Paris Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in the City of Light
Whether you're scheduling a meeting with French colleagues, planning a trip to see the Eiffel Tower, or tracking Euronext Paris trading — understanding Paris's time zone is essential for business and travel across Europe.
Paris operates on Central European Time (CET) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer. As the heart of the European Union and a major financial center, Paris time aligns with most of continental Europe.
The French approach to time includes a rich tradition of the long lunch break — something to consider when scheduling calls. Don't expect immediate responses between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM!
⚡ Quick Facts: Paris Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1)
- • Full Name: Central European Time
- • Daylight Saving: Observed
- • DST Period: Mar → Nov
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 48.9°N, 2.4°E
- • Region: Europe
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
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, cafés, and costs
Time Difference
Paris time compared to major cities
Travel Planning
Flights, airports, and jet lag tips
Understanding Paris Time
CET vs CEST: The European Standard
Paris follows the same time zone as Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam, and most of continental Europe. CET (Central European Time) is UTC+1, used from late October to late March. CEST (Central European Summer Time) is UTC+2, used from late March to late October.
The EU has debated abolishing daylight saving time changes, but no final decision has been implemented yet. Until then, expect the biannual clock changes to continue.
The French Business Rhythm
French business culture respects the tradition of the long lunch. Many offices empty between 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM as employees enjoy a proper meal. Scheduling calls during this window may result in voicemails. The classic French workday runs 9 AM - 6 PM with this midday break.
Pro tip: The weeks when the US and Europe change clocks on different dates cause temporary shifts. Paris-NYC is usually 6 hours but briefly becomes 5 hours in late March and 7 hours in early November.
Paris Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Paris |
|---|---|---|
| 🗽 New York | -6 hours | 6:00 AM |
| 🌴 Los Angeles | -9 hours | 3:00 AM |
| 🍣 Tokyo | +8 hours | 8:00 PM |
| 🦁 Singapore | +7 hours | 7:00 PM |
| 🦘 Sydney | +9 hours | 9:00 PM |
| 🏙️ Dubai | +3 hours | 3:00 PM |
| 🌃 Hong Kong | +7 hours | 7:00 PM |
| 🍁 Toronto | -6 hours | 6:00 AM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences →
Need to schedule a meeting with Paris?
Find the perfect meeting time (and avoid the French lunch hour!).
🚀Launch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with Paris Time
🏢 For International Business
The golden window for US-Paris calls is 9 AM - 12 PM ET (3-6 PM Paris) — catching French afternoon before end of day. For Asian partners, Paris morning (9-11 AM) aligns with Singapore/Hong Kong end of day (4-6 PM). UK overlap is near-perfect.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from the US East Coast? You'll "lose" 6 hours traveling east. Take an overnight flight, arrive at Paris CDG in the morning, and push through the first day. From Asia, the jet lag is more manageable (6-8 hours). Check our Jet Lag Advisor for recovery tips.
💼 For Remote Workers
Paris offers excellent European coverage and reasonable Americas overlap in the afternoon. Many cafés have WiFi, though "work from café" culture is less prevalent than in London. August is notoriously quiet as much of France takes vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Paris and New York right now?
Paris is typically 6 hours ahead of New York. When it's 9:00 AM in New York, it's 3:00 PM in Paris. However, for 2-3 weeks in March and November, the difference shifts to 5 or 7 hours because the US and Europe change clocks on different dates.
Is Paris on CET or CEST right now?
Paris uses CET (Central European Time, UTC+1) from the last Sunday of October to the last Sunday of March. During summer months (late March to late October), Paris switches to CEST (Central European Summer Time, UTC+2). Most of continental Europe follows the same schedule.
When do the clocks change in France in 2025?
In 2025, French clocks spring forward to CEST on Sunday, March 30th at 2:00 AM (clocks move to 3:00 AM). Clocks fall back to CET on Sunday, October 26th at 3:00 AM (clocks move to 2:00 AM). Note: EU may abolish daylight saving changes in future years.
What time does the Paris Stock Exchange open and close?
Euronext Paris opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM CET/CEST, Monday through Friday. Pre-market trading starts at 7:15 AM. For New York investors, that's 3:00 AM to 11:30 AM ET (winter) or 3:00 AM to 11:30 AM ET (summer). Trading halts for major French holidays.
What is the best time to call Paris from California?
The best time to call Paris from California is between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM PST, which reaches Paris during their afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM CET). Avoid calling before 12:00 AM PST (9:00 AM Paris) as French businesses typically start at 9 AM or later.
How many hours ahead is Paris from Los Angeles?
Paris is 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles during standard time (CET vs PST). When it's 9:00 AM in Los Angeles, it's 6:00 PM in Paris. During daylight saving periods, this can temporarily shift to 8 or 10 hours depending on when each region changes clocks.
Is France in the same time zone as Germany and Spain?
Yes, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and most of Western/Central Europe share the same time zone: CET (UTC+1) in winter and CEST (UTC+2) in summer. Interestingly, Spain and France are geographically west enough to be in the UK's time zone but chose CET for economic alignment.
What are typical business hours in Paris France?
Standard Paris business hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM CET/CEST, Monday through Friday, with a lunch break tradition (12:30-2:00 PM) still observed by many. Banks typically close at 5:00 PM. Shops often open 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Many businesses close on Sundays and some on Monday mornings.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
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