Winter
Dec → Feb8 to 11°
nights 2 to 4°
- 13 rainy days · 70 mm
- 4.1 h of sun
- sea 8°
When is the best time to visit France?
- Jan8°not recommended
- Feb11°not recommended
- Mar13°not recommended
- Apr16°fair
- May19°recommended
- Jun24°recommended
- Jul25°recommended
- Aug25°fair
- Sep22°recommended
- Oct17°fair
- Nov12°not recommended
- Dec9°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in France, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8° | 2° | 3.5 h | 63 mm | 12 d | 8° | |
| February | 11° | 4° | 5.3 h | 59 mm | 12 d | 8° | |
| March | 13° | 4° | 7.1 h | 72 mm | 14 d | 9° | |
| April | 16° | 6° | 10 h | 54 mm | 10 d | 12° | |
| May | 19° | 10° | 10.8 h | 67 mm | 13 d | 16° | ✓ |
| June | 24° | 14° | 11.7 h | 80 mm | 13 d | 19° | ✓ |
| July | 25° | 15° | 11.7 h | 60 mm | 9 d | 20° | ✓ |
| August | 25° | 16° | 10.8 h | 73 mm | 11 d | 21° | |
| September | 22° | 13° | 9 h | 76 mm | 10 d | 20° | ✓ |
| October | 17° | 10° | 6.5 h | 96 mm | 14 d | 16° | |
| November | 12° | 6° | 4.7 h | 54 mm | 11 d | 12° | |
| December | 9° | 4° | 3.5 h | 89 mm | 15 d | 9° |
The four seasons in France, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Paris) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May13 to 19°
nights 4 to 10°
- 12 rainy days · 64 mm
- 9.3 h of sun
- sea 12°
Summer
Jun → Aug24 to 25°
nights 14 to 16°
- 11 rainy days · 71 mm
- 11.4 h of sun
- sea 20°
Autumn
Sep → Nov12 to 22°
nights 6 to 13°
- 12 rainy days · 75 mm
- 6.7 h of sun
- sea 16°
Book early for May to July and September
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in France, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 16h09 of daylight, in December 8h16, a difference of 7h53.
8h41Jan
10h05Feb
11h44Mar
13h38Apr
15h15May
16h09Jun
15h47Jul
14h21Aug
12h30Sep
10h41Oct
9h04Nov
8h16Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Paris" (48.86°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in France, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
EventsFête de la musiqueJuneTour de FranceJulyBastille DayJulyGrape harvestSeptember to OctoberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: July
- Towns & culture: January, February, April, July, August, September, November
- Long days: May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in France, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. One of these events fills the hotels and pushes prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- JuneFête de la musique
On one evening in June, free concerts take over the streets of every town and city in the country, from neighbourhood brass bands to stages set up in the squares.
- JulyTour de France big crowds
The publicity caravan and the peloton cross the country over three weeks in July, with mountain stages in the Alps and the Pyrenees.
- JulyBastille Day
In mid-July, a military parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris and evening fireworks in almost every town and village.
- September to OctoberGrape harvest
The vineyards of Burgundy, the Bordeaux region and Alsace bring in the grapes in September and October, and the estates open their cellars.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit France, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
The French RivieraBest time: May to OctoberWhen to visit the French Riviera →The French Riviera guide
AlsaceBest time: May to September (Christmas markets: December)When to visit Alsace →The Alsace guide
The French Basque CountryBest time: May to October (June and September ideal)When to visit the French Basque Country →The French Basque Country guide
The French AlpsBest time: June to September (hiking) and January to March (skiing)When to visit the French Alps →The French Alps guide
Dordogne and the PérigordBest time: May to OctoberWhen to visit Dordogne and the Périgord →The Dordogne and the Périgord guide
Bordeaux and AroundBest time: May to July and September to OctoberWhen to visit Bordeaux and Around →The Bordeaux and Around guide
MontpellierBest time: May to June and early SeptemberWhen to visit Montpellier →The Montpellier guide
CarcassonneBest time: April to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Carcassonne →The Carcassonne guide
Albi and the Tarn ValleyBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Albi and the Tarn Valley →The Albi and the Tarn Valley guide
The French ArdennesBest time: May to OctoberWhen to visit the French Ardennes →The French Ardennes guide
The Lot and QuercyBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Lot and Quercy →The Lot and Quercy guide
The French PyreneesBest time: June to SeptemberWhen to visit the French Pyrenees →The French Pyrenees guide
The VosgesBest time: June to July, September to October and January to February (snow)When to visit the Vosges →The Vosges guide
The CévennesBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Cévennes →The Cévennes guide
The Côte Vermeille and CollioureBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Côte Vermeille and Collioure →The Côte Vermeille and Collioure guide
The Bay of SommeBest time: April to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Bay of Somme →The Bay of Somme guide
ChampagneBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Champagne →The Champagne guide
Charente-Maritime and the Île de RéBest time: May to SeptemberWhen to visit Charente-Maritime and the Île de Ré →The Charente-Maritime and the Île de Ré guide_-_le_Saut_Girard.JPG/960px-Cascade_du_H%C3%A9risson_(Jura)_-_le_Saut_Girard.JPG)
The Alpilles and Les Baux-de-ProvenceBest time: April to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Alpilles and Les Baux-de-Provence →The Alpilles and Les Baux-de-Provence guide
Briançon and La GraveBest time: February to March and July to SeptemberWhen to visit Briançon and La Grave →The Briançon and La Grave guide
Évian and the ChablaisBest time: May to SeptemberWhen to visit Évian and the Chablais →The Évian and the Chablais guide
Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and the EsterelBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and the Esterel →The Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and the Esterel guide_Abbaye_Saint-Michel_de_Gaillac_exposition_sud_vue_des_berges_du_Tarn.jpg/1280px-(Gaillac)_Abbaye_Saint-Michel_de_Gaillac_exposition_sud_vue_des_berges_du_Tarn.jpg)
The Gers and ArmagnacBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Gers and Armagnac →The Gers and Armagnac guide.JPG/1280px-Lac_de_Nantua_et_Nantua_(Ain).JPG)
Hossegor and CapbretonBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Hossegor and Capbreton →The Hossegor and Capbreton guide
Les Deux AlpesBest time: January to March and July to AugustWhen to visit Les Deux Alpes →Les Deux Alpes guide
Lorient and South BrittanyBest time: May to SeptemberWhen to visit Lorient and South Brittany →The Lorient and South Brittany guide
The Monts du LyonnaisBest time: May to SeptemberWhen to visit the Monts du Lyonnais →The Monts du Lyonnais guide
The Écrins (Vallouise)Best time: January to February and June to SeptemberWhen to visit the Écrins (Vallouise) →The Écrins (Vallouise) guide
Roanne and the RoannaisBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Roanne and the Roannais →The Roanne and the Roannais guide
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-VieBest time: May to SeptemberWhen to visit Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie →The Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie guideSaint-Malo and the Emerald CoastBest time: May to SeptemberWhen to visit Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast →The Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast guide
.jpg/1280px-09_NAQ_-_Charente-Maritime_-_Saintes_-_Arc_de_Germanicus_(2017-05-02_17-48-10).jpg)
Saintes and the SaintongeBest time: May to July and SeptemberWhen to visit Saintes and the Saintonge →The Saintes and the Saintonge guideSarlat and the Périgord NoirBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Sarlat and the Périgord Noir →The Sarlat and the Périgord Noir guide
Serre-Ponçon and Les OrresBest time: January to February and June to SeptemberWhen to visit Serre-Ponçon and Les Orres →The Serre-Ponçon and Les Orres guide.jpg/1280px-Sundgau_(7710016240).jpg)
Tarn-et-GaronneBest time: April to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Tarn-et-Garonne →The Tarn-et-Garonne guide
The TrièvesBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit the Trièves →The Trièves guide
Uzès and the Pont du GardBest time: May to June and September to OctoberWhen to visit Uzès and the Pont du Gard →The Uzès and the Pont du Gard guide
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended8°2° at night
- 63 mm · 12 d
- 3.5 h
- sea 8°
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended11°4° at night
- 59 mm · 12 d
- 5.3 h
- sea 8°
Low season, lower prices
March
Not recommended13°4° at night
- 72 mm · 14 d
- 7.1 h
- sea 9°
Low season, lower prices
April
Fair16°6° at night
- 54 mm · 10 d
- 10 h
- sea 12°
Low season, lower prices
May
Recommended19°10° at night
- 67 mm · 13 d
- 10.8 h
- sea 16°
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended24°14° at night
- 80 mm · 13 d
- 11.7 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended25°15° at night
- 60 mm · 9 d
- 11.7 h
- sea 20°
High season, book early
August
Fair25°16° at night
- 73 mm · 11 d
- 10.8 h
- sea 21°
Busy, without the crush
September
Recommended22°13° at night
- 76 mm · 10 d
- 9 h
- sea 20°
Busy, without the crush
October
Fair17°10° at night
- 96 mm · 14 d
- 6.5 h
- sea 16°
Low season, lower prices
November
Not recommended12°6° at night
- 54 mm · 11 d
- 4.7 h
- sea 12°
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended9°4° at night
- 89 mm · 15 d
- 3.5 h
- sea 9°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Cool: 8 °C at best, 2 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (63 mm). Sunshine gets scarcer (3.5 h a day). Sea at 8 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Cool: 11 °C at best, 4 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (59 mm). Sunshine gets scarcer (5.3 h a day). Sea at 8 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Cool: 13 °C at best, 4 °C at night. A very wet month, 72 mm of rain over 14 days. Expect 7.1 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 9 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. Cool: 16 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (54 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. Sea at 12 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 10 °C early in the morning. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (67 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
June. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (80 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.7 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
July. 25 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (60 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.7 h a day on average. Cool sea (20 °C), for the brave. High season: book early.
August. 25 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (73 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.8 h a day on average. Cool sea (21 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
September. Mild, 22 °C in the afternoon and 13 °C early in the morning. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (76 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9 h a day on average. Cool sea (20 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Cool: 17 °C at best, 10 °C at night. Frequent rain: 96 mm over 14 days. Expect 6.5 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Cool: 12 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (54 mm). Sunshine gets scarcer (4.7 h a day). Sea at 12 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Cool: 9 °C at best, 4 °C at night. A very wet month, 89 mm of rain over 15 days. Sunshine gets scarcer (3.5 h a day). Sea at 9 °C, too cold to swim. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit France?
May to July and September: over these months, recorded highs range from 19 to 25 °C, with 11 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Paris).
Which month should you avoid in France?
December: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 89 mm over 15 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Paris).
What is the hottest month in France?
July, with 25 °C on average in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Paris).
What is the coldest month in France?
January, with 8 °C at best during the day and 2 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Paris).
What is the driest month in France?
April: 54 mm over 10 days of rain, against 96 mm in October, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in France?
June, with 11.7 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in France?
The water stays cool all year (warmest 21 °C in August, measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast, Mont-Saint-Michel): swimming is for the brave.
When is the best time to hike in France?
July: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Paris), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable France guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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