We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
Paris Tourism
We just have one word for you: Paris. Does that send a little shiver down your spine? Does it leave a sweet taste in your mouth? Do you see the swooping lines of the Eiffel Tower? Do you hear the stretch and pull of the accordion? There are so many compelling reasons to travel to this city. So, why not take a sojourn… read more
The streets of Paris are filled with something to do all year through. So for all practical purposes, any time is the best time to visit Paris. From food carnivals, fun activities, wine tasting, street shows, and more, there is so much to be explored and enjoyed in Paris. All four seasons (yes, Paris has four distinct seasons) offer something interesting and charming that makes your holiday to this city really special.
If this is your first time in Paris, you will be advised by all to visit in springtime when the weather is at its best. The sun is bright and warm, the days are long and you can enjoy walking about the Parisian streets enjoying the city like the locals do. However, this is also when the city has the most crowds, prices are higher, and you might not be able to enjoy the city at your pace.
Depending on what your interests are, you could perhaps find another season to be more suitable to your tastes. Yes, each season has its pros and cons and through this article we will help you decide the best season to visit Paris for you.
Overall the weather is always mild in Paris. Summers never get too hot, and the winters are never below freezing. Springtime, from the months of March to May is the most pleasant season, followed by summer which is between June and August. Autumn is from October to November and that is when it starts to get cold and wet, but the weather is still good to visit with its own charm. Winter is not too cold in Paris. The temperature in the months of December, January and February never goes below freezing and it simple feels cold because of the low humidity levels.
Paris is a beautiful city that everyone must visit at least once. Whether you are traveling with a group of friends or as a family there is plenty to do and see here.
Peak Season (March-August)
Spring and summer are best times to visit Paris. The weather is perfect for sightseeing and there are numerous festivals that the city hosts to add to the cheer. If you want to enjoy Paris as the Parisians do, then these six months are ideal for a visit.
Shoulder Season (September-November)
There is a slight nip in the air and the clouds are heavier with rain, but the city still welcomes all. This is when the crowds start to thin, and you could consider this a good time to visit Paris.
Low Season (December-February)
Winters in Paris are cold and wet. But there is an ethereal beauty to the city when it snows. The city is never hampered by frost and snow usually clears in a day or two. The magic of celebrating Christmas in Paris is every traveller’s dream and you can easily make it happen by planning a winter holiday here.
Travel Seasons |
Min/Max Temperature |
Season |
March - May |
4-19 degrees |
Cool and pleasant |
June - August |
13-24 degrees |
Warm and pleasant |
September - November |
5-21 degrees |
Cool with moderate rain |
December - February |
2-8 degrees |
Cold with chance of snow |
Temperature: Avg. of 19 degrees high to 04 degrees low
Weather: Paris during spring season is an uncertain time. The weather changes subtly all through the day and while it is fairly warm during the day, it gets cooler as the evening progresses. As we move closer towards May, it begins to get warmer. Rain is a constant feature but the streets dry up as quickly as they get wet. Days are nice and long, and you get to spend more time outdoors. This is undoubtedly the best climate to visit Paris.
Significant events: This is the time for outdoor sports. You can watch the French Open if you are in Paris around the third week of May. But before that, the city gears up for the Paris Marathon, where thousands of Parisians run 26+ miles. This is a great season to have outdoor picnics, and you can make yourself comfortable in any of the many gardens that dot the city. The highlight of this season is the Foire du Trône, a funfair of unprecedented proportions, and perhaps the oldest too. Rides, food, music and fireworks will keep everyone enthralled.
Why you should visit now: Paris is beautiful in this season. The weather, the festivities and the people all conspire to make your holiday spectacular.
Know before you visit: This is one of the most popular times to be in Paris, so expect very high rates everywhere you go. Book in advance to not get disappointed.
Tips: Carry your rain gear and be ready to shift plans at a moment’s notice.
Temperature: Avg. of 24 degrees high to 13 degrees low
Weather: Comfortably warm and inviting, that’s how one would describe Paris in summer. The days are sunny and long so you can take your time walking about the city, taking in all the sights. There is an air of festivity all around since exams are done and youngsters and families alike are out on the streets. You can expect summer thunderstorms and we recommend you pack your clothes according to this weather in summer season of Paris.
