Paris is, without a doubt, an amazing destination for those looking to enjoy the myriad of wonderful places and events the French capital has to offer. Some Paris tour operators may indeed give you the opportunity to organise a tailored trip to the city of light, so you won’t miss out on any must-sees. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvres and to the gorgeous parks, there is, however, a best time to visit. Depending on the season, some activities, monuments or sights are even more unforgettable.
Visiting Paris in Winter
While Paris isn’t necessarily the definition of a winter wonderland in the sense that it rarely ever snows there, it doesn’t mean that visiting Paris in winter is uninteresting! While December is usually one of the rainiest months of the year, the city is truly sumptuous around Christmas, when all the stores display delightful seasonal scenes in their front windows. Some of the most unforgettable Christmas window displays can be found at the Galeries Lafayette, Printemps Haussmann, BHV Marais and Bon Marché, some of the largest department stores in the capital. Ask your Paris tour guide to take you there if it isn’t already on their list!
In December, the Salon Nautique is also of interest and, if you’ve never celebrated the New Year in Paris, you’re in for a treat! Head to the Champs-Elysées for the most incredible experience. Live music and a superb fireworks display make travelling to Paris at this time of year particularly worth it.
At the end of February, the Paris Fashion Week attracts many fashion enthusiasts and the hotels can get quite busy: be sure to book well in advance if you want to enjoy the event.
Winter is also the perfect time to go around all the museums with your Paris tour guide.
Visiting Paris in Spring
Hotel rooms can be a little less pricey in spring, which is the perfect time to have your Paris tour guide take you to see the many parks and gardens the city has to offer. From the end of April onward, the weather should be clement and invite the most colourful displays into the well-tended green spaces. Strolls along the Seine are lovely this time of year, and several interesting events also take place. The Foire du Trône, in March, is the largest fun fair in the capital. Don’t miss out on it if you’re visiting Paris then. In April, sports enthusiasts travelling to Paris will enjoy the International Marathon of Paris and, in May-June, the French Open Tennis Championship.
Visiting Paris in Summer
You may have heard that travelling to Paris in the summer is a less pleasant experience, particularly in August, because of all the tourists who visit the capital in the company of a Paris tour guide. While it is true that the city of light remains a popular destination, many Parisians tend to leave the capital to go on holiday, making it slightly less busy. Paris tour operators can provide an unforgettable experience and show you some of the best features the French capital has to offer. Sightseeing is always more pleasant when the sun’s out! And if you’re a fan of live music and sunbathing, Paris has you covered with the Fête de la Musique and Paris Plage! In fact, the only thing you cannot do during your trip is going surfing, but the closest beaches are pretty close to the city. You can find a surf camp in France which is about 2 hours from Paris, by train.
Visiting Paris in Autumn
In September and October, the hustle and bustle of Parisian day-to-day life picks up again, but the temperatures are still pleasant, and the foliage puts on a fiery show! Another Fashion Week, the well-known artistic Nuit Blanche, the Fête des Vendanges in Montmartre and the Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain are some of the events your Paris tour operator won’t let you miss!
