8th Arrondissement (Champs-Élysées) in February

Spring and early summer hit the sweet spot. April through June brings perfect weather for walking the Champs and sitting at sidewalk cafés. The chestnut trees bloom in Parc Monceau, and everyone's mood improves after the gray winter months. September and October work just as well. The back-to-school energy feels distinctly Parisian, and you'll have the tourist attractions mostly to yourselves. Hotel prices drop significantly after the August exodus. Avoid July and August if possible. The Champs-Élysées becomes a river of tourists, locals flee to the countryside, and many of the best restaurants close for vacation. The heat doesn't help – those wide boulevards turn into concrete ovens. Winter can be magical if you don't mind the cold. The Christmas markets along the Champs run from late November through early January. But pack layers – that wind whipping around the Arc de Triomphe cuts right through you.