When is the cheapest time to visit France?

If you ask us, France is one of the best places in the world to visit as a tourist. From world-class food, to beautiful scenery, to a rich and fascinating history which remains on display in every city street and town square, France truly has it all. We might be a little biased, but the numbers back us up. According to the World Tourism Organisation, France was the most visited country in the world in 2024, receiving over 100 million tourists.

Of course, the result is that visiting France can be on the pricey side, depending on where and when you go.

If you're wondering where in France you should visit, we've got you covered. But this blog is all about when you should visit if you want to stay within budget.

The price of holidaying in France can change dramatically depending on when you visit, according to which season it is, what time or even which day of the week you travel, and and whether your visit coincides with a school holiday. The French calendar is also full of events, from public holidays to sporting tournaments, which can have a considerable impact on costs.

For instance, during the Olympic Games in 2024, the average tourist to Paris spent €270 a day on accommodation according to the Paris Tourist Office. It probably didn't help that the Games took place during the height of summer - when Paris, and France more widely, are at their busiest anyway.

Summer is peak tourist season in France, particularly June through August. This is when prices are at their highest, from accommodation, to travel, to tickets for attractions. Not only are these generally the warmest, sunniest months of the year, it's also the season when several major sporting and cultural events occur, including the Tour de France, Bastille Day and Fête de la Musique. And don't forget that the school summer holidays in France also mostly take place in July and August, which bumps the price up even more.

The late autumn and winter months, on the other hand, tend to be the cheapest time of the year to visit. The exception here is December. Christmas festivities are a major attraction in France, particularly in the picturesque towns of Alsace such as Colmar and Strasbourg. This region of France is famous for its festive decorations and Christmas markets. In the lead up to Christmas, prices can be around 50% higherthan at other times of the year.

January, by contrast, is generally much cheaper. You'll miss most of the festive atmosphere if you choose to visit France at the start of the New Year, but you'll still be able to sample France's midwinter charm. The country's mountainous regions, such as the Pyrenees and the Jura, are covered in beautiful blankets of snow at this time of year, but it's not uncommon for places of outstanding natural beauty such as the Loire Valley to become a winter wonderland, with frozen rivers and snow-blanketed fields, in the months following Christmas. Holidaying in France around this time is much more affordable, as there are only around a third as many tourists as there are in peak season.

Prices may rise again, however, in February, depending on where you go. In Paris - the city of love - Valentine's Day will make it much more difficult to nab a dinner reservation, and you can expect romantic excursions such as boat trips down the Seine to cost a few Euros more than usual. Skiing destinations such as Les Trois Vallées are also likely to charge more for accommodation and services given that the vacances d'hiver occur between early February and early March.

If you like your holidays warmer and sunnier, then you'll find spring and autumn a happy medium. Prices are much more affordable than they are in summer, while temperatures throughout much of the country range between 10°C and 22°C. September is an ideal time, as it signals the end of the school holidays and footfall drops dramatically while temperatures remain pleasant.