Weather by month for Lyon, the best months to go and how France's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
May, Jun, Aug, Sep
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 20°C to 28°C · 7–12 rain days
Mar, Apr, Jul, Oct
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 13°C to 29°C · 8–12 rain days
Jan, Dec
The weakest weather of the year: too hot, too cold or too wet.
Highs 7°C to 8°C · 12–13 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C / 1°C | 13 days (67 mm) | 4.7 h/day | 3.2/10 |
| February | 10°C / 1°C | 9 days (45 mm) | 6.8 h/day | 4.7/10 |
| March | 13°C / 4°C | 12 days (70 mm) | 8.7 h/day | 6.0/10 |
| April | 17°C / 6°C | 10 days (64 mm) | 10.1 h/day | 7.6/10 |
| Best month: May | 20°C / 11°C | 12 days (97 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| Best month: June | 26°C / 15°C | 11 days (87 mm) | 12.5 h/day | 7.9/10 |
| July | 29°C / 17°C | 8 days (59 mm) | 13.0 h/day | 7.6/10 |
| Best month: August | 28°C / 17°C | 7 days (61 mm) | 11.9 h/day | 8.0/10 |
| Best month: September | 23°C / 13°C | 8 days (73 mm) | 10.1 h/day | 8.5/10 |
| October | 18°C / 10°C | 9 days (102 mm) | 7.5 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| November | 11°C / 5°C | 11 days (81 mm) | 5.8 h/day | 5.1/10 |
| December | 8°C / 2°C | 12 days (75 mm) | 4.8 h/day | 3.7/10 |
Figures for Lyon; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
7°C / 1°C · 13 rain days · 4.7 h sun
Lyon highs sit at 6.8°C with 13.3 rain days, making this the wettest-feeling start to the year with low sun hours at 4.7. The score of 3.2 marks it as a tough month weather-wise, with cold, grey days typical. New Year's Day falls on the 1st, and many places run on holiday hours.
10°C / 1°C · 9 rain days · 6.8 h sun
Highs climb to 9.9°C and rain days drop to 8.8, giving a slightly brighter feel with 6.8 sun hours. The verdict is 'ok' with a score of 4.7, as it's still cool but more bearable than January.
13°C / 4°C · 12 rain days · 8.7 h sun
Spring begins with highs of 13.3°C, though rain days rise again to 11.6 and rainfall reaches 70mm. The score jumps to 6, marked 'good', as sun hours increase to 8.7 and days lengthen noticeably.
17°C / 6°C · 10 rain days · 10.1 h sun
Highs reach 16.7°C with rain days easing to 10 and sun hours up to 10.1. This month scores 7.6, rated 'best', making it a strong pick for comfortable sightseeing weather. Easter Monday falls on April 6.
20°C / 11°C · 12 rain days · 10.8 h sun
Temperatures rise to 20.4°C highs, though rain days hit 12.4 with 97mm of rainfall, the wettest month of the year. Despite the rain, the score is 7.8, 'best', thanks to warm days and 10.8 sun hours. Three holidays fall this month: Labour Day on the 1st, Victory in Europe Day on the 8th, and Ascension Day on the 14th.
26°C / 15°C · 11 rain days · 12.5 h sun
Highs reach 25.8°C with rain days easing to 11.3 and sun hours climbing to 12.5. The score of 7.9 keeps June in the 'best' category, with warm, long days typical. Whit Monday falls on May 25, spilling into early June planning.
29°C / 17°C · 8 rain days · 13.0 h sun
This is one of the hottest months, with highs of 28.5°C and just 7.5 rain days, giving plenty of dry, sunny weather at 13 sun hours. The score of 7.6 keeps it 'best', though the heat can feel intense for some travellers. Bastille Day, France's national holiday, falls on July 14.
28°C / 17°C · 7 rain days · 11.9 h sun
Highs stay high at 28.1°C with only 7.2 rain days and 11.9 sun hours, continuing the dry, hot summer pattern. The score of 8 keeps August firmly 'best'. Assumption Day on the 15th is a public holiday, and many locals take their own summer break around this time.
23°C / 13°C · 8 rain days · 10.1 h sun
Highs ease to 23.4°C with rain days at 7.5, similar dryness to summer but with less heat, and sun hours at 10.1. September scores highest of the year at 8.5, rated 'best', making it a strong choice for comfortable, mild conditions.
18°C / 10°C · 9 rain days · 7.5 h sun
Highs drop to 17.9°C and rain days rise to 9.3, though rainfall jumps to 102mm, the highest total of the year. Sun hours fall to 7.5, yet the score stays strong at 7.8, 'best', as temperatures remain mild.
11°C / 5°C · 11 rain days · 5.8 h sun
Highs fall to 11.3°C with rain days back up to 11.4 and sun hours down to 5.8. The score drops to 5.1, 'ok', reflecting cooler, greyer days. All Saints' Day falls on the 1st and Armistice Day on the 11th.
8°C / 2°C · 12 rain days · 4.8 h sun
Highs sit at 8°C with 12.4 rain days and just 4.8 sun hours, among the darkest months of the year. The score of 3.7 marks it 'avoid' for weather, though Christmas Day on the 25th brings holiday markets and festive events despite the cold, damp conditions.
Regional differences
Average daytime high each month, coloured by that city's own month score.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon | 7°C | 10°C | 13°C | 17°C | 20°C | 26°C | 29°C | 28°C | 23°C | 18°C | 11°C | 8°C |
| Toulouse | 9°C | 12°C | 15°C | 18°C | 21°C | 26°C | 29°C | 29°C | 25°C | 20°C | 14°C | 11°C |
| Nice | 13°C | 14°C | 15°C | 18°C | 21°C | 25°C | 29°C | 29°C | 25°C | 21°C | 17°C | 14°C |
| Strasbourg | 6°C | 9°C | 12°C | 16°C | 20°C | 25°C | 27°C | 26°C | 22°C | 16°C | 10°C | 7°C |
| Bordeaux | 10°C | 13°C | 15°C | 18°C | 21°C | 25°C | 27°C | 28°C | 25°C | 20°C | 15°C | 12°C |
Best Good OK Tough weather
By trip type
City sightseeing
September suits city trips best. Lyon averages highs of 23.4°C and only 7.5 rain days. June (25.8°C) and May (20.4°C) also work well. October is cooler at 17.9°C, but it is the wettest month, with 102 mm of rain.
Beach
July and August are the warmest months, with Lyon highs of 28.5°C and 28.1°C and only 7.5 and 7.2 rain days. September and June are milder options. These figures are for inland Lyon, so check coastal weather before you book.
Hiking & nature
September is the top month for hiking, with highs of 23.4°C and just 7.5 rain days. April is cooler at 16.7°C. October also works, but pack rain gear: at 102 mm, it gets more rain than any other month.
Events calendar
Public holidays: New Year's Day (1 Jan)
Public holidays: Easter Monday (6 Apr)
Public holidays: Labour Day (1 May), Victory in Europe Day (8 May), Ascension Day (14 May), Whit Monday (25 May)
Public holidays: Bastille Day (14 Jul)
Public holidays: Assumption Day (15 Aug)
Public holidays: All Saints' Day (1 Nov), Armistice Day (11 Nov)
Public holidays: Christmas Day (25 Dec)
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes. September is the best month in our data, with a score of 8.5. In Lyon, highs average 23.4°C and lows 13.3°C. There are about 7.5 rain days and 10.1 hours of sun a day. It is warm but not as hot as July or August. Note that these figures come from Lyon for 2015–2024, so other regions will differ.
Yes, if you like heat. August scores 8 in our data. In Lyon it has the fewest rain days of the year, about 7.2, and around 11.9 hours of sun a day. Highs average 28.1°C and lows 17°C, so days can feel hot for walking and sightseeing. These figures are for Lyon only.
Yes, but pack for rain. May scores 7.8 in our data. In Lyon, highs average a mild 20.4°C and lows 10.5°C, with about 10.8 hours of sun a day. It is one of the wetter months, though, with about 12.4 rain days and 97 mm of rain. These figures come from Lyon, not all of France.
For most travellers, yes. January has the lowest score of the year, 3.2. In Lyon, highs average only 6.8°C and lows 0.7°C. It has the most rain days, about 13.3, and just 4.7 hours of sun a day. December is also poor, with a score of 3.7. These figures are for Lyon for 2015–2024.
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