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Best Time to Visit France from India

Best Months/Seasons to Visit France

Knowing the details of each season of the country you’re visiting makes trip planning much easier. Follow the details below to plan your trip to France:

Month Average Temperature Description
March-May (Spring Season) 13 to 20 degrees Celsius March to May typically sees moderate rainfall across most of France. Temperatures gradually warm up throughout the month.

Popular events during this time: Festival Tomorrowland, Pâques or Easter, and Poisson d'avril.
June-August (Summer Season) 15 to 25 degrees Celsius Summer in France is delightful, with warm weather, vibrant festivals, and bustling outdoor markets. June to August is generally the driest period in France.

Popular events during this time: Saint-Denis Festival, Carcassonne Festival, and The Cabourg Film Festival
September-November (Autumn Season) 8 to 15 degrees Celsius The countryside transforms into a palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. The weather becomes cooler, and rainfall increases gradually as the season progresses.

Popular events during this time: La Gacilly Photo Festival, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, and the International Garden Festival.
December-February (Winter Season) 3 to 8 degrees Celsius December to February tends to have more frequent rainfall, especially in northern and western regions. In mountainous areas, this precipitation often falls as snow.

Popular events during this time: Vars en Scène, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to France:

Weather Pleasant 
Temperature 13°C to  20°C 
Season Moderate to peak 
Season for Localities Festival Tomorrowland, Pâques or Easter, Poisson d'avril
Key Highlights
  • Witness the beauty of cherry blossoms in Parc de Sceaux near Paris or Jardin des Plantes in Lyon
  • Explore vineyards in regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Alsace as the vines begin to bud
  • Try outdoor sports such as golf, tennis, or boating in scenic settings like the French Riviera or the Loire Valley

Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to France:

Weather Pleasant to warm
Temperature 15°C to  25°C
Season Peak
Season for Localities Saint-Denis Festival, Carcassonne Festival, The Cabourg Film Festival
Key Highlights
  • Explore fashionable boutiques in cities like Paris or Lyon
  • Discover charming villages like Gordes in Provence, Colmar in Alsace, or Honfleur in Normandy
  • Hike in the Alps or Pyrenees mountains or cycle through the Loire Valley

Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to France:

Weather Cool
Temperature 8°C to 15°C
Season Moderate
Season for Localities La Gacilly Photo Festival, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, International Garden Festival
Key Highlights
  • Join guided mushroom foraging tours in forests like the Fontainebleau Forest near Paris or the Ardennes
  • Participate in grape harvest activities (vendanges) in famous wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy
  • Witness the vibrant colours of autumn leaves in regions like the Loire Valley, Alsace, or Burgundy

Here are some of the key details you should know about this season when planning for a trip to France:

Weather Cold 
Temperature 3°C to 8°C
Season Off 
Season for Localities Vars en Scène, Christmas, New Year’s Eve
Key Highlights
  • Head to the French Alps, Pyrenees, or Vosges Mountains for world-class skiing and snowboarding
  • Glide on outdoor ice skating rinks in the Eiffel Tower in Paris and City Hall in Lyon
  • Explore scenic trails through snowy landscapes in regions like the Jura Mountains

When to Avoid Visiting France?

Months to Avoid Reason
December-February (Winter Season)
  • In France, snowfall is widespread, particularly in the winter. Major cities and lowland areas also get snow, but usually less and less often. People who want to engage in outdoor activities would only appreciate travelling during the winter if it's primarily rainy and cold.
  • There are roughly 8 hours of daylight in Paris in late December. Stores and museums may frequently have shortened hours of operation. However, tourists can enjoy the winter festivals and Christmas celebrations in France. The prices are lower due to the off-season.

Seasonal Travel Costs of Visiting France from India

Travelling to France from India can vary in affordability depending on the time of year. Here's a general overview of how costs for flights and hotels can differ across different months or seasons:

Season Average Flight Cost Average Hotel Cost per Night Description
March-May (Spring Season) ₹24,000 - ₹38,000 ₹5,000 - ₹6,500 High to moderate prices; the season experiences cool to warm temperatures. Tourists can experience the colourful spring season and the transition in season.
June-August (Summer Season) ₹26,000 - ₹38,000 ₹5,000 - ₹7,000 Highest prices; the season experiences warm, pleasant weather with no rain. Thousands of tourists can visit Paris, which is very crowded. 
September-November (Autumn Season) ₹24,000 - ₹32,000 ₹3,000 - ₹6,000 Moderate prices; the transitioning season becomes cold as winter sets in. The landscape becomes colourful due to the foliage.
December-February (Winter Season) ₹19,000 - ₹32,000 ₹3,000 - ₹4,000 Low prices due to the cold and rain. Outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding are popular in the north. Some sites are closed due to the off-season.

Things to Know Before Visiting France

Tips for Travelling in France

What Phrases Should You Know Before Travelling to France?

French people prefer speaking their mother tongue instead of English. Here are some phrases which you would find useful during your journey in France:

English French
Hello/Good Morning!  Bonjour!
Do you speak English?  Parlez-vous anglais?
Thank you/Thank you very much!  Merci/Merci beaucoup!
Can you help me?  Pourriez-vous m’aider?
I don’t understand  Je ne comprends pas
Where are the toilets?  Où sont des toilettes?
I am searching for the metro/train station  Je cherche le métro/le gare
Where are the shops?  Où sont les magasins?
How much does it cost?  Combien ça coûte?
I would like some water  Je voudrais de l’eau
My name is  Je m'appelle
Water Eau
Go Allez
Stop Arrêtez
Turn right Tournez à droite
Turn left Tournez à gauche
Wine Vin
0 Zéro
1  Un
2 Deuz
3 Trois 
4 Quatre 
5 Cinq
6 Six 
7 Sept
8 Huit
9 Neuf
10 Dix

 

Learning a few essential French words and phrases before you travel to France from India will help you a lot. While you are there, you should always try to initiate conversations in French instead of English. This is considered basic politeness in France and shows that you respect their language and culture.

France has a lot to offer throughout the year. From events such as Paris Fashion Week during spring to visiting vineyards in the countryside during fall. From attending vibrant music festivals during the summer to shopping at Christmas markets during winter. There is no time which isn’t the best time to visit France.

FAQs about Best Time to Visit France