When should you visit Paris?

+Museums and restaurants are genuinely easy to get into.

–Short, grey days with little terrace life.

+Low crowds continue and rates stay soft.

–The wettest, dimmest stretch of the Paris year.

+Light returns and the city feels ahead of the season.

–Changeable weather — rain can take a whole day.

+Gardens at their prettiest and long, mild evenings.

–Easter and spring holidays fill the major sights.

+Warm, bright and long evenings before the summer crush.

–Public holidays cluster here and can close things without warning.

+The longest evenings of the year and full terrace season.

–Prices and queues climb steeply through the month.

+Riverside events and a city in full summer mode.

–The busiest, priciest and hottest stretch of the year.

+Residential neighbourhoods empty out and traffic disappears.

–Many of the best independent places close for the month.

+Warm, clear days with summer crowds already gone.

–Trade fairs and Fashion Week tighten hotel availability.

+Autumn light, gallery season and easy access everywhere.

–Rain days increase and evenings get cold quickly.

+The emptiest month of the year, at the lowest rates.

–Grey, wet and dark by late afternoon.

+Christmas lights and window displays are genuinely worth the trip.

–Holiday fortnight sends crowds and rates sharply up.