The third largest city in France that is situated on the meeting point of the rivers Rhone and Saone, Lyon is a place best described as an eclectic mix of history, art, delicious food and a vibrant nightlife. The city of Lyon offers its residents an exceptional quality of life and the tourists who visit, an opportunity to know what it’s like to be part of a splendid community. Large historic squares packed with impressive Renaissance-era buildings mark some of the highlights of this versatile city. Another aspect that drives tourists to Lyon in large crowds is its year-round mild climate, which receives a perfect mix of cold winds from the Alps in winters and warm summer winds from the Mediterranean Sea.

If you are planning a trip to this culturally rich city sometime soon, here is what you need to know about the best times to visit Lyon and its changing weather patterns.

Summers are by far the busiest time of the year in Lyon. The temperatures hover around the range of mid-twenties (Celsius), with July being the hottest and driest month of the year and June and August experiencing considerably more rainfall. The entire city is usually packed with tourists during this time and hotels tend to charge exorbitant rates.

One of the highlights of visiting during summer are the various events that take place all over the city. The Nuits de Fourviere festival takes place in the Roman amphitheatre of Fourviere and is a major event in the city. Gardens Weekend takes place in June when all public gardens in Lyon are open and free for all to visit. Numerous other dance, music and theatre festivals take place all over the city in various locations.

The wettest season in Lyon, autumn experiences considerable rainfall irrespective of the month one visits in. Of these, September is the warmest yet wettest and October is the driest month in the season. Temperatures remain quite pleasant in autumn as well and range between 10⁰C-23⁰C. Since rates in commercial establishments are also considerably lower in this season because of fewer tourists, autumns might be a good time to visit if you don’t mind occasional rainfall. Apart from a cool climate, the colourful fall foliage is one of the main attractions of the autumn season. 

Winter is generally the ‘off season’ in Lyon due to the cold climate, which may be made worse by the cold winds that blow in from the Alps. Winter is also the driest season of the year; occasional rain does occur and may even lead to snowfall. The average temperature during this season ranges between 2⁰C-10⁰C. The city remains free from crowds and tourists, except during the Christmas holidays and the Festival of Lights – the biggest annual event in Lyon. While it does require a great amount of bundling up, a winter trip to Lyon can be a great way to explore the city while it remains free from crowds and over-the-top rates.

Spring season in Lyon is a great time to visit if you don’t want the heavy crowds of summer interrupting your holiday. The temperature ranges around 13⁰C-20⁰C, which gradually grows warmer and the countryside appears livelier after waking up from its winter hibernation. The pleasant weather makes for great sightseeing opportunities and even though rain can occasionally be expected, springtime is generally drier than autumn. By the time May rolls around, summer is just around the corner and the peak season tourists start pouring in towards the latter half of the month.