What Time Is It in Paris?
Get the current time in Paris with timezone information, Central European Time details, and scheduling guides for international meetings and calls.
Current Time in Paris
Paris operates in Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1 during standard time and UTC+2 during Central European Summer Time (CEST). As the capital of France and a major hub for international business, fashion, and diplomacy, Paris time affects scheduling across Europe and beyond.
The current time in Paris is displayed on our live city clock. Paris shares its timezone with Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam, and most of continental Western Europe.
Paris Timezone Information
Central European Time (CET/CEST)
Central European Time covers most of Western and Central Europe. France adopted this timezone in 1940, and it has remained ever since. The CET zone spans from Spain in the west to Poland in the east, creating one of the world's largest single-timezone regions.
| Period | Abbreviation | UTC Offset | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Time | CET | UTC+1 | Oct – Mar |
| Summer Time | CEST | UTC+2 | Mar – Oct |
Use our time zone converter to compare Paris time with other cities worldwide.
Scheduling Meetings in Paris
Business Hours and Overlap Windows
Paris business hours typically run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM CET/CEST. The French work culture includes a longer lunch break (often 12:00–2:00 PM), which should be considered when scheduling. Key overlap windows:
- New York: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM CET (overlap: 3 hours)
- London: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM CET (nearly full overlap)
- Tokyo: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM CET (overlap: 2 hours)
- Dubai: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM CET (overlap: 6 hours)
Our city comparison tool helps you find optimal meeting times across multiple time zones.
Daylight Saving Time in Paris
France follows EU daylight saving time rules. Clocks spring forward one hour on the last Sunday of March at 2:00 AM CET, and fall back one hour on the last Sunday of October at 3:00 AM CEST. The EU has discussed abolishing DST changes, but no final decision has been implemented as of 2026.
During summer time, Paris is 6 hours ahead of New York (EDT) and 1 hour ahead of London (BST). During winter, Paris is 6 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 1 hour ahead of London (GMT).