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Lyon has a humid subtropical climate with continental influences, defined by its position at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers at the foot of the Alps. Summers are warm (July averages 28°C/82°F), winters are cold and grey (January averages 7°C/45°F)
rainfall is spread throughout the year with an autumn peak. The city receives 825mm of annual precipitation and 1,992 hours of sunshine. Lyon’s inland location, far from any moderating coastline, means it experiences sharper seasonal swings than Mediterranean French cities.
The best months to visit are May through June and September through early October, when temperatures of 21 to 25°C (70 to 77°F) pair with moderate rain, long daylight hours
Lyon’s outdoor dining culture at its peak. July and August are warmer (27 to 28°C/81 to 82°F) and sunnier (260 to 288 hours) but bring peak tourism and occasional heatwaves reaching 35 to 38°C (95 to 100°F). Avoid the Fete des Lumieres weekend (December 8) unless attending , it packs 1.8 million visitors into the city. November is the gloomiest month: just 73 hours of sunshine, 84% humidity, and persistent river fog.
Lyon is France’s third-largest city and its undisputed gastronomic capital, with 20 Michelin-starred restaurants and the unique bouchon tradition of meat-centric Lyonnaise cooking. The city’s UNESCO-listed historic center spans four distinct quarters across 500 hectares: the Renaissance traboules of Vieux Lyon, the hilltop Fourviere basilica, the 19th-century Presqu’ile peninsula
the silk-weaving quarter of Croix-Rousse. Two hours from Alpine ski resorts and two hours by TGV from Paris, Lyon works as both a standalone city break and a stop on a broader French itinerary.
Lyon Climate Overview: Key Numbers
- Hottest month: July at 28°C (82°F) high, 17°C (63°F) low
- Coldest month: January at 7°C (45°F) high, 1°C (34°F) low
- Wettest month: October at 98mm across 9 rain days
- Driest month: February at 40mm across 8 rain days
- Highest humidity: December at 85%
- Lowest humidity: July at 68%
- Sunniest month: July at 288 hours
- Annual sunshine: 1,992 hours
Lyon Travel Guides
- Lyon Weather by Month , Monthly temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine data
- Best Time to Visit Lyon , Weather windows, price seasons, and months to avoid
- Things to Do in Lyon , Traboules, Fourviere, Les Halles, and bouchons with practical details
- Lyon Events and Festivals , Fete des Lumieres, Nuits de Fourviere, Biennale de la Danse
- Lyon Neighborhoods , Four quarters with hotel prices and area profiles
- Where to Stay in Lyon , Specific hotels, prices in EUR, and area recommendations
- Lyon Travel Tips and FAQ , Airport, metro, bouchon etiquette, day trips, safety
Lyon Seasonal Snapshot
Spring (March to May)
Slow warm-up from 13°C (55°F) in March to 21°C (70°F) in May. Humidity drops to 70% in April, the lowest of the year. Cherry blossoms in Parc de la Tete d’Or peak late March/early April. May is the wettest spring month (83mm).
Summer (June to August)
Warm to hot. July is the warmest (28°C/82°F) and sunniest month (288 hours). Heatwaves can push temperatures to 35 to 38°C (95 to 100°F). Afternoon thunderstorms provide most of the rainfall (61 to 72mm per month).
Autumn (September to November)
September is still warm at 23°C (73°F). October is the wettest month (98mm). November turns cold and grey with just 73 hours of sunshine. River fog returns by late October.
Winter (December to February)
Cold and damp: January highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of 1°C (34°F). December has just 57 hours of sunshine. Snow falls 3 to 5 days per winter, rarely accumulating. The Fete des Lumieres on December 8 weekend brings 1.8 million visitors.
