Paris vs Lyon

Paris and Lyon are closely matched in May. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.

Paris sits in the comfortable travel range at 19°C. Lyon is also comfortable at 20°C.

For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Paris is the stronger choice in May. Lyon receives 1 more hour of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Paris reaches an average high of 19°C (66°F) and drops to 9°C (48°F) at night during May. The daily temperature range is 10°C, meaning moderate variation throughout the day.

Lyon averages 20°C (68°F) for the high and 10°C (50°F) for the low, with a daily range of 10°C. The two cities feel quite similar in terms of temperature.

Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in May.

Paris receives approximately 65 mm of rainfall across 11 rain days during May. You can expect rain roughly every other day.

Lyon sees 90 mm over 13 rain days. That makes Paris the drier option by 2 rain days and 25 mm of total precipitation.

Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.