Weather in France in January
January in France is a coat month. Treat it as cities, food and short walks, not as a terrace holiday.
A country pin in January is a warning: one region of France will not match another. Use a city page if you already know where you are going. January is the cold side of the year in France. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.
- Average temp
- 5°C
3–8°C
- Rainfall
- 45 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- —
What to expect
Daytime
You want a proper coat in France in January, not a festival jacket. Wind makes the same afternoon feel sharper than the map suggests.
Outdoor time is the middle of the day. Finish plans before the light goes. Evenings are for indoors.
Rain
Mixed skies in France in January. Dry days and wet days share the month. Outdoor plans need a backup, not a cancellation policy.
Pack a shell you will actually carry. The monthly table is the place for totals. This is the feel: usable, interrupted.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in France
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for January.
Average weather in France
TemperatureRainfall
Similar weather in January
Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.
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FAQs about France
Climate averages for France, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit France is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
August is the hottest month, with an average around 21°C.
May is the wettest month, with about 75 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
