France Climate and Average Weather
Climate of France: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in France month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 35° | 3,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 51° | 41° | 3,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 56° | 41° | 2,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 64° | 46° | 1,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 69° | 52° | 3,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 78° | 59° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 80° | 62° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 80° | 61° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 70° | 55° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 63° | 50° | 3,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 53° | 43° | 3,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 48° | 40° | 2,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in France
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How France compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against France.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 164 mi | 54°F | 34°F cooler | 33 in |
| Brussels | 164 mi | 54°F | 34°F cooler | 33 in |
| Bruges | 167 mi | 53°F | 34°F cooler | 35 in |
| Brighton | 175 mi | 54°F | 34°F cooler | 37 in |
| Luxembourg | 178 mi | 52°F | 36°F cooler | 35 in |
Climate by city in France
4 cities mapped in this atlas
Climate by attraction in France
2 attractions mapped in this atlas
Climate by unesco world heritage site in France
2 unesco world heritage sites mapped in this atlas
Climate by mountain in France
1 mountains and peaks mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit France
Go in April, May, June, July, August and September. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for France
Today is slightly cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 57°F is 6.5°F below the 63°F typical for this month.
A 88% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives.
Gusts to 44 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 63°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A packable rain shell - 3 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 44 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
France is a country in Europe. France is a country in Europe with its capital at Paris. It has a population of about 68 million. The capital is Paris.
Right now it is 55°F (13°C) in France with light rain. It feels like 46°F. Today runs from 50°F to 57°F. Chance of precipitation is 88%. Sightseeing conditions score 6.3/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit France is April, May, June, July, August and September. The climate is temperate. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. August is the warmest month with average highs near 80°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 35°F.
The closest major airport is Paris Orly Airport (ORY), about 9 mi away. Nearby highlights include Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Mont-Saint-Michel and Palace of Versailles.
In plain terms. Today is slightly cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 57°F is 6.5°F below the 63°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 8 AM to 11 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in France today at 8.2/10. Gusts to 44 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about France
| Type | Country |
|---|---|
| Continent | Europe |
| Continent | Europe |
| Coordinates | 48°51′23.8″N 2°21′7.9″E (48.8566, 2.3522) |
| Capital | Paris |
| Population | 68.000.000 |
| Area | 213.011 sq mi |
| ISO code | FR |
| ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 | FRA |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | French |
| Calling code | +33 |
| Time zone | Europe/Paris |
| Local time | 11:12 AM (UTC+02:00) |
| Best months | April, May, June, July, August and September |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for France
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore France
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is France?
France is a country in Europe. Its coordinates are 48.8566, 2.3522. It lies in Europe.
What is the weather like in France right now?
It is currently 55°F (13°C) with light rain. Humidity is 73% and wind is 19 mph.
When is the best time to visit France?
April, May, June, July, August and September offer the most comfortable conditions in France, which has a temperate climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is France in?
France observes Europe/Paris (UTC+02:00). The local time is 11:12 AM.
How many people live in France?
France has a population of approximately 68 million.
What is the nearest airport to France?
The closest airports are Paris Orly Airport (ORY), 9 mi away, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), 14 mi away and London Gatwick Airport (LGW), 195 mi away.
What are the top things to do in France?
Popular options include Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Mont-Saint-Michel, Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay and Palace and Park of Versailles.
What places are in France?
France covers 9 places in this atlas, including Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel, Palace of Versailles, Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay, Palace and Park of Versailles and Lyon.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (countries-v1) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 23, 2026 at 11:12 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
