France Lyon Weather in May — Climate Guide
May in Lyon is high
Lyon Weather in May — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 20° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 85mm · 12 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, Lyon in May averages a high of 20°C and low of 10°C with 85mm of rain over about 12 days. Warm, green late spring — around 20°C/10°C. Short or long sleeves with a light layer for evenings. A folding umbrella for the odd shower. Sunglasses and light SPF.
May is high for Lyon.
May in Lyon is peak spring — warm, green, and full of life. It averages 20°C/10°C with the highest spring rainfall (85mm) but long, sunny days.
The city is at its most enjoyable for walking — the riverbanks and Parc de la Tête d'Or are lush, terraces buzz, and the traboules and hills are comfortable to explore. The Beaujolais vineyards and the Annecy lake are gorgeous now, making this an ideal month for day trips.
Travel score
Lyon May Weather Stats
Avg High
20°C
Avg Low
10°C
Rainy Days
12
85mm total
Sunshine
6.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
comfortable
UV Index
6
High
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 20
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
May Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
17 μg/m³
PM10
31 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
20°C
Nighttime
10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 20 km/h
Activities Recommended for May
May Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Peak spring — warm and green
- Long, sunny days
- Lively terraces + open bouchons
- Ideal for Beaujolais and Annecy trips
Cons
- Highest spring rainfall + thunderstorms
- Busier over May long weekends
- Higher prices
- Book ahead around holidays
May Events & Festivals
- Peak spring — a top season
- French public holidays in May (Labour Day May 1, others) — long weekends
- Nuits Sonores electronic-music festival (late May)
- Green countryside and lively terraces
Lyon in May — Full Picture
May in Lyon is peak spring — warm, green, and full of life. It averages 20°C/10°C with the highest spring rainfall (85mm) but long, sunny days.
The city is at its most enjoyable for walking — the riverbanks and Parc de la Tête d'Or are lush, terraces buzz, and the traboules and hills are comfortable to explore. The Beaujolais vineyards and the Annecy lake are gorgeous now, making this an ideal month for day trips.
May has several French public holidays, creating long weekends and busier travel, and the Nuits Sonores electronic-music festival lands late in the month. Bouchons are open and the food scene is in full swing before the summer slowdown.
Note: rainfall peaks in spring this month with the occasional thunderstorm, so carry an umbrella. Prices and crowds rise with the long weekends, so book ahead around the May holidays.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Warm, green late spring — around 20°C/10°C. Short or long sleeves with a light layer for evenings. A folding umbrella for the odd shower. Sunglasses and light SPF.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current16.3°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)
7°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 May Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Lyon?
Lyon in May is high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Lyon in May?
Lyon May averages a high of 20°C and a low of 10°C.
Does it rain much in Lyon in May?
Lyon May averages 85mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Lyon in May?
Warm, green late spring — around 20°C/10°C. Short or long sleeves with a light layer for evenings. A folding umbrella for the odd shower. Sunglasses and light SPF.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Lyon in May?
Lyon May sunrise is 06:05 and sunset is 21:05, with 15h 00min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Lyon in May?
Lyon May air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 17μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Lyon in May?
In May, Lyon is great for Riverbanks and Parc de la Tête d'Or, Café terraces and aperitifs, Beaujolais wine + Annecy day trips.
Is May peak season in Lyon?
Lyon May crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Lyon
View Other Months
Planning a May trip to Lyon?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.