I have been to Paris five times now, in every season, and I can tell you this with confidence. there is no single “perfect” time to visit. But there *is* a best time for *you*, and it depends entirely on what you want out of the trip.
Some people want to sit outside at a cafe in warm sunshine. Others want to wander the Louvre without fighting through crowds. Some want Christmas markets and mulled wine. All of those are valid, and all of them happen at different times of year.
This guide breaks down every single month so you can figure out exactly when to book your trip. I will give you the honest version, not the glossy travel-brochure version, because Paris is genuinely wonderful in most months and genuinely miserable in a couple of them.
The Short Answer
If I had to pick one month, it would be September. The summer crowds have thinned out, the weather is still warm (averaging 65-70F), hotel prices drop by 20-30% from July/August peaks, and the city just *feels* better. Parisians are back from vacation, restaurants are fully staffed, and the light in the late afternoon is genuinely beautiful.
But let me walk you through every month so you can decide for yourself.
January in Paris
Average temps: 35-43F (2-6C). Hotel prices: $150-250/night for a decent 3-star.
January is cold, gray, and honestly kind of dreary. The holiday decorations come down in the first week, and what you are left with is short days (sunset around 5pm) and a lot of rain. I walked through the Tuileries in January once and had the entire garden to myself, which was beautiful in a melancholy way, but my fingers were so numb I could barely hold my camera.
The upside? Museum lines are practically nonexistent. You can walk into the Musee d’Orsay at 2pm on a Tuesday and have entire rooms to yourself. Hotel prices are at their annual low. The winter sales (*les soldes*) run from early January through February, and they are legitimate, not the fake “sales” you see in the US.
January works if you are a museum person who does not mind bundling up. Skip it if you want any kind of outdoor dining or park time.
February in Paris
Average temps: 36-46F (2-8C). Hotel prices: $150-260/night.
February is marginally better than January. The days start getting a little longer, and by the end of the month you might catch a few sunny afternoons. Valentine’s Day in Paris is predictably touristy, but if you avoid the obvious tourist traps, the city genuinely does romance well in winter.
This is still very much low season. Expect rain about every other day. The cafes with their enclosed terraces and heat lamps become your best friend. A good wool coat and waterproof shoes are non-negotiable.
March in Paris
Average temps: 41-54F (5-12C). Hotel prices: $170-300/night.
March is when Paris starts waking up. The first crocuses appear in the Jardin du Luxembourg, and by mid-March you might see some early cherry blossoms. The weather is unpredictable though. I have had March days in Paris that felt like May, and others that felt like deep winter.
Spring break crowds start arriving toward the end of the month, especially around Easter. If Easter falls in March, expect Versailles and the Eiffel Tower to be noticeably busier. Prices start ticking up but are still well below summer levels.
April in Paris
Average temps: 45-60F (7-16C). Hotel prices: $200-350/night.
The famous song got it right. April in Paris is legitimately special. The chestnuts along the Champs-Elysees are blooming, the gardens are bursting with color, and the outdoor markets are overflowing with spring produce. You can finally sit outside at a cafe without freezing.
April is one of my favorite months in Paris. The spring activities are in full swing, the light is gorgeous, and the city has this energy that is hard to describe. The downside is that April showers are real. Pack a small umbrella and a light rain jacket.
Crowds are moderate. You will wait in lines at major attractions, but nothing like July or August.
May in Paris
Average temps: 52-66F (11-19C). Hotel prices: $220-380/night.
May is probably the most beautiful month in Paris. The weather is warm but not hot, the gardens are at peak bloom, and the city is alive but not yet overwhelmed by summer tourists. The French have several public holidays in May (May 1, May 8, Ascension), which means some shops close but the parks are full of locals picnicking.
If September is my number one pick, May is a very close second. The biggest catch is that hotel prices are climbing fast, and availability at the best restaurants gets tight. Book at least two months ahead.
June in Paris
Average temps: 57-73F (14-23C). Hotel prices: $250-400/night.
June is the start of high season, and you will feel it. The weather is warm and the days are incredibly long (sunset after 9:30pm), which means you get so much more sightseeing time. The Fete de la Musique on June 21st fills every street corner with live music. It is one of the best free events in Europe.
Early June is better than late June. By the last week, summer tourists are arriving in force and prices have hit their peak. If you are planning a 3-day Paris itinerary, early June gives you the best balance of weather and manageable crowds.
July in Paris
Average temps: 61-77F (16-25C). Hotel prices: $280-450/night.
July is peak tourist season, and it can be genuinely overwhelming. The lines at the Eiffel Tower stretch for hours. The Louvre is a sea of raised smartphones. And most notably, many Parisians leave the city for their summer vacations, which means some of the best neighborhood restaurants and bakeries close for weeks.
That said, Bastille Day (July 14) is incredible if you are in town. The fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, the military parade on the Champs-Elysees, and the *bals des pompiers* (firefighter balls) at firehouses across the city make it worth the crowds.
Heat can be an issue. Most budget and mid-range hotels do not have air conditioning. When Paris hits 90F+, which happens more often now, a hotel room without AC is genuinely miserable. Check before you book.
August in Paris
Average temps: 61-77F (16-25C). Hotel prices: $260-420/night.
August is similar to July but with a twist. Even more Parisians leave the city. Entire blocks of shops will have “Ferme en Aout” signs. Your favorite boulangerie? Closed. That bistro someone recommended? Closed until September 1st.
The tourist attractions are packed, but the residential neighborhoods feel strangely empty. It creates an odd atmosphere. The Paris Plages event turns sections of the Seine riverbank into artificial beaches, which is fun in a surreal way.
I would avoid August unless it is genuinely the only time you can travel. You are paying peak prices for a city that is half-closed. Check out this list of Paris mistakes to avoid so you do not waste your time on the wrong things.
September in Paris
Average temps: 55-70F (13-21C). Hotel prices: $200-350/night.
This is my top pick, and I will die on this hill. September in Paris is *perfect*. The weather is warm enough for long walks along the Seine but cool enough that you are not sweating through your clothes. The summer crowds evaporate almost overnight after Labor Day. Parisians return from vacation, restaurants reopen, and the city hums with a back-to-business energy that is genuinely infectious.
The *Journees du Patrimoine* (Heritage Days) in mid-September open hundreds of normally-closed buildings to the public for free, including government buildings, private mansions, and historic sites. It is one of the best-kept secrets in European travel.
Hotel prices drop noticeably from August. You can find excellent 3-star hotels in the Marais for $200-250/night, compared to $350+ in July. Book your Paris itinerary activities early because the good walking tours and skip-the-line tickets fill up fast even in shoulder season.
October in Paris
Average temps: 47-59F (8-15C). Hotel prices: $180-320/night.
October brings autumn colors to Paris, and the city looks gorgeous in golden light. The Luxembourg Gardens and Tuileries are carpeted in fallen leaves, and the chestnut trees lining the boulevards turn shades of amber and rust.
The weather is cooling down noticeably, and you will need layers. Rain becomes more frequent. But the combination of fewer tourists, lower prices, and that particular autumn atmosphere makes October a solid choice. The Nuit Blanche art festival (usually early October) fills the city with free art installations and performances all night long.
November in Paris
Average temps: 41-50F (5-10C). Hotel prices: $150-270/night.
November is gray. Really gray. The days are short (sunset by 5pm), and the drizzle is constant. This is when Paris tests your commitment. If you love museums, cozy wine bars, and hot chocolate at Angelina’s, November can be wonderful. If you need sunshine and outdoor terraces, you will be miserable.
The upside is that prices are near their annual lows and crowds are minimal. The Beaujolais Nouveau celebration on the third Thursday of November is a fun, very French tradition. Christmas markets start popping up in late November, adding some sparkle to the gray.
There are also plenty of free things to do in Paris that work well in colder months, from free museum days to architectural walks.
December in Paris
Average temps: 37-45F (3-7C). Hotel prices: $180-350/night (higher around Christmas/NYE).
December Paris is two different cities. Early December (1-15) is wonderful. The Christmas markets are in full swing, the Galeries Lafayette has its legendary window displays, and the Champs-Elysees is lit up like a runway. Prices are reasonable and crowds are moderate.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is a different story. Hotel prices spike, restaurants require reservations weeks in advance, and the city is packed with holiday visitors. New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Elysees draws hundreds of thousands of people. It is exciting but chaotic.
Best Time to Visit Paris for Budget Travelers
January through mid-March gives you the lowest hotel prices, often 40-50% cheaper than peak summer. November is also excellent for budget travel. You will sacrifice weather, but you will save hundreds of dollars on accommodations alone. Flights from the US are cheapest in January and February, typically $400-500 round trip compared to $800+ in summer.
Best Time to Visit Paris for Good Weather
June and September. Both months average 6-8 hours of sunshine per day with comfortable temperatures. July and August are warmer but increasingly prone to heat waves. May is lovely but slightly more unpredictable with rain.
Best Time to Visit Paris to Avoid Crowds
January, February, and November are the quietest months. If you want decent weather *and* manageable crowds, aim for the first two weeks of September or the last two weeks of October. Weekdays are always better than weekends at major attractions, regardless of season.
Key Paris Events and Festivals by Month
- January/February – Winter sales (les soldes), Fashion Week
- March – Salon du Livre (book fair), early cherry blossoms
- April – Paris Marathon, spring garden openings
- May – French Open (Roland Garros begins late May), multiple public holidays
- June – Fete de la Musique (June 21), Paris Jazz Festival
- July – Bastille Day (July 14), Tour de France finale
- August – Paris Plages, Rock en Seine festival
- September – Journees du Patrimoine, Fashion Week
- October – Nuit Blanche, Montmartre wine harvest festival
- November – Beaujolais Nouveau, early Christmas markets
- December – Christmas markets, Galeries Lafayette displays, NYE on Champs-Elysees
Final Verdict
Go in September if you can. Go in May if September does not work. Go in early June or October as your third and fourth choices. Avoid August unless you have no other option, and brace yourself for gray skies if you visit between November and February.
Paris is one of those rare cities that rewards every visit, regardless of season. Even on my worst-weather trip (a rainy November), I still had impressive meals, discovered a tiny gallery in the 11th arrondissement that changed how I think about photography, and spent an entire afternoon in a wine bar in Saint-Germain that I still dream about. The city delivers. You just need to know what to expect.
January and February are the cheapest months for flights and hotels. The weather is cold and gray, but the city is beautifully uncrowded and the winter sales are fantastic.
Absolutely. Winter Paris has its own magic with holiday markets, cozy bistros, and nearly empty museums. Bundle up and lean into the moody atmosphere.
June through August and the Christmas holiday period are the busiest times. The Louvre and Eiffel Tower lines can be brutal in summer. Spring and fall are much calmer.
