Best time to go to Paris

Paris is just an hour’s flight from London so, unsurprisingly, the climate doesn’t vary a great deal from the UK’s. July is hottest, with temperatures reaching as high as 30°C. This is also the most popular time to visit, so it’s worth considering spring or autumn if you’d prefer to dodge the crowds. January is the coldest, when 5°C is the norm, and you’re most likely to get rained on in May.

Passports and Visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter France but must have a valid passport. You can check your passport’s valid for France using our handy tool. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements.

Don't forget to arrange your travel money and insurance before you go.

Health and safety

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. It’s also a good idea to get a European Health Insurance Card – or EHIC – before leaving the UK. You'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. You can apply at www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card. Visit www.nhs.uk/ehic for full details on what it covers. You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge. You’ll need to have both this card and adequate travel insurance. Though it’s not a substitute for travel insurance, it entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as French nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/health

Further Reading

  • Overview
  • Things To Do
  • Key Facts

    • Flight Time - 1 hour 10 minutes from Gatwick

    Travel Aware

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    Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad
    The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

    See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel – for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.

    See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice – for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.

    Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.

    See Travel Aware page – for travel advice from First Choice.

    See travelhealthpro.org.uk – for current travel health news.

    The advice can change so check regularly for updates.