Grand Est is a vast northeastern French region created in 2016 from the historic provinces of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine. Bordered by Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Belgium, it is a crossroads of European culture, language, and cuisine. Strasbourg, the regional capital, hosts the European Parliament and flaunts one of Europe's finest Gothic cathedrals. Reims preserves the coronation church of French kings and the prestige champagne cellars of the world-famous Champagne region. In between, Colmar's half-timbered lanes, the vine-draped Alsace Wine Route, the Vosges mountain forests, and the solemn WWI battlefields of Verdun create an unrivalled diversity of experiences within a single region.
Grand Est has a semi-continental climate — warmer and drier summers than the Atlantic coast, and colder winters. Strasbourg averages 630 mm of annual rainfall, concentrated in summer thunderstorms. The Vosges mountain chain shields Alsace from Atlantic moisture (creating a 'rain shadow'), making the Rhine plain one of France's sunniest areas. Champagne-Ardenne in the west is cooler and more influenced by Atlantic weather. Snow is common in the Vosges above 500 m from December to March.
Best time to visit
Best: May–June and September–October
Peak Season: July–August (tourism) and December (Christmas markets)
Avoid: January–February (cold, limited outdoor activities, short days)
Items:
- Month
- January
- Avg temp c
- 1–5
- Avg temp f
- 34–41
- Rainfall mm
- 45
- Sunshine hours
- 2
- Crowds
- Very low
- Notes
- Ski season in La Bresse and Gérardmer (Vosges); cheap hotel rates in cities; some winstubs on reduced hours
- Month
- February
- Avg temp c
- 2–7
- Avg temp f
- 36–45
- Rainfall mm
- 40
- Sunshine hours
- 3.5
- Crowds
- Low
- Notes
- Mardi Gras events in Strasbourg; winter sales in city shops; Vosges ski season continues
- Month
- March
- Avg temp c
- 5–12
- Avg temp f
- 41–54
- Rainfall mm
- 45
- Sunshine hours
- 5
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate
- Notes
- Cherry blossom on Wine Route (mid-March to early April); good time to visit Strasbourg without crowds
- Month
- April
- Avg temp c
- 9–16
- Avg temp f
- 48–61
- Rainfall mm
- 50
- Sunshine hours
- 6
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Notes
- Easter markets; vineyards coming to life; occasional cold spells; pack layers
- Month
- May
- Avg temp c
- 13–20
- Avg temp f
- 55–68
- Rainfall mm
- 55
- Sunshine hours
- 7
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Notes
- Ideal month — long days, green vineyards, no summer heat; Strasbourg Jazz Festival (May)
- Month
- June
- Avg temp c
- 16–24
- Avg temp f
- 61–75
- Rainfall mm
- 60
- Sunshine hours
- 8
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Notes
- Fête de la Musique (June 21); warm cycling weather; Strasbourg outdoor events begin
- Month
- July
- Avg temp c
- 19–27
- Avg temp f
- 66–81
- Rainfall mm
- 65
- Sunshine hours
- 8.5
- Crowds
- Very High
- Notes
- Peak tourist season; book accommodation 2–3 months ahead; Bastille Day (July 14) events everywhere; hot spells possible (up to 38°C/100°F)
- Month
- August
- Avg temp c
- 19–28
- Avg temp f
- 66–82
- Rainfall mm
- 60
- Sunshine hours
- 8
- Crowds
- Very High
- Notes
- Continued peak season; Fête de la Mirabelle in Metz (mid-August); harvest begins on early Alsace plots; evening thunderstorms common
- Month
- September
- Avg temp c
- 14–22
- Avg temp f
- 57–72
- Rainfall mm
- 50
- Sunshine hours
- 7
- Crowds
- High
- Notes
- Grape harvest season; wine route villages at their most atmospheric; golden vine colour begins; ideal cycling and hiking conditions
- Month
- October
- Avg temp c
- 9–17
- Avg temp f
- 48–63
- Rainfall mm
- 55
- Sunshine hours
- 5
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Notes
- Autumn foliage in the Vosges (peak mid-October); Vendanges d'Alsace festivals; cool evenings — warm clothing needed; great value hotels
- Month
- November
- Avg temp c
- 4–10
- Avg temp f
- 39–50
- Rainfall mm
- 50
- Sunshine hours
- 2.5
- Crowds
- Low–Moderate (rising from late Nov)
- Notes
- Christmas market preparations begin; Strasbourg market opens last Saturday of November; first crowds arrive for Christmas tourism
- Month
- December
- Avg temp c
- 0–6
- Avg temp f
- 32–43
- Rainfall mm
- 48
- Sunshine hours
- 1.5
- Crowds
- Very High (Christmas market season)
- Notes
- Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik is one of Europe's largest and oldest; Colmar and Nancy markets also popular; book hotels 6+ months ahead; possible snow (Strasbourg averages 20 snow days/year)
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
Items
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Items
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- Christmas market season (late Nov–Dec)
- Level
- Extreme
- Advice
- Book hotels 6+ months ahead; Strasbourg streets are packed; visit early morning (before 10:00) for best experience
- Period
- July–August
- Level
- Very high
- Advice
- Peak season; book accommodation 2–3 months ahead; arrive at Colmar and Riquewihr before 09:00 or after 18:00
- Period
- May–June and September
- Level
- Moderate
- Advice
- Best balance of weather and crowds; advance booking still recommended for weekends
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.