The month in detail
What to expect in January
Winter in Lyon is cool (7°C during the day). Days are short (2.3h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 26% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
January ranks 11 out of 12 months in Lyon.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
2 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
1°
Daylight
8.9h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 36
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Lyon is July (8.8/10), 7.7 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Lyon
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Lyon
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.
Country · France
🗣️LanguageFrench
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 29°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 7°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘMay · 33%
🏛️ City break
📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Lyon ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
FranceTemperate climate with a 8.8 → 1.0 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
45.75°N · 4.83°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Lyon?
July is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 17.0°C lows, 9.3h of sunshine and 24.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Lyon get in July?
Lyon averages 9.3 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Lyon?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Lyon in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 17.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Lyon good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Lyon scores 2.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 8.4/10.
When should you avoid Lyon?
December is the most difficult month to visit Lyon, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Lyon in January?
The average UV index reaches 2 in January in Lyon (low), with about 8.9h of daylight. No protection needed.