Do you want to travel to Paris, but are not sure exactly ‘Where is Paris?’
Stunningly beautiful, the City of Light and the City of Love (and my personal favorite travel destination), is located in Northern France. People from all over the world flock to Paris for its culture, art, romance and food!
You may not know that the location of Paris has an impact on how visitors experience this magical city.
With Paris coordinates of 48°51′ N 2°21′ E (48.86 degrees North latitude and 2.35 degrees East longitude), the city lies just within the temperate zone – making it ideal for travelers looking to explore without extreme weather conditions getting in their way.
The moderate climate of Paris makes it possible for tourists to take advantage of all four seasons in this amazing city.
Ready to learn all about Paris latitude and longitude, and how this impacts the weather in Paris? Lace up your shoes and let’s go!
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Table of Contents
Where is Paris? Paris latitude and longitude
Where is Paris?
Paris is located in Northern France, in the region known as Ile de France. The Seine River runs through the center of Paris, further enhancing its beauty and charm.
Paris is the capital of France, a country located in Western Europe. The neighboring countries of France are Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
What is the latitude of Paris?
The latitude of Paris France is 48.86 degrees North of the equator. This means that Paris lies about halfway between the North Pole and the Equator.
What is the longitude of Paris?
The longitude of Paris France is 2.35 degrees East of the Prime Meridian. This means that it is located eastward from the reference line of 0 degrees longitude, or the Prime Meridian.
What parallel is Paris France?
Paris France is located in the Northern Hemisphere, so it lies on the 48th parallel north. This means that it is at 48 degrees north of the equator and halfway between the North Pole and Equator.
Paris is located around 15km south of the 49th parallel, and its main airport, the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, lies on the 49th parallel.
Does latitude impact hours of daylight?
Yes, latitude does have an impact on hours of daylight. The higher the latitude, the longer the days in summer and the shorter the days in winter.
This is because as you move away from the equator towards either pole, there are more hours of daylight during the day or night depending on which season it is.
So, for Paris, which lies on the 48th parallel north and is located in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are longer in summer and shorter in winter. This is good to keep in mind when making your travel plans so you know how much sightseeing you can squeeze into a day!
(The days in Paris are not as long as those in London, since the latitude of London is higher than Paris.)
Does longitude impact hours of daylight?
No, longitude does not have an impact on hours of daylight. The duration of daylight at any location depends only on its latitude. Longitude is only used to pinpoint the location – it does not change the amount of daylight hours experienced in any given season.
How many hours of daylight are there in Paris in the summer?
In the summer, there are usually around 16 hours of daylight in Paris. This varies slightly from day to day, but overall, you can expect 15-16 hours of daylight during the summer months in Paris.
The longest day is on the summer solstice, which is usually the 20th or 21st of June.
In the summer, you’ll have plenty of time to see the top attractions in Paris!
How many hours of daylight are there in Paris in the winter?
In the winter, there are usually around 8-9 hours of daylight in Paris. This varies slightly from day to day, but overall, you can expect 8-9 hours of daylight during the winter months.
The shortest day is on the winter solstice, which is usually on December 21 or 22.
So, if you’re visiting Paris in the winter, be sure to plan your sightseeing carefully to make the most of those precious daylight hours! (But it does make it easier to see the illuminated monuments and enjoy a Paris by night tour without staying up until midnight!)
Does latitude affect climate?
Yes, latitude does affect climate. As you move away from the equator and closer to the poles, temperatures tend to be cooler in general.
This is why places located on higher latitudes like Paris tend to experience more temperate climates with four distinct seasons.
Places at lower latitudes (closer to the equator), will tend to experience more tropical climates with very little temperature variation. So, latitude definitely plays a role in determining the climate of an area.
Do keep in mind that latitude is not the only factor impacting climate. Climates will also differ due to factors such as elevation or proximity to large bodies of water.
What is the climate in Paris?
The climate in Paris is classified as a temperate oceanic climate.
The summers are warm and humid, while the winters tend to be rainy with cool temperatures. Spring and autumn are generally mild but can vary greatly in temperature.
“It’s Paris. You don’t come here for the weather.”
Adrian Leeds (This is one of the best Paris quotes — funny but so true!)
What is the daily temperature range in Paris?
The daily temperature range in Paris varies greatly depending on the season.
In the summer, Paris temperatures typically range from 19-26°C (66-79°F). Sometimes Paris may get a heat wave, so if you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll want to ensure that your hotel has air conditioning (not all Paris hotels do).
Take a midday break in the shade in one of the lovely gardens of Paris, such as the Luxembourg Gardens. And be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated! Take advantage of the fountains and refill with free drinking water in Paris.
In the winter, Paris temperatures range from 3-12°C (37-54°F) on average. The temperature can also drop down to below 0°C (32°F) in the coldest months of January and February.
It’s important to plan accordingly and bring appropriate clothing for each season when visiting Paris! Temperatures can vary quite a bit beyond yearly averages, so be prepared with layering options.
Our first trip to France was in the month of September. We expected it to be cooler and didn’t pack any shorts. The weather turned out to be unseasonably warm, and we really wished that we had brought more options! It can be hard to predict what to pack for fall in Europe.
Learn more about Paris temperatures and rainfall by month.
Does it snow in Paris?
Yes, it does snow in Paris. On average, Paris gets around 20-30 days of snow each winter, with December being the month when snowfall is most likely. Snow usually falls in small amounts and melts quickly.
What city is on the same latitude as Paris?
Some popular cities in southern Canada are close to the same latitude as Paris. The latitude of Victoria BC is 48.43°N, which is very similar to Paris’ 48.86°N. And the latitude of Vancouver BC is 49.28°N, which is just slightly higher (a smidge further north) than Paris’ 48.86°N.
In Europe, the latitude of Stuttgart Germany is 48.77°N, and Brno Czech Republic is 49.2°N, both of which are fairly close to Paris’ latitude.
What US city is on the same latitude as Paris?
Most of the continental United States is further south than Paris. The state of Alaska is of course much further north than Paris!
The closest US ‘big city’ to the latitude of Paris is Seattle, Washington, which has a latitude of 47.62 degrees north. Rolla, North Dakota has a latitude of 48.09 degrees north, which is very close to the latitude of Paris.
Is Paris the same latitude as NY?
No, Paris is not located at the same latitude as New York City. The latitude of New York City is 40.71° N, which is around 8 degrees south of the 48th parallel north where Paris is located.
People are always surprised to learn the New York is much further south than Paris is!
Paris Longitude and Latitude Fun Facts
What is the Eiffel Tower latitude and longitude?
The latitude of the Eiffel Tower is 48.86° N, and its longitude is 2.29° E. The Eiffel Tower is the most iconic symbol of Paris and a must-see for any visitor to the City of Light!
What is the latitude of Versailles?
The latitude of Versailles is 48.8024° N. The Palace of Versailles is one of my favorite day trips from Paris and can easily be reached by train. The gardens of Versailles are spectacular!
What is the latitude of Disneyland Paris?
The latitude of Disneyland Paris is 48.87 degrees north. Disneyland Paris is a fun day trip from Paris by train.
Latitude and Longitude FAQ
What is latitude?
Latitude is one of the two coordinates of a point on the Earth’s surface, together with longitude. Latitude is measured in degrees north or south of the equator and ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90°N/S at the poles.
What is the equator?
The equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth and divides it into two hemispheres: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. It is located at 0 degrees latitude, halfway between the North Pole and South Pole.
What is longitude?
Longitude is also one of two coordinates used to pinpoint a location on the Earth’s surface, along with latitude. It is measured in degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian and ranges from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° east/west. The longitude of Paris is 2.35 degrees East, meaning that it lies 2.35° east of the Prime Meridian.
Knowing both latitude and longitude coordinates lets you accurately pinpoint the location of any place on Earth, including Paris!
What is the Prime Meridian?
The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that runs through Greenwich, England and marks the reference line for longitude. It was created by the British Royal Observatory in 1851.
The Prime Meridian is located at 0 degrees longitude and divides the Earth into two halves: the Eastern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere. All other locations on Earth have a specific angle of longitude depending on how far east or west they lie from the Prime Meridian.
What is the difference between latitude and longitude?
Latitude and longitude are two coordinates used to pinpoint a location on the Earth’s surface. Latitude is measured in degrees north or south of the equator, and ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90°N/S at the poles. Longitude measures how far east or west something is of the Prime Meridian, and ranges from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° east/west.
What is a parallel?
A parallel is an imaginary line on the Earth’s surface that circles around the globe. It is measured in degrees north or south of the equator and ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90°N/S at the poles. The 48th parallel north, where Paris is located, circles around halfway between the North Pole and Equator.
Is a parallel the same as latitude?
No, a parallel is not the same as latitude.
A parallel is an imaginary line on the Earth’s surface that circles around the globe, whereas latitude is one of two coordinates of a point on the Earth’s surface together with longitude.
Latitude ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90°N/S at the poles, and longitude ranges from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° east/west. Knowing both latitude and longitude coordinates lets you accurately pinpoint the location of any place on Earth, including Paris!
Final Thoughts:
There you have it! Now you know everything about the latitude and longitude of Paris.
And you’ll be well informed for what to expect when visiting Paris in different seasons, from seasonal temperatures to hours of daylight (all of which are impacted by the latitude of Paris!)
So, who’s ready to start planning their next trip to Paris? We know we are!
With this helpful information, you’ll be able to make the most of your time in Paris. Bon voyage!
Do you love Paris? Me too! You might enjoy these posts about the City of Light:
- Perfectly Paris: 21 Best Paris Attractions
- Amazing Paris Night Tours You’ll Love
- Jardin du Luxembourg: Paris’ Best, Most Beautiful Garden
- 23 Fantastic Day Trips from Paris by Train You’ll Love
- Can You Drink Tap Water in Paris? What to Know
- 101 Perfect Paris Quotes (Funny, Famous, Fabulous!)
- France Currency: What to Know About Money in France
Lisa Garrett
Lisa Garrett is the founder of Waves and Cobblestones. She has taken 18 cruises ranging from a multi-generational Caribbean cruise to solo Alaska cruises to fabulous Mediterranean cruises.
She lived in Ireland for 4 months and has taken over a half-dozen multi-city vacations in Europe (primarily relying on train and public transit). Lisa helps people plan amazing vacations to Europe and popular cruise destinations.
Learn more about Lisa!
