When is the best time to visit Paris?

Paris in January is characterized by rain and snow. It is not a time when tourists generally visit, and therefore you can find the city in pristine condition. Since winter is at its mid-point, January is the time to get some ice skating done. One of the best things about Paris is its snug cafes. If you are planning a January visit, you must sneak into one of the cafes and try some hot beverages. Paris in January also boasts of events like the Paris Fashion Week, Paris Winter Sales, and Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione. Additionally, if you decide to visit Paris in January, you may find some great flight deals.

February is also a relatively cold month in Paris. There are on an average 4 snow days in the month of February. If you are ready to brave the weather, February can be a good time to be in the city. Apart from flight deals and discounts on shopping, February in Paris is a great time to get all your museum visits done. The otherwise teeming tourist spots are still untouched in February. The view of the sleeping city from Eiffel Tower is mesmerizing. Paris hosts great concerts and art exhibitions in February. You may also want to be a part of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day in Paris.

The season of melting snow is finally here. Paris in March is generally a time of pleasant cool weather. You will need warm clothes if you venture out. March is the beginning of the best time to be in Paris if you want to avoid the crowd and extreme weather at the same time. Take a cruise down the Seine for a unique Paris experience. If you happen to be in the city during Mardi Gras celebrations, you are in for a great show. Apart from that, the Paris Book Fair and Paris Half Marathon are held in March. You may also want to keep your itinerary open for the numerous concerts and operas that are on during the month.

April in Paris marks the beginning of Spring. Colors return to the cityscape and so do a few tourists. However, most of Paris’s population is still local at this point. Get your city exploration done in April if you have to as the weather is perfect and the crowd is still sufficiently low. As such, hotel and flight deals are still available. Head up the Montparnasse Tower to get a view of Paris in full bloom. You should not miss the Paris Art Fair and the Fair of the Throne that is in full flow in April. You will see the festive side of Paris if you’re in the city during the Color Run. Easter in Paris is also a must experience.

May in Paris is one of the most beautiful experience you are ever likely to have. The weather walks the fine line of being pleasant and as such, walking around the city is never better than in May. Queues start building up at certain places, but it’s still not beyond accessible. Take a nightly tour of the city to make the most of your time here. While you are out, hit the bars in Paris before they become too crowded. May is the time for the famous Jazz festival in Paris. If you are a tennis fan, attending a French Open match should make it into your itinerary.

June marks the official beginning of the high tourist seasons in Paris. It is also the first summer month in the city. The sidewalk cafes are back in action in the summer and you will find it hard to resist them. Picnics and walks are the flavors of the month. Although the skies are mostly clear, there are quite a few rainy days in June, and Paris manages to make that romantic too. When you find clear skies, make sure you visit a few terraces. There are numerous art and culture shows to go to in June. Make sure you do not miss the Open Air Opera Festival.

You have landed in the middle of the fabled Parisian summer. Paris is largely at the mercy of tourists in July since the locals migrate south in large numbers. The weather is at its warmest in July and therefore, you will see a number of popup beaches along the Seine. The weather also calls for a number of free to attend cultural events across Paris. You may opt for these of the crowd at the famous spots seem too much to handle. Attend the Open Air Cinema to really capture the essence of Parisian summer. If you are an art aficionado, the Atelier des Lumières is the place for you.

Towards the end of summer, tourist count goes up to its yearly high in Paris. It is the time for you to head away from the world famous sites as they are often too crowded to enjoy. Instead, you should opt for day trips from Paris. When you are in the city, go to quaint cafes and restaurants to avoid the crowd. August is a month of religious importance to Catholics as the Assumption Day is celebrated on August 15. Festivities surrounding the Liberation of Paris also take place in August. For a music love Rock en Seine festival is absolutely unmissable. The Gay Games in August celebrates LGBTQ tolerance.

Paris begins to transition from summer to fall in September. There is a bit of both in this month. Although tourists are yet to surrender their hold on Paris, the city does its best with its unpredictable weather to keep it interesting for everyone. Pick a warm day to experience the night fountain show at the Palace of Versailles. You may also want to reserve some time for the museums that slowly begin to free themselves from the stranglehold of queues. September is the time of classical music in Paris, as a number of concerts take place all over the city. You would also not want to miss the Paris Design Week and European Heritage Days in the city.

Paris is drenched in Autumnal colors in the month of October. The yellow and orange leaves take over the city, and it is spectacular to lay one's eyes on them. Locals begin to regain control of their city as the mercury takes a dive. Tourists are far less, but if you find yourself in Paris in October, you would wonder why anyone would prefer to leave the city in fall. This is another time of the year to take a walk through the parks or take a cruise down the Seine, provided you have warm clothes handy. The City of Lights justifies its name during Nuit Blanche. Paris also hosts the fashion week in October.

The inception of Winter beckons Paris in November. With tourists gone, the city is now returning to its own persona. The streets of the city are now its own. The streetside musicians are now playing for themselves and not the visitors. If you want to taste the local flavor of the city, November is the month for you. However, do not forget to keep some serious winter armory in your wardrobe. It’s the time to explore everything the city can offer in an indoor setting. Armistice Day is a major attraction in the month of November. Disneyland Paris hosts a splendid fireworks show in November that you must catch. Apart from that, the Paris Photo exhibition and the Paris Horse Show are also worth catching.

December in Paris is not a conventional choice, given its frigid weather. It is the time of the year when snowing is inevitable. However, when its Paris, you can be sure that even snow will be beautiful. Acquaint yourself with the very of soul of Paris in the festive season, as the city gears up for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Visit the Christmas Village in Trocadero to get in the festive spirit. Attend the Africolor Music Festival for wholesome music experience. Witness the gorgeous window displays in Parisian stores and skate your way into the new year. As Audrey Hepburn once said, Paris is always a good idea. Read all about spending New Year's eve in Paris