Weather in Paris in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Paris and ranks 127th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within France it is 2nd of 2 (France in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Paris is 0.2°C cooler by day and 0.2°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Paris peaks at 7.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 12.1°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 2.5°C; one night in ten drops to -2.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 17.6°C (2000-12-08) and the coldest night -9.4°C (1996-12-29).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 13 days with 1 mm or more, 68 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1999 with 150 mm, the driest 2016 with 19 mm. Humidity averages 87%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:37 and sets about 16:54 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 75%.

Is December a good time to visit Paris?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Paris on our scoring are July, August, June.

Expect cold evenings, with little relief at midday

The daytime average is mild enough for walking in warm layers, but not for lingering outdoors without a coat. Even around midday, plan to stay wrapped up rather than expecting useful warmth. Gloves, a scarf and shoes you can comfortably walk in are sensible packing choices, especially if you expect to be out after dark. The colder end matters: the coldest 10% of nights fall to -2.9°C or below, so the average night-time low is not a safe guide to every evening. Milder days do occur, with the warmest 10% reaching at least 12.1°C, but treat those as a bonus rather than a reason to pack lightly.

Keep outdoor plans flexible and use the daylight

Rain and limited light are the main catches for a December visit. About 2.0 hours of sunshine within 8.1 hours of daylight leave little scope for relying on bright weather, so put the outdoor parts of your day around the available light. A waterproof outer layer and shoes that cope with wet pavements will be more useful than extra outfits that only work in dry conditions. Keep room in your plans to move indoors when rain arrives, rather than committing to long stretches outside. This month suits travellers who enjoy a slower pace and regular warm-up stops; it is less convincing if your ideal break means spending most of each day outdoors.