Significant events: Paris welcomes summer with its Tropical Carnival of Paris. It’s almost like the entire city has been waiting for a chance to come out on the streets and enjoy the floats, the costumes and the whole shebang. Music lovers can sit back and please their senses at Solidays and the We Love Green festivals, both of which are related to a social cause, as well as Fête de la Musique, which is celebrated as Music Day in Paris. Movie buffs can enjoy curated movies at the La Villette Outdoor Movie Theatre.
Why you should visit now: This is one of the most popular times to visit Paris because of the weather and the festivities. Nowhere else can you enjoy a summer holiday as you do in Paris.
Know before you visit: The city is crowded in summer. Kids, youngsters, families and tourists all make a beeline for the sites and attractions of Paris in these months. The lines are longer and the ticket rates are also higher.
Tips: Most of Paris is not air-conditioned. So it can get unpleasant when it gets hot. Make sure your accommodation has air conditioning so you can relax in comfort.
Temperature: Avg. of 21 degrees high to 05 degrees low
Weather: You can say au revoir to summer humidity as autumn starts to make its appearance. The heat less and so are the crowds. Weather in autumn season of Paris is still good for sightseeing; however the days have started to get shorter. It still rains and as you get closer to October, the temperature will begin to dip suddenly, and the days are cool with the nights getting colder. Paris in fall is a beautiful city and you can get some amazing pictures of famous monuments with the autumn colours of trees.
Significant events: Paris gets generous with its monuments, that too for free. You will get access to many monuments, even those that are generally closed, during the European Heritage Days. You might want to participate (albeit from the sides) in La Parisienne, a race run mostly only by women to support the research on breast cancer. October allows you to see art like you’ve never seen before visit all through the night at the Nuit Blanche (All-nighter). Artists display their pieces across the city and you get to see this display for free. If you are in Paris in November, then you can taste the new wines of the yer at the Beaujolais nouveau.
Why you should visit now: The crowds are starting to disappear and you can have much of the city to yourself. The weather is getting cold but not a lot yet.
Know before you visit: Even though this is not peak tourist season, hotel rates are yet to go down. You will need to research carefully to find accommodation at a reasonable rate.
Tips: Keep a jacket with you always. Even if it’s sunny, there’s a chill in the air.
Temperature: Avg. of 8 degrees high to 02 degrees low
Weather: Winter is finally here and even the trees have shed almost all their leaves now. The sun is leaving for its annual vacation and the days and nights are equally cold. Weather of Paris in winter season does not take away the beauty of Paris which looks just as stunning even when shrouded with a thin blanket of snow. The days are really short, with the sun setting by 5 pm daily.
Significant events: Paris in winter is breath-taking. You can simply spend hours walking about the streets of Paris looking at the attractive window displays of famous departmental stores like the Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. Go ice skating in any of the temporary ice rinks that have been set up all across town. Hey, you can even ice skate on the first floor of the Eiffel. How’s that for a travel bucket list? There are several Christmas markets that spring up and you can just watch people passing by busy in their shopping while you sip a warm wine or have a hot chocolate. January is when Paris hosts its Fashion Week. Get first dibs on what the world of fashion has in store for the rest of us.
Why you should visit now: Paris is beautiful in winter buy not as popular with tourists, so you will have the best of views and spend minimum time at all attractions.
Know before you visit: Daylight is short, so you will need to plan and pack a lot of sightseeing in fewer hours.
Tips: It’s beautiful but it’s cold. Carry along plenty of warm clothes and a thick jacket.
No traveller will miss a chance to go to Paris. At Thomas Cook, we offer you curated Paris Tour Packages have been designed with the best of Paris to suit your discerning tastes. Our experts are standing by to help you in prepping and planning for your vacation to Paris. Whether it is assistance in ticket and hotel accommodation, visa or even currency needs, we are always ready to help you out to thebest of out abilities.
Paris has three international airports although the one that is most used is Charles de Gaulle International Airport. It’s also called Roissy because that’s the name of the suburb where it is located. Charles de Gaulle is around 28kms northeast of the centre of the city and is well connected to the city by bus, taxi and train. There are six bus lines which link the airport to different parts of the city and the buses are frequent. The taxis will take you to the city in forty minutes and flat rates have made it easier to get onto one of these. For €50, you will be dropped to the Right Bank and for €55, to the Left Bank. The fare goes up by 15% after 7pm and on Sundays. Do ensure that you take taxis that are marked clearly as taxis.
