When to go · Lyon
Lyon, month by month
The best months for Lyon: May, Jun, Sep. Months to avoid: Aug, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: Cold and grey north of Lyon; the winter sales (soldes) start in January; ski resorts busy at weekends.7 °C / 1 °C, 9 rain days45 °F / 34 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: School ski holidays fill the Alps for four weeks; Paris quiet and cheap; the Nice Carnival and Menton Lemon Festival run on the Riviera.9 °C / 1 °C, 8 rain days48 °F / 34 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: Changeable; the south warms first. Châteaux and village hotels start reopening late in the month.14 °C / 4 °C, 8 rain days57 °F / 39 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: Spring in Paris and the Loire; Easter school holidays add crowds for two weeks.17 °C / 7 °C, 9 rain days63 °F / 45 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- MayGreatInside Lyon's best window: May–Jun, Sep.22 °C / 11 °C, 10 rain days72 °F / 52 °F, 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGreatInside Lyon's best window: May–Jun, Sep.26 °C / 15 °C, 8 rain days79 °F / 59 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: High
- JulyMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: Hot; coast, Provence and mountains full from mid-month; Bastille Day in Paris. Book TGV and beds early.28 °C / 17 °C, 7 rain days82 °F / 63 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Aug (many restaurants shut), Dec 8 week (book months ahead for Festival of Lights).28 °C / 17 °C, 7 rain days82 °F / 63 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatInside Lyon's best window: May–Jun, Sep.23 °C / 13 °C, 8 rain days73 °F / 55 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: Autumn colour in Burgundy and Alsace; still mild in Provence. Autumn school holidays late in the month.18 °C / 10 °C, 10 rain days64 °F / 50 °F, 10 rain daysCrowds: Low
- NovemberMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep). Across France: Rainiest month on the Mediterranean; many coastal hotels and ski resorts closed; Paris cheap.11 °C / 5 °C, 9 rain days52 °F / 41 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- DecemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Aug (many restaurants shut), Dec 8 week (book months ahead for Festival of Lights).8 °C / 2 °C, 9 rain days46 °F / 36 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday