The best time to visit France: few crowds, great deals, and blissed-out weather

Planning a trip to France is as exciting as traveling through the country because of the different regions and impressive selection of cities you can choose from. Depending on the seasons you plan to visit France, your travel experiences will be shaped by the weather, crowds, and festivals.

Summer in France is the peak season as tourists flock to coastal areas for their beach getaways. During the relaxing months in spring and autumn, you can slow down and embrace l'art de vivre—the art of living—as the fall foliage colors the landscape like an Impressionist painting. Winter offers a window to a different side of France.

We’ve curated this guide for you to find the best time to visit France and fall in love with the country at your own pace.

France enjoys a balmy climate with temperatures ranging from 60 to 70℉. Leisure travel across France starts to pick up in June. From mid-July to August, school’s out for the summer and most businesses close as locals go on their vacation.

Be prepared for the heat and frenzied crowds as southern France becomes a giant playground for tourists. The Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) is the top summer spot to soak in the stunning Mediterranean coast. Expect high hotel rates, crowded beaches, and full restaurants as you hop from one seaside town to another.

Summer is the time for festivals in France. Cultural and music festivals are in full swing all over the country. Join the internationally acclaimed Jazz à Juan Festival in Antibes and the atmospheric Nice Jazz Festival in July.

Celebrate the arts in the long-running Festival d'Avignon in the medieval town of Avignon. Adding to the party scene in the French Riviera is the spectacular Cannes Pyrotechnics Art Festival where visitors gather along the seafront to catch the fireworks shows.

Vibrant flowers pop up all over France in summer. Provence’s famed violet lavender fields are in full bloom from early to mid-July. Avoid crowds by visiting before the school break. Take amazing shots at Plateau de Valensole and Lavande Angelvin. Remember to visit Paul Cézanne’s birthplace Aix-en-Provence and browse the open-air farmers’ markets for the freshest summer produce.

For sporting fans, don’t miss the world-class Tour de France as cyclists ride all over the country in July and finish triumphantly at Paris’ Champs-Élysées. Also, the summer sales in France are on during these lively months so shoppers are out to hunt for the best deals. If you prefer to shop with smaller crowds, arrange a trip in January instead for the winter sales in France.

Book your hotels and tickets early and check out these essential tips for traveling in Paris for your next summer trip to France.

The shoulder season is the perfect time to visit France because you’ll enjoy the best of the peak and off-peak seasons. The weather is comfortable, too. When the sun is out, you can bask in the outdoors and just put on light layers if it gets chilly. This is the best time to visit Paris as the French capital dazzles with beautiful seasonal flowers; plus, you can expect fewer crowds and take advantage of lower hotel rates.

Springtime is a wonderful season to discover France before the hectic summer months. Museums and scenic spots in Paris are quieter. Stroll through the Parisian gardens like Jardin des Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens to admire blooming floral displays. Here are more things to do in Paris in spring.

If you’re in Paris in February, you may bump into celebrities near Carrousel du Louvre as the city is transformed into a fashion runway during Paris Fashion week. This blockbuster event takes place twice a year in the fashion capital in spring and fall.

France is more than Paris so venture to the northwest of the country. The Loire Valley is where you can indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime stay in a French château. The gentle spring climate is perfect for exploring castles, hiking, and cycling through the rolling hills.

Normandy is peaceful in the off-peak months so this is the ideal time to take leisurely trips to the picturesque port town Honfleur, the historic D-Day beaches, and magnificent Mont-Saint-Michel.

When the crowds and heat dissipate after the busy summer break, fall is a fantastic period to enjoy France as the sights are less packed and the weather is cooling down. Fall colors spread through the French landscape and it’s time to put on your hiking boots. The French Alps and trekking trails beckon you to immerse yourself in nature and the countryside.

September and October are the loveliest months to see the beauty of Dordogne. Try water activities along the river valley and be mesmerized by the splendor of historical architecture framed by pristine nature.

You’re in luck when you visit France in fall as vendange, the grape harvest begins in early fall. Join the locals in traditional festivities celebrating the bountiful harvest. Head to Burgundy to taste top-quality wine and join the traditional Wine Pressing Festival in the village of Chenôve.

The winter season heralds the end of the year as the weather turns chilly. Activities in smaller cities and villages start to wind down and outdoor tours are usually not available. Some tourist spots close earlier as the days are shorter.

Rainfall is more frequent so check the weather forecast when you’re planning your activities. But the low season means bargain hotel rates and emptier museums, so you can experience the sights of France without the crowds.

For adventure-seekers, snow activities are must-dos in France. Ski in the famous Chamonix region, stay in alpine resorts like Grand Hotel des Alpes, and marvel at the snow-capped peaks of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the French Alps.

December to March is the truffle season and you’re in for a gastronomic treat. Visit the Sarlat Truffle Festival in Sarlat-la-Canéda and join the truffle fiesta in local markets, truffle hunting, and cooking demonstrations, and savor special truffle-infused meals.

A highlight of a winter trip to France is the Christmas festivities. Wander through the oldest and largest Christmas market in Strasbourg to experience the magic of Christmas. Nearer to Paris, there’s a grand Christmas market in Reims, in France's Champagne Region, where you can celebrate with lots of bubbly. Christmas time in Paris is romantic as the city is filled with Christmas markets and illumination displays. See this guide for the things to do at Christmas in Paris.

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