I've been doing some research and it looks like May is the rainiest month in Paris. Is that true? I'm from Seattle so I'm not afraid of melting in the rain -- but I also don't want to go on vacation if I have to spend the whole time under an umbrella. Any thoughts?

I was in Paris last May for two weeks and never needed an umbrella once. I will be there again this year in May and may need one every day. You never know...

For a Paris weather chart (temperatures in Celsius, rainfall) check out http://www.meteofrance.com/FR/climat...?LIEUID=DEPT75
and click on "caractéristiques climatiques".

You will see there is rainfall around the year in Paris. May is indeed the rainiest month, but statistics and averages don't have much to do with the actual weather you'll have!

Paris is one of those places that gets "enough" rain that I don't think you can be assured of having it rain or not in any given month. If you go to say, Sicily, in July, you can be pretty sure it's not gonna rain the whole time. It just doesn't rain there in the summer months expect an occassinal thunderstorm. But other places, mostly northern Europe, there is a chance that it will rain any time. The first time I went to Paris was in July (2000) and it was cold - daytime temps in the 50s!!! on several days, and it rained at least part of every single day for two weeks. But most July's it's nowhere near that bad. I've been there in March when it was cold (evening temps in the 20s), beautiful and sunny (daytime highs of 70s), and horrendous rain - and all of that was in the same week! So weather wise, Paris is a crap shoot, I don't care what the weather sites say.

I would plan your trip when you want to go and the only consideration to weather would be that it's colder in the winter months.

It generally rains when I go there. So, if my logic is right, it should be dry the entire year, as we are not planning a trip to Paris in 06. :=)

I've been to Paris twice, both times in March. It rained both times we went. Just once I'd like to see Paris without cold rain dripping down my neck!

oh, I think you can be assured it will rain in Paris in every single month. It's just how much. It rains a lot in Paris, in general, I think. I was there one July when it rained about 21 days in the month.

Here is a good page that summarizes the weather in Paris, including a chart on precitation:
http://www.paris.org/Accueil/Climate/

Now, given that July is second to May (doesn't surprise me, from my experience), but only a bit behind it in total precipitation, I would still go in May if that suited you best. If you look at that chart, there just aren't a lot of other months that are a heck of a lot better (Feb and Aug are driest, I guess).

we have been there twice for a week each time-once in april and the other in may and had only one rainy day the whole two weeks (in april). the may trip was in the 80's - sweltering! we are going back this may and hope to have equally great weather.

More often than not it is grey and rainy in Paris. Dont expect a downpour, just a light miserable rain. During the summer months it can be nice and sunny but during the other 3 seasons it rains rains rains.

I have visited Paris in all four seasons and it's rained at some point during each visit. Last July while it was really warm there were a couple of days when it rained.

Sounds like home but with better food and better museums! Thanks for all of your advice. I guess we'll just plan on May and pack golashes and strappy sandals -- just in case!