January
If you arrive just after the holidays, bundle up and plan for rain while exploring Paris as temperatures will be chilly (in the low- to mid-40s in the afternoon). This is also the wettest month of the year, but you’ll appreciate the weather if you plan to visit the French Alps for skiing. The plus side is that shoppers will find great sales, making this the perfect month for shopping enthusiasts.
February
With February hosting Valentine’s Day, it’s a popular time to visit France, with Paris one of the world’s most romantic cities. You’ll find many other places to celebrate your love to, like the “Village of Love,” Saint-Valentin which covers the town with red roses for the Saint Valetin Festival. The cold weather is just another excuse to cuddle up.
March
The weather begins to warm in March, with a mix of sun and rain in most places, with the warmest temperatures seen in the South of France where afternoon highs average in the upper 50s or low 60s, especially later in the month. You’ll still need a rain jacket, but you might find fewer crowds and shorter lines. This is also when the unique Dunkirk Festival takes place, with bundles of fish dumped from a balcony.
April
While April does brings showers, it’s starting to feel like spring now with temperatures often in the low 60s. If you visit later in the month, you’ll see flowers in the parks and gardens bursting into bloom. It can be a great time to visit France, especially around Easter with the holiday celebrated with lots of festivities, including Easter events and Easter markets. Bessières offers an unusual experience, with 10,000 people making a giant omelet out of 15,000 eggs cracked into a massive pan.