The weather in Paris, while generally mild, often surprises visitors with its cooler temperatures and frequent rain. Gray skies and occasional showers are common companions, and in winter, you might even experience a dusting of snow — though it rarely lingers for long. Understanding the seasonal shifts will help you make the most of your visit, rain or shine.
Spring ushers in refreshing showers during March and April, while summers are typically pleasant, with temperatures often settling in the 70s (20s C). Our guide provides insights into what to expect throughout the year, along with practical packing tips to ensure you're prepared to enjoy Paris in any season.
Autumn at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – Wikimedia by Jean-Louis Vandevivere
Paris experiences four distinct seasons, but extreme weather is uncommon. Winters are cool rather than severe, summers are generally warm without being excessively hot, and rain is possible at any time of year. The biggest seasonal differences are daylight hours, temperatures, and how much time people spend outdoors.
Spring arrives gradually between March and May. Temperatures climb from cool early-spring days to comfortable afternoons by May, while parks, gardens, and tree-lined boulevards come back to life. Rain showers are common, so a light waterproof jacket and an umbrella remain useful companions.
June, July, and August bring the warmest weather of the year. Most days are comfortable for walking and outdoor dining, although occasional heat waves can push temperatures much higher. Long daylight hours make summer one of the most popular times to visit Paris.
Many visitors consider September and October among the most pleasant months of the year. Temperatures remain comfortable, summer crowds begin to ease, and the city's parks and gardens take on autumn colors. November is cooler and wetter, marking the transition into winter.
Winter temperatures are generally cool rather than harsh, with daytime highs often remaining above freezing. Snow is possible but usually infrequent and short-lived. December brings festive lights and holiday markets, while January and February are often the quietest months for tourism.
Wake up near the cafés of Saint-Germain, the streets of the Marais, or the village lanes of Montmartre. Find a Paris hotel in the neighborhood you want to call home.
• Minimum temperature: 36°F (2°C)
• Maximum temperature: 43°F (6°C)
• Average temperature: 37°F (3°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (50 mm)
• Average wet days: 18
• Average number of days with some snow: 4
With 18 days of rain and a few days of snow , you should be convinced to pack clothes to keep you warm and dry. Warm layers, waterproof shoes, and a winter coat make January much more comfortable.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In January →
• Minimum temperature: 35°F (3°C)
• Maximum temperature: 46°F (8°C
• Average temperature: 37°F (2°C)
• Average rainfall: 1 inch (39 mm)
• Average number of wet days: 14
• Average number of days with snow: 4
February weather is not much different from January , so expect the same with just a few less days of rain. Even with fewer rainy days, you'll still need a travel umbrella and waterproof shoes.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In February →
• Minimum temperature: 41°F (5°C)
• Maximum temperature: 52°F (11°C)
• Average temperature: 45°F (7°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (41 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 12
• Average number of days with snow: 2
March weather, too, can be unpredictable. It may arrive like a lion and leave like a lamb. Or arrive like a lamb and leave like a lion. Surprisingly, March is the driest month of the year in Paris. Plan to bring warm clothes, but you just might have to buy a new wardrobe if a heat wave rolls in. Luckily, there is shopping in Paris.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In March →
• Minimum temperature: 45°F (7°C)
• Maximum temperature: 59°F (15°C)
• Average temperature: 50°F (10°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (45 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 12
With less rain and warmer temperatures, it's time to think about your springtime in Paris wardrobe, but don't go too crazy. You'll still need a warm spring coat and that darn umbrella. Spring is also one of the busiest periods for Versailles tours from Paris, when the gardens begin coming back into bloom.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In April →
• Minimum temperature: 50°F (10°C)
• Maximum temperature: 65°F (18°C)
• Average temperature: 57°F (14°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (56 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 12
May is one of the most comfortable months of the year, with longer days and mild temperatures. But, with a few rainy patches to be expected, better bring a light raincoat too.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In May →
• Minimum temperature: 55°F (13°C)
• Maximum temperature: 72°F (22°C)
• Average temperature: 63°F (17°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (56 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 12
June weather is usually warm enough for lighter clothing, outdoor dining, and long days of sightseeing, especially as daylight stretches late into the evening. Parisians seem especially stylish in the summer months.
June's long daylight hours make it one of the best months for an Eiffel Tower guided tour or a Seine dinner cruise
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In June →
Dine on the Seine as Paris lights up around you, with French cuisine served aboard a glass-walled boat cruising past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and Louvre.
• Minimum temperature: 59°F (15°C)
• Maximum temperature: 78°F (24°C)
• Average temperature: 66°F (19°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (57 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 13
July brings some of the warmest weather of the year, along with long daylight hours Bring your swimming suit with you and lounge on the banks of the Seine during the annual Paris Plage.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In July →
• Minimum temperature: 59°F (15°C)
• Maximum temperature: 77°F (24°C)
• Average temperature: 66°F (19°C)
• Average rainfall: 1 inch (32 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 10
The good times should continue through August. Summertime is in full swing, so plan to bring along extra sunscreen.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In August →
• Minimum temperature: 55°F (13°C)
• Maximum temperature: 70°F (21°C)
• Average temperature: 59°F (15°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (53 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 13
September often combines comfortable temperatures with the return of full cultural programming across the city after the summer holidays. You may feel a twinge of fall in the air towards the end of the month: although you can still wear your summer wardrobe, you may want to pack some of your fall wardrobe.
September's mild temperatures are ideal for Paris food tours and walking through neighborhoods such as the Marais and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In September →
Step into Versailles with reserved access for gilded royal apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, then wander the vast gardens and Marie Antoinette's estate.
• Minimum temperature: 48°F (9°C)
• Maximum temperature: 61°F (16°C)
• Average temperature: 52°F (11°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (56 mm)
• Average number of days with rainy patches: 12
It's the beginning of autumn, and that says it all. With more days of rain and cooler temperatures, you'll want to bring your stylish fall coat, sweaters for layering and comfortable warm shoes.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In October →
• Minimum temperature: 41°F (5°C)
• Maximum temperature: 50°F (10°C)
• Average temperature: 43°F (6°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (54 mm)
• Average number of wet days: 16
Think rainy and chilly, with low temperatures approaching freezing. Then factor in wind chill and the shorter daylight hours and you'll understand why your suitcase should be well-stocked with warm clothes. An umbrella or a waterproof jacket with a hood is a must. Suede shoes or shoes made of non-waterproof material should be left at home. Boots are a good idea. Women who enjoy wearing heels should bring at least one pair of flat, warm, dry shoes for walking.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In November →
• Minimum temperature: 37°F (3°C)
• Maximum temperature: 44°F (7°C)
• Average temperature: 39°F (4°C)
• Average rainfall: 2 inches (49 mm)
• Average number of wet days: 16
• Average number of snow days: 2
Christmas in Paris is another special time. Magical, perhaps, but it can be chilly, too. You won't want to bundle up like a Eskimo (since you are in the fashion capital) but you will want to bring along your stylish winter coat, gloves and warm boots.
See Our Guide To Things To Do In Paris In December →
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