Paris weather,
live right now

Late April to mid-June, and September to mid-October. Mild (14-22°C), less rain than April or November, and the famous Parisian light at its best. May is peak — long days, café terraces full, perfect for walking. September lets you skip July-August heat and crowds. Avoid late July to mid-August when heatwaves of 35-40°C+ have become common and many Parisians flee to the coast, leaving half the city closed.

December-February averages 4-8°C with frequent rain. Pack a proper wool coat (Parisians wear them well into March), a scarf (essential — locals always have one), waterproof leather boots or ankle boots, gloves, and an umbrella. Layer with sweaters; cafés and metros are warm. Snow is rare but possible — when it falls, the city becomes magical for 24 hours before melting into slush. Avoid bright sneakers; they mark you as a tourist instantly.

Yes, steadily but not heavily. Paris averages 640mm per year across roughly 110 rainy days — more days than London, less total rain. October-November is wettest. Summer rain tends to be brief thunderstorms; autumn rain is gentle and persistent. Pack an umbrella from October through April. Parisians barely break stride for light rain — they duck under awnings, accept a free coffee from a friendly café, and continue. Bring a proper rain jacket from October onwards.

Paris was almost made for rainy days. The Louvre and Musée d'Orsay can absorb 4-6 hours each. Smaller museums: Marmottan (Monet), Picasso Museum, Carnavalet (Paris history) — all wonderful and uncrowded in rain. The Passages Couverts (covered 19th-century arcades) like Galerie Vivienne let you walk for an hour without getting wet. Department stores Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché become destinations. End with chocolat chaud at Angelina or Carette — Parisian rain rituals.