France Lyon Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Lyon is moderate
January is moderate for Lyon.
January in Lyon is cold, grey, and quiet — the cheapest month to visit. It averages 6°C/1°C with moderate rainfall (50mm) and very little sunshine, often under heavy cloud with the odd frost or light snow.
This is indoor-and-bouchon weather. The hearty Lyonnaise cooking — quenelle, andouillette, a warming pot of Beaujolais — is at its most appealing in the cold, and the bouchons are full of locals rather than tourists. Museums (the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée des Confluences) and the covered Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse are ideal cold-day stops.
Travel score
Lyon January Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
1°C
Rainy Days
10
50mm total
Sunshine
2.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
84%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 24
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
22 μg/m³
PM10
38 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 24 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest hotel prices of the year
- Quiet, local atmosphere — no tourist crowds
- Hearty bouchon food at its most appealing
- Winter sales from mid-January
Cons
- Cold, grey, and damp
- Very little sunshine + short days
- Occasional frost or light snow
- Some outdoor appeal limited
January Events & Festivals
- Winter sales (soldes d'hiver, from mid-January) — citywide discounts
- Quiet low season — lowest hotel prices of the year
- Cold, grey days — indoor museum and bouchon weather
Lyon in January — Full Picture
January in Lyon is cold, grey, and quiet — the cheapest month to visit. It averages 6°C/1°C with moderate rainfall (50mm) and very little sunshine, often under heavy cloud with the odd frost or light snow.
This is indoor-and-bouchon weather. The hearty Lyonnaise cooking — quenelle, andouillette, a warming pot of Beaujolais — is at its most appealing in the cold, and the bouchons are full of locals rather than tourists. Museums (the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée des Confluences) and the covered Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse are ideal cold-day stops.
The winter sales (soldes d'hiver) start in mid-January, drawing shoppers to the Presqu'île's rue de la République. With the Fête des Lumières crowds long gone, hotels are at their cheapest of the year and the city feels local and calm.
Note: short daylight, frequent cloud, and damp cold are the trade-offs. Pack a warm waterproof coat, and plan an indoor-leaning itinerary with the hills (Fourvière, Croix-Rousse) reached by funicular rather than long cold climbs.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold mid-winter — averages 6°C/1°C, often grey and damp with occasional frost or light snow. A warm coat, sweater, hat, gloves, and a scarf. Waterproof shoes help on wet, cold days. Layer for heated interiors versus the cold street.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
16.3°C
6.7°C
11/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
26.7°C
15.3°C
8.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
17.7°C
9°C
10.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current7°C
1.3°C
9.7/mo
Lyon Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 1° | 10d·50mm | 2.5h | 84% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 1° | 9d·45mm | 3.5h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 4° | 10d·50mm | 5h | 73% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 16° | 6° | 11d·70mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 20° | 10° | 12d·85mm | 6.5h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 24° | 14° | 10d·75mm | 7.5h | 65% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 28° | 16° | 8d·65mm | 8.5h | 60% | 8 | Busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 16° | 7d·65mm | 8h | 60% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 24° | 13° | 9d·80mm | 6.5h | 68% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| 18° | 9° | 11d·95mm | 4.5h | 76% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 5° | 11d·75mm | 2.5h | 83% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 2° | 10d·55mm | 2h | 85% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Lyon January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Lyon?
Lyon in January is moderate. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Lyon in January?
Lyon January averages a high of 6°C and a low of 1°C.
Does it rain much in Lyon in January?
Lyon January averages 50mm of rainfall over about 10 rainy days.
What should I wear in Lyon in January?
Cold mid-winter — averages 6°C/1°C, often grey and damp with occasional frost or light snow. A warm coat, sweater, hat, gloves, and a scarf. Waterproof shoes help on wet, cold days. Layer for heated interiors versus the cold street.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Lyon in January?
Lyon January sunrise is 08:10 and sunset is 17:20, with 9h 10min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Lyon in January?
Lyon January air quality (AQI) averages 52, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 22μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Lyon in January?
In January, Lyon is great for Bouchon dinners (quenelle, Beaujolais), Musée des Beaux-Arts & Musée des Confluences, Les Halles Paul Bocuse market grazing.
Is January peak season in Lyon?
Lyon January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Lyon
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.