When is the Best Time to Go to Paris?
When is the best time to visit Paris? Sure, a trip to Paris is always a good idea, but there are pros and cons of visiting Paris at different times of the year.
Paris is famous for many things, and the reality is that the best time to go to Paris depends a lot on what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for sunshine, a romantic getaway, or to explore the city’s museums in peace, it’s a good idea to consider several factors, including crowds, weather, special events, and budget. Don’t miss this step-by-step guide to figure out the best time to travel to Paris for you.
READ MORE: Paris Travel Planner
Best Time to Travel to Paris: the Quick Answer
The best time to visit Paris is from mid-March to June and also from October to November. These are the times when the weather is mild, and there aren’t many tourists roaming around the city. Both times offer the people choices to tour different parts of the city, like the museums and monuments, which are crowded during the high season.
When to Visit Paris: Things to Consider
1. Weather in Paris
Average Temperatures (min and max in Celsius) in Paris by month
Average Rainfall (%) in Paris by month
2. Travel Seasons in Paris
HIGH SEASON IN PARIS
The high season in Paris corresponds to the summer months: June, July, and August. This is definitely a good time to visit Paris, but you should expect flight and accommodation prices to be higher than for other periods of the year. During the high season in Paris, you’ll be treated to sunny days, fantastic nightlife, and fabulous festivals.
LOW SEASON IN PARIS
The low season in Paris goes from November to the end of March, except for the Christmas Holidays. This is the best time to visit Paris on a budget and the best time to visit Paris to avoid crowds, but the days are short, cold, and with higher chances of rain, and some attractions propose shorter opening hours. If you decide to travel off-season, you will get a more local experience, and it will be easier to find good deals on transportation and accommodation.
SHOULDER SEASON IN PARIS
The shoulder season in Paris is our favorite time of the year, as the spring months of late March to May and the autumn days of late September and October offer mild temperatures and lesser crowds. The main tourist attractions usually have regular opening hours during these months, and with the days getting longer in spring (and they are long enough in the fall), you will have plenty of time to explore the city.
Beware that May comes with many public holidays in France. These long weekends are perfect for a spring getaway, so accommodation and transportation prices are higher.
3. Best Season to Visit Paris
All the seasons in Paris have their own charm, each with pros and cons. If you are looking for the best season to visit Paris, check out our quick Paris guides by season, with the key events, fun seasonal activities, and the best tips to get the most out of Paris in that season.
4. Best Month to Visit Paris
If you are looking for the best month to visit Paris, check out our Paris guides by month. These guides tell you everything you need to know about a specific month in Paris, from average temperatures to what to wear and where to eat, play, and stay.
- Paris in January
- Paris in February
- Paris in March
- Paris in April
- Paris in May
- Paris in June
- Paris in July
- Paris in August
- Paris in September
- Paris in October
- Paris in November
- Paris in December
5. Best Days to Visit Paris
Weekdays are the best days to visit Paris to avoid the biggest crowds. Shopping in Paris is also better during the week, especially on the Grands Magasins. On weekdays, you will also find more availability and lower prices in accommodation and transportation than on weekends.
I don’t like Mondays. After two days of freedom and fun, people must return to work, so it’s all sad faces on the metro. Also, many museums and restaurants are closed on Mondays.
If you want to travel to Paris for sightseeing, the best day to visit Paris will depend on the attractions you want to see. According to statistics, each tourist attraction has days and time slots when there are fewer crowds. Check out the best time to visit the most popular attractions in Paris, which comes with some skip-the-line tips.
If you want to visit Disneyland Paris, check out our Disneyland Paris crowd calendar, with the best days to avoid the longest lines.
Finally, some museums are free on the first Sunday of the year, so you can save money on tickets if you don’t mind the crowds.
Best Time to Visit Paris on a Budget
Fall is the best time to visit Paris on a budget, with a good combination of weather /reasonable prices. October and November are the cheapest months to fly to Paris, while in June and July, flight prices can be up to 26% higher than the average yearly ticket price. Accommodation in Paris follows more or less the same trends.
Although winter is considered the low season in Paris and the best season to go to Paris for budget travelers, there are notable exceptions, and trips to Paris during events like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or Saint Valentine’s should be booked well in advance.
Finally, avoid long weekends or school holidays in France or, if not possible, book everything well in advance and get ready to deal with the crowds.
READ MORE: Check out the costs of a trip to Paris
Best Time to Visit Paris to Avoid the Crowds
Winter, more precisely January and February, is the best time to visit Paris to avoid crowds. The exception to this ‘winter rule’ is the month of December, when people flock to Paris to see the Christmas markets, decorations, and holiday events. For a better combination of crowds /weather, November and March are better.
Best Time to Visit Paris’ Museums & Galleries
January and February are also the best months to check out Paris’ fantastic selection of museums and galleries. Wait until the Christmas crowds are gone, and you will have more time and space to enjoy the exhibits.
Of course, Paris’ big museums like the Louvre Museum or Orsay Museum are never empty, but they definitely see lesser crowds. January and February are also good months to explore lesser-known museums or the free museums in Paris.
Best Time to Visit Paris’ Attractions
To see the most famous Paris landmarks and attractions at best, late spring or early summer (May to June) is the best time to travel to Paris.
During winter and early spring, the weather is somewhat unpredictable, and only from May do you have a good chance for sunny days.
This time of year is also less humid, so long walks and taking in the sights are totally doable.
Other months worth considering – even if the weather is more unpredictable – are April and October. April sees the cherry blossoms, while the city is gorgeous under the fall colors in October.
Best Time to Go to Paris for a Romantic Getaway
Many couples choose the days around St Valentine’s as the best time to visit Paris for a romantic getaway. Still, the weather in Paris in February is not great, and many restaurants and attractions charge more during these dates.
We find spring the best time to visit for a romantic getaway in Paris. In spring, the days are longer, and the flowers are in full bloom, and it is an excellent season for a stroll through Paris’s parks, a night cruise along the Seine, or a day trip to one of the fabulous castles near Paris.
Best Time to Travel to Paris for Shopping
Shopping in Paris is great all year, but if you want to make your money stretch, then visit Paris during the sales.
The winter sales in Paris usually begin on the second Wednesday of January. This year, winter sales in Paris will start on 11 January 2023 and last until 7 February 2023.
The summer sales in Paris 2023 are planned from 28 June to 25 July 2023.
Christmas time is also a good time to visit Paris for shopping. You can find beautiful, handmade gifts in the Christmas markets in Paris or more sophisticated gifts in the Grands Boulevards.
Best Month to Go to Paris for Holiday Festivities
If you have the budget and hope to experience Paris’ world-renowned holiday festivities, December is the best month to go to Paris.
While you will have to brave the crowds and increased airfare and hotel pricing, you can take full advantage of the iconic Christmas markets, stunning shop windows, and other Christmas decorations that Paris is known for. Extend your Paris trip some more days and have fun celebrating New Year’s in Paris too.
However, you can get a taste of Christmas in Paris from mid-November, when the first Christmas markets open and the first Christmas lights are up. This is a better time to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in Paris, with better prices and fewer crowds.
So there you have it, our best tips on the best time to go to Paris, with everything you need to decide when to visit Paris and start planning your dream trip.
