the city. This runs twice a year, from the end of February to the beginning of March and the end of September to the beginning of October.
When to Visit Paris to Avoid Crowds
The best time to visit Paris for fewer crowds is in January and February. This is because early January kicks off the off-season. The city grows quieter and the weather stays chilly for the remaining winter months. Paris begins to thaw in March.
You also won’t see many crowds in August either. This is because almost the entire city closes during this time. And although you’ll get sunny days, they may be too sunny: temperatures often rise over ninety degrees Fahrenheit.
A middle ground solution is to visit Paris in March or October. These months offer shorter lines than the high-season and you’ll be able to enjoy nicer weather and avoid inconvenient closures.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? Choose a hotel in peaceful surroundings if you’re coming during a crowded time. Saint James Paris is peacefully set away from the bustle of the city and it has its own grounds.
When to Visit Paris to See Art
The best time to visit Paris for art lovers is between September and May. This is because art galleries usually close or limit their hours during the summer. The exception to this is the “Nuits Blanches,” fun events where Paris keeps art installations open all night. These events used to be in October but are now in early June.
Museums in Paris generally stay open throughout the year. The exceptions to this include Christmas, Bastille Day (July 14), and New Year’s Day. Many museums close for these holidays.
When to Visit Paris for Sports
Paris has sporting events throughout the year, but the best time to visit Paris for sports generally is in summer. Specifically, come in late May through the beginning of July.
Tennis champions battle it out at the Roland Garros Stadium in the French Open in May. The beginning of July brings the Tour de France. You’ll likely see cyclists lapping the Arc de Triomphe in their final stage of the bicycle race.
Note that this final stage of the Tour de France will change in 2024. It will be in Nice because of the Paris Olympics.
When to Visit Paris for Eiffel Tower Views
The Eiffel Tower has good views throughout the year. However, you’re most likely to get a clear photo in spring. This is because there are fewer visitors than in summer to block your view. At the same time, humidity is lower than in fall. So, you’re more likely to avoid rain.
Always check the Eiffel Tower opening days in advance of your trip. The Tower closes for a few weeks each year for repairs. However, this usually takes place during the off-season (it was in January of 2023). Certain months can bring modified hours, though. This is true in November 2023, for example.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? Hôtel la Comtesseis in the same district as the Eiffel Tower, and some of its rooms feature Eiffel Tower views.
When to Visit Paris for Day Trips
June is the best time to visit Paris for day trips.
Day trips from Paris north to Normandy and Brittany will not be too cold at this time. Meanwhile, day trips farther south, such as to the Riviera or Biarritz, won’t be too hot.
Most destinations will have fewer tourists in June than later in the summer. This is because French schools generally finish their year later than American schools. So, families vacation mostly in July and August.
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Paris, France Travel Seasons
Spring
Spring is the best time to visit Paris for sunny weather, long daylight hours, and smaller crowds. You won’t need air conditioning in hotel rooms. Some days will bring comfortable warm weather so you can spend the entire day on a cafe terrace sipping wine and eating local delicacies!
Spring months are also great to see the spring flowers in the many parks in Paris. On rainy days, art galleries and museums are also open.
Summer
Visit Paris in the summer for long daylight hours, the national holiday (July 14), and the man-made beach along the Seine River at Paris Plage. The summer months also bring the Paris Jazz Festival.
Summer is a high tourist season, so it comes at peak season prices. From mid-summer on, expect higher costs.
Avoid visiting Paris in August, however. Recent years have had intense heat waves, and many Parisians leave the city for the month.
👉 Pro Tip: Skip-the-line access is available at many Paris tourist attractions if you’re coming during the busy season. For example, book a Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Summit Tour ahead of time to make the most of your visit.
Fall
Fall is a great time to visit Paris. The weather is still temperate, and the fall foliage is colorful. You’ll find fewer tourists. On the other hand, you will see more college students returning to their studies.
When I lived in London, I visited Paris in the fall as much as possible. Mid-September through late November are ideal times. The launch of the annual wine, Beaujolais Nouveau, happens in mid-November. This is a fun time to visit Parisian wine bars.
Winter
Winter months may not seem like the best time to visit Paris. But I recommend that friends who have been here before visit Paris in early December. The Christmas lights, holiday decorations, and Christmas markets make the city festive.
Check out the Christmas markets around the Hôtel de Ville in particular. You can practice your ice skating on the rink while you’re there! Catholics can also celebrate Christmas at a famous Paris cathedral such as Notre Dame.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? The Hôtel le Presbytère is a reasonable and chic choice close to the Hôtel de Ville for Christmas market shopping and ice skating.
Paris, France Weather and Climate
Paris has a mild, continental climate. Its temperatures are generally temperate. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing in winter, and snow is uncommon. Summer months have recently brought intense heat waves of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Humidity in Paris varies widely by month. It is most humid from November through January (around 77-89%). It is the least humid in April and May (around 50-69%).
November through January is also when Paris’s wind is strongest. Wind averages between 13 and 14 MPH during this time. The rest of the year, it drops to 9 to 11 MPH. The months between November through January are not the best time to visit Paris if you are sensitive to humidity and wind.
Tips for Visiting Paris
Bring Your Rain Gear
Some of the best times to visit Paris are also the rainiest times, like April and November.
When packing for Paris, remember a travel umbrella or foldable raincoat. You can also check whether your hotel provides umbrellas on loan. Buying rain gear in Paris is expensive, particularly if it’s already raining!
Know Your Limits
Focus on your goals and figure out your limits for your trip to Paris. This will lead you to the right season. Don’t mind big crowds? The lines at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe in July might not bother you. Prefer to visit when there are fewer tourists? Come in the winter.
Make Room for Comfortable Walking Shoes
Bringing beautiful shoes to Paris seems like a no-brainer. But you’ll realize your mistake when you’re walking from the Jardin du Luxembourg to the Grand Palais in stilettos! Paris is a very walkable city, so bring at least one pair of good walking shoes and one pair of dress shoes.
Pack Layers
Plan to pack layers and rain gear no matter when you visit Paris. Paris in the summer can get cold in the evenings, so a light jacket is ideal. But Paris can have surprisingly mild days even in January.
For more advice on what to pack, see my guide to what clothing to wear in Paris.
Avoid Visiting in August
August is not the best time to visit Paris, and I often advise visitors against planning trips during this time. This is because many Parisians leave the city for a month and most local businesses close. You’ll only be able to shop at bigger chain stores at this time. Monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame remain open.
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FAQs About When to Visit Paris
When is the high season in Paris?
The high season in Paris is May to September, peaking in July. December is another high season, especially between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
When is the off-season in Paris?
The off-season in Paris is between November and March, with a few exceptions. The holiday season (between Christmas and New Year’s Day) brings many visitors. So does Fashion Week at the end of October and the beginning of November.
When is the cheapest time to visit Paris?
The cheapest time to visit Paris is in the off-season: November, January, and February.
What is the best month to go to Paris?
The best month to go to Paris is April, followed by September. This is because the weather is warm but tourism isn’t yet at its peak.
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I hope you found this guide to the best time to visit Paris helpful. France’s capital is a dream destination for millions of people. That’s why it’s the sixth most visited city in the world! No matter when you choose to stay in Paris, though, you’re sure to experience something special.
