Weather in Paris

Paris has an oceanic climate characterised by warm summers and cold winters, but without extreme temperatures thanks to the North Atlantic current. In other words, there really is no bad time to visit one of the world's great cities.

The best time to visit Paris is spring (March to May). In April, temperatures hover around 11°C (52°F) and cherry blossoms are blooming. The pavement terraces start to fill up as the days get warmer.

Summer (June to August) offers lovely sunny weather. This is high season and you'll be sharing the city with thousands of other tourists. Many locals leave Paris in August.

Autumn (September to November) is a good time to visit - there are less crowds, the locals are back with renewed vigour after their holidays, and the parks are resplendent in autumn colours. You can still sit at a pavement terrace café, sipping coffee and feeling like a Parisian rather than a tourist.

Winter (December to February) can be cold with temperatures averaging 5°C (41°F) but snow is a rarity. There are a few Christmas markets bringing festive cheer in December. For bargain hunters, January is one of the cheapest months to visit Paris.