Best time to visit · Lyon · France
The best time to visit Lyon
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Corentin Eustacchi, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
The best times to visit Lyon are April to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the riverbanks and terraces are at their best. Early December brings the Fête des Lumières, Lyon's most famous event, but also peak prices. July and August can be very hot, and some restaurants close in August.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, July and November–December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 28°C (82°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Lyon has a semi-continental climate with cool winters, often foggy and occasionally below freezing, and hot summers that can bring heatwaves above 35°C. Spring and autumn are mild, with thunderstorms in late spring and summer.
March–May
Spring
Mild days, blossom in the parks and café terraces reopening, with occasional showers and storms.
June–August
Summer
Hot, sunny days, open-air concerts in the Roman theatre and evenings on the riverbanks; heatwaves and August closures are common.
September–November
Autumn
Warm September, harvest season in the Beaujolais, the Festival Lumière and Beaujolais Nouveau in November.
December–February
Winter
The Fête des Lumières in early December, then cold, foggy and quiet weeks with low prices outside the holidays.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | 0°C | 8 | 9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 9°C | 1°C | 7 | 10.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 14°C | 4°C | 8 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 17°C | 7°C | 9 | 13.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 21°C | 11°C | 11 | 14.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 25°C | 15°C | 8 | 15.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 28°C | 17°C | 6 | 15.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 28°C | 17°C | 7 | 14.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 23°C | 13°C | 7 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 18°C | 9°C | 9 | 10.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 11°C | 4°C | 9 | 9.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 7°C | 1°C | 9 | 8.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Winter sales — citywide shop discounts (usually from early-to-mid January) |
| March | Quais du Polar — crime-fiction festival (usually late March or early April) |
| May | Nuits Sonores — electronic music festival (usually May) |
| June | Nuits de Fourvière festival in the Roman theatres (usually June to July); Fête de la Musique — free street concerts (21 June) |
| July | Bastille Day fireworks (14 July); Nuits de Fourvière continue (usually until late July) |
| September | European Heritage Days — free entry to normally closed buildings (usually third weekend); Lyon Biennale of contemporary art or dance (alternate years, usually from September) |
| October | Festival Lumière — classic film festival (usually mid-October) |
| November | Beaujolais Nouveau release (third Thursday of November); Christmas market on Place Carnot (usually late November) |
| December | Fête des Lumières — festival of lights (around 8 December); Christmas market on Place Carnot (until about 24 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–March.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Lyon?
The best times to visit Lyon are April to June and September to October, when the weather is warm but not hot and the riverbanks and terraces are at their best. Early December brings the Fête des Lumières, Lyon's most famous event, but also peak prices. July and August can be very hot, and some restaurants close in August.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Lyon?
Usually in January–February. Cold, often grey and foggy over the rivers; quiet museums and winter sales.
+What is the rainiest month in Lyon?
May, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Lyon get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F).