Home › Lyon › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Lyon: month by month
Short answer
April to June and September to October are the best times, with highs of 16–27°C and good weather for walking. July and August are hot at around 28°C, with heatwaves above 30°C. The Fête des Lumières around 8 December is the city's highlight but also its busiest and most expensive time.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6°C | 0°C | 14 | low |
| Feb | 11°C | 2°C | 6 | low |
| Mar | 14°C | 4°C | 10 | low |
| Apr | 16°C | 6°C | 8 | medium |
| May | 21°C | 11°C | 10 | medium |
| Jun | 27°C | 16°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 28°C | 17°C | 9 | medium |
| Aug | 28°C | 17°C | 5 | medium |
| Sep | 25°C | 14°C | 8 | high |
| Oct | 20°C | 11°C | 8 | medium |
| Nov | 11°C | 5°C | 14 | low |
| Dec | 8°C | 2°C | 13 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 14°C in March to 21°C in May; pleasant for walking the hills and riverbanks.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot, with highs of 27–28°C and occasional heatwaves; the Nuits de Fourvière fill the Roman theatre in June and July.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is warm at about 25°C, falling to 11°C in November; harvest season in Beaujolais.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold at 6–11°C by day and around 0–2°C at night; the Fête des Lumières lights up the city in December.
Events worth planning around
- Fête des Lumières (four nights around 8 December)
- Nuits de Fourvière festival in the Roman theatre (June–July)
- Beaujolais Nouveau release (third Thursday of November)
When to avoid
Avoid the Fête des Lumières if you want low prices and space; book months ahead if you do go. Heatwaves in July and August can make hill walking hard.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Lyon?
April to June and September to October for pleasant weather.
When is the Fête des Lumières?
Over four nights around 8 December. Book accommodation months ahead.
Is Lyon too hot in summer?
July and August average about 28°C, with heatwaves above 35°C some years. Mornings and evenings are best for walking.