Although it’s a year-round city, here are some considerations to help you find the perfect time to see Paris

Paris is heavily affected by the changing seasons | **4kclips / Shutterstock**

There’s no denying that the Tuileries Garden looks just as gorgeous soaked in sunshine as it does with a touch of frost, but knowing when to visit Paris (and when to avoid it) can enhance your trip to the world’s most romantic city tenfold.

Whether you’re chasing a springtime breeze as you soak up Parisian cafe culture, or looking to avoid the crowds on a museum-hopping adventure, here’s a quick breakdown of Paris by season to help with your trip planning.

Spring: The Classic Parisian Dream

Eiffel Tower and cherry blossoms — Paris in Spring sees cherry blossoms and pleasant weather | **Neirfy / Shutterstock**

When: March to May

Expect: Pleasant weather, gardens in bloom, hustle and bustle without the crowds

In our opinion, Paris in springtime takes some beating. The summer vacation tourist crowds haven’t arrived yet, but the blustery, cold and grey conditions are beginning to ebb away by mid-March.

It’s a great time to see cherry blossoms and spring blooms in Parc de Sceaux and Jardin du Luxembourg, and the famous Tuileries Garden starts to look welcoming as spring progresses.

The temperature hovers around 15–20°C, making it the ideal time to wander along the Seine, hop between flea markets or do the Paris quintessentials, like climbing the Eiffel Tower or sipping coffee on a cobbled street in Montmartre.

Early May sees a couple of major public holidays, including Labour Day on the 1st and Victory Day on the 8th, so book accommodation ahead if your dates clash. If you can, catch the Printemps des Rues festival in May, with street theatre and performances taking place along the Canal Saint-Martin.

Easter can be hit and miss in Paris, with many places closing on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday, so bear this in mind.

Summer: Hot and Lively

The Champs Elysees — Summer in Paris is warm and lively | **givaga / Shutterstock**

When: June to August

Expect: Festivals, lots of sun and hot weather, crowds, closures in August

Summer in Paris is electric, with streets buzzing and both locals and visitors making the most of warm weather and late summer nights. Naturally, this means summer is the busiest period for the city – that is, until August.

In August, like much of the rest of France, Parisians put their out of office firmly on and disappear to the beach. This means there’s less traffic, the streets are slightly less busy, but also that some shops and cafes may close as proprietors take a well-earned break.

But outside of August, you can have a whale of a time, especially in the city’s parks. Places like Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offer extensive picnic spots, or you could catch a film at Parc de la Villette’s open air cinema.

July sees Bastille Day (14th) with extensive fireworks from the Eiffel Tower, and the final stage of the Tour de France at the end of the month.

Just remember to choose a hotel with air conditioning and book skip-the-line tickets for favourites like the Louvre or Versailles – no-one wants to stand in line on a 30°C day.

Autumn: Culture Season

Notre Dame with fall colours — Paris turns a shade of orange in the autumn months | **Ekaterina Pokrovsky / Shutterstock**

When: September to November

Expect: A relaxed pace, cooler weather, fall colours, culture galore

Autumn / Fall in Paris sees Parisians return from the summer break and get straight back into what they do best: absorbing culture, patronising cafes and restaurants and getting busy opening fresh museum exhibitions and fashion shows.

Although September can remain warm and sunny, the temperature drops by the end of the month and cold, grey and even stormy days can creep in. However, there are also a fair share of bright autumn days where there’s nothing better than crunching your way along a path in the Parc Monceau with golden trees all around you.

Autumn means harvest, and although there aren’t any vineyards in the city, the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre sees grapes come to the city in October. This festival celebrates the all-important grape harvest, with parades, tastings, music and of course copious amounts of fine French wine. The city’s markets also fill up with seasonal picks like figs, chestnuts and mushrooms.

Rainy autumn days also provide the perfect excuse to do two essential Paris activities: museum hopping and shopping. The Louvre should technically be less crowded, but it’s almost always busy. Hit up the Le Marché des Enfants Rouges in Le Marais if the weather isn’t great and work your way around the stalls inside this sprawling market and food hall.

Winter: Sparkle Time

A Parisian cafe with Christmas decorations — Christmas decorations take over the city during December | **Marina Datsenko / Shutterstock**

When: December to February

Expect: Cold and wet weather, Christmas markets, cozy afternoons

The holiday period in Paris is just as you’d imagine it. Christmas trees spring up in department store windows, festive lights line the Champs-Élysées and the ice rink returns to the spot in front of the Hôtel de Ville.

One of the best spots to visit in Paris during Christmas time is the Marché de Noël at Tuileries Garden, probably the city’s most comprehensive Christmas market. Expect cute stalls, twee Christmas entertainment and of course mulled wine by the bucketload.

On the other side of the festive period, January and February see Paris get as close to a ghost town as it ever will. Locals huddle indoors with a coffee and pop out for a brisk walk between showers.

Tourists tend to stay away, especially in the first few weeks of January. So this is your opportunity to grab the lowest hotel prices and explore everything Paris has to offer without long wait lines. Just pack warm clothes and an umbrella. Visit Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for a legendary hot chocolate if it all gets too frigid.

Although French people are much more likely to cook their loved one a meal or exchange gifts, tourists love to flock to Paris and fill up the hotels and restaurants on Saint Valentine’s Day. Bear this in mind if your trip falls around February 14th, as hotel and restaurant prices can creep up to accommodate for the influx of lovers to this exceptionally romantic city.

Wrapping Up

With this overview, you should now hopefully know which time of year is best to visit Paris for you. May and September are for us the best months, with fewer crowds and a chance that the weather will still be pleasant. However, January and February are great options for saving some serious money, if you can bear the weather.

Just remember to check public holidays and peak times (e.g. Bastille Day) so you aren’t left paying the highest hotel prices, or struggling to find somewhere altogether.