Charles de Gaulle is connected to the city by the RER B line which connects with central Paris stations such as Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and St-Michel–Notre Dame. The trains are available from 4.30am to 11.50pm every ten minutes approximately.
There are several daily flights from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata etc. The airlines that operate to CDG are Air France, Air India, Lufthansa, Emirates and Etihad.
The other two international airports in Paris are:
Almost all the European capitals are connected to Paris by the Eurolines service. The city has an international bus terminal - Gare Routière Internationale de Paris-Galliéni which is in a suburb called Bagnolet. From here, a metro ride will take 15 minutes to take you to the République station. Some of the other bus operators here are Megabus and FlixBus. From Paris, you can travel to all the other major cities in France by road as well. The expressways here are excellent although they tend to be crowded.
Paris has great rail connectivity to other parts of France and even other countries in Europe. There are six stations in Paris alone which help route traffic to various parts of the country and the continent. Paris’ public-transport system is called Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP). If you want to travel by train, it’s best you book reservations in advance. There are also greater chances of getting a discounted fare if you book ahead. Among the many trains that run their services, here, there’s the Eurostar, Thalys and Train Express Régionale.
Some of the main train stations in Paris include:
1. What is the time difference between India and Paris?
Paris is 3 hours 30 minutes behind India.
2. Where is Paris located?
Paris is located in north central France, Europe.
3. What is the best way to travel to Paris?
The best way to travel from India to Paris is by flight. The journey takes a little more than 10 hours on non-stop flights such as Air France.
4. Is it a safe destination?
Paris is a safe city and there are very few incidents of crime. Nevertheless, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and follow common sense and adhere to safety tips to ensure you have a stress-free trip.
5. What are the popular places to see here?
Some of the must-see things in Paris include the famous sights such as Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Galeries Lafayette, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries to name a few. Paris is full of historical landmarks as well such as Place de la Bastille and Place de la Concorde.
6. What are the drinking laws?
The legal age for drinking alcohol in Paris is 18.
7. What is the currency used in Paris?
Paris uses Euro as its currency. You can however use credit cards in almost all the restaurants, bars or cafés. It’s still a better idea to get a Thomas Cook Travel Prepaid Card as it is a secure way of carrying money and we are of the most trusted foreign exchange partners in the world.
8. Will I get WiFi connectivity? Can I buy a local sim card there?
Paris offers free WiFi in more than 260 public places. It is offered by Ville de Paris and the Île-de-France region and has excellent high speed network. It’s also possible to buy a prepaid sim and mobile service providers like Orange, SFR, Free Mobile and Bouygues Telecom offer prepaid sim cards for tourists.
9. What kind of food will we get there? What about Indian food or even vegetarian options?
Paris is a delight for foodies. There are bistros, cafés, brasseries, wine bars and even food markets where you can enjoy a variety of tasty and delicious Parisienne fare. There are several Indian restaurants in Paris where you can enjoy a taste of home. Samsara has an affordable menu while Au Palais du Grand Moghol will transport you back to the luxurious havelis of India. There are several vegetarian options on most menus and there are exceptions for vegans as well.
10. What are the local travel options here? Can we use Uber there?
Paris’s transport system is rather well-developed. While Uber is not used that often, there are local taxis with fixed rates, but the bus and metro are quite extensive and can be used quite easily by tourists. It’s a good idea to buy a prepaid travel card which can be used in the buses and metros.
11. What are some of the things to do here?
Paris has some amazing sights that should simply not be missed - from gorgeous museums and galleries to famed tourist spots such as the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe to name a few. The Louvre, which is the world’s largest museum and has some of the best art collection in the world, is also in Paris.
12. Are we expected to tip here?
When it comes to tipping, taxis have fixed fares, but if you’re on a long journey, you can round up the fare. Porters expect to be tipped for their work and in restaurants, although there’s a service charge, a 5 to 10% of the bill is also welcome.
13. What is it like to travel to Paris with infants, children and elderly?
Paris is very child-friendly and there are plenty of places that you can visit with children in tow. There are several activities that are perfect for them here, be it at the museums or the art galleries. There are animal shows and zoos as well, which are bound to fascinate the little ones. Of course, the biggest draw for children to Paris would be Disneyland which is 32kms east of Paris.
As for the elderly, especially those with mobility issues, taking the bus is a better idea than the metro. Wheelchairs are available at most attractions. There’s much to enjoy in Paris for the elderly, even if they are not able to move around with ease.