June in Paris: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Interested in visiting Paris in June? If you're hoping to see the city at its most bustling and cheerful, this is one of the better times of year to book your trip. It's also one of the better months for summer travel to Paris, since most everything is still open and locals have yet to abandon the city en masse for vacations elsewhere. 

Tourist season is reaching its peak, and Paris puts on its best face as the top urban tourist destination, perhaps even living up to its reputation as an open-air museum. If the prospect of encountering Paris in its tour brochure guise appeals to you and crowds don't irk you, June is for you. If, however, you tend toward claustrophobia, are looking to see Paris from a more local perspective, or want to avoid paying exorbitant prices for plane tickets or hotels, steer away from high season and wait until the fall or winter.

June Weather in Paris

Weather conditions in June are generally warm and sunny, but the month also tends to see some rain. You should be prepared for a few wet days here and there, including the occasional thunderstorm. And muggy conditions can make things quite uncomfortable if you're not dressed appropriately.

• Minimum temperature: 13 degrees C (55.4 degrees F)
• Maximum temperature: 22 degrees C (71.6 degrees F)
• Average temperature: 17 degrees C (62.6 degrees F)
• Average rainfall: 56 millimeters (2.2 inches)

What to Pack

Wondering how to pack your suitcase for your trip? Or how to layer for unexpected dips or rises in the mercury this month? Follow these tips to make sure you're well-prepared:

• June generally has both brisk and hot days, with average temperatures at around 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Pack clothes that you can layer, in case an unusually cool or hot day sneaks up on you. Bring light cotton clothes for sunny and hot, muggy days days, but also line your suitcase with warm socks and a light windbreaker.
• Believe it or not, this is one of the rainiest seasons of the month, and sudden thunderstorms are quite common. Pack a reliable umbrella in case one of these surprises you during a stroll or picnic. If it looks dark and stormy out and the air is heavy and humid, it's probably best to reschedule that picnic for another day—this usually means one of the city's famous storms is imminent.
• Bring both closed-toed and open-toed shoes. On hot days or excursions to the park you'll appreciate the open-toed pair, but you'll need a good, comfortable pair of walking shoes too, especially since visits to Paris usually involve lots of walking.
• Think about packing a hat or visor and other sun gear for sunny days when you wish to spend time lazing in one of Paris' best parks and gardens.

June Events in Paris

This is one of the best times to be in town if you enjoy outdoor activities and festivals. Here are a few highlights.

• The French Open at Roland Garros: Tennis fans should not miss one of France's most exciting and important tournaments. Tennis greats like Steffi Graf made their debuts at Roland Garros, and the French Open continues to host some of the world's unforgettable matches.
• Fête de la Musique (Paris Street Music Festival): The annual festival turns the streets, bars, and cafes of Paris into an unforgettable (and free) celebration of all musical genres.
• LGBT Pride Parade (Paris Gay Pride): The parade takes the streets of the city of light by storm, and everyone's invited to the party. One of the year's most popular festivals for locals and visitors of all stripes, this festival typically kicks off at Place de la Concorde and winds through the city to Place de la Republique.

June Travel Tips

• June usually brings on a laid-back, yet fun and sociable, mood in Paris. People are out and about, roaming the picturesque streets at a pace that looks languid to most North Americans, or nursing cold drinks on sunny terraces.
• This month also plays host to several annual festivals worth catching, and when the weather permits, browsing Paris' often artistic shop windows in the city's best shopping districts can be memorable.
• June is also an ideal time for exploring the city with someone special, so be sure to check out our guide to the top romantic things to do in Paris.
• Because this is peak tourist season, it's very important to make travel plans well ahead of your intended trip, booking hotels, flights and tours several months in advance. This way, you can take advantage of special deals and rates. You'll rarely snag good deals by booking at the last minute, conversely.

More Tips on When to Go

Are you debating whether a June trip to Paris really fits the bill? Peruse our guide on the best times of year to visit Paris for season-by-season pros and cons, and then see our monthly guide to weather in the capital to make sure you don't go unprepared.