When is the best time to visit France?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Ainhoa: July; Aix-en-Provence: April & June; Alpe d'Huez: January & December; Annecy: August & July; Avignon: April & June; Avoriaz: February & January.

Which month is best overall in France?

Averaged across our 85 destinations in France, the strongest months are August, May, June. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

Which cities in France does bestime.to cover?

We currently score 85 destinations in France: Ainhoa, Aix-en-Provence, Alpe d'Huez, Annecy, Avignon, Avoriaz, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Biarritz, Bonifacio, Bordeaux, +75 more.

How are the France travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit France: Weather by Month

01 · France

About France

France spans Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, Alpine peaks, river valleys and farmland, with Paris at the centre of its culture and transport. Provence and the French Riviera, the châteaux of the Loire, and the Alps and Pyrenees give it a wide range of trips. Spring and early autumn suit cities, wine regions and walking, while summer fills the coasts and winter belongs to the ski resorts.

Did you know?

France is the world's most visited country, receiving around 100 million international visitors in a typical year.
France is the largest country in the European Union by area, stretching from the North Sea and the Channel to the Mediterranean.
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair and was only meant to stand for 20 years before being kept as a radio mast.

Weather

France: weather by month

Warmest month: July (20°C). Wettest: July (89 mm). Best overall score: August (9.0/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	4°C	82 mm	8	4.7/10
February	6°C	47 mm	13	6.6/10
March	8°C	60 mm	21	7.5/10
April	11°C	57 mm	25	8.4/10
May	15°C	76 mm	28	8.7/10
June	19°C	82 mm	27	8.7/10
July	20°C	89 mm	28	8.6/10
August	20°C	69 mm	27	9.0/10
September	17°C	78 mm	24	8.4/10
October	14°C	84 mm	18	7.4/10
November	8°C	73 mm	13	6.0/10
December	6°C	70 mm	8	5.2/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: Climate scores swing from 4.7/10 in January to 9.0/10 in August; the safest picks are August, May, June.
02Weather & what to pack: Expect around 20°C and 69 mm of rain in August, with roughly 27 bright days. Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection.
03Crowds & value: Peak-season pricing concentrates in August. For better value, May scores 8.7/10 at lower-season rates.

Things to do in France

France. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit France?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Ainhoa: July; Aix-en-Provence: April & June; Alpe d'Huez: January & December; Annecy: August & July; Avignon: April & June; Avoriaz: February & January.
Which month is best overall in France?: Averaged across our 85 destinations in France, the strongest months are August, May, June. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in France does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 85 destinations in France: Ainhoa, Aix-en-Provence, Alpe d'Huez, Annecy, Avignon, Avoriaz, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Biarritz, Bonifacio, Bordeaux, +75 more.
How are the France travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in France