Best time to visit Paris

Paris in spring

Spring is one of the most enchanting times to visit Paris. From April onward, the city brightens with blooming gardens, longer days, and comfortable temperatures ideal for exploring on foot. Neighborhoods like Saint-Germain, Le Marais, and Montmartre feel especially inviting as café terraces fill and the Seine’s riverbanks come to life. This season is perfect for museum visits, market strolls, and relaxed sightseeing without the peak-summer crowds. Light layers are usually all you need, making spring an excellent time for a classic Paris getaway.

Paris in summer

Summer in Paris, especially June to August, brings warm weather, long evenings, and a lively atmosphere across the city. With temperatures often reaching the low to mid-70s°F, you can enjoy picnics in the parks, open-air cinema nights, rooftop bars, and riverside pop-ups along the Seine. It’s an ideal season for outdoor events and taking in iconic sights under bright blue skies. While it’s a popular travel period, the festive mood and extended daylight hours make summer one of the most vibrant times to explore Paris.

Paris in fall

Autumn in Paris is beautifully atmospheric. September and October offer mild temperatures, soft golden light, and colorful parks, perfect for wandering through the Luxembourg Gardens, exploring Montmartre, or visiting museums with fewer crowds. It’s also a great time for cultural events, exhibitions, and food festivals as the city settles into a more relaxed rhythm after summer. Evenings turn cooler, so packing a sweater or light jacket ensures you can comfortably enjoy strolls and dinners outdoors.

Paris in winter

Winter brings a quieter, cozier side of Paris. From December to February, temperatures are cool and occasional rain is common, but this season is ideal for museum lovers, food enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a romantic city escape. Holiday decorations light up the boulevards, Christmas markets pop up around the city, and cafés offer the perfect refuge for warm drinks and people-watching. While it’s not the season for outdoor lounging, winter in Paris delivers cultural richness, festive charm, and fewer crowds at many major attractions.

January – March

• Winter Sales (Soldes d’Hiver): Right after New Year’s, Paris kicks off its major winter sales. Department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché offer deep discounts, making this one of the best times for fashion and luxury shopping.

• Valentine’s Day: On February 14, Paris shines at its most romantic. Enjoy a Seine river cruise, wander the Pont des Arts, or book dinner at one of the city’s many intimate bistros or Michelin-starred restaurants.

• Paris Fashion Week (Women’s Ready-to-Wear): In February and early March, top French and international designers unveil new collections. While the runway shows are mostly industry-only, the city buzzes with pop-ups, exhibitions, and public fashion events.

April – June

• Printemps du Cinéma & Spring Film Events: Spring brings special screenings, festivals, and discounted cinema tickets across Paris, perfect for discovering French film culture.

• Night of the Museums (Nuit des Musées – May): For one evening in May, museums and cultural venues across Paris stay open late, many offering free entry. Experience the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, or smaller galleries in a unique nighttime atmosphere.

• Fête de la Musique (June 21): On the first day of summer, Paris transforms into one big open-air concert venue. Musicians perform on squares, along the Seine, and in neighborhoods across the city, all free of charge.

July – September

• Bastille Day (July 14): France’s national holiday brings a spectacular military parade on the Champs-Élysées, free concerts, and one of Europe’s most memorable fireworks displays at the Eiffel Tower.

• Paris Plages (July–August): Each summer, the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette turn into temporary city beaches with lounge chairs, games, sports, and cultural programming, a fun way to enjoy Paris outdoors.

• Tour de France Finale (July): The world’s most famous cycling race traditionally ends in Paris. Watching the final laps on the Champs-Élysées is an unforgettable experience for sports fans.

• Open-Air Cinema & Summer Festivals: Throughout the summer, parks and plazas host outdoor film screenings and cultural events, including the popular open-air cinema at Parc de la Villette.

October – December

• Nuit Blanche (October): During this annual all-night arts festival, streets and public spaces across Paris fill with installations, projections, and performances, most free to the public.

• Harvest Festivals & Montmartre Grape Harvest: In autumn, Paris’s neighborhoods celebrate the season with food events, concerts, and tastings. The Montmartre grape harvest festival is one of the city’s most beloved traditions.

• Holiday Lights & Christmas Markets (Late November–December): From late November, Paris glows with holiday decorations. Christmas markets, festive window displays, and illuminated boulevards create a magical winter atmosphere.

• New Year’s Eve in Paris: Ring in the New Year along the Champs-Élysées or the Seine with light shows, concerts, and celebrations throughout the city, a memorable way to welcome the year ahead.