Best Time to Visit France

Best Time to Visit France for Ideal Weather

You can visit France in summer, spring or autumn. The best time to visit France is during April-May(Spring), June to August (summer), or in September to October (autumn).

The temperatures may rise a bit but it is still pleasant enough to explore cities and go on a casual trek in the countryside.

The best time to explore Paris is in winter. The crowd is less and the local restaurants are very lively with winter festivities.

France has an overall mild temperature with some exceptions. The northern part is wetter around the English Channel, while the southern part enjoys a Mediterranean climate.

Here's an estimate of temperature during the best months to visit France:

• July to August: 20°C
• December to January: 5°C
• May to June: 15°C

France experiences pretty good weather throughout the year which makes it a popular destination year-round. The peak travel season falls in the summer and transitional months.

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Best Time to Visit France for Skiing in the French Alps

Without a doubt, winter is the perfect time to visit these parts if you have skiing in mind. However, it is crowded and you may find the prices exorbitant.

Late December is abuzz with festive cheer and crowds. There is a wide range of events and activities you can enjoy along with your skiing. February is a great time for families to go on skiing trips. It is also a great time for beginners to learn stress-free as the pistes are somewhat empty and you can book some last-minute ski lessons as well. It is also not as cold so you can save a bit on your skiing clothing. 

You can visit around early March and April when the days are a bit longer and the slopes have less crowded. The winter will be turning into spring slowly with slightly warmer weather and more time to spend on these slopes.

Where to Go Sightseeing in France?

While so many dreams of the wonderful Eiffel Tower, France has so many things that demand equal attention. Here are some of the best places to check out when visiting France:

Sunset from the Eiffel Tower

This iconic landmark is at its most enchanting form during sunset. Make sure you visit the Eiffel Tower in the early evening to witness firsthand the golden glow over the beautiful panorama. You can also watch the sunset while dining at one of the Eiffel Tower restaurants as well.

Visit the Old Quarter in Paris

This part consists of several neighborhoods that are well preserved and take you back to the beauty of medieval Paris. You can explore the Latin Quarter, several bookstores, the Petit Pont bridge, and the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.

Visit the Pyramid of the Seas

Situated on a rocky Normandy island, Mont-Saint-Michel has awe-inspiring beauty and ethereal gothic architecture. It has been a pilgrimage site since the 11th century and is still a meaningful spiritual experience for many pilgrims who need to walk for 2 hours in order to reach this site. However, it is not recommended to cross the bay without a guide.

Visit Provence Village

An important seat of art and culture, many impressionist and expressionist painters fell in love with this village's gorgeous scenery and sun-drenched ports. The hilltop town of Saint-Paul de Vence has been famous for housing artists like Marc Chagall, Jean-Michel Folon, and Matisse.

This tiny town has a surprisingly large number of visitors from all over the world thanks to the abundance of art galleries and artifacts shops in its hidden corners.

Summer Festival in Carcassonne

This fairy-tale medieval city is up for the modern world every July during this famous festival. There are diverse programs and performances by artists from all over the world. Classical music, jazz, opera, rock, and theater; you will find almost every form of performing art here! All this takes place in the open-air Jean Deschamps Theater and the Chateau Comtal with starry skies and vibrant crowds.

Best Time to Go to France for Outdoor Wine Tasting

If going for the scenic beauty of vineyards, March to May is the best time to visit France. January and February are also good months as the winemakers are a bit free with some time at their hands. After this, the best time for wine tasting begins May onwards with September and October being the busiest as the weather is perfect and it is the time to harvest. 

February also sees the famous La Percee du Vin Jaune, the wine festival dedicated to yellow wine. You can also visit France in June for one of the world's best wine festivals at Bordeaux for some workshops, vineyards tours, and fireworks.

Most Affordable Time to Visit France

Even in the peak summer season, France is pretty expensive thanks to the teeming crowds and the variety it offers to every tourist. Make sure you book your flight and hotel tickets at least two months in advance so that you can get them at lower prices.

Spring and Autumn are best for traveling in France on a budget. There is a drop in flight accommodation tickets during these seasons and you can make it more affordable by visiting smaller towns and vineyards.

Winters are a good time for budget vacation too as it gets pretty cold here and you can expect the lowest prices (except Christmas time). Don't forget to carry medical travel insurance so that there's no added expense to spoil your budget.

Worst Time to Visit France

With pleasant weather conditions, it's hard to determine the worst time to visit France. If we consider activities, then winter in France is predominantly wet and it can put a hold on any outdoor activities that you may have planned.

Similarly, visiting monuments during the peak summer season will only bring long waiting periods and crowds resulting in escalating prices everywhere.

Visiting during winters is cheap but if you visit during Christmas or the French holidays; you may fall short of rentals and affordable travel packages. Overall, make sure you decide the things you want to do before deciding the perfect time to visit this beautiful country.