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
January is the coldest month in Lyon, with highs of about 6.8°C and lows near 0.7°C. Rain falls on 13.3 days, the most of the year, and sunshine averages only 4.7 hours. It scores 3.2, the lowest of the year. Avoid January unless you have a fixed reason to go.
10°C / 1°C · 9 rain days · 6.8 h sun
February is still cold, with highs of about 9.9°C and lows of 1.4°C. It is much drier than January, with rain on 8.8 days. It scores 4.7, which makes it an ok month. It suits a short city trip if you pack warm clothes, but it is not ideal.
13°C / 4°C · 12 rain days · 8.7 h sun
March warms up to highs of about 13.3°C, but nights are still cool at 3.6°C. Rain falls on 11.6 days, so expect some wet spells. It scores 6 and rates as good. It is a fair choice if you want milder weather before the best months begin.
17°C / 6°C · 10 rain days · 10.1 h sun
April is the first of the best months, with a score of 7.6. Highs reach about 16.7°C and rain falls on 10 days. Nights can still be cool at 6.4°C, so bring a jacket. It is a good time for walking and sightseeing in mild weather.
20°C / 11°C · 12 rain days · 10.8 h sun
May is warm, with highs of about 20.4°C, and it scores 7.8, a best month. It is also fairly wet: rain falls on 12.4 days and totals 97 mm. Plan some indoor options for rainy afternoons. Otherwise it is a pleasant time to go.
26°C / 15°C · 11 rain days · 12.5 h sun
June brings highs of about 25.8°C and 12.5 hours of sunshine. Rain still falls on 11.3 days, often in short spells. It scores 7.9 and rates as a best month. It is a strong choice for warm weather without the peak heat of July.
29°C / 17°C · 8 rain days · 13.0 h sun
July is the hottest month, with highs of about 28.5°C and lows of 17.3°C. It is dry, with rain on only 7.5 days, and has the most sunshine at 13 hours. It scores 7.6, a best month. City days can feel hot, so plan outdoor visits for the morning.
28°C / 17°C · 7 rain days · 11.9 h sun
August stays hot, with highs of about 28.1°C. It has the fewest rain days of the year at 7.2. It scores 8 and rates as a best month. Expect warm evenings, with lows near 17°C, and plan around the midday heat.
23°C / 13°C · 8 rain days · 10.1 h sun
September has the highest score of the year at 8.5. Highs are a comfortable 23.4°C and rain falls on just 7.5 days. The summer heat has eased but days are still warm. If you can pick only one month, this is it.
18°C / 10°C · 9 rain days · 7.5 h sun
October is mild, with highs of about 17.9°C, and it scores 7.8, a best month. Rain falls on only 9.3 days, but those days bring a lot of it: 102 mm, the highest total of the year. Pack a good raincoat and expect some wet days.
11°C / 5°C · 11 rain days · 5.8 h sun
November turns cool, with highs of about 11.3°C and lows of 4.7°C. Rain falls on 11.4 days and sunshine drops to 5.8 hours. It scores 5.1, which makes it only ok. Go if you do not mind grey, damp weather.
8°C / 2°C · 12 rain days · 4.8 h sun
December is cold and dark, with highs of about 8°C and only 4.8 hours of sunshine. Rain falls on 12.4 days. It scores 3.7 and rates as a month to avoid. Choose another time unless you have a fixed reason to go.
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.
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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