The Best Time to Visit France

Spring in France: April, May & June

Why Visit France in the Spring?

Come springtime in France, temperatures gradually warm, days grow longer, landscapes turn green, and many regions burst into color. While the weather can still be unpredictable in early spring, the season offers a vibrant mix of mild climates, changing scenery, and fewer crowds than summer.

The climate is generally comfortable, with temperatures averaging the mid 50s in early April to the low 70s by June, though conditions can vary by region, with the alpine regions dipping into the 40s in April and coastal areas reaching the 80s in June. Occasional rain showers are common in April and May, but they are usually short and followed by clear skies.

What to Expect on Our Spring Tours

In the spring, the Mediterranean island of Corsica and low-elevation destinations like the Lot Valley and the Moselle Valley begin to turn green, with wildflowers covering hillsides and vineyards coming back to life. It’s also an incredible time to embark on a cruise through Provence or Bordeaux. 
May is an especially beautiful time to explore la France Profonde, which denotes the country’s rural heartlands; WT explores these regions on Prehistoric Caves & Great Cuisine of France and Hiking the Basque Country. In June, WT kicks off our adventures in the northern coastal regions of Normandy and Brittany, and in the French Alps.

Summer in France: June, July & August

Why Visit France in the Summer?

The height of summer, from July to August, is a wonderful—albeit, in some areas, crowded—time to adventure in France. The season offers long, sunny days, and vibrant festivals that span musical celebrations to historic holidays. 

In the Mediterranean and other southern regions like Provence and Corsica, the summer is dry, sunny, and hot, with temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to the 90s, and little rainfall. These regions are also busy with holidaygoers taking advantage of the annual break. Inland regions provide cooler escapes, averaging in the low to mid 80s, with more verdant landscapes, and the northeastern regions can be quite humid. Alpine regions offer cooler weather, with daytime highs in the Alps ranging between the low 60s and high 70s.

What to Expect on Our Summer Tours

When the days reach into the 90s and the crowds arrive in the south, WT focuses trips on the north, where higher elevations offer a reprieve, and west, where the Atlantic keeps the climate milder, albeit a bit more variable. 

In the north, even the valleys are pleasant at the height of summer, with the Moselle Valley staying relatively cool and lush thanks to intermittent rains. July is when you’ll find the Alps in picture-perfect shape, and when we run departures on all our French alpine adventures, from hiking the Haute Route and GR5 to the Pyrenees. 

To embrace the good weather along the Atlantic, WT embarks on adventures in Basque Country, where we celebrate the summer’s culinary bounty, and Normandy and Brittany, where we hike coastal trails with the ocean breeze at our backs. Or, join us on a cruise to experience Provence, Bordeaux, and Paris.

Fall in France: September & October

Why Visit France in the Fall?

Autumn in France, from September to October, brings cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and lively fall harvests. Coastal areas along the Mediterranean stay pleasant for beach days, with temperatures ranging from the low 70s to low 80s, while further inland, the southern heartland and wine regions explode in color and harvest activity. 

Along the Atlantic, conditions can be a bit unpredictable, with the potential for more frequent but short-lived rain showers, and temperatures ranging from the high 50s to mid 70s. Northern France and the French Alps are cooler, with September highs in the 50s to 60s. Nights grow chilly, especially in October, and higher elevations can experience early snow.

What to Expect on Our Fall Tours

With ideal hiking weather and exciting fall harvests across the country, September and October are a great time for many of WT’s adventures. Our Prehistoric Caves & Great Cuisine of France itinerary kicks off in Bordeaux, as does our Taste of Bordeaux cruise, capturing the region at its best. Further south, which retains its warmth, our Medieval France: The Lot Valley and Ultimate Corsica adventures take advantage of the colorful landscapes and comfortable weather.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic keeps conditions comfortable for exploring in Basque Country, Normandy, and Brittany. In early September, enjoy end-of-season perks in northern areas like the Moselle Valley, the Alps, and the Pyrenees, which offer excellent fall hiking weather after the crowds have cleared.

Winter in France: November, December, January, February & March

Why Visit France in the Winter?

There’s plenty of off-season charm to take in from November to March, when sleepy towns and villages return to an authentic way of life. Expect cloudy days and more frequent rain, and temperatures ranging from the high 50s along the Mediterranean coast to the high 30s and low 40s in Paris, to the 20s and 30s in the Alps. Starting in December, alpine villages and resorts transition to ski season, which lasts until April. Southern France is known for its winds that tear through the landscapes in wintertime, heavily influencing the dry climate and environment, and the hazy light in the valleys—the “mistral” winds are the most famous of these seasonal winds, and they pick up in late winter to signal the coming of spring. Winter is a great time to explore France’s typically bustling areas like Paris and the French Riviera, and a comfortable river cruise is a fantastic way to take it all in.

What to Expect on Our Winter Tours

Join us in the Rhône Valley, the renowned wine region with exceptional vintages, on a Provence river cruise that takes advantage of the valley’s quiet season solitude and mild climate. You’ll also have the area’s medieval villages and ancient ruins practically to yourself. Or for a festive alternative, embark on the Christmas Markets on the Rhine cruise, which begins in Amsterdam, travels through Germany, and makes a stop at Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas market in France.