Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index is essential for staying safe in the sun while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Paris. This awareness is key to preventing sunburn and protecting your skin health, especially when UV levels reach their peak during the midday hours. Paris, with its Cfb climate, offers beautiful but sometimes intense sunlight that can lead to high UV exposure risks, particularly between 12 PM and 2 PM when the index can soar to 9. By staying informed, you can relish the beauty of the City of Lights while safeguarding your skin from potential harm.
The UV Index today reveals a dramatic rise in sun exposure as the day progresses. Starting gently at 1 during the early hours, by 10:00 AM it peaks to 4, signaling an increase in sun intensity. The UV levels continue to ascend, reaching their maximum at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, where they hit an impressive 9. As the afternoon rolls on, the values begin to taper off to 8 by 3:00 PM and gradually decline through the evening, settling at 2 by 7:00 PM. It's a brilliant reminder to stay protected from the sun, especially during peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 16:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV levels vary significantly, with the highest risk months occurring from May to August, where the UV Index reaches a peak of 9 in June and remains at 8 during July and August, indicating a very high exposure category and a critical burn time of just 15 minutes. In contrast, winter months see much lower UV levels, with January and November registering a UV Index of 2 and December dropping to 1, categorized as low exposure. Visitors and residents should exercise caution during the high-risk months by minimizing sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, particularly between late spring and early fall when UV radiation is at its strongest.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Lyon UVI | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Nice UVI | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Marseille UVI | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Toulouse UVI | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |