The best time to visit Lyon is May, June and September. These months land in the comfortable comfort band with plenty of sun and manageable rain — May sees an average high of 20.6 °C, June reaches 26.2 °C, and September settles at 23.6 °C with just 7 rain days and 10 hours of sunshine a day, making Vieux Lyon a pleasure to wander. July and August are hotter and busiest, coinciding with school holidays. Winter is the quiet, low season — cold and short on light, but calm for those who prefer fewer crowds.
Best months MayJuneSeptember
Lyon month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 0.9 °C | 12 | 4.8 h |
| February | 10.2 °C | 1.9 °C | 8 | 6.8 h |
| March | 13.5 °C | 4.1 °C | 12 | 8.8 h |
| April | 17 °C | 6.9 °C | 9 | 10 h |
| May | 20.6 °C | 10.8 °C | 12 | 10.8 h |
| June | 26.2 °C | 15.8 °C | 11 | 12.5 h |
| July | 28.3 °C | 17.3 °C | 8 | 13 h |
| August | 28.5 °C | 17.1 °C | 6 | 12 h |
| September | 23.6 °C | 13.6 °C | 7 | 10 h |
| October | 18 °C | 9.8 °C | 10 | 7.6 h |
| November | 11.3 °C | 4.9 °C | 12 | 5.7 h |
| December | 7.8 °C | 2.1 °C | 12 | 4.7 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Excellent — May in particular is a sweet spot for warm, bright days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is superb; midsummer is hot and crowded but sunny if you can take the heat.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is one of the best months of the year; later autumn turns grey and wet.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For festive atmosphere and low-key visits, not for warmth.
Notable events
- December
- Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights)
- June to July
- Nuits de Fourvière (music and performing arts festival)
- 14 July
- Bastille Day
- December
- Christmas markets
Frequently asked
Is Lyon too hot in August?
August is the warmest month, with an average high of 28.5 °C and only 6 rain days. It's hot and sunny but very manageable compared with Mediterranean cities — the main downside is peak-season crowds during school holidays.
What is the rainiest month in Lyon?
Several months share 12 rain days — January, March, May, November and December. Rain is spread across the year rather than concentrated; September, with just 7 rain days, is among the driest.
Is winter worth visiting Lyon?
Winter is cold and short on light — December and January highs of 7.8 °C and 7 °C, with under 5 hours of sunshine a day. It's worth it mainly for the December Festival of Lights and Christmas markets, not for the weather.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Lyon area guide →
Areas of Lyon
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Lyon — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.