Live decision for Paris. Updated every 30 minutes.
Locating you…
—
Today's windows
Updated: — ·
Enter your city or postcode
—
Paris has grown noticeably hotter since the 2003 heatwave that claimed over 15,000 lives in France — an event that permanently changed how Parisians approach home cooling. The typical Haussmann building presents a ventilation paradox: thick stone walls stay cool well into afternoon, but poor cross-ventilation makes many apartments stuffy by evening.
The classic Parisian approach — opening shuttered windows at 6 AM and closing them against the afternoon sun — is physically correct and genuinely effective. The best ventilation window is 6–9 AM, when the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes create slight cooling on the city's edges.
Île-de-France issues periodic "Épisode de pollution" alerts — days when authorities recommend limiting ventilation. These occur in spring (ozone) and winter (particulates from heating). OpenWindow.live integrates these data automatically into its recommendation for Paris.
In August, the warmest month in Paris, afternoons reach 25 °C on average and nights fall to 15 °C. The coolest air arrives between 05:00 and 08:00 (16 °C on average): that is when opening the windows cools the home fastest.
In January, the coldest month, air the rooms for 5–10 minutes around 16:00, the mildest hour (7 °C on average). Average humidity is 86%, so short, wide-open airing keeps condensation and mould away without losing much heat.
Fine particles (PM2.5) are usually lowest around 17:00 (8 µg/m³) and highest around 09:00 (13 µg/m³).
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Humidity | Coolest hours | PM2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 2 °C | 86% | 08:00–11:00 | 15 |
| February | 10 °C | 3 °C | 81% | 07:00–10:00 | 17 |
| March | 13 °C | 4 °C | 76% | 06:00–09:00 | 13 |
| April | 16 °C | 6 °C | 69% | 05:00–08:00 | 10 |
| May | 20 °C | 10 °C | 70% | 05:00–08:00 | 9 |
| June | 24 °C | 14 °C | 68% | 05:00–08:00 | 9 |
| July | 25 °C | 15 °C | 66% | 05:00–08:00 | 7 |
| August | 25 °C | 15 °C | 67% | 05:00–08:00 | 8 |
| September | 22 °C | 13 °C | 76% | 06:00–09:00 | 8 |
| October | 18 °C | 10 °C | 82% | 06:00–09:00 | 10 |
| November | 11 °C | 6 °C | 86% | 06:00–09:00 | 12 |
| December | 9 °C | 4 °C | 87% | 08:00–11:00 | 14 |
Data: Open-Meteo historical archive, hourly averages 2021–2025 (air quality 2023–2025), local time.
How to air your home in winter in Paris without condensation and mould →
In Paris, the best ventilation times are typically early morning (5–8 AM) and late evening (after sunset) when outdoor temperatures drop below indoor levels.
Yes, in most weather conditions. Open windows can drop indoor temperature by 2–5°C in 30 minutes if outdoor air is cooler. Check the live recommendation above for tonight.
Above 80% humidity, opening windows can make indoor air feel sticky. Combine with dehumidifier or wait for drier hours.