Often people are asking us: when is the best time to visit Paris?
Thing is that each season offers its own pros and cons. To help you prepare for your vacation, check out the summary below. Where we describe season by season what are the things to know when you visit Paris.
January – February
What’s better than starting the new year in Paris? It’s the low season for tourists. And because there are less visitors, it is a great time of the year to get lower prices for your hotel and good deals for the flight tickets.
BUT it is cold, like really cold: 2-3°C (around 38° Fahrenheit). It’s winter. In Paris, the weather is mostly humid and rainy, if you are lucky you might experience snow.
Coming from the Philippines, make sure you have some winter clothes if you don’t want to end up like a snowman.
If you are walking outside, you can stop at some heated terraces of a cafe, where you can get a hot chocolate with a croissant. With some fresh wind blowing your face, the feeling is amazing.
For people who like fashion, the beginning of the year also stands for the Fashion Week in Paris. If, like us, you are not invited , you can still feel the excitement during this week dedicated to fashion just by walking around the city.
If you want to compete with the models, and wear fashionable clothes in probably the most fashionable city in the world that is perfect for Instagram you can benefit from the usual clothing sales, starting mid-January.
Let’s not forget that February is the Valentine’s Day month and that Paris is the city of love. If you are a couple, you’ll just love hanging out in the Parisian streets and feel the romantic vibes.
And if you are single, no problem! You can compensate for your lack of love with a big Savoyard fondue or some raclette cheese. You can trust us, your heart and tummy will be happy!
Summary:
- Lower price for flight tickets and hotels
- Mid January great deals in fashion sale for fashionista friends
- Less tourists
- Valentine’s day
- Cold, really cold (but not like Canada)
2frenchinmanila’s tip: Book a table at “Le Chalet Savoyard”, 58 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France. Probably one of the best restaurants to eat your cheese fondue or raclette 😉
March – April
If you like being outside and avoid the high season for tourists. March and April are good compromises to visit Paris. More tourists than the previous months, and prices of staying starts rising a bit but flight tickets can be relatively affordable.
Temperature is around 8-14°C. Which is very fresh, even cold, especially if you come from Manila. But you can still go out without the impression of losing your feet or your ears. With spring coming, nature is waking up and Paris becomes brighter.
Although, if you stay a week in Paris, you might encounter some bad weather days, so make sure you have some indoor activities.
When the temperature is rising, and if you experience good weather. It is a great time to rent a bike and visit the city as you avoid the subways full of busy Parisians going to work.
If you are traveling during April, take some time to chill in parks. Sometimes, the temperature can go up to 20-25°C.
Summary:;
- Fresh in March, but the temperature is rising. It can even be hot in April.
- Plane tickets and accommodations stay affordable.
- Not high season of tourists.
2frenchinmanila’s tip: if you like sensation and some magic, it is a great time to visit Disneyland Paris (there is a direct train to go there: RER A, Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy). It is more pleasant than during winter (December to February). And there are less people than during summer (June to August).
The best way to enjoy Disney is to stay close to the amusement park for an overnight stay. Live like the sleeping beauty in Disneyland Paris’ selection of hotels. 🙂
May – June
Here come the beautiful days. May marks the return of the sun in Paris. Yes, we are far from the high temperature of Manila but for us, Parisians, it is the perfect season. Sometimes you can have some rain. But the temperature is around 20°C during the day and not going to low during the night.
Who says better temperature, says higher season for tourists. If you have a smaller budget. Plan your trip at least 6 months ahead to get the good deals.
Even though there are more tourists, visiting the city during this season is worth it! Especially for the ambiance during June in the capital, you have the warm weather of the last days of spring and the beginning of summer. And days last longer. At 10 PM you could still see the sun! Which gives you the envy to hang out in the city even more.
It is the moment to stroll on grass, do a picnic with friends in a park with some wine and salami. In Parc Monceau, hang out near the pond, check out the nice architecture of buildings around, and relax yourself on the little green benches where you’ll see Parisians jogging or eating quick sandwiches in suits during lunch time.
On June 21, like every year, France celebrates the Fête de la musique. Which is also celebrated in Manila as we experienced it. But Paris at that time was just awesome! With events, free concerts all over the city, all Parisians and visitors enjoy the complete effervescence everywhere. French people go out in the streets and party together!
We were in France during this year, that day. Some Filipino friends came at that moment, they were definitely amazed by the ambiance during the Fête de la Musique and just kept an unforgettable souvenir: dancing with Parisians at any time of the day in any street of Paris.
Summary:
- Temperature is the best, not too hot and not too cold
- Days are longer, June 21 marks the longest day of the year (sun is up the longest)
- Great ambiance, especially during Fete de la Musique
- Flight tickets & Hotels have higher prices
- More tourists, especially in famous spots
2frenchinmanila’s tip: Try to experience chillin like a Parisian, buy some food (wine, cold cuts, and cherry tomatoes) in a supermarket and organize your own picnic in Jardin des Tuileries. It is the best. (Don’t forget the glasses and the corkscrew, we know, we always forget).
July – August
The month of July indicated the beginning of school holidays for French people. Temperature is way hotter, it is summer. Like August, Parisians leave the city to go on vacation in the south of France. Indeed, the city, emptied of its inhabitants, is very popular for tourists.
During summer, we recommend outdoor activities during morning and end of afternoon, as sometimes it can be really dry and hot. But you guys are used to hot weather, so we don’t really need to advise you.
For those who like to chill, you’ll love it. You can sunbathe while admiring the beauty of Parisian parks. You can try the Parc de la Villette, where you can even swim! It was renovated last year.
You can also discover Paris Plages. Organized around the right bank of the Seine, the Parisian river. You’ll see some sun umbrellas, activities. But don’t compare it to the beautiful beaches of the Philippines. It is just a place to enjoy the sunny weather while admiring the exceptional views of the historic monuments in Paris.
For us, it is best to walk around the long streets near Champs-Elysées with an ice-cream. July and August are quite similar. The weather and the party atmosphere are the same as the activities of July continue in August.
But be careful with August, tourist activities are fully booked, small shops and several restaurants closed as owners and employees go on vacation. When you come from Manila, and the shops are sometimes open 24/7, it is not easy.
By the way, if you are staying in Airbnb, check if there is an aircon. Sometimes there are not and it can get hot really hot. If you want to rent a car (convertible if you can). It is very nice.. As there is usually no traffic at all. It is also easier to park.
Summary:
- Hot weather, low risk of rain
- Festive atmosphere
- Fewer Parisians but lots of tourists
- Prices are high (high season for tourists)
2frenchinmanila’s tip: Enjoy a great summer day to go out of Paris, checking some cool places in the suburbs. You can visit the Castle of Chantilly (see below).
September
If you have noticed. The month of September comes alone. Just because it’s our favorite month to visit Paris. It marks the opening classes in all the country. Even if the prices are still high because of summer, the number of tourists in the capital is decreasing.
Parisians are relaxed from their vacation and you’ll see them in the city. Compared to July and August, where it is mostly tourists in the streets. If you want to experience life like a Parisian, September is the perfect month.
The temperature is really pleasant, around 15°C. Just a t-shirt and a cool jacket will perfectly fit. It is one of the best days to visit the capital, especially during the beginning of the month. You can still enjoy the terraces of bars and cafés.
And even so, summer activities are ending. There are still sports and cultural events during the month.
You would not like to miss the “Journées du Patrimoine”, which we could literally translate as “Heritage Days”. You’ll be able to visit Parisian museums freely, and which are usually closed to the public such as the Palace of the Elysée or some ministries. If you want to see other things than ordinary.
Summary:
- Temperate temperature
- Parisians are back which gives its soul to the city
- Less tourists in main touristic places
- Heritage days to discover hidden places of Paris
- Our favorite month
2frenchinmanila’s tip: At the end of the afternoon, do the “apero” as a real Parisian. On a pretty Parisian terrace, order a good wine and a great plate of cheese. Then like Parisians, just watch Parisians passing in front of you. You’ll say “isn’t life wonderful?”
October – November
We are not going to hide it. It is not our favorite period! If you already booked your tickets, sorry. No seriously, just follow our advice and everything will be fine.
October is the end of the high season for tourists. You’ll find lower prices for hotels and flights. Temperature is getting cooler, around 11°C. And the weather is mostly gray. There won’t be a lot of sunshine.
On the good side, the city is calm. You can appreciate the Parisian fall. You know it now, there are great parks in Paris. When it is usually green, you can now admire the fall’s colors with the brown, red, and orange leaves on trees.
The Jardin du Luxembourg, (Metro #4 or RER B), is close to the Latin area and will offer you a great scene of autumn. In November, the weather starts being cold. The sun is far, far behind the clouds.
You should visit the museums and the most popular monuments as there are far less tourists. There will be less lines and no one to walk on your feet. It is a great time to visit the Louvre, you might not see a huge crowd in front of Mona Lisa.
For art amateurs, the International Fair of Contemporain Art comes back each year around October to showcase the latest trends and new artists.
For wine connoisseurs , it is the “Beaujolais Nouveau” time. Why not go to a restaurant and taste the last cuvée.
Summary:
- Lowest prices for flights and hotels
- Autumn scene in Paris (especially in October)
- Few tourists
- Weather can be difficult and very grey
2frenchinmanila’s tip: If you don’t like fall. It is better to visit another time.
December
December means Christmas. Living two years in the Philippines, we know how Christmas is important for Filipinos. Good thing is that Paris celebrates it as well. Paris illuminates itself. Holiday season spreads everywhere around the capital. Visiting Paris during December is a great experience you’d like to live at least once.
For sure, it is very cold, like 4°C. But with the magic of Christmas, you forget it. There are more tourists than the previous months because of the numerous events organized especially near shopping areas.
Prices are reasonable except between Christmas and New Year where prices for flights are just insane. In December, the days become very short. Which gives you some time to appreciate the light shows installed everywhere in the city. It is the occasion to watch the beautiful decorations of the famous Department Stores such as Printemps or Galeries Lafayette.
You can also visit some Christmas markets of the capital (Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Tour Montparnasse).
To finish, Christmas also means to eat well for the French. If you are a foodie, try our specialties. Don’t feel guilty, it is vital to eat well to resist to the cold weather of December :p
Summary:
- Light shows in Paris
- Experience Christmas in France
- High Prices
- More tourists
- Food & Shopping
2frenchinmanila’s tip: If you are there during the new year. Get warm clothes and watch the fireworks at the famous Eiffel Tower for New Year’s Eve.
You can also read this article on our blog to learn some French basic words for your trip there. If you think this article was useful and deserve to be shared with your friends, well you know what to do 😉
