When to visit France: the best time, month by month

In short: France can be visited all year round, but spring (April to June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the best balance of weather, crowds and prices. Summer is ideal for the sea and festivals, winter for skiing, Christmas markets and quiet museums. Whatever the season, check the French school holiday calendar.

France, a country of varied climates

• The North and Paris: temperate climate; mild to warm summers, cool winters, rain possible all year.
• The West (Brittany, Normandy, the Atlantic coast): oceanic climate, mild and changeable; always pack a rain jacket.
• The South (Provence, the Riviera, Occitanie): Mediterranean climate, lots of sunshine, hot dry summers, mild winters.
• The East (Alsace, Burgundy): colder winters, hot summers.
• The mountains (the Alps, the Pyrenees): snow in winter, hiking in summer.

Season by season

Spring (April to June): the best compromise

Gardens in bloom, café terraces reopening, longer days: it’s the ideal season for Paris, the Loire châteaux and Provence. Watch out for the May bank holidays, which are very busy. In late June, the lavender starts to bloom in Provence.

Summer (July and August): the high season

Beaches, festivals and long evenings, but also crowds on the coast, higher prices and sometimes intense heat in the South. In August, some neighbourhood shops close, while Paris is quieter. It’s also mountain season and the time of the big festivals.

Autumn (September to November): soft light and harvest time

September is ideal for the Mediterranean coast, where the sea is still warm. The grape harvest livens up the vineyards (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace), and autumn colours brighten the countryside. Days get shorter in November.

Winter (December to March): skiing, Christmas and museums

Skiing in the Alps and the Pyrenees, Christmas markets in Alsace, festive lights in Paris and the Festival of Lights in Lyon around 8 December. Museums are quieter, and the Riviera stays mild. Some seaside resorts slow down.

Month by month

Month	Highlights	Good to know
January	Skiing, quiet museums, winter sales	Cold in the North and East
February	Skiing, Nice Carnival	Winter holidays: ski resorts are packed
March	Mild on the Riviera, end of ski season	Changeable weather
April	Spring, gardens, the Loire	Spring school holidays
May	Pleasant weather, Cannes Film Festival	Busy bank holiday weekends
June	Long days, Fête de la Musique (21 June), lavender begins	Crowds build in late June
July	Sea, festivals (Avignon), Bastille Day (14 July), lavender	High season, high prices
August	Beaches, mountains, quieter Paris	Crowded coast, shops closed in cities
September	Sea still warm, grape harvest	Back to school: fewer crowds
October	Autumn colours, harvest	All Saints’ holidays in late October
November	Museums, food, gentle prices	Short days, possible rain
December	Christmas markets, Festival of Lights, skiing	Festive season in high demand

Big events to know about

• The Nice Carnival (February).
• The Cannes Film Festival (May) and Roland-Garros (late May to early June).
• The Fête de la Musique, on 21 June, all over France.
• The Avignon Festival (July) and Bastille Day, on 14 July.
• The Tour de France (July).
• The grape harvest (September-October).
• The Festival of Lights in Lyon (around 8 December) and the Christmas markets in Alsace (late November to December).

During these events, accommodation in the host city is in high demand: book early. See also our guide Concerts, festivals and events.

When to go, depending on your trip

• For Paris: April to June and September-October; December for the lights.
• For the sea: June and September to avoid the crowds, July-August for the atmosphere.
• For the Loire châteaux: April to October.
• For Provence and the lavender: late June to mid-July.
• For skiing: December to April, avoiding the winter school holidays if possible. See our guide Skiing in France.
• On a budget: November, January to March (outside ski resorts) and weeks outside school holidays.

School holidays: check before you book

During French school holidays (All Saints’, Christmas, winter, spring and summer), trains fill up, accommodation prices rise and the best-known sites get very busy. Winter and spring holidays are staggered by zone. The official calendar is published by the French Ministry of Education.

Planning the rest

For arrival, transport and budget, see our guide Travel in France, and to plan your route, our France itinerary.