Paris travel guide — where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Paris, Île-de-France, France.
Paris has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) with mild, wet winters and warm, occasionally humid summers. The city receives around 640 mm of rainfall distributed fairly evenly across the year, though spring and autumn tend to be the wettest seasons. Snow is rare, averaging only a few days per year. Summer heat waves (above 35°C / 95°F) have become more common since 2003 and can catch visitors without air-conditioning off-guard. The light changes dramatically by season: June brings nearly 16 hours of daylight, while December offers barely 8.
Best time to visit
Best: April–June and September–October
Peak Season: July–August
Avoid: Mid-July to mid-August (peak crowds, highest prices, some locals leave); January–February (cold, grey, shorter days)
Notes: Spring (April–June) brings cherry blossoms in Parc de Sceaux, gardens in full bloom, and comfortable temperatures for walking. Autumn (September–October) offers golden Fontainebleau foliage, shorter museum queues, and arguably the best restaurant energy of the year.
Items:
- Season
- Spring (March–May)
- Summary
- Ideal walking weather, blooming parks, moderate crowds in March–April; Paris Marathon in April. Late May and June are warmest.
- Avg temp c
- 8–19°C
- Avg temp f
- 46–66°F
- Rainfall mm
- 160 (Mar–May combined)
- Season
- Summer (June–August)
- Summary
- Warmest and busiest. Long days, outdoor terraces packed. Paris Plages river beach (mid-Jul–late Aug). July 14 Bastille Day fireworks. Risk of heat waves in July–August.
- Avg temp c
- 17–27°C
- Avg temp f
- 63–81°F
- Rainfall mm
- 55 (Jun), 63 (Jul), 54 (Aug)
- Season
- Autumn (September–October)
- Summary
- Golden light, comfortable temperatures, shorter queues, Vendanges de Montmartre harvest festival. Fontainebleau forest at its most photogenic in October.
- Avg temp c
- 10–20°C
- Avg temp f
- 50–68°F
- Rainfall mm
- 150 (Sep–Oct combined)
- Season
- Winter (November–February)
- Summary
- Christmas lights on Champs-Élysées and Marais from late November. Cold and grey but far fewer crowds; many restaurants easier to book. Fashion Week in January.
- Avg temp c
- 2–9°C
- Avg temp f
- 36–48°F
- Rainfall mm
- 160 (Nov–Feb combined)
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
Items
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Items
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- Peak
- Months
- July–August
- Description
- Eiffel Tower queues 2+ hours without pre-booking; Louvre extremely crowded; hotel rates at maximum; many locals leave Paris in August.
- Recommendation
- Book all timed-entry tickets 2–4 weeks ahead; visit major sites at opening time (09:00–09:30).
- Period
- High
- Months
- April–June, September–October
- Description
- Busy but manageable; spring gardens are beautiful; autumn has the best light for photography.
- Recommendation
- Book major attractions 1 week ahead; fashion week periods (September, January) spike hotel rates.
- Period
- Low
- Months
- November–March (excl. Christmas/New Year)
- Description
- Shortest queues at Louvre and Versailles; lowest hotel prices outside December 20–January 2 window.
- Recommendation
- Best time for budget travellers and those who want unhurried museum visits.
- Period
- Christmas/New Year spike
- Months
- December 20–January 2
- Description
- High hotel rates, Champs-Élysées packed New Year's Eve; advance booking essential.
- Recommendation
- Book accommodation and restaurants at least 2 months ahead for the Christmas–New Year period.
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Haute couture and ready-to-wear shows across the 1st, 8th, and 16th arrondissements. Some events open to public.
40,000 runners; route passes Eiffel Tower, Bois de Boulogne, and Champs-Élysées. Several road closures on race day (first Sunday of April).
Grand Slam tennis at Stade Roland Garros (16th arr.). Tickets sell out fast; resale market active. Métro 9 to Exelmans.
Free outdoor concerts across Paris. Every street corner and park hosts live music from classical to hip-hop. No tickets required.
Military parade on Champs-Élysées at 10:00, best viewed from Place de l'Étoile; evening fireworks at 23:00 from Trocadéro, visible along the Seine.
Annual river beach event on the Right Bank of the Seine, from Hôtel de Ville to Pont de Sully. Sand, deck chairs, pétanque, and activities. Free admission.
Grape harvest festival at the Montmartre vineyard; parades, concerts, and wine auction. Area around Sacré-Cœur extremely busy.
All-night contemporary art event across Paris; museums, galleries, and public spaces open until dawn. Free admission to most installations.
Main ready-to-wear season; major runway shows at Grand Palais, Louvre, and private venues; hotel rates spike.
Main markets at Tuileries, Champs-Élysées, and La Défense. Alsatian-style stalls selling mulled wine (vin chaud), tartiflette, and artisan gifts.
Annual release of the new Beaujolais wine; bars across Paris host tasting events and celebrations.