Everyone has their own opinion regarding the best time to visit Paris. Depending on your interests, certain times of the year may be more enjoyable than others. In order to decide when the best time is for you to visit Paris, let’s take a quick look at what each season has to offer.
Spring
I consider Spring to be the best time of year to visit Paris. Café and restaurant terraces come alive and the flowers are in bloom. The season begins in March with cool daily highs of around 12°C (54°F). However, by May, the weather warms up to a lovely 20°C (68°F). May is also the wettest month, so be prepared for light showers. Overnight temperatures remain fairly chilly throughout the season.
Summer
Summer is the city’s high tourist season, so plan for lines and elevated prices. However, there are more activities during the summer than at other times of the year. Local Parisians desert the city leaving it to the hoards of tourists. During the months of June, July, August and September you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant temperatures. On average, the warmest month is July. While you’ll have more sunny days than not during the summer, keep in mind that July is one of the city’s rainiest months, so pack an umbrella.
Fall
Fall is another one of the best times to visit Paris. Travellers will benefit from shorter lines to top attractions and the beautiful seasonal foliage. Autumn is a wet season, but it’s not yet too cold to enjoy taking walks outdoors. Some days, especially in September, will still be fairly warm. The city experiences highs in the upper teens during September then typically dips down to the lower teens during October, with lows hovering between 5°C and 8°C. In December, the average daily low drops to 5°C.
Winter
In December, Christmas decorations dress up the boulevards with their sparkle, and appealing window displays bring visitors into the cozy warmth of local shops. From January to March, is the off-season to visit Paris. For that reason, you can save quite a few euro on your hotel and flight if you dare defy the chilly weather. On average, the coldest month is February with daily highs of around 6°C. February is the driest month of the season.
So, when is the best time to visit Paris?
The general consensus is that the best times to visit Paris are spring (April-June) and fall (September-November).
Both seasons have their ups and downs. Visitors who plan to visit Paris during spring and fall will benefit from lower travel rates and significantly shorter lines at attractions. These are the wet seasons, however, the temperatures will still remain comfortable. The city’s spring blooms are famous and the autumn foliage is known to stun.
For more detail on the weather during each season click here.
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