Which season to choose for your next Paris stay?
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Which season to choose for your next stay in Paris be a success ? The weather will certainly be an important factor. And to stack the odds in your favor, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the different seasons in Paris.
After describing the seasons and illustrating them with photos, you will find at the end of the post, information to track the weather in Paris over periods of up to 30 days in advance of your stay, or hour after hour if you are are already there.
Which season to choose to come to Paris – Statistics
When you are in the process of planning your trip to Paris, you have to choose the date of your visit, sometimes months in advance. This is where statistics come into play, and ultimately, a little luck is required.
Of course, Paris is nice to visit in all seasons. But some seasons are better than others, depending on what you like: low or slightly higher temperatures, or do you prefer bright sunshine, or will a little light, short rain do you any harm? All this is possible in Paris.
To help you make the right choices, we’ve written 3 other articles on weather and climate in Paris and France, which provide additional useful information:
Climate in France – What to expect during your stay
Weather forecast of Paris, to 15 days, 3 months trends
France in a nutshell – the essentials in 15 minutes
The weather in Paris and which season to choose ?
Paris is less than 150 km (100 miles) from the sea (English Channel).
The slightly prevailing wind is from the west, coming from the Atlantic Ocean. This means that there are no temperature extremes, sometimes 0°C (32°F) or a little less in January and 30°C (86°F) or a little more in late July or early August.
Rainfall is moderate: it can be a full day of light or intermittent rain or no rain at all for weeks. See tables below for each season.
Over a full year, the total rainfall is only close to 1 meter (40 “). What’s not too much or too little
But it is always difficult to predict the weather exactly several months in advance, at the date of your visit to Paris !
Which season to choose : Paris in Spring (March 21-June 21)
This is the season when nature is reborn with the avenues turning soft green and the trees blooming. Spring in Paris is a breathtaking experience. Trees bud, parks come alive with bright flowers and café terraces fill up again. The days are getting longer, as are the opening hours of the museums. The high tourist season is already here. A little vacation feeling is beginning to emerge. Walkers rediscover the gardens. The banks of the Seine are taken by storm, on foot, by bike or on rollerblades.
It’s a time when Parisians emerge from their winter lethargy and rediscover their city with enthusiasm. The streets come alive with music, laughter and lively conversation. The city’s iconic gardens, such as Jardin des Tuileries, Luxembourg and Parc Monceau, become peaceful havens where people stroll, jog or simply sit and enjoy the sunshine.
Open-air markets come alive with stalls brimming with fresh fruit and vegetables, while the bouquinistes along the Seine unfurl their shelves filled with antique books and prints.
The mild spring weather also encourages Parisians to enjoy the great outdoors, whether picnicking along the quays of the Seine, sailing on the bateaux-mouches or strolling along the charming cobbled streets of the historic districts. But beyond all that, what makes spring in Paris so special is the palpable sense of renewal and hope that permeates the atmosphere. It’s a season when the city seems to awaken from a long slumber, and every street corner reveals a new surprise or beauty to discover.
| Mean temperature and rainfall | Average minimum | Average maximum | Rainfall in mm (“) |
| March | 4°C (39°F) | 12° C (54°F) | 35 (1″1/3) |
| April | 6°C (43°F) | 16°C (51°F) | 42 (1″2/3) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 57 (2″1/4) |
Which season to choose: Summer in Paris (June 21 – September 21)
When the summer season is in full swing, relaxation and joie de vivre are everywhere. In the sun, on the terraces of cafés, on the lawns of parks and the “beaches” of the Seine. Picnics are multiplying and gourmets are melting on the best ice creams of Paris. On the Champs-Élysées, it was the national holiday of July 14 and the Tour de France cycling race was ending. Cinema and music are celebrating: free movies and concerts for all in a lot of spots. The city radiates life and energy. Stretching days and warm evenings invite residents and visitors alike to take full advantage of all the city has to offer.
Parks and gardens become green oases where people gather to picnic, play sports or simply relax in the sunshine. Open-air concerts and street performances enliven public squares, creating a joyous and festive atmosphere.
The quays of the Seine come alive with summer activities: the quays are bustling with walkers, joggers and cyclists, while the riverbanks host ephemeral bars, café terraces and even sandy beaches where people can lounge by the water.
Warm evenings are the perfect time to stroll the charming cobbled streets of the historic quarters, where nightlife is at its liveliest. Cafés and restaurants overflow with customers enjoying al fresco meals and refreshing drinks, while the alleyways are alive with street performers and musicians.
The many festivals and summer events add to the excitement of the season, offering a variety of entertainment for all tastes, from open-air music concerts and art exhibitions to theater and dance performances.
But beyond the hustle and bustle of summer city life, there are also moments of calm and contemplation to savor. Warm evenings are ideal for admiring the magnificent sunsets over the city, or for getting lost in the quiet alleyways and discovering Paris’ hidden treasures.
In short, summer in Paris is a season when the city overflows with life, culture and adventure, offering everyone the chance to create unforgettable memories in the heart of one of the world’s most magnificent cities.
| Mean temperature and rainfall | Average minimum | Average maximum | Rainfall in mm |
| June | 13°C (55°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 59 (2″1/3) |
| July | 15°C (59°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 59 (2″1/3) |
| August | 14°C (57°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 64 (2″1/2) |
Which season to choose: Autumn and Paris (September 21 – December 21)
The last quarter of the year has begun. The avenues and gardens are decked out in autumn colors, the carpets of dead leaves are piling up, the days are getting shorter, then the colors are exploding. It is the beginning of the school year, but also the beginning of the cultural season. Autumn has its festival and the big fairs attract the crowds. At the beginning of December, Paris is already glittering with Christmas decorations.
Autumn in Paris is a time of charm and melancholy, when the city takes on warm, golden hues. Tree leaves begin to change from bright green to shades of yellow, orange and red, creating a dazzling visual spectacle in parks and gardens.
The cool temperatures encourage Parisians to get out their scarves and coats, but this doesn’t discourage them from enjoying the many activities the city has to offer. Café terraces remain open, but this time people are huddling around heated tables, sipping hot drinks while admiring the tree-lined streets in autumnal colors.
Open-air markets offer an abundance of seasonal produce, such as wild mushrooms, squash and apples, inspiring chefs and cooking enthusiasts to concoct comforting and tasty dishes.
Museums and art galleries become welcoming refuges for those seeking a little culture and inspiration away from the autumn chill. Contemporary art exhibitions, film screenings and intimate concerts offer a welcome escape from the dreariness outside.
The city’s parks, such as the Jardin des Tuileries and Parc Monceau, take on an enchanting allure with their leaf-covered walkways and pools shimmering in the muted autumn sunlight. It’s the perfect time for a romantic stroll or a photo shoot to capture the fleeting beauty of the season.
And of course, autumn in Paris wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the city’s famous boulangeries and patisseries, where warm croissants, raisin breads and apple tarts can be enjoyed freshly baked, to comfort and indulge in the flavors of the season.
In short, autumn in Paris is a season when the city is transformed into a living tableau, offering visitors and locals alike a magical, immersive experience, where beauty and nostalgia combine to create unforgettable memories.
| Mean temperature and rainfall | Average minimum | Average maximum | Rainfall in mm |
| September | 12°C (54°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 55 (2″1/4) |
| October | 8°C (46°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 (2″) |
| November | 5°C (41°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 51 (2″) |
Which season to choose: Winter in Paris under the snow (December 21 – March 21)
Snow rarely covers the roofs of Paris at the end of the year. The main avenues are bursting with light. Christmas markets and animated shop windows dot the city. One rushes with pleasure to the warmth and the atmosphere of the restaurants and cafés. You can enjoy a hot chocolate break or a spiced wine between two museums. From January to March, it is the charm of the off-season Paris that sets in.
Winter in Paris has a very special charm, when the city is decked out in a blanket of snow and the narrow streets and iconic monuments are enveloped in a fairytale atmosphere.
The gently falling snowflakes transform the city into a veritable fairytale, creating an enchanting winter landscape. The roofs of historic buildings are covered in a sparkling white mantle, while cobbled streets become snowy paths where the footsteps of passers-by echo softly.
Despite the biting cold, Paris remains lively and vibrant. Cafés and brasseries warmly welcome customers looking to warm up with a hot coffee or hot chocolate. Stores and department stores are decked out in twinkling lights and Christmas decorations, creating a festive and cheerful atmosphere throughout the city.
Christmas markets appear, offering a variety of handicrafts, decorations and culinary delights. Open-air skating rinks attract winter enthusiasts, who come to enjoy the magic of winter by sliding down the ice under the amazement of passers-by.
Museums and theaters offer special programming for the winter season, with exhibitions, shows and concerts that warm the heart and stimulate the spirit.
And of course, winter in Paris is also a time to celebrate the festive season in all its splendor. Streets are lit up with sparkling decorations, Christmas trees adorn public squares and fireworks burst into the sky to mark the passage to the New Year.
In short, winter in Paris is a magical season when the city is transformed into a veritable winter landscape, offering visitors and residents alike an unforgettable, fairytale-like experience.
| Mean temperature and rainfall | Average minimum | Average maximum | Rainfall in mm |
| December | 2°C (36°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 50 (2″) |
| January | 1°C (34°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 56 (2″1/4) |
| February | 1°C (34°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 46 (1″3/4) |
Which season to choose and what will the weather be like in the next hour, the next 14 days or the next month ?
First of all: what time and day is it now in Paris?
Why is this important? Temperatures vary considerably between night and day. The information given in the tables below is “live” at the moment. It may be night where you live, but it’s daytime in Paris, and vice versa. Failure to take this parameter into account can totally distort your diagnosis, confusing lower night-time temperatures with daytime ones.
To know if now it is day time or night in Paris, click on “The time and day in Paris“. You get the “l’Heure légale française à Paris” (French Legal Time in Paris). The time read is on a 24 hours/day base. Nothing can be more accurate!
The weather in Paris : for the next hour or for the next month !
This information is available by clicking on The weather of Paris. You get the temperature in Paris at the moment you are reading. But also today’s weather hour after hour, as well as the forecast for the days and weeks to come – up to 15 days – as well as the climate for each season and the best period for a stay.
To read and understand the forecast of METEO FRANCE, the best is to visit our post Weather forecast of Paris, to 15 days, 3 months trends. Everything you need to understand is explained :
- The weather trend up to 3 months for Paris : when you are still home and have to decide of your stay dates in Paris
- The 15 days weather forecast to start preparing your luggage in advance
- The 7 day forecast where you have to finalise the choice of the cloths you want to wear
- 3 days before your travel, a forecast to decide the cloth you will wear at your arrival
- 1 day or hour after hour when you are already in Paris and plan to walk around for a few hours, the same weather forecast site is worth consulting. You will learn if there is a risk of rain when leaving your hotel, the outside temperature, updated every hour.
When you are in Paris : the TV forecasts
When you’re in France, all the different TV channels show weather forecasts, especially channels 1 (TF1), 2 (France 2), 3 (France 3). On TF1, you’ll get forecasts for up to 7 days, every evening at 7:55pm before the news and at 9:00pm after the news. The maps are clear and easy to understand, even without reading French.
How to dress when in Paris
You should follow the weather forecast a few days before your come to Paris (see above). In general, the weather in Paris does not change dramatically from one day to the next. All forecasts are safe for the first 3 days, with a “probability” rating of between 3 and 4 for the following days.
Be sure to check the weather again before you leave for the airport for any last minute additions to your luggage.
You need to protect yourself or comply with :
- Temperature too high
But this is not the Sahara desert. There is plenty of light and cheap clothing to buy and many cafes to stop at along the streets. - Temperature too low
It is also far from Siberia. Again, warm cafes and restaurants are everywhere. - Rain
Heavy rains are rare. It is rather light rain, intermittent rain. A light raincoat will be sufficient. - Foot pain
Invest in good shoes and try them out. Don’t buy new shoes the day before your trip and try them on for 10 hours before your the first day in Paris. Choose good walking shoes. Paris will encourage you to walk longer distances than you are used to.
Plan on lighter shoes for dinners and shows, but count on those walking shoes to keep your feet comfortable during the day. - Fashion
Tourists tend to be concerned with their appearance in Paris when, honestly, no one cares about your appearance when you’re sightseeing. Relax and be presentable and comfortable.
Pack a light raincoat and several layers in case of low temperature forecast.
Also, leave room in your luggage for the nice clothes and accessories you will buy in Paris and bring back home.
But if you’re going to an upscale restaurant for dinner or to the opera, at least pack a decent pair of shoes and a nice outfit. If you walk into an upscale restaurant wearing sneakers and shorts, you’ll feel a little ridiculous. For last-minute fashion emergencies, try these clothing not expensive stores such as Monoprix, dégriffés, déstockage, etc.
Note
If you want to buy clothes or shoes in France, pay attention to the sizes: they are different from those you are used to buy in your country. Try before you buy! See the size comparison chart (coming soon).
TIP: If you plan to travel out of season and leave when the temperatures are colder, you should bring a coat, scarves, gloves and other warm clothing. Take a “packable” coat if you have one, folded in its own pocket, taking up much less space in our suitcase! It is also more practical (and warmer) to wear several thin layers instead of one thick garment. For the actual parts of the trip, you can remove a layer if necessary and keep it in your carry-on.
