The best times to visit France for ideal weather are
May 7th to October 14th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
France Travel Guide
Other France Travel Info
Weather in France
Temperature
Average temperatures in France vary greatly. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 37th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit France, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 79.3°F (26.3°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 58.9°F (14.9°C) at night.
France Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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France Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
France Perceived Temperature (F)
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France Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average France Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48.4 | 42.5 | 36.7 |
| Feb | 49.6 | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Mar | 56 | 47.5 | 39.7 |
| Apr | 63.1 | 53.7 | 44.7 |
| May | 67.9 | 58.9 | 50.1 |
| Jun | 74 | 64.7 | 55.6 |
| Jul | 78 | 68.3 | 59 |
| Aug | 77.6 | 67.7 | 58.3 |
| Sep | 72 | 62.3 | 53.4 |
| Oct | 64.5 | 56.2 | 48.7 |
| Nov | 55.5 | 49 | 42.9 |
| Dec | 49.3 | 43.3 | 37.4 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.1 | 5.8 | 2.6 |
| Feb | 9.8 | 5.8 | 2.2 |
| Mar | 13.3 | 8.6 | 4.3 |
| Apr | 17.3 | 12.1 | 7.1 |
| May | 19.9 | 14.9 | 10.1 |
| Jun | 23.3 | 18.2 | 13.1 |
| Jul | 25.6 | 20.2 | 15 |
| Aug | 25.3 | 19.8 | 14.6 |
| Sep | 22.2 | 16.8 | 11.9 |
| Oct | 18.1 | 13.4 | 9.3 |
| Nov | 13.1 | 9.4 | 6.1 |
| Dec | 9.6 | 6.3 | 3 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in France are September, August, and then July. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late June. For example, on the week of June 25th there is 1 day of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early December with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of December 3rd.
When can you find snow in France? Weather stations report large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around May, especially close to late May to early June. The best time to ski (if at all) in France is often around around May 28th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in France.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in France (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21% | 1.6 | 2.4 |
| Feb | 20% | 1.5 | 2 |
| Mar | 17% | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Apr | 16% | 1 | 1.9 |
| May | 18% | 4.6 | 2.4 |
| Jun | 16% | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| Jul | 15% | 1.2 | 1.9 |
| Aug | 14% | 0.8 | 2 |
| Sep | 13% | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Oct | 17% | 1.8 | 2.4 |
| Nov | 22% | 2.1 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 21% | 1.6 | 2.7 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21 | 4.1 | 6.1 |
| Feb | 20 | 3.8 | 5.1 |
| Mar | 17 | 3.6 | 4.8 |
| Apr | 16 | 2.5 | 4.8 |
| May | 18 | 11.7 | 6.1 |
| Jun | 16 | 2.8 | 5.3 |
| Jul | 15 | 3 | 4.8 |
| Aug | 14 | 2 | 5.1 |
| Sep | 13 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Oct | 17 | 4.6 | 6.1 |
| Nov | 22 | 5.3 | 7.9 |
| Dec | 21 | 4.1 | 6.9 |
Humidity and Wind
France has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is July (61.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is January (77.5%).
Wind in France is usually moderate. The windiest month is March, followed by December and February. March’s average wind speed of around 8.3 knots (9.5 MPH or 15.4 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early February where average top sustained speeds reach 15.5 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in France.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 8.1 | Gentle breeze | 13.9 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 14.1 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 8.3 | Gentle breeze | 14.4 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 7.4 | Gentle breeze | 13.1 | Significant breeze |
| May | 7.5 | Gentle breeze | 13.2 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 7 | Gentle breeze | 12.5 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 7.1 | Gentle breeze | 12.7 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 6.6 | Light breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 6.6 | Light breeze | 11.9 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 6.8 | Light breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 7.7 | Gentle breeze | 13.3 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 14 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 77.5% |
| Feb | 71.4% |
| Mar | 65.1% |
| Apr | 62.9% |
| May | 64.9% |
| Jun | 64% |
| Jul | 61.4% |
| Aug | 63.3% |
| Sep | 66.2% |
| Oct | 73.2% |
| Nov | 77.3% |
| Dec | 76.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to France?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for France; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 20, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in France is July, followed by May and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit France in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall France Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 70.4°F (21.3°C) and 53.4°F (11.9°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 5 to 6 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 4 to 5 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in France, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 74.5°F (23.6°C) and 50°F (10°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 4 to 7 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in France to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 53.4°F (11.9°C) and 46.1°F (7.8°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 6 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel › France