Lyon in March
Good time to visit
March is transition month - not quite winter, not quite spring. Good for indoor cultural stuff and early market wandering.
Weather
March teases spring but delivers more winter mood swings. Mornings can be frosty while afternoons warm to jacket weather. Rain decreases but wind picks up, especially along the rivers.
12°C high4°C low9 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$105/day average
Events & Festivals
- •Printemps de Bourges music preview events
- •Easter preparations begin
March Tips
- •Perfect month for covered market exploration - Les Halles de Lyon stays warm and dry
- •Café terraces start reopening on sunny afternoons
- •Book spring reservations now before Easter rush
All Months
Late spring through early summer gives you Lyon at its best. May and June bring perfect weather for walking the traboules and dining on terraces. Restaurant patios open up, and the city feels alive.
September and October are equally brilliant. The summer crowds thin out, but weather stays warm enough for outdoor dining. This is harvest season in nearby Beaujolais, so wine bars buzz with fresh vintages.
April works if you don't mind occasional rain showers. Temperatures hover around 15°C, and hotel prices drop before peak season kicks in.
Winter isn't terrible, but Lyon can feel gray and quiet. December brings Christmas markets to Place Bellecour, though they're not as impressive as Strasbourg's. January and February are best avoided unless you're here purely for indoor dining.
Skip July and August. It's hot, crowded, and many locals flee for vacation. Some restaurants close entirely during August.
Lyon Scores
Solo
8/10
Couples
9/10
Families
7/10
Adventure
4/10
Budget
5/10
Luxury
8/10
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