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Chartres sits in the Beauce plain of northern France, about 90 km southwest of Paris, and has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers and cool, damp winters. Rain falls in every month with no dry season, and annual rainfall totals 608 mm across roughly 115 days. The city receives about 1,680 hours of sunshine per year. This best time to visit Chartres data sits alongside the full Chartres guide so you can plan the whole trip.
Chartres Weather by Month: Averages at a Glance
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain (mm) | Sun (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.6C (44F) | 1.2C (34F) | 48 | 62 |
| February | 8.0C (46F) | 1.0C (34F) | 40 | 82 |
| March | 12.0C (54F) | 3.3C (38F) | 46 | 127 |
| April | 15.4C (60F) | 5.2C (41F) | 45 | 165 |
| May | 18.9C (66F) | 8.6C (47F) | 60 | 194 |
| June | 22.2C (72F) | 11.5C (53F) | 51 | 206 |
| July | 24.9C (77F) | 13.3C (56F) | 54 | 216 |
| August | 24.9C (77F) | 13.1C (56F) | 44 | 207 |
| September | 20.9C (70F) | 10.1C (50F) | 49 | 161 |
| October | 15.9C (61F) | 7.6C (46F) | 60 | 112 |
| November | 10.2C (50F) | 3.9C (39F) | 54 | 68 |
| December | 7.0C (45F) | 1.7C (35F) | 57 | 54 |
Chartres Weather in Winter (December to February)
Winter is cool and grey. January is the coldest month with an average of 3.9C (39F), a high of 6.6C (44F) and a low of 1.2C (34F). December averages 4.3C (40F) and February 4.5C (40F), and each winter month brings 40 to 57 mm of rain. Snow is rare and rarely settles, but frost appears on roughly 40 to 50 mornings a winter. Days are short, with just 54 hours of sunshine in December. Bring a warm waterproof coat, and note that the cathedral interior stays around 10C (50F) year round. If you stay overnight, our where to stay in Chartres guide lists hotels near the cathedral.
Chartres Weather in Spring (March to May)
Spring warms steadily. March averages 7.6C (46F) with a high of 12.0C (54F), April reaches 10.3C (51F) with a high of 15.4C (60F), and May averages 13.8C (57F) with a high of 18.9C (66F). Rainfall runs 45 to 60 mm per month, and sunshine climbs from 127 hours in March to 194 in May. May is one of the rainiest months at 60 mm, so carry a light jacket. The cathedral labyrinth is normally opened for walking on Fridays from April to October, one of the things to do in Chartres worth timing.
Chartres Weather in Summer (June to August)
Summer is the warmest and driest period. July and August share a high of 24.9C (77F), with averages of 19.1C (66F) and 19.0C (66F) respectively. Nights cool to about 13C (55F), so evenings are comfortable for the Chartres en Lumières light show. Rainfall drops to 44 to 54 mm per month and sunshine peaks at 216 hours in July. Heatwaves can push daytime highs past 32C (90F) for a few days, but humidity stays moderate.
Chartres Weather in Autumn (September to November)
Autumn cools and dampens. September averages 15.5C (60F) with a high of 20.9C (70F), October drops to 11.7C (53F) with a high of 15.9C (61F), and November averages 7.0C (45F) with a high of 10.2C (50F). October is the joint-wettest month at 60 mm, and November brings 54 mm. Sunshine falls to 112 hours in October and 68 in November. The crowds thin out, making autumn a quieter time to explore the Chartres neighborhoods and cathedral without queues. For trains and costs, see our Chartres travel tips page.
