Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Paris
France's capital needs little introduction — a dense, walkable city of grand boulevards, world-class museums, and neighbourhood life. Its 20 arrondissements each have their own character, so it rewards picking a base neighbourhood rather than just the sights.
Best time to visit: April to June or September to October, avoiding August when many Parisians (and some businesses) are away.
Local tip: Book Louvre and Eiffel Tower tickets online for a specific time slot — it's the single biggest time-saver in the city.
Getting around: The metro is extensive, fast, and covers nearly every corner of the city, making it the default way to move between neighbourhoods rather than walking every route.
Good to know: Many boulangeries close one day a week (often Monday) on rotation, so if your favourite is shut, another nearby is usually open — Paris regulates this to keep bread available daily.
What to plan your trip around
- Eiffel Tower
The 1889 iron tower that remains the city's most recognisable landmark.
- Louvre Museum
The world's most-visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
- Notre-Dame / Île de la Cité
The medieval cathedral island at the historic heart of the city, still under restoration.
- Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
A hilltop village-like district with a white-domed basilica and sweeping city views.
Paris weather by month
Paris weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Paris gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | 1°C | 59 mm | 93% |
| February | 8°C | 0°C | 51 mm | 87% |
| March | 12°C | 2°C | 49 mm | 82% |
| April | 16°C | 5°C | 40 mm | 76% |
| May | 19°C | 8°C | 70 mm | 76% |
| June | 22°C | 12°C | 70 mm | 76% |
| July | 25°C | 14°C | 50 mm | 72% |
| August | 25°C | 13°C | 56 mm | 72% |
| September | 22°C | 11°C | 45 mm | 76% |
| October | 17°C | 8°C | 58 mm | 84% |
| November | 11°C | 4°C | 62 mm | 91% |
| December | 8°C | 2°C | 80 mm | 93% |
Paris through the year
January · 7° / 1°C · 59 mm
- Short daylight hours mean Notre-Dame / Île de la Cité is best seen around midday.
- Expect more cloud than at any other time of year.
April · 16° / 5°C · 40 mm
- April brings mid-spring to Paris.
- Good walking weather for combining Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower in one day.
July · 25° / 14°C · 50 mm
- Skies are at their clearest this time of year.
- Only one month is warmer in Paris than July.
October · 17° / 8°C · 58 mm
- Temperatures are falling — expect highs around 6°C lower by November.
- Good walking weather for combining Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur and Eiffel Tower in one day.
The best time to visit Paris is April, September and October, when average highs are 16–22°C and rainfall is around 48 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Paris, season by season
December – February
Cold8° / 1°C · 63 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Good16° / 5°C · 53 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Good24° / 13°C · 59 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Paris?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Paris in April, September and October. Average highs are then 16–22°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Paris?
- In April, Paris averages 16°C by day and 5°C at night, with about 40 mm of rain and 60% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Paris?
- August is the warmest month in Paris, with average highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C.
- What is the coldest month in Paris?
- January is the coldest month in Paris: average highs of 7°C, dropping to 1°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Paris?
- December is the wettest month in Paris with about 80 mm of rain. The driest is April, with around 40 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Paris?
- January is the least pleasant month in Paris, with average highs of just 7°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Paris?
- Yes. May sits just outside the best months for Paris, with average highs of 19°C and about 70 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, it is a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Paris before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Paris from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Paris. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/france/paris
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/france/paris">Best time to visit Paris</a> (WeatherCompare)
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