Paris Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in the City of Light
Planning a business call with colleagues in Paris, tracking the CAC 40 market opening, or wondering when that charming cafรฉ on the corner opens? Understanding Paris's time zone โ and the French approach to time โ is essential.
Paris runs on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 in summer (CEST). France observes daylight saving time, switching clocks forward in late March and back in late October.
The French have a distinct relationship with time. Lunch is sacred (12-2 PM), many shops close on Sundays, and August sees much of Paris take a collective vacation. Understanding these rhythms is key to a successful visit or business relationship.
โก Quick Facts: Paris Time Zone
Time Zone Basics
- โข Winter: CET (UTC+1)
- โข Summer: CEST (UTC+2)
- โข DST: Last Sunday March โ Last Sunday October
- โข Same as: Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam
Key Time Differences
- โข New York: +6 hours (winter) / +6 hours (summer)
- โข London: +1 hour
- โข Dubai: -3 hours
- โข Tokyo: -8 hours
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Shop, bank, and restaurant hours in Paris
Best Time to Visit
Weather, crowds, and events by season
Remote Work
Working with Paris teams across time zones
24 Hours in Paris
How Parisians live around the clock
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling windows from any country
Euronext Paris
CAC 40 trading hours and market info
French Holidays
Public holidays and what closes
Digital Nomad
Coworking, cafรฉs, and costs
Time Difference
Paris time compared to major cities
Travel Planning
Flights, airports, and jet lag tips
Understanding Paris Time
The French Approach to Time
French culture has a unique relationship with time. Punctuality matters for business, but social gatherings often start 15 minutes late ("le quart d'heure de politesse"). Lunch is not to be rushed โ the two-hour lunch break is a cherished tradition.
Strategic Time Zone Position
Paris's CET timezone makes it ideal for European business. Morning overlap with Asia (8-10 AM catches end of Tokyo/Singapore day), midday with the UK, and afternoon overlap with the US East Coast (2-6 PM Paris = 8 AM - 12 PM NYC).
Paris Morning (9 AM CET)
- โข New York: 3 AM
- โข London: 8 AM
- โข Dubai: 12 PM
- โข Tokyo: 5 PM
Paris Evening (6 PM CET)
- โข New York: 12 PM noon
- โข London: 5 PM
- โข Dubai: 9 PM
- โข Tokyo: 2 AM (next day)
Paris Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Paris |
|---|---|---|
| ๐บ๐ธ New York | -6 hours | 6:00 AM |
| ๐บ๐ธ Los Angeles | -9 hours | 3:00 AM |
| ๐ฌ๐ง London | -1 hour | 11:00 AM |
| ๐ฉ๐ช Berlin | Same | 12:00 PM |
| ๐ฆ๐ช Dubai | +3 hours | 3:00 PM |
| ๐ฎ๐ณ Mumbai | +4.5 hours | 4:30 PM |
| ๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore | +7 hours | 7:00 PM |
| ๐ฏ๐ต Tokyo | +8 hours | 8:00 PM |
| ๐ฆ๐บ Sydney | +10 hours | 10:00 PM |
* Differences shown for winter (CET). Summer adds 1 hour to Paris time. See detailed time differences โ
Practical Tips for Dealing with Paris Time
๐ฝ๏ธ The Sacred Lunch Hour
French lunch is 12-2 PM, and it's taken seriously. Many small shops close during this time. Business meetings over lunch can last 2+ hours. Plan your schedule accordingly โ don't expect quick responses between noon and 2 PM.
๐๏ธ August: The Empty City
Much of Paris takes vacation in August. Many local shops and restaurants close for 2-4 weeks. Tourist spots stay open, but business operations slow significantly. Avoid scheduling important meetings in August if possible.
๐ช Sunday Closures
Most non-tourist shops are closed on Sundays. This is the law in France ("repos dominical"). Supermarkets may open until 1 PM. Tourist areas like the Champs-รlysรฉes and the Marais are exceptions with Sunday trading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone is Paris in?
Paris uses Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March to late October.
Does Paris observe daylight saving time?
Yes. France switches to summer time on the last Sunday of March (clocks forward 1 hour) and back to winter time on the last Sunday of October (clocks back 1 hour).
What's the time difference between Paris and New York?
Paris is 6 hours ahead of New York year-round. When it's noon in Paris, it's 6 AM in New York. Both cities observe DST on similar schedules, so the difference stays constant.
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Last updated: December 2024.