When to visit Paris

August is a bit cheaper - why? because it is unbearable. I am biased because i was there in the August heat wave of 2003 when it was over 105, didn't cool much at night, was in an apartment without AC and 100s of old people died in their apartments. Most Augusts are not that bad but it is still likely to be miserable without AC if you are not someone who is comfortable in very hot weather.

We go twice a year: April/May and September/October. Both have odds of temperate pleasant weather and are rarely too hot (we take apartments and they don't have AC). There is the occasional chilly rainy stretch -- so if better weather is important to you then June might be a better choice. But August? No.

I agree...August is unbearable. I was there one time (before I knew better) at the end of August and hit a heat wave. 97F in Paris is dreadful. I will not go in July or August and June is iffy. I do not tolerate heat but can tolerate some chill.

September does not have fewer crowds. It's got Fashion Week toward the end and there are apparently lots of conventions. Hotel prices are high in September but usually come down the 1st of October. October is fine and when I usually go. It can be rainy but that only affects "garden sitting" for me, hahaha. Last year it was actually quite chilly the first of October and much warmer toward the end of the month. I have also gone in March (a little chilly), April and May. I'm heading out in a month for 3 weeks so will be ready for some rain and some allergies (horse chestnut trees blooming) but will enjoy everything Paris has to offer.

ONLY go in August if you are tied to summer travel due to the school year.

September hotel prices can be more expensive because of events during that month. If you want less crowds, or maybe I should say lesser crowds, then a season other than Summer will be less. But there is a lot to do in Paris, so after the main sites, enjoy the neighborhoods that aren’t as crowded.

I went one year in August because it was cheaper with a sale for the 1-week RS Paris tour. Yes, it was hot! But I still had a good time there. Some stores & restaurants were closed because they were taking their getaway vacation during August.

I’ve been there in April, June, August, September, and December. April was pleasant weather, June was very nice, August was hot, September was very nice, and December was cold. I purchased tickets way ahead of time for any popular events, chose the earliest time slots, and enjoyed everything. Have fun planning! : )

We visited Paris in September, 2023 when the temperatures reached the high 90s for 5-6 days in a row. Fortunately, we had air-conditioning and a washing machine in our 5th floor walk-up apartment rental. I took three showers a day. It was a gem of an apartment because it included a portable fan! That way, we could turn on the fan while the ac kicked in because we always turned it off before heading out for the day. This past September, 2025, it was in the low 40s a few days with rain! We had to turn the heat on in that apartment. Then, there was the May that we made sure to have a hotel with ac--it was in the 50s with rain. Unfortunately, the hotel's ac could not be turned off or adjusted and the heat couldn't be turned on! The front desk gave us plush robes and we wore them the whole time while inside. So, you never know. I would definitely get lodging with ac in September, just in case.

Fewer crowds: November. It's is the new September/October.
October has many, many visitors and long lines nowadays.

November, December, and January are usually cold and wet, but great if you want to see the holiday decorations or the museums, although some are on limited hours. February more of the same. I like March (I'll be there next weekend for 4 days), especially the end of the month as the early flowers are out and things are starting to green up. April is Easter, May is when the season starts. Both are good for the gardens, although it can still be wet. June and July are crowded, but those are great for the special exhibits. August is when the Europeans take vacation. September is the worst for hotels due to all the annual events, but the weather is good. October is when the rains start and the trees are bare by mid-month.

I go when I can find the time and there's something I want to see, at least 3-4 long weekends every year. Yes, I complain about the need to work around the seasons and tourists (even though I am one), but it's all good. There are very few cities like Paris, where something is always worth seeing.

@Lindy....Hahahha!! Oh yes, I got 40's/50's with rain early last October and was forced to go to the Bastille Market to buy a long sleeve striped tee from my favorite vendor. I'd mistakenly only packed one long sleeved tee shirt. HOWEVER...I'd rather deal with cold than a heat wave.

One other thing to consider is the amount of daylight. By the end of October it's dark pretty early. I'm looking forward to more daylight this spring!

Also be aware of when Europe changes back to standard time and when the US does (if you are from the US). Don't be like me and manage to hit both time changes and jet lag in the same week, hahaha!

I was just there for the first time this last October and thought it was good because it was neither too hot, nor too cold. It only rained a bit one morning, but it was often cloudy to varying degrees. It was great for a lot of walking without getting too hot, and it didn’t matter that my apartment rental didn’t have air conditioning.

Best time is when you can find a decent airfare and a nice hotel in your budget.

If that happens to be from June to September, book a room with air conditioning and plan for lots of cafe breaks

Another problem with August, besides the heat, is that a lot of restaurants close for vacation along with the rest of Paris. You will still find many restaurants and cafes open, but if you have your heart set on a special place, check their calendar so you won't be disappointed.

I've been there at the end of March and at the end of September/beginning of October.

Our first trip, in March, it was very rainy, but not horribly busy. Mind you, that was in 2010, so the crowds in March might be different these days.

Last September/October, the weather was better, although we did have a couple of heavy rains, but the crowds were intense in the centre (less so farther out).

PS and yes there is no 'shoulder season' when crowds are low or even lower. September is the most expensive month for hotels and jam packed with conference goers and tourists. October a bit better but still pretty crowded.

We have been coming in October for years but a couple of years ago it rained every dang day --- it turned out to have been the rainiest October on record. Luckily we had a very nice apartment so an occasional day spend reading was fine. Weather is changing so be prepared for everything and take your best guess.

Mid- to late October is school vacation time (Toussaint) in France and some other European countries. I was in Paris then and it was jam-packed, as was Annecy. But the weather was very nice.

I did a daytrip to Paris two weeks ago, so early March. It was not so crowded, people enjoyed the first sunny days of the year giving a pleasant vibe. The Louvre had a lot of visitors, but was not annoying, could walk straight into the Notre Dame (no lines) without booking a time slot, the same for the Sacré-Coeur.

Think it’s an ideal time for visiting the well-known attractions, but ofcourse you must be lucky with the weather for having a perfect day.

Hi,
I’ve been to Paris many times, most recently last October and again three weeks ago , in February.
There are no times now with less people .
If it’s your first visit you will want to see the “Big” sites so will have to put up with the hordes.
If it’s a repeat visit, you will hopefully be seeing areas that are less famous perhaps, and with a few less people .
Three weeks ago the city was mobbed…..in February!
I can’t imagine what it would be like in warmer months.
The only “big” site I visited then was the Musee d’Orsay , which was wall to wall people brandishing their phones and barely looking at the treasures within.
Not enjoyable to fight the crowds.
Other areas were less “people-y”.
Do not go in July or August if you have other options, or are used to living in humid swampy conditions.
AC in Europe is very different from that in N. America.
Happy planning!
Paris is wonderful.

Early April and mid October were great for me last year. I thought it was less crowded in October . We went after fashion week had finished. The days were noticeably shorter, though.

Thanks again, everybody. We're planning for early October, and I think we'll stick with that.

with luck you will have warm, not hot weather with only the occasional shower -- we have loved October -- except for a couple of years ago when it rained heavily every dang day -- the rainiest October in history. But usually early October is lovely and I hope it is for you.

Oh that sounds great! DO look at hotel prices for the first few days of your intended time frame to see if there is a drop. You might want to adjust your timing by a day or two if that works for the rest of your schedule.