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France

France travel guide

From Paris to coastal Marseille and Nice, a big country best seen one region at a time

Best: May, Jun, Aug, Sep

Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels

Capital
Paris
Language
French
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC-10:00, UTC-09:30 +12
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit France

France suits city breaks and summer trips to the coast. The best months overall are May, June, August and September. Coastal cities such as Marseille and Nice are at their best from June to September. Inland, Lyon, Toulouse and Avignon also work well in October. One honest limit: France covers 551,695 km², so on a short trip you will need to pick 1 or 2 regions rather than try to see everything.

  • Two coastal cities in the south

    Marseille, with 886,040 people, is France's largest city after Paris in this list, and it sits on the coast. Nice, with 357,737 people, is also coastal. Both are at their best from June to September. August tops the list for both.

  • September suits almost everywhere

    September is the top month for France as a whole. It is also among the best months for all 8 cities listed here, from Strasbourg in the north-east to Avignon in the south. If you can only pick one month, pick this one.

  • Spring trips to inland cities

    April is among the best months in Toulouse, Bordeaux and Avignon. May works well in Lyon and Avignon, and May is a good month for France overall. This makes spring a good time for inland city breaks before the summer.

  • Autumn city breaks into October

    Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Avignon all list October among their best months. Lyon has 519,127 people and Toulouse has 514,819, so both are large cities to base yourself in. The coastal cities do not list October, so choose inland for later trips.

  • Many cities of different sizes

    France covers 551,695 km² and has 69,081,996 people. The cities here range from Marseille, with 886,040 people, to Avignon, with 92,188, and Tours, with 139,259. You can mix large cities and smaller towns on one trip. Tours and Strasbourg are both good in July and August.

Is France right for you?

Great for

  • City-hoppers linking coastal Marseille and Nice with inland Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux and Avignon
  • Summer beach trips to Nice or Marseille, where June to September are the best months
  • September travellers: Lyon averages 23.4°C highs and only 7.5 rain days
  • Spring trips to Avignon or Toulouse, which both list April among their best months

Less ideal for

  • Winter sun seekers: Lyon's January highs average 6.8°C with 4.7 hours of sun
  • People who dislike heat in July and August, when Lyon highs reach about 28°C
  • Those hoping for dry autumn days: October is Lyon's wettest month at 102 mm
  • Travellers who want no language barrier, as French is the only official language

France right now: October

7.8/10
Avg high
18°C
Avg low
10°C
Rain days
9

Averages for Lyon.

Weather by month

Climate data for Lyon shows the best weather from May to September, and September scores highest, with highs of 23°C, only 7.5 rain days and about 10 hours of sun a day. Avoid December and January, when highs reach only 7–8°C, rain falls on 12–13 days and there are fewer than 5 hours of sun.

Average highs and lows in Lyon by month January: high 7°C, low 1°C , 13 rain days . February: high 10°C, low 1°C , 9 rain days . March: high 13°C, low 4°C , 12 rain days . April: high 17°C, low 6°C , 10 rain days . May: high 20°C, low 11°C , 12 rain days . June: high 26°C, low 15°C , 11 rain days . July: high 29°C, low 17°C , 8 rain days . August: high 28°C, low 17°C , 7 rain days . September: high 23°C, low 13°C , 8 rain days . October: high 18°C, low 10°C , 9 rain days . November: high 11°C, low 5°C , 11 rain days . December: high 8°C, low 2°C , 12 rain days . 7°C 1°C JAN 13d 10°C 1°C FEB 9d 13°C 4°C MAR 12d 17°C 6°C APR 10d 20°C 11°C MAY 12d 26°C 15°C JUN 11d 29°C 17°C JUL 8d 28°C 17°C AUG 7d 23°C 13°C SEP 8d 18°C 10°C OCT 9d 11°C 5°C NOV 11d 8°C 2°C DEC 12d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Lyon · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit France: month-by-month weather →

France's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Mediterranean South

    Marseille, Nice, Avignon

    Mild winters and hot summers. Highs average 11.4°C in January and 29.7°C in July. It rains on about 78 days a year, the fewest of the 3 regions. The best months are April, May, August and September.

    Best: Apr, May, Aug, Sep

  • Central and Southwest France

    Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Tours

    Cooler winters, with January highs of 8.6°C, and warm summers, with July highs of 27.7°C. Rain falls on about 126.5 days a year, so bring a layer. The best months are June, July, September and October.

    Best: Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct

  • Alsace

    Strasbourg

    The coldest and wettest region. January highs average only 5.6°C, and it rains on about 148 days a year. Summers are warm, with July highs of 26.5°C. Go in June, July, August or September.

    Best: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Where to go in France

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Lyon, Avignon and Marseille in one week

  1. Day 1–3

    Lyon

    Start in Lyon, a city of about 519,127 people. Walk the centre and take your time over meals. September is the only month that is on the best list for all 3 cities on this route.

  2. Day 4–5

    Avignon

    Avignon is much smaller, with about 92,188 people, so the pace is slower. Explore the centre on foot. Its best months are April, May, September and October. June, July and August are not on that list.

  3. Day 6–7

    Marseille

    End on the coast in Marseille, the largest city on this route with about 886,040 people. Spend time by the sea. Its best months are June, July, August and September.

10 days

Western France from Tours to Avignon

  1. Day 1–2

    Tours

    Begin in Tours, a smaller city of about 139,259 people, and settle into a slow pace. Its best months are June to September. September is the only month on the best list for every stop on this route.

  2. Day 3–5

    Bordeaux

    Bordeaux has about 267,991 people. Use these days to walk the centre and eat well. Its best months are April, July, September and October.

  3. Day 6–8

    Toulouse

    Toulouse is bigger, with about 514,819 people, and gives you more choice for food and evenings out. Its best months are April, June, September and October.

  4. Day 9–10

    Avignon

    Finish in Avignon, the smallest city here with about 92,188 people. Explore the centre at an easy pace. Go in April, May, September or October. Summer months are not on its best list.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Presqu'île

Lyon

Good for first-timers, shopping, dining

The central strip of land between the Rhône and Saône rivers, with grand squares, shopping streets and many restaurants. Most sights are a walk or short metro ride away, so it is the easiest base for a first visit. Main streets and squares can be crowded and noisy, especially on weekends.

Capitole (city centre)

Toulouse

Good for first-timers, short stays

This is the heart of Toulouse, around the main square and city hall, with the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the river within walking distance. You can reach most sights on foot, and the metro stops here. The drawback is noise and crowds, especially on weekend evenings.

Vieux Nice (Old Town)

Nice

Good for first-timers, food lovers, nightlife

Narrow lanes of tall painted houses, the Cours Saleya market and many small restaurants, all a short walk from the beach and the Promenade des Anglais. You can see most of central Nice on foot from here. The drawback is noise: bars stay open late, streets are crowded by day, and many buildings have steep stairs and no lift.

Grande Île (city centre)

Strasbourg

Good for first-timers, sightseeing

The river island around the cathedral is where most of the main sights are, and you can walk to nearly everything. It is the easiest base for a short first visit. The drawback: it gets very crowded, especially during the December Christmas market, and some streets stay noisy late.

Saint-Pierre (Old Town)

Bordeaux

Good for first-timers, walkers, short stays

This is the medieval heart of Bordeaux, with narrow stone streets, small squares and many cafés, close to the river and Place de la Bourse. You can walk to most main sights from here. Bars and restaurant terraces can be noisy late at night, especially at weekends.

Les Halles and Place Pie

Avignon

Good for food lovers, independent travellers

This area sits around the covered market, with its green plant wall, and the square outside has bars and places to eat. It is still inside the walls and close to the main sights, but feels more local. The square can be loud at night, and the market area starts early in the morning.

Food to try in France

Croissant

A flaky, buttery pastry made from layered dough. People across France buy it from a local bakery, called a boulangerie, and usually eat it at breakfast with coffee.

Baguette

A long, thin loaf of white bread with a crisp crust. It is sold fresh at bakeries in every town and eaten with most meals, often with cheese or butter.

Crêpes

Thin pancakes that come from Brittany in north-west France. Sweet ones use wheat flour. Savoury galettes use buckwheat flour and are often filled with ham, cheese or egg.

Bouillabaisse

A fish stew from Marseille on the Mediterranean coast. It mixes several kinds of local fish with herbs and is often served with bread and a garlic sauce called rouille.

Cassoulet

A slow-cooked dish of white beans with meat such as sausage, pork or duck. It comes from south-west France and is a filling meal best suited to cooler weather.

French cheese

France makes a very wide range of cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert and Roquefort. Many restaurants serve a cheese course after the main dish and before dessert.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: France uses plug types C and E at 230 V. Bring an adapter if your plugs are a different shape. Check that your chargers and devices accept 230 V before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in France. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at roundabouts and when you pull out of junctions.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 in an emergency for police, ambulance or fire services. The country calling code for France is +33, which you need when calling a French number from abroad.
  • Currency: France uses the Euro. Card payments are common, but carry a little cash for small shops, markets and cafés in rural areas.
  • Language: The official language is French. Many people in tourist areas speak some English. Start every conversation with "Bonjour", even in shops, because skipping the greeting can seem rude.
  • Tipping: A service charge is already included in restaurant and café bills. Tipping is not expected. If you were happy with the service, you can leave some small change, but it is optional.
  • Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink across mainland France. In restaurants you can ask for "une carafe d'eau" instead of buying bottled water.
  • Pickpockets and scams: Pickpockets work in crowded places in Paris, especially on the metro and near major sights. Keep bags closed and phones out of back pockets. Ignore strangers asking you to sign petitions or offering a "found" gold ring.

France: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit France?

September is the best month overall, with our highest score of 8.5. August, June and May come next. Our weather data is from Lyon. There, September has highs of 23.4°C, lows of 13.3°C, about 7.5 rain days and 10.1 hours of sun. Every month from April to October rates as a best month.

Is France good in August?

Yes. August scores 8 and is one of the top months. In Lyon, August has highs of 28.1°C and lows of 17°C. It has the fewest rain days of the year, at 7.2, and about 11.9 hours of sun. It is one of the hottest months, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning if you dislike heat.

Should I visit France in January or December?

Not if good weather matters to you. Both months rate as 'avoid'. January scores 3.2 and December scores 3.7. In Lyon, January highs reach only 6.8°C and lows fall to 0.7°C. It has 13.3 rain days, the most of any month, and only about 4.7 hours of sun. Pack for cold, wet days.

Is October a good month to visit France?

Yes, but bring a rain jacket. October still rates as a best month, with a score of 7.8. Lyon has mild highs of 17.9°C. But it is also Lyon's wettest month, with 102 mm of rain over about 9.3 days. Sun drops to about 7.5 hours. Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Avignon all list October among their best months.

When should I visit the French coast, like Nice or Marseille?

Go between June and September. Nice and Marseille both list June, July, August and September as their best months. Inland cities follow a different pattern. Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Avignon all rate October highly. Toulouse, Bordeaux and Avignon also include April.

What plugs, currency and emergency number does France use?

France uses plug types C and E at 230 V. The currency is the Euro. The emergency number is 112, and the country calling code is +33. Traffic drives on the right. The main language is French.

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