Shoulder Season in France

When is France’s Shoulder Season?

France’s peak tourist times include the summer months (roughly late June through August, when visitors flock to Paris, the Riviera, and beyond) and also late December for holiday travel. The shoulder season brackets these highs.

In spring, that means April, May, and into early June – after the winter low season but before the big summer crowds hit francetraveltips.com. This is when you’ll find the weather improving and many Europeans (and French) still at work or school, leading to fewer tourists than summer.

In fall, the shoulder season spans September and October, tapering into early November in some areas offbeatfrance.com. By September, the August vacationers have left, but the weather remains lovely; October sees cooler days and the start of off-peak in many regions.

Essentially, think mid-April to mid-June, and September through October as France’s prime shoulder periods. Outside these times, winter (Nov–Feb) is considered low season (except around Christmas/New Year’s), and summer (late June–Aug) is high season. It’s worth noting that Paris, being a huge destination for business and leisure, has visitors year-round, but even Paris has distinct shoulder lulls in spring/fall when hotel rates dip and museum lines shorten francetraveltips.com.

Other regions like Provence or the Loire Valley also see fewer bus tours in those periods. So if you want to sip café au lait in a Parisian café or explore chateaux with a bit more breathing room, plan for the shoulders of the year.

Weather in France During Shoulder Season

In a word: delightful. France’s shoulder seasons correspond with spring and autumn, which are generally mild and pleasant in most of the country. Let’s talk spring (Apr–June) first.

After a chillier March, April warms up nicely. In Paris, for example, April days average around 15–16 °C (59–61 °F), with nights about 7–8 °C parisjetaime.com. It’s mild jacket weather, and you’ll see spring flowers blooming everywhere – from cherry blossoms in parks to wisteria on countryside cottages.

Rainfall in spring is moderate; April can have some showers but it’s not overly wet (roughly 50–60 mm in Paris) parisjetaime.com. May gets warmer – average highs in Paris about 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) parisperfect.com – and is one of the loveliest months countrywide. By early June, you’re looking at low-to-mid 20s °C (70s °F) in many areas, though coastal Brittany or Normandy might be cooler.

Importantly, spring weather can be variable – you might get a stretch of sunny, 25 °C day in May, then a cooler rainy day at 15 °C the next. But overall, expect cool mornings, warm afternoons, and occasional light rain in spring.

Now autumn (Sep–Oct): The early fall in France often brings a continuation of summer’s pleasant warmth into September. In many regions, September feels like an extension of summer but without the extreme heat – Paris sees about 20 °C (68 °F) average highs in September, and the south of France (Provence, Cote d’Azur) can still be in the mid-20s °C (mid-70s °F).

Nights gradually get cooler (12 °C or so in Paris in Sept). Rainfall remains moderate; interestingly, September is one of Paris’s drier months (~50 mm) parisdiscoveryguide.com, so you’ll likely have plenty of clear days. October brings true autumn vibes: crisp air, leaves changing in temperate forests (yes, France has fall foliage in places like the Loire Valley or Burgundy vineyards).

Paris October highs average around 15–16 °C (59–61 °F), with lows ~8 °C parisjetaime.com. You’ll want a coat by then, especially at night. In southern France, October is still quite mild (20 °C daytime in Nice or Marseille, for example), but by late October even the Med coast cools to the low 10s °C at night. Rain might pick up a bit in late fall; October/November can be the rainy season for parts of the Mediterranean coast (and November is the rainiest month for Paris typically).

However, early autumn is generally dry to moderate in rainfall. Overall, shoulder season weather in France offers comfortable sightseeing conditions – not too hot, not too cold. You can walk around all day without the sweltering heat of July or the chill of January.

Just be prepared for quick changes – layering is key (more on that next) – and you’ll enjoy everything from sunny terrace lunches to cozy evenings. Many would argue these gentle spring and fall climates are indeed the best time to visit France in terms of weather.

Shoulder Season Savings: Costs and Crowds

One of the biggest draws of France’s shoulder seasons is the relative ease on your budget and the more relaxed sightseeing environment. Let’s talk costs first. In the peak of summer (July–August), hotel prices in France, especially Paris, can skyrocket due to demand. By contrast, in the shoulder months, you’ll often find significantly better deals. According to some travel studies, November tends to be the cheapest month for hotels in many destinations, including France money-tourism.gr, since tourism drops off then. Spring shoulder months like April and May also typically offer moderate prices – not rock-bottom like winter, but certainly lower than summer.

For example, a Paris hotel that might be €250 a night in June could be €180 in late April. Similarly, airfare to Paris or Nice is often cheaper in shoulder season; you avoid the summer premium. One 2025 report noted that November hotel rates in France were on average a few percent lower than the yearly norm, while summer rates were much higher money-tourism.gr.

So by choosing April-May or Sep-Oct, you’re likely saving on each night’s stay and possibly finding more choices (rooms don’t sell out as fast).

Now, crowds: France sees nearly 90 million international visitors a year in pre-pandemic times, and a lot of them come in summer. Shoulder season in France means fewer tour buses clogging the streets of Paris and Provence.

In April and May, you’ll still encounter tourists (it’s not empty by any means), but you won’t face the massive queues of July. For instance, the Louvre or Eiffel Tower will have lines year-round, but an April weekday will be much more manageable than mid-August. You might even be able to walk into popular museums or churches without pre-booking (though it’s always wise to get skip-the-line tickets if you can).

In smaller towns, spring and fall mean you can wander relatively peacefully, as opposed to summer when small villages can overflow with visitors. A great example is Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy: in July it’s packed shoulder-to-shoulder; in late September or October, you can truly savor the atmosphere with far fewer people around.

Additionally, fall shoulder season often overlaps with sales and promotions. While France’s famous soldes (sales) are typically in January and July by law, you might find lower prices for tours, or special fall pricing at attractions. Car rental and train travel can also be cheaper or easier to book. And practically speaking, moving around is easier – you’re more likely to get a seat at that charming café in Montmartre, or a spot on a wine tour in Bordeaux.

Overall, the shoulder season offers a stress-reduced version of France: you spend less money and less time waiting, and more time enjoying la vie française. C’est parfait!

France Shoulder Season Cheat Sheet

Data: Temperatures are a baseline for Paris – northern France will be a bit cooler, southern France warmer (e.g. September in Provence can be ~26 °C!). Rainfall is averaged; pack for some rain just in case. Hotel prices are illustrative; Paris can be pricier, while rural areas cost less. Notice how these shoulder months offer fairly mild weather and France shoulder season prices that are gentler than peak summer. Also, keep in mind late October into November gets cooler and sees more price drops (November avg hotel ~$193 kayak.com). Overall, spring and fall in France strike a wonderful balance for travelers seeking the véritable French experience.