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WHEN TO GO |
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The best time to visit Paris is largely a question of personal taste.
The city has a more reliable climate than Britain, with uninterrupted
stretches of sun (or rain) year-round. However, while it maintains a
vaguely southern feel for anyone crossing the English Channel,
Mediterranean it is not. Winter temperatures drop well below freezing,
with sometimes biting winds. If you're lucky, spring and autumn will be
mild and sunny; in summer it can reach the 30s°C (80s°F).
In terms of pure aesthetics, winter sun is the city's most flattering
light, when the pale shades of the older buildings become luminescent
and long shadows criss-cross the parks. By contrast, Paris in high
summer can be unpleasant, with the fumes of congested traffic becoming
trapped within the high narrow streets, and the reflected light in the
city's open spaces too blinding to enjoy.
One of the quietest times of year to visit is during the French summer
holidays from July 15 to the end of August, when large numbers of
Parisians flee the city for the coast or mountains. However, a lot of
Paris's shops and restaurants will be closed during this period. There
is, too, the commercial calendar to consider - fashion shows, trade
fairs and the like. Paris hoteliers warn against visiting during the
months of September and October, and finding a room even at the best of
times can be problematic. Early spring, autumn if you book ahead, or the
midwinter months will be most rewarding.
Paris's climate
F° C°
RAINFALL
AVERAGE AVERAGE
DAILY MONTHLY
MAX MIN MAX MIN IN
MM
Jan 43 34 6
1 2.2 56
Feb 45 34 7
1 1.8 46
Mar 54 39 12
4 1.4 35
Apr 60 43 16
6 1.7 42
May 68 49 20
10 2.2 57
Jun 73 55 23
13 2.1 54
Jul 76 58 25
15 2.3 59
Aug 75 58 24
14 2.5 64
Sep 70 53 21
12 2.2 55
Oct 60 46 16
8 2.0 50
Nov 50 40 10
5 2.0 51
Dec 44 36 7
2 2.0 50
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