Destination guide
Paris weather by month
June to August is the best time to visit Paris for warm days and the most sunshine. July and August average 24°C by day, while June reaches 22°C. September is a useful alternative if you prefer milder weather, with daytime averages of 21°C. The catch is that rain remains part of the picture throughout the year. Spring suits travellers happy to wear layers, while winter is better for those comfortable with cold evenings and limited sunshine.
- Hottest month
- 24.3°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 7.1°CJanuary
- Rain per year
- 671mmaverage total
- Flight from London
- 1 h 6 minShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Paris, month by month
A little perspective
Paris through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1°C | 1.9°C | 2.1 | 52 | 11 | 0% |
| February | 8.3°C | 1.7°C | 2.9 | 47 | 10 | 0% |
| March | 11.8°C | 3.6°C | 4.0 | 51 | 10 | 0% |
| April | 15.1°C | 5.9°C | 5.1 | 50 | 11 | 1% |
| May | 18.6°C | 9.5°C | 5.3 | 66 | 12 | 7% |
| Junebest | 21.8°C | 12.8°C | 6.1 | 58 | 11 | 20% |
| Julybest | 24.2°C | 14.9°C | 6.6 | 54 | 10 | 39% |
| Augustbest | 24.3°C | 14.8°C | 6.0 | 58 | 9 | 38% |
| September | 20.6°C | 12.0°C | 5.1 | 48 | 8 | 13% |
| October | 16.1°C | 9.1°C | 3.3 | 61 | 11 | 1% |
| November | 10.7°C | 5.2°C | 2.3 | 58 | 12 | 0% |
| December | 7.5°C | 2.5°C | 2.0 | 68 | 13 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Paris
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: none reach a 25°C average here, so Paris suits city breaks and walking more than beach holidays; the warmest is August. December is the wettest month (68 mm, about 13 rainy days) and February the driest (47 mm).
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY, 14 km from Paris) takes roughly 1 h 6 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Paris.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Paris between 1991 and 2020 reached 40.7°C on 25 July 2019; the coldest fell to -11.5°C on 1 January 1997. In August one day in ten tops 29.6°C and about 9% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to -3.8°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was May 2016 with 170 mm, against a May average of 66 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Paris
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:39 | 17:20 | 8.7 h | 2.1 h |
| February | 08:00 | 18:09 | 10.1 h | 2.9 h |
| March | 07:04 | 18:55 | 11.9 h | 4.0 h |
| April | 07:00 | 20:42 | 13.7 h | 5.1 h |
| May | 06:09 | 21:25 | 15.3 h | 5.3 h |
| June | 05:46 | 21:56 | 16.2 h | 6.1 h |
| July | 06:03 | 21:50 | 15.8 h | 6.6 h |
| August | 06:43 | 21:07 | 14.4 h | 6.0 h |
| September | 07:27 | 20:04 | 12.6 h | 5.1 h |
| October | 08:11 | 19:02 | 10.8 h | 3.3 h |
| November | 08:00 | 17:11 | 9.2 h | 2.3 h |
| December | 08:37 | 16:54 | 8.3 h | 2.0 h |
Spring: warmer days, but keep the waterproof
Spring becomes noticeably more comfortable as it progresses. March averages 12°C by day and 4°C at night, so a proper jacket still earns its place in your bag. April lifts daytime temperatures to 15°C, making time outdoors more appealing, though evenings remain chilly. May is the strongest spring choice for warmth, averaging 19°C by day and 10°C at night. It is not a dry-weather shortcut, however: May averages 12 rain days, compared with 10 in March. Pack layers and a light waterproof, and keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming warmer weather means fewer showers.
Summer: the strongest choice for outdoor plans
June, July and August offer the most reliable balance of warmth and sunshine for spending time outdoors. June averages 22°C by day, with nights at 13°C, so a light layer is useful after dark. July and August both average 24°C by day and 15°C at night: comfortable for many travellers, but these are averages rather than a promise about any particular afternoon. July has the most sunshine, averaging 7 hours daily, while August has slightly fewer rain days. Take sun protection for midday and a packable waterproof. Summer is the best fit if warmth matters more to you than avoiding occasional rain.
Autumn and winter: September stands apart
September keeps much of summer's daytime comfort, averaging 21°C, and has the fewest rain days at 8. Nights fall to 12°C, so bring a jacket for evenings. October feels more autumnal at 16°C by day and 9°C at night, with less sunshine and more frequent rain than September. November drops to 11°C by day, making warmer layers a practical choice. December and February both average 8°C by day, while January is coolest at 7°C; nights average 2°C throughout these winter months. January and December offer just 2 hours of daily sunshine on average. Winter suits travellers who do not need long spells of comfortable outdoor weather. Bring a warm coat and waterproof footwear, and allow for indoor breaks.
A little more detail
Paris weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Paris?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Paris are July, August and June. August is the hottest month (average high 24.3°C) and January the coolest (7.1°C).
How many months a year is Paris over 25°C?
No month in Paris averages a daytime high of 25°C; 4 months average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Paris?
December is the wettest month in Paris (68 mm on average) and February the driest (47 mm). Annual rainfall averages 671 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Paris?
The hottest day recorded in Paris between 1991 and 2020 reached 40.7°C on 25 July 2019; the coldest fell to -11.5°C on 1 January 1997. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Which month has the most sunshine in Paris?
July has the most sunshine, averaging 7 hours daily. June and August follow with 6 hours. Choose July if sunshine is your main priority, but keep a rain layer handy: it still averages 10 rain days.
When am I least likely to need an umbrella?
September has the fewest rain days, averaging 8, followed by August with 9. Neither is reliably rain-free, so a compact umbrella remains useful. September also averages 21°C by day, making it a good balance of mild weather and fewer wet days.
Will I need a jacket on summer evenings?
A light jacket or jumper is sensible. Night-time averages are 13°C in June and 15°C in July and August, noticeably cooler than the daytime warmth. Pack something you can carry easily rather than relying only on daytime clothing.
See also: France weather by month · where else is hot in August
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Paris. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C