I’ve traveled to France internationally on several occasions and have been asked, “When is the best time to visit France?” So, to answer this question, I’m sharing my secret.
Certain months still offer great weather but save you money on airfare and hotel prices.
I will also share a time when I would never visit France and have had poor experiences doing so.
When is the Best Time To Visit France?
I last visited France with my then-girlfriend (now wife) in September. The weather was beautiful, and we stayed in some swanky 5-star hotels and beautiful boutique hotels for ridiculously cheap prices.
My recommendation if you’re looking for warm-weather travel is to consider visiting France in the Spring, say sometime between April and June, or in the fall, either during September or October.
By selecting these months, you’ll find that airfare and lodging are more affordable than in the middle of summer.
Larger cities like Paris will always be busy, but even in Paris, you’ll find thinned-out crowds during these times.
Winter, particularly from December through February, offers the lowest prices on hotels and flights but comes with colder weather and shorter daylight hours. You can also enjoy France’s Christmas markets and delicately warmed wine. If you decide you’re traveling to the French Alps for winter sports, February would usually be a great time to go (weather permitting since global warming and such).
When Is the Worst Time To Visit France?
In my experience, July and August are the worst months to visit France.
Now I understand—you have kids in school, or it’s summer break. Eurodisney is calling you, and the beautiful beaches of France are calling you. Just realize that you and everybody else have this time off. You won’t believe the massive crowds at any worthwhile sites.
And what’s worse? In August, all the French people take an entire month off, too! And there is a mass exodus to the south of France for said beaches you were eying up. Guess what, the French are flocking there!
Since there are fewer locals in small towns, that may also impact your experience of more quaint and genuine adventures in France. There are fewer French people to staff all the things tourists are flocking to. Some businesses even close in August. So August gets hammered by both increased demand for services and a decreased supply of said services.
The hotel and airfare rates for Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, and other popular destinations have started to soar due to higher demand. If you’re looking at airfare from the U.S., Canada, or Australia…? Prepare to pay up.
Conclusion
I have nothing to gain from telling you to avoid July or August. It’s not like I can convince the millions of people traveling to France to alter their experiences and convenient travel timing. But one thing is certain: If you can visit France at an off-peak time, such as April or September, you’ll rarely go back to the chaos known as Paris in Summer.
If you want to visit France, check out our visit France page.
