Current Local Time in Paris, France
Paris observes Central European Time (CET) during winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer. As of 2026, the current local time in Paris is [insert current time here]. The UTC offset is +1 hour in winter (CET) and +2 hours in summer (CEST). Daylight saving time starts on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October. Compared to other major cities: London is 1 hour behind Paris, New York is 6 hours behind (5 hours during US EDT), Berlin is the same time, and Tokyo is 8 hours ahead (7 hours during European summer). For a world clock view, visit Time.now.
Time Zone Information
Paris is in the Central European Time Zone (CET), which is used by most countries in central and western Europe. During summer, clocks are advanced to Central European Summer Time (CEST). The transition dates for 2026: DST starts on Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 02:00 CET (clocks go forward to 03:00 CEST), and ends on Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 03:00 CEST (clocks go back to 02:00 CET).
Time Difference to Major Cities
| City | Time Difference (CET/CEST) |
|---|---|
| London | -1 hour (CET) / -1 hour (CEST) |
| New York | -6 hours (CET) / -5 hours (CEST) |
| Berlin | Same time |
| Tokyo | +8 hours (CET) / +7 hours (CEST) |
| Los Angeles | -9 hours (CET) / -8 hours (CEST) |
| Sydney | +10 hