France
The best time to visit
When to go to France
Go in spring, April to June, or September to early October, for mild days, blooming parks and thinner crowds. Summer is warm and busy, and winter is cool and quiet beyond the festive season.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Paris. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Aug.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Hard cold.
In short
The year at a glance
France rewards the shoulder seasons. These ratings follow Paris, where spring and early autumn bring the gentlest weather, sunny days and far shorter queues than the July to August peak. The capital famously empties of locals in August, when many businesses close.
The country covers several climates, from the cool, changeable north to the hot, dry Mediterranean south. The Riviera and Provence run warmer and later into autumn, the Alps swing to a winter ski season, and the wine regions peak around the September harvest.
Month by month
France month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Paris.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C / 45°F | 3°C / 37°F | 51 mm | Good 44 | Cold and dry. |
| February | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 41 mm | Good 48 | Cold and dry. |
| March | 12°C / 54°F | 5°C / 41°F | 48 mm | Great 67 | Cool and dry. |
| April | 15°C / 59°F | 7°C / 45°F | 51 mm | Ideal 79 | Cool and dry. |
| May | 19°C / 66°F | 11°C / 52°F | 63 mm | Ideal 92 | Mild with a little rain. |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 55 mm | Ideal 96 | Mild with a little rain. Paris hotels in June |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | 16°C / 61°F | 54 mm | Ideal 96 | Warm and dry. Paris hotels in July |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 16°C / 61°F | 52 mm | Ideal 97 | Warm and dry. Paris hotels in August |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 13°C / 55°F | 55 mm | Ideal 96 | Mild with a little rain. |
| October | 16°C / 61°F | 10°C / 50°F | 60 mm | Ideal 82 | Cool with a little rain. |
| November | 11°C / 52°F | 6°C / 43°F | 52 mm | Great 62 | Cool and dry. |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 3°C / 37°F | 58 mm | Fair 43 | Cold with a little rain. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Paris and the north
Mild and temperate, at its best in spring and early autumn. Summers are warm and crowded, winters cool and grey.
Provence and the Riviera
Hot, dry summers and a long, warm shoulder into October. Spring brings lavender fields and gentler heat.
The French Alps
Hiking and lakes in summer, the big-name skiing of Chamonix and the Trois Vallees, December to April.
Go for
Best time to visit France for
Paris and the cities
April to June and September, with comfortable temperatures, blooming gardens and manageable lines.
The Riviera and beaches
June and September for warm seas without the peak August crush along the Cote d'Azur.
Wine country
September and October, around the grape harvest, when the vineyards turn gold and the cellars are busy.
Skiing
December to April in the Alps, with the most reliable snow in January and February.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Spring blooms, April
Paris parks and the chestnut trees come into leaf, and the city is at its most photogenic.
Wine harvest, September
The vendange fills the wine regions, from Bordeaux to Burgundy, with activity and colour.
Hard cold
Dec to Jan.
Where to stay
Where to stay in France
Compare hotels and rentals around Paris, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
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Questions