Paris has always ranked as one of the most visited destinations in the world.
And for good reason - regardless of when you go, Paris always has lots to offer. It's warm and lively as summer starts, as the city kicks into full gear. Winter is cool and cozy - the perfect time to museum-hop or tuck into a cafe.
But as a Parisian local, I can tell you first-hand just how bad the crowds get in July, or how beautiful Paris is when the leaves change in the fall! If your travel plans are flexible, you have an opportunity to plan the perfect trip based on your travel priorities. There’s a lot to consider, so let’s take a closer look at the best times to visit Paris.
September to October
Colorful leaves fall in the Bois de Boulogne, a park just outside of Paris.
September at the Bois de Boulogne. It's still very green until October.
Weather averages
September: 54°F (12°C) lows, 70°F (21°C) highs
October: 48°F (9°C) lows, 61°F (16°C) highs
September and October are some of the best months to be in Paris. The heavy crowds from the summer have disappeared, and cool winds bring a briskness to the air. But it's still warm enough to sit outside at a cafe and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
September has warmer weather but can be one of the wetter months. Fortunately, we rarely get real rain in Paris. It's more of a light spit if anything. Just remember to pack a wind-proof umbrella (trust me on the wind thing, it's a worthy investment). October gets the best of the fall foliage. A stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens is an absolute must during this time of year.
September in particular still has the luxury of pretty long daylight hours, thanks to the city being so far north. Sunset at the end of September is around 7:30 pm, which can make it feel deceptively summery despite a nip in the air. It's great for travelers that have long days of sightseeing planned, especially if you plan on being outside.
Fashion week takes place around the end of September to the first week of October (featuring Spring/Summer collections for the coming year), which tends to bring in some travelers. If fashion is your thing, note that some shows take place in public venues and you can watch the whole thing! I stumbled upon the L'Oréal show in 2018, which took place on a floating platform on the Seine. The public could watch from the river banks and nearby bridges. But because it can get a bit busier during these few weeks, be sure to book your accommodations well ahead of time if you plan on visiting during this period.
L'Oréal's fall 2018 show could be seen by the public from the banks of the river and nearby bridges.
Autumn has much cheaper flights and hotel rooms than in peak season over the summer, but not as inexpensive as in the dead of winter. The crowds will be lower and you'll have no trouble zipping through the Louvre, void of selfie sticks and large tour groups. You'll be able to do a lot more much more enjoyably, and with less waiting around in lines.
With mild weather, reasonable prices, and fewer tourists, September and October are easily one of the best times to visit Paris.
November to February
Snow in Paris is rare, but when it happens, it's magical.
Weather averages
November: 41°F (5°C) lows, 52°F (11°C) highs
December: 37°F (3°C) lows, 46°F (8°C) highs
January: 36°F (2°C) lows, 45°F (7°C) highs
February: 36°F (2°C) lows, 46°F (8°C) highs
Despite being so far north, winters in Paris are surprisingly mild. Winter is also when Paris gets the most rain, funny enough. Again, it tends to be a light, spitting rain. Just enough to be very annoying. It rarely gets cold enough to turn into snow that sticks, but when it does, it's magical.
It's so rare to get snow in Paris, so I was thrilled it stuck long enough to capture it.
Even in bad weather, you can always rely on the Tabac shops to stay open.
In regards to tourism, November to February is considered the low season. Visitors are few and far between, so if you're looking for zero crowds this is your time to go.
Budget travelers would also be wise to visit in the winter months, as tickets to big attractions can be much cheaper. Flights and accommodation prices will also be at their yearly lows.
Despite the dreary gray cold weather and limited daylight hours (can you tell I'm not a fan?), it's worth considering visiting Paris around the holiday season. Ice skating rinks pop up all over the city, big Christmas trees go up in the shopping malls, and Christmas markets are aplenty. Local vendors sell everything from honey and home-baked goods to hand-made jewelry and woodworking pieces. Be sure to try the "vin chaud", or mulled wine. It's traditionally enjoyed in the winter and can be found at most Christmas markets across Europe. It's wonderful.
The holiday lights in December are also something to marvel at, so remember to take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées to see the glittering lights.
The holiday lights along the Champs-Élysées are a must-see if you're visiting in December.
In 2021, the trees were wrapped in red. It changes every year.
Sparkling lights outside the Gucci store just off the Champs-Élysées.
March to May
Weather averages
March: 41°F (5°C) lows, 54°F (12°C) highs
April: 45°F (7°C) lows, 61°F (16°C) highs
May: 50°F (10°C) lows, 66°F (19°C) highs
Spring is one of the best times to be in Paris, and it's my personal favorite - even more than the colorful and cool months of autumn (I do love a good crisp fall day). April in particular has the perfect balance of everything you want as a traveler, making it my top recommendation.
Early March can still feel like winter, though the leaves are all on the trees by the end of the month. In March, you have the luxury of having the city to yourself, void of most tourists, with reasonable temperatures and cheap prices. That's hard to beat.
Fall/Winter fashion week takes place at the end of February through the first week in March. Just like in the fall, the event draws a fair number of travelers, so book tickets and accommodations well in advance if you plan on traveling in those two weeks.
March sees the return of blue skies and greenery.
The weather turns a corner in April. It tends to not be overly rainy and temperatures rise enough to be cool but pleasant. April is also when cherry blossoms take over the city! These bright pink flowers are celebrated as part of Paris' annual cherry blossom festival, known as the Hanami Festival. It's a celebration of Japanese culture (they're known for their cherry trees) and in Paris, it's the celebration of the beginning of spring.
April is the perfect in-between. You'll enjoy mild weather with few crowds and be surrounded by budding trees and flowers everywhere. There's such life in the air and excitement about the change of seasons. It's something worth experiencing. I can't think of a better time to be in Paris.
Paris' annual cherry blossom festival takes place in April.
Violet hyacinths blooming by the Eiffel Tower.
Of course, May has even better weather, and the summer tradition where cafes double their outdoor seating is in full swing. Kidding, sort of. Peak wisteria season (just made that up but whatever) is also from the very end of April to the beginning of May. Cafes, old cobblestone streets, and parks erupt in the gorgeous purple flowers. May also has long daylight hours, and it's generally a lovely time to be in Paris while avoiding the worst of the crowds.
But that may no longer be the case. This past year was unlike previous years. May was unusually busy with tourists. I had never seen so many people visiting the city outside of summer! It didn't come close to peak season numbers, but it was enough to make me shy away from visiting museums altogether. Perhaps with more flexible work schedules since the pandemic, people were able to take earlier vacations.
Regardless, if this becomes a trend, March and April are your best window. See the city before the rest of the tourists and make the most of cheaper flights and hotel rooms.
June to August
Rue des Thermopyles, a charming street in the 14th arrondissement.
Weather averages
June: 55°F (13°C) lows, 73°F (23°C) highs
July: 59°F (15°C) lows, 77°F (25°C) highs
August: 59°F (15°C) lows, 77°F (25°C) highs
For starters, I would like to stress just how inaccurate these average high temperatures are. I got these numbers from a very official-looking climate website, but I'm here to tell you times are a-changin'. For the past few years, we've been getting consistent highs in the mid-80s in July and early August. We've also had several nasty heatwaves with high temperatures in the 90s and even a few days over 100! I'm not inclined to think these were one-off incidents; it's definitely a trend. Just something to keep in mind if you can't take the heat!
June through August is the peak tourism season in Paris. Swarms of people from all over the globe make their way to the city of lights. To be real with you all, in good faith I really can't recommend visiting during the summer if you can avoid it.
I don't step foot into a single museum between the months of June to August, because it's not worth the craziness that I could easily avoid if I put my visit off for a few months. I'm a fan of making the most of outdoor activities in the summer, and if you're visiting during the summer I'd suggest you do the same. Take an early morning walk and see some of the best neighborhoods, like the Marais and Montmartre. During the day, I'd hide away in a big city park or take advantage of "Paris Plages", or "Paris Beaches", the artificial beaches that are set up each summer and run along the banks of the river Seine.
If you're a repeat traveler and are just looking for some excellent dining experiences and a few off-the-beaten-path adventures in Paris, you're likely to still have a good time in the summer.
But beyond that, stay away. You could wait for hours to get inside the Louvre and not even see much when you get inside because it's at full capacity. It can be total chaos.
I also hear lots of English in the summer (which isn't a problem!), but I hear very little of it during the rest of the year. There's something to be said about the immersion factor of traveling abroad, and you're likely to hear mostly French when you travel on the shoulder and off seasons.
Shoulder seasons are going to be most travelers' sweet spots when finding the perfect time to be in Paris. Take advantage of the mild weather, minimal wait times (if any!), cheaper prices, and dare I say a more "authentic" Parisian experience. Of course, having flexibility for when you can travel is a huge luxury and one that is not to be overlooked. If the only time you can visit Paris is in mid-July, GO! You'll make the most of it and have a fun, memorable trip. Why? Because it's Paris, and it's really hard to go wrong.
Have you been to Paris? Let me know in the comments when you went and what your experience was like!
