Paris in May: Weather, What to Wear, What to Do (2024)

Are you planning a visit to the French Capital during the month of May and wondering about theParisian climate?In this article, you will find tips about the weather in Paris in May,what to pack and how to make the most of your stay in the City of Light.

Average Weather in May in Paris

• minimum average temperature in May: 9°C / 48°F
• maximum average temperature: 18°C / 64°F
• average rainfall: 65 mm
• average rainy days a month: 12

In May, the city is usuallymildandsunny – ideal conditions for a pleasant stroll through the city, or a spot coffee on the terrace.

Be sure to bring your umbrella though, as the Spring showers make May the month of highest average rainfall.

Although evenings remain generally colder, during Spring sunny spells, the temperature can rise noticeably, making May an excellent month to visit the French Capital.

Rain usually falls as showers, soit can rain several times a day with a few dry breaks in-between. If you are planning a stroll, be advised to avoid wearing warm clothes as temperatures rarely fall lower than 15°C at noon.

This year, the temperatures will be within the seasonal norms or even a little lower. The second half of the month will be sunnier in 2024.

read more:

• Paris in April
• Paris in June
• weather in Paris by month

What to pack, what to wear in May ?

You will need to bring a variety of spring clothing, including jackets for cold evenings, but also be prepared for an occasional hot day. You will probably experience both rainy and windy conditions. Your packing list should include:

• A warm jacket for chilly evenings
• Sweaters or jackets
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• A sturdy umbrella (May can be a showery month)
• Sunglasses
• Smart clothes for going out in the evenings

>> Find out our itinerary to visit Paris in 4 or 5 days

French Public Holidays in May 2024

• May, 1st: Workers Day, almost every museum, monument, shop, and restaurant is closed for the whole day.
  • Public holiday activities include visits to Monceau, Luxembourg or Buttes Chaumont Park – or simply exploring the streets of the city.
  • Open on May, 1st: Jacquemart-André Museum, Maillol Museum, Eiffel Tower., Sacré coeur, Notre Dame.
  • Closed on May, 1st: Most Museums: The Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Carnavalet …
• May, 8th: VE Day: Most museums, shops, and monuments open on Wednesday will open
• May, 9th: Ascension: Most museums, shops, and monuments are open

Though they may seem inconvenient at first, public holidays can be the best opportunity to discover Paris districts on foot.

>Online reservation for Parisian museums

Things to do in Paris in May

With Springtime, they are many things to do in May: festivals, excursions…

Read our selection of fun things to do in Paris.

• Museums Night – La Nuit des Musées (The Free Museum Night). Sat. May 18 2024

Museums open up to share in music, theater, food, games, and movies whilst also promoting the city’s tourist attractions as well as their own collections. Art takes over the museum and illuminates the night, inviting visitors to lose themselves in the dream-like atmosphere. Museums are free this night.

more about free museums in Paris

• Go on an excursion to Giverny, Monet’s Gardens and Auvers sur Oise

The Monet’s gardens are bursting with color, making Spring the best season to visit the beautiful village of Giverny where the impressionist lived.

It’s worth knowing you can go and pay tribute to Van Gogh at Auvers sur Oise, where the artist lived his last days, and enjoy the surrounding landscapes which inspired more than 50 of his paintings. This special place was also a highly-appreciated by the founders of impressionism.

• International Paris Fair – La Foire de Paris

from May 1st to May 12th 2024

For over 110 years, the Paris Fair (Foire de Paris) has been presenting innovations, products and also services that allow you to get the most out of your daily life. This year, surprise events and increasing numbers of exhibitors promise to impress visitors and locals alike.

With over 3,500 brands in attendance, this uniqueEuropean experience allows you to discover, test and compare all of the products and services designed to improve the day-to-day – all in one place! Foire de Paris is a trip to the world’s cultures with an abundance of gourmet food for all tastes.

Foire de Paris may also inspire you to breathe some fresh life into your home, with ideas on construction, renovation, furniture, fireplaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. The fair provides an unparalleled outdoor swimming pool, veranda, and outdoor furniture.

• Jazz Festival at Saint Germain des Près – Mid-May to Mid-June 2024
  

Rooted in the birthplace of European Jazz (where Duke Ellington, Sydney Bechet, and others lived), Saint-Germain des Près Jazz Festival offers unique and exceptional concerts in which collaborations between artists seek the discovery of new talent. This festival also provides conferences and exhibitions in unusual settings.

• Take a Walk in Paris’ Most Charming Quarters

With the spring weather, May is one of the best months for a romantic stroll through one of Paris’ Neighborhoods. So, you have the choice between the romantic Montmartre, the trendy Marais, the bohemian Canal Saint-Martin quarter, the lively Latin quarter or the historical Saint-Germain.