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Best Time to Visit Paris

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Aerial view of Paris with River Seine, France

Paris, France

The best time to visit Paris is generally in the spring and fall, from May to June or September to October.

Architectural wonders like the Eiffel Tower, artistic marvels displayed at the Louvre, and cultural charms that exude effortless flavors from the cafes and restaurants demonstrate how Paris is a great place to visit any time of year, but comes to life during the shoulder season of spring and fall. With great weather and smaller crowds, you can visit Rodin’s Thinker or indulge in sensational chocolates, wander a blossoming garden or venture into the hidden catacombs.

Paris is a legendary city of romance and history, beauty and personality. When you plan your travels around how you wish to experience the city, you can find the best time tailored to your interests and preferences.

Overview
  1. Best Time for Great Weather
  2. Best Time for Sightseeing
  3. Best Time for Gardens
  4. Best Time to Avoid the Crowds
  5. Best Time for Food
  6. Best Time for Seniors
  7. Best Time for Couples or Honeymooners
  8. Best Time for Families with Children
  9. Best Time for Spring & Summer Activities
  10. Best Time for Fall & Winter Activities
  11. Book for the Best Time to Visit Paris

Best Time for Great Weather

Woman sitting streetside at a cafe in the morning in Paris

Paris, France

Best Months: May | June | September | October

The best time to visit Paris for great weather is from May to June and September to October. The months that edge spring and fall provide the perfect opportunity for mild weather in and around the city, making it comfortable for exploring at your own pace.

Whether wandering cobblestone streets or visiting a nearby village for the day, venturing into the Louvre or sitting at a streetside cafe, the enjoyable weather in May and June or September and October can support the iconic ambiance of the city.

Best Time for Sightseeing

Cruise ships on River Seine at sunset in Paris

River Seine, Paris, France

Best Months: April | May | August | September | October

April to May and August to October are the best times to visit Paris for sightseeing because travelers will find fewer crowds and great weather.

Whether eager to venture to the top of the Eiffel Tower or take a Seine River cruise, you can enjoy the mild seasonal climate, while also enjoying the city’s outdoor and indoor spaces, from parks to museums, galleries, and historic monuments.

Best Time for Gardens

Statue and colorful flowers in the Luxembourg Garden in Paris

Luxembourg Garden, Paris, France

Best Months: April | May | June

Paris is famous for its gardens and the best time to visit for flowers, lush grass, and the lifestyle associated with green spaces across the city is from April to June.

From the Palais Royal Garden to the Luxembourg Gardens, the Jardin des Plantes to the Coulee Verte, as the temperatures warm across the city you can wander beneath pathways paved with trees or alongside elegant rose bushes that capture the opulence of Paris when visiting in spring.

Best Time to Avoid the Crowds

Tourists inside the The Louvre Museum in Paris

The Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Best Months: April | May | October | November

The best time to visit Paris to avoid the crowds is during the shoulder season months of April, May, October, and November.

During these months, fewer travelers visit Paris and you can experience the city's highlights without the overwhelming groups of visitors. You can browse museums, stroll down charming boulevards, enjoy day trips to marvelous heritage sites, and absorb the romantic atmosphere when Paris is far quieter than during the peak travel months.

Best Time for Food

Pastries on display at a bakery in Paris

Paris, France

Best Months: April | May | September | October

The best time to visit for a food tour in Paris is April to May or September to October. Seasonal eating remains an important part of the French culinary experience.

Traditional ingredients change with the shifting temperatures, but spring and fall provide an abundance of flavors that you can enjoy during your food tour, whether when visiting a market or sitting at a treasured restaurant, the crops are resplendent with color and vibrant tastes.

Best Time for Seniors

Autumn trees in Tuileries Garden, Paris

Paris, France

Best Months: April | May | September | October

A combination of great weather and fewer crowds make April to May and September to October the best time to visit Paris for seniors.

The timeless city inspires passion, represents beauty, and celebrates the pleasures of life along cobblestone streets and within the legendary monuments spread across distinct neighborhoods.

By visiting in the shoulder season of spring and autumn you can enjoy the iconic highlights with more flexibility, relax in the milder temperatures, and explore at your own pace.

Best Time for Couples or Honeymooners

Couple in Paris with Eiffel Tower in the background at sunset

Paris, France

Best Months: April | May | August | September | October | December

Paris is a dream destination throughout the year, but the best time for couples to visit is from April to May, August to October, and again in December.

The shoulder months of spring and fall provide great weather and fewer crowds, while December offers a majestic winter wonderland as the festive holiday ambiance sweeps through the streets.

Whether looking for the greenery of the spring, the lively flavors of the fall, or the serene quiet of winter, you will find romance in Paris from April to May, August to October, and in December.

Best Time for Families with Children

Kids behind the clock at d'Orsay Museum in Paris, France

Paris, France

Best Months: May | August | December

The best time to visit Paris as a family is in May, August, or December, when the crowds are fewer, but the opportunities to explore with your children are far greater.

Each month can provide your family with a different way to explore the iconic city, from cruising down the Seine River to visiting the famous gardens or embracing the vibrant Christmas ambiance.

The main consideration when visiting Paris as a family is when you are able to travel, but May, August, and December can give you better insight into the wonder of the city.

Best Time for Spring & Summer Activities

Cherry blossom trees with view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

Paris, France

Best Months:  April | May | June

The spring and summer months in Paris provide wonderful possibilities for visitors, especially from April to June.

From the beauty of the Seine from its riverbanks to the charms of the budding gardens, the ambiance of streetside cafes to the aromas of typical French cuisine, the cobbled lanes and parks become open-air theaters that bustle with life.

Explore monuments, visit museums, and delve deeper into the culinary culture of the city when visiting during spring and summer.

Highlights: Walking tour | River cruise | Palace tours | Garden expeditions | Shopping | Museum visit | Explore antique markets | Cooking class

Best Time for Fall & Winter Activities

Paris Opera house interior in France

Paris, France

Best Months: October | November | December | January

Fall and winter are gorgeous seasons in which to visit Paris, especially from October to January. As the seasons change, the colors of the gardens fade, but the life around the parks, cafes, and cobblestone streets remain vibrant.

Fewer crowds provide an open ambiance in the galleries, museums, and markets, as the shifting temperatures also lead to the festive celebrations of the holiday season.

From the distinct seasonal flavors highlighted in pastries across the city to opera performances that bring historic culture and art into a contemporary space, the months of October to January share a different perspective of Paris, one that’s equally vibrant and often overlooked.

Highlights: Holiday markets | Opera performance | Ice skating | Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival | Museum visits | Boutique patisserie tour

Book for the Best Time to Visit Paris

Tourist at The Luxembourg Garden and Palace in Paris, France

Paris, France

The bohemian ambiance of Montmartre, the exuberant labyrinthine streets of the Latin Quarter, and the captivating masterpieces on display in the museums across the city reveal the endless layers of Paris’s mystique.

When you travel according to your preferences, you can arrange the best experiences for you. Visit our Paris Tours & Packages for ideas on how to plan your perfect personalized trip.

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