What is the best time to visit France?

Best Time to Visit France

The best time to travel to France is during Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).

Spring in France

Spring in France is a great time to visit, as the weather is mild and pleasant. The days are longer and the flowers are in full bloom, making it a great time for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Popular attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées are especially beautiful during this time. Tourists can also experience the joy of the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Paris Marathon in April.

Autumn in France

Autumn in France is a great time to visit, as the weather is still mild and pleasant. The days are shorter but still offer plenty of daylight for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves in the forests and parks. Popular attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées are especially beautiful during this time. Tourists can also experience the joy of the Paris Marathon in October and the Paris Jazz Festival in November.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in France

France in January

Weather

January in France is generally cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from 2°C (35°F) to 10°C (50°F). Snow is possible in the northern and eastern parts of the country.

Events

• The Paris Marathon is held in April. This is a 42.2 km (26.2 miles) race through the streets of Paris, attracting thousands of participants from around the world.
• The Cannes Film Festival takes place in January. This is an annual event that celebrates the best of cinema from around the world.
• The Paris Motor Show is held in October. This is a large exhibition of cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles from around the world.
• The Fête des Rois is celebrated in January. This is a traditional French celebration of the Epiphany, where a cake is shared among family and friends.
• The French Open is held in May. This is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

France in January

Weather

January in France is usually cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from 3-7°C (37-45°F). Snow is possible in the mountains and in the northern regions of the country.

Events

• The New Year’s Day Parade is held in Paris, with a procession of floats, marching bands, and entertainers.
• The Fête des Rois (Festival of Kings) is celebrated on the 6th of January. This is a traditional French holiday in which a cake is shared and the person who finds the hidden trinket in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day.
• The International Film Festival in Paris is held from the 10th to the 20th of January. This is a great opportunity to see the latest French and international films.
• The Paris Marathon is held on the last Sunday in January. This is a popular event for runners from all around the world.
• The Salon de l’Agriculture is an annual agricultural show held in Paris from the 23rd to the 31st of January. This is a great opportunity to learn about French agriculture and food.

France in March

Weather

The weather in France during March is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to the low-50s Fahrenheit. Rainfall is common during this month, so be sure to pack an umbrella.

Events

• The Paris Marathon is held in March each year. This event draws thousands of runners from around the world, and is a great opportunity to explore the city of Paris.
• The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It takes place in March each year and showcases the best of French and international cinema.
• The French Open is a major tennis tournament held in Paris in the spring. This event draws some of the best players in the world and is a great opportunity to watch some of the best tennis matches of the year.
• The Fête de la Musique is a music festival held in cities across France in June. It is a great opportunity to explore the vibrant music scene in France.
• The Tour de France is a major cycling race that takes place in France in July. It is a great opportunity to explore the beautiful countryside of France.

France in April

Weather

April in France is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10-20 degrees Celsius. The weather can be unpredictable, however, with occasional cold spells and rain showers.

Events

• Easter is celebrated in France in April. This is an important religious holiday that is celebrated with family gatherings and special meals.
• The Paris Marathon is held in April each year, usually in the second half of the month. It is a popular event that attracts thousands of runners from around the world.
• April is the month of the Fête de la Musique in France. This is a celebration of music with free concerts, events, and performances held throughout the country.
• April is the month of the Cannes Film Festival. This is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, and it attracts celebrities, filmmakers, and movie fans from around the globe.
• The Tour de France cycling race begins in April. This is one of the most famous cycling races in the world and it is watched by millions of people.

France in May

Weather

In May, temperatures in France typically range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s Fahrenheit, with warm days and cool nights. The weather is generally mild and pleasant, with some rain and occasional thunderstorms.

Events

• The Cannes Film Festival is held in the city of Cannes on the French Riviera. The festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and attracts celebrities from all over the globe.
• The Tour de France is a world-famous cycling race that takes place in France during the month of May. The race is one of the most popular sporting events in the country and draws thousands of spectators.
• The Fête de la Musique is an annual music festival that takes place on the 21st of June. The festival celebrates music of all genres and is celebrated in cities and towns across France.
• The Paris Marathon is an annual marathon that takes place in the city of Paris. The race is one of the most popular marathons in the world and attracts thousands of runners from all over the globe.
• The Festival d’Avignon is an annual performing arts festival that takes place in the city of Avignon. The festival features performances of theatre, dance, music, and other art forms.

France in June

Weather

June is the start of summer in France, with temperatures ranging from 18-25 degrees Celsius (64-77 degrees Fahrenheit). Rainfall is typically low, with the occasional shower.

Events

• The Fête de la Musique is a popular event that takes place on June 21st. This celebration of music is held all across France, with free concerts and performances in the streets.
• The Fête de la Saint-Jean is a celebration of the Summer Solstice on June 24th. This festival includes bonfires, dancing, and fireworks.
• The Tour de France is an annual cycling race that begins in June. This year, the race will begin on June 26th in Nice.
• The Festival International du Film de Cannes is an annual film festival held in Cannes. This year, the festival will take place from June 11th to June 22nd.
• The Festival Interceltique de Lorient is an annual Celtic music and culture festival held in Lorient. This year, the festival will take place from June 25th to July 4th.

France in July

Weather

July is the warmest month in France, with temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F). The south of France is usually the warmest, while the north is slightly cooler. Rainfall is common in July, especially in the northern and western regions.

Events

• The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race that starts in the first week of July. It is one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, and it attracts thousands of spectators.
• Bastille Day is a national holiday in France that celebrates the storming of the Bastille in 1789. On this day, there are parades, fireworks, and other festivities throughout the country.
• The Cannes Film Festival is a prestigious film festival that takes place in the city of Cannes in July. It is one of the most important events in the film industry, and it attracts celebrities from all over the world.
• The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race that starts in the first week of July. It is one of the most prestigious cycling events in the world, and it attracts thousands of spectators.
• The Fête de la Musique is a music festival that takes place in cities all over France on June 21st. It is a celebration of music, and it features free concerts, live performances, and other events.

France in August

Weather

August in France is usually warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 15-25°C (59-77°F). It is the peak of summer, and the days are long and sunny.

Events

• The annual Festival d’Avignon is held in the city of Avignon. This is one of the largest theatre festivals in the world, and it takes place over the course of three weeks in August.
• The Fête Nationale, or Bastille Day, is celebrated on July 14th. This is a national holiday that commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789.
• The Tour de France is a world-famous cycling race that takes place in August. It is a three-week long race that covers over 3,500 km of French roads.
• The French Open is a major tennis tournament held in Paris. It is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and takes place in late May and early June.
• The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. It takes place in the city of Cannes in the south of France and showcases the best of international cinema.

France in September

Weather

In September, the weather in France is typically mild and pleasant. Temperatures range from highs of around 22°C (72°F) in the south to lows of around 10°C (50°F) in the north. Rainfall is moderate, with an average of around 8 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Tour de France is an annual cycling race that takes place in September. It is one of the most popular sporting events in France and attracts thousands of spectators.
• The Fête de la Gastronomie is a celebration of French cuisine that takes place in September. It is a great opportunity to sample some of the best food and wine that France has to offer.
• The Paris Fashion Week is held in September and is one of the most important fashion events in the world. It attracts some of the biggest names in the fashion industry.
• The Foire de Paris is a major trade show that takes place in September. It showcases the latest products and innovations from French companies.
• The Nuit Blanche is an annual event that takes place in Paris in September. It is a night of art, music, and culture, with performances and exhibitions taking place throughout the city.

France in October

Weather

October in France is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F). The days are usually sunny, with some rain in the north and east.

Events

• The Paris Marathon is held in October, usually on the first Sunday of the month. It is a popular event, attracting thousands of runners from around the world.
• The Fête de la Musique is a music festival held in Paris and other major cities in France on June 21st. It is a celebration of music, with free concerts and performances in parks, squares, and other public spaces.
• The Tour de France is a cycling race that takes place in October. It is a three-week event, with stages in different parts of France.
• The Fête des Vendanges is a wine festival held in the Champagne region of France. It is a celebration of the grape harvest, with wine tastings, food, and music.
• The Salon du Chocolat is a chocolate festival held in Paris in October. It is a celebration of chocolate, with tastings, demonstrations, and workshops.

France in November

Weather

November in France is usually quite mild and wet. The average temperature is around 10°C (50°F). The days are shorter and the nights are longer, with the sun setting at around 5:30 pm.

Events

• Armistice Day is celebrated on November 11th to commemorate the end of World War I. There are parades, ceremonies, and a two-minute silence observed throughout the country.
• The Paris Marathon takes place in the last week of November. Thousands of runners take part in the annual event, which is one of the most popular marathons in the world.
• The Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) is celebrated in Lyon in early November. The festival is marked with colorful light displays, music, and performances.
• The Salon du Chocolat is an annual event that takes place in Paris in November. It is a celebration of chocolate, with tastings, demonstrations, and workshops.
• The Paris Jazz Festival is held in November and features some of the best jazz musicians from around the world.

France in December

Weather

December in France is typically cold and wet. Average temperatures range from a low of 35°F (2°C) to a high of 45°F (7°C). Snow is possible in the northern and eastern parts of the country, and rain is common in the western and southern regions.

Events

• The Christmas markets of France are a popular attraction in December. Visitors can find markets in cities such as Strasbourg, Paris, and Lyon, where they can find unique gifts and festive decorations.
• The Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights) is held in Lyon each December. This four-day event features light shows, music, and other performances.
• The Paris Jazz Festival is held each December. This festival features jazz musicians from around the world performing in venues throughout the city.
• The French Riviera hosts the Nice Carnival each December. This two-week event features parades, fireworks, and other performances.
• The Tour de France is held each December. This cycling race is one of the most popular sporting events in France.