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Usual weather in France

Do you need to know, when is the best time to go to France? Then you should take a look here, what weather you can expect there during the year.

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What weather to expect in France

France is quite a large country, so the climate is diverse here. Most of the low-lying areas of France are in the oceanic climate zone, so you can generally expect cool winters and mild summers. But there are mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean. In most overseas regions of France you can expect a tropical climate.

As France has a really huge area, the information below relate mostly only to the area around the capital of this country. To see information about other places, please, choose one of these areas: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire, Corsica, Grand-Est, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, Normandy, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Let's look now what weather you can expect in the area around the capital and in many other cities. The warmest month here is August, the average maximum temperature is 25 ℃ (77 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 15.8 ℃ (60.44 ℉). The coldest month here is January, the average maximum temperature is 6.9 ℃ (44.42 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 2.7 ℃ (36.86 ℉). The most rainy month here is December, the average number of rainy days is 10.7. The least rainy month here is August, the average number of rainy days is 7.1.

When travelling to some places in France, always consider the altitude of the the place as well. The highest point here is Mont Blanc (4810 m) and the lowest point is Rhone River delta (-2 m). So there are huge differences in altitudes in this country and the weather is very different in them therefore. Keep in mind, that the temperature usually decreases by 1.2 - 1.9 ℃ (2.2 - 3.5 ℉) per 200 m (656 ft), depending on the other conditions. (And we should add, that in the very special condition named thermal inversion even the temperature may be higher in higher altitudes.)

Please, keep in mind, that this is not a weather forecast, but the information about the usual weather (average). This should help you to decide, when is the best time to go to France. Read more details about the typical weather there in all individual months below:

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

January

Typical (usual) weather in France in January is this: The average highest temperature in France in January is 6.9 ℃ (44.42 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 2.7 ℃ (36.86 ℉). At the beginning of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.4 ℃ (45.32 ℉). At the end of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.7 ℃ (45.86 ℉). The average number of rainy days in January is 10.4. The average rainfall is 53.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 8:19 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 8:42 and at the end of the month 9:21.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

February

Typical (usual) weather in France in February is this: The average highest temperature in France in February is 8.5 ℃ (47.3 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 3 ℃ (37.4 ℉). At the beginning of February you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.7 ℃ (45.86 ℉). At the end of February you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 10.4 ℃ (50.72 ℉). The average number of rainy days in February is 9.3. The average rainfall is 44.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 9:21 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 10:08 and at the end of the month 11:00.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

March

Typical (usual) weather in France in March is this: The average highest temperature in France in March is 12.3 ℃ (54.14 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 5.2 ℃ (41.36 ℉). At the beginning of March you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 10.4 ℃ (50.72 ℉). At the end of March you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 13.65 ℃ (56.57 ℉). The average number of rainy days in March is 10.4. The average rainfall is 49.5 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:00 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:54 and at the end of the month 12:49.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

April

Typical (usual) weather in France in April is this: The average highest temperature in France in April is 15 ℃ (59 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 7.2 ℃ (44.96 ℉). At the beginning of April you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 13.65 ℃ (56.57 ℉). At the end of April you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 17.3 ℃ (63.14 ℉). The average number of rainy days in April is 9.6. The average rainfall is 52.5 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:49 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 13:41 and at the end of the month 14:32.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

May

Typical (usual) weather in France in May is this: The average highest temperature in France in May is 19.6 ℃ (67.28 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 10.7 ℃ (51.26 ℉). At the beginning of May you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 17.3 ℃ (63.14 ℉). At the end of May you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 20.65 ℃ (69.17 ℉). The average number of rainy days in May is 10.4. The average rainfall is 65 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 14:32 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 15:16 and at the end of the month 15:50.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

June

Typical (usual) weather in France in June is this: The average highest temperature in France in June is 21.7 ℃ (71.06 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 13.7 ℃ (56.66 ℉). At the beginning of June you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 20.65 ℃ (69.17 ℉). At the end of June you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 23.15 ℃ (73.67 ℉). The average number of rainy days in June is 8.5. The average rainfall is 53.5 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 15:50 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 16:08 and at the end of the month 16:07.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

July

Typical (usual) weather in France in July is this: The average highest temperature in France in July is 24.6 ℃ (76.28 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 15.9 ℃ (60.62 ℉). At the beginning of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 23.15 ℃ (73.67 ℉). At the end of July you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 24.8 ℃ (76.64 ℉). The average number of rainy days in July is 7.9. The average rainfall is 63.4 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 16:07 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 15:48 and at the end of the month 15:13.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

August

Typical (usual) weather in France in August is this: The average highest temperature in France in August is 25 ℃ (77 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 15.8 ℃ (60.44 ℉). At the beginning of August you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 24.8 ℃ (76.64 ℉). At the end of August you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 23.1 ℃ (73.58 ℉). The average number of rainy days in August is 7.1. The average rainfall is 42.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 15:13 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 14:29 and at the end of the month 13:40.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

September

Typical (usual) weather in France in September is this: The average highest temperature in France in September is 21.2 ℃ (70.16 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 12.6 ℃ (54.68 ℉). At the beginning of September you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 23.1 ℃ (73.58 ℉). At the end of September you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 18.75 ℃ (65.75 ℉). The average number of rainy days in September is 8.3. The average rainfall is 54.5 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 13:40 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:47 and at the end of the month 11:54.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

October

Typical (usual) weather in France in October is this: The average highest temperature in France in October is 16.3 ℃ (61.34 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 9.3 ℃ (48.74 ℉). At the beginning of October you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 18.75 ℃ (65.75 ℉). At the end of October you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 13.45 ℃ (56.21 ℉). The average number of rainy days in October is 9.6. The average rainfall is 58.7 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:54 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:01 and at the end of the month 10:09.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

November

Typical (usual) weather in France in November is this: The average highest temperature in France in November is 10.6 ℃ (51.08 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 5.5 ℃ (41.9 ℉). At the beginning of November you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 13.45 ℃ (56.21 ℉). At the end of November you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 9.25 ℃ (48.65 ℉). The average number of rainy days in November is 9.7. The average rainfall is 52.1 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 10:09 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 9:22 and at the end of the month 8:43.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

December

Typical (usual) weather in France in December is this: The average highest temperature in France in December is 7.9 ℃ (46.22 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 3.8 ℃ (38.84 ℉). At the beginning of December you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 9.25 ℃ (48.65 ℉). At the end of December you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.4 ℃ (45.32 ℉). The average number of rainy days in December is 10.7. The average rainfall is 57.7 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 8:43 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 8:20 and at the end of the month 8:15.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.



When you read about the number of mm of rainfall, you should know this: Light rain is when the precipitation rate is less than 2.5 mm (0.1 in) per hour. For moderate rain this number is between 2.5 mm and 10 mm (0.4 in), for heavy rain it is 10 mm - 50 mm (2.0 in). Violent rain has this number higher than 50 mm per hour.