Paris has many nicknames, such as the City of Love and the City of Lights. These names symbolize its history and significance as a romantic destination. The French capital welcomes millions of visitors annually to learn, explore, and enjoy its offerings. While this city is a year-round destination, you might want to prioritize or avoid specific months based on your interests. Hence, we present this helpful blog on the best time to go to Paris, where we list the pros and cons of each month in detail.
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March-May: Best Time to Go to Paris
Paris is fantastic any time of the year; however, spring enhances charm to the supreme. After the cold winter, the city comes alive with blooming flowers and trees. Temperatures start rising, with average highs in mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit. March to May is the perfect time to visit Paris as there are fewer crowds, the weather is ideal for travel, and many things to do. Some of the springtime activities are as follows:
Check Out The Fountains At The Palace of Versailles
- Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Catch legendary fountain shows at the Palace of Versailles during the springtime. This 17th-century palace is known for its numerous fountains, like the Latona Fountain, Apollo Fountain, Neptune Fountain, Leto’s Fountain, and Dragon Fountain. Its Four Seasons Fountains are dedicated to all seasons, including Ceres (The Summer Fountain), Bacchus (The Autumn Fountain), Saturn (The Winter Fountain), and Flora (The Spring Fountain). The Versailles Palace hosts many events showcasing its fountains, like the Musical Fountains Show (April to October) and the Fountains Night Show (June to September). The former showcases fountains’ water sporting to the rhythm of baroque music.
Catch A Glimpse Of Mona Lisa Portrait At The Louvre Museum
- Address: 75001 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Paris is home to many art museums, including the legendary Louvre Museum. This national museum was initially a fortress in the 12th century before being a royal residence for French royalty from the 16th century until 1682. Since its transformation into a museum, the Louvre has collected a vast collection of 615,000+ artifacts. These include the original Mona Lisa portrait by Leonardo da Vinci. Its other masterpieces are Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, The Wedding Feast at Cana, Caryatids, Liberty Leading the People, and The Raft of the Medusa.
Feast On Chocolate At Saint-Germain-des-Pres
- Address: 75006 Paris, France; Google Map
- Things To Do: Chocolate and pastry tours, visiting cafes, sightseeing
What is a Paris expedition without a chocolate tour? You must treat yourself to the City of Love’s sweet treats. The best place to try these is Saint-Germain-des-Pres. This charming neighborhood houses many pastry shops and cafes, where you can enjoy a variety of chocolates, pastries, macarons, and truffles. Explore these stores alone or book a guided tour for a better experience. An experienced guide will be with you throughout the journey, offering knowledge about Paris’ rich history of chocolate and pastries. In addition to chocolate tasting, you can learn about the chocolate-making process.
June-August: Peak Tourist Season With Sunny Weather
After Spring, the arrival of Summer brings the flock of visitors to Paris. Many come here to enjoy their summer vacation, making this the peak tourist season. As with larger crowds, you can expect higher prices on accommodation and flights. Hence, this period is not suitable for those on a tight budget. Nonetheless, summer is the ideal time to indulge in outdoor activities, and with temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and summer-appropriate clothes.
Catch Panoramic Views From The Eiffel Tower
- Address: Av. Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 12 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
The beautiful Eiffel Tower is a must-see attraction year-round. However, it undergoes several changes during the summer months. The 330-m tower can grow taller by up to 6 inches (15cm) during sunny days when temperatures rise around 40 degrees Celsius. It’s all due to the thermal expansion of the puddled iron used in the monument’s construction. As such, you can enjoy breathtaking city views from the tower. The Eiffel Tower hosts special events and a summer terrace 57 meters above Paris in summer. The terrace offers a relaxing spot with a bar selling refreshments, pastries, ice creams, and sandwiches.
Explore The Charming Montmartre Neighborhood
- Address: 75018 Paris, France; Google Map
- Things To Do: Sightseeing, Nightlife, Bar Crawl
Summer is an ideal time to explore Parisian neighborhoods like hipster Montmartre. This charming district was once called an artists’ village, where Pablo Picasso lived. It is home to many historical landmarks, including the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which offers stunning views from the top of its white dome. Likewise, the picturesque Rue de l’Abreuvoir street features charming cafes and beautiful buildings. You will also catch street performances and live music during the summertime in Montmartre.
Sail Down The Seine River On A Cruise
- Address: France; Google Map
- Cruise Duration: 1 – 2 hours
- Cruise Cost: €15 – €50 ($15-50)
Seine River cruises are in high demand throughout the year. However, they are busier during the summer months, from July to August. These months’ ideal temperature sets the mood for a sightseeing cruise along this beautiful river. You can choose from hour-long Panoramic Cruises, scenic Dinner Cruises, one-of-a-kind Night Cruises, romantic Luxury Cruises, and Special Event Cruises. The latter are tailored for special occasions, such as celebrations, marriage proposals, and vow renewals. There are also family cruises with exciting activities for little ones.
September-November: Fall Foliage And Best Season To Visit Paris
After Spring, the best time to visit Paris is during Fall. This city experiences mild temperatures, averaging from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike summer, the crowds are smaller, making it easier to visit famous attractions. You can experience the stunning fall foliage that transforms Paris into a picturesque landscape of vibrant colors. Other things to do during these months include attending cultural events, exploring historical sites, and visiting museums.
Experience The Fall Atmosphere At Tuileries Garden
- Address: 75001 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 9 PM
- Entrance Fee: Free Entry
Bask in the Fall beauty at Tuileries Garden. Home to four museums, this vast green space is transformed into many colors during fall. Its flower beds and trees display vibrant red, orange, yellow, and golden brown hues, enhancing the aesthetic appeal. Take a stroll through the garden while admiring its beauty. You can also relax and have picnics in this picturesque setting. In addition, visit the Musée de l’Orangerie to see Claude Monet’s infamous Water Lillies series.
Enjoy The Fall Colors At Luxembourg Gardens
- Address: 75006 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8:15 AM – 4:45 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Parisian parks are a sight to behold during the beautiful fall season. Luxembourg Gardens is also beautifully decorated with golden and red leaves at this time of the year. Its extensive grounds offer plenty of space to enjoy fall colors and take leisurely walks. You can admire the fall colors on one of the green chairs or benches scattered around the park. You can also enjoy a picnic with your loved ones. However, be mindful that grassy areas are off-limits, and you can only picnic in designated areas.
Watch Exhibits At The Rodin Museum
- Address: 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6:30 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
French sculptor Auguste Rodin is called the founder of modern sculpture. His creations are one-of-a-kind that departed from traditional themes of mythology and allegory. The Rodin Museum was the sculpture’s former home, where he created many of his masterpieces. These include The Kiss, The Thinker, and The Gates of Hell. The museum displays Rodin’s famous sculptures in its extensive garden. Its collection comprises 25,000 photographs, 7,000 drawings, and notable Camille Claudel works like the 1913 casting of The Mature Age, The Waltz, and an 1892 casting of Bust of Rodin.
December-February: Best Time To Visit Paris For Budget Travelers
Paris is an expensive travel destination, but that doesn’t mean it is off-limits for budget travelers. You can save money and score great hotel deals during Winter. Despite the cold weather, with average highs around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, this off-season has many pros. These include fewer crowds and shorter lines at famous attractions. You can relax and soak in the local culture. The winter atmosphere is romantic and cozy, perfect for couples.
Attend An Opera At Palais Garnier
- Address: Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
Make the best of your Paris winter expedition with a trip to the Palais Garnier, aka Opera Garnier. This Italian-style opera house hosts many opera and ballet performances throughout the year. Imagine yourself seated in the luxurious auditorium surrounded by opera enthusiasts and watching live performances on the beautifully decorated stage. The experience is only enhanced by the palace’s marvelous interiors. The 2025 season has many grand performances, including Castor et Pollux, Anniversary Gala, Onegin, The Sleeping Beauty, Splendours of the Baroque, and the Renee Fleming concert.
Buy Local Goods From The Notre-Dame Christmas Market
- Address: 25 Quai de Montebello, 75005 Paris, France; Google Map
- Opening Dates: November – December (dates might vary every year)
- Social Media: Official Website
Do you know Paris hosts many Christmas markets? One of them is the Notre-Dame Christmas Market at Square René Viviani Quai de Montebello. This traditional Christmas Market is in a picturesque setting with the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral as a backdrop. It features local goods, including ceramics, textiles, jewelry, calligraphy, painting, and other artistic creations. You will also find regional culinary specialties like sausages, foie gras, cheeses, macarons, nougat, pretzels, and homemade pastries. This market offers a Christmas ambiance with Santa Claus and drawing contests for children.
Other Christmas markets in Paris include Tuileries Christmas Market, Montmartre Christmas Market, and Champs-Élysées Christmas Market.
Take A French Cooking Class
- Duration: 2.5-3 hours
- Price Range: $99 onwards
The off-season in Paris is the ideal time to learn about French culture. This includes getting to know about the city’s food scene. Participating in a cooking class or workshop can make your culinary expedition more informative. These classes are usually 2.5 to 3 hours long and involve an experienced or local chef teaching you to create simple French dishes. You can choose from savory dishes or French pastries and follow the chef’s guidance to create a sumptuous meal. At the end of the session, you will taste your masterpiece, usually with a beverage of your choice. Although a single class won’t turn you into a professional chef, it will be a memorable experience.
The best time to go to Paris primarily depends on your preferences. If you prefer outdoor activities, plan your itinerary around summer. Spring and Fall are the best times to avoid crowds, but prices are still higher. As such, winter is the only budget-friendly time to score cheap hotel deals. To summarize, every season and month has its pros and cons. Hence, prepare your travel plan considering the weather, costs, and what you want to do or see in Paris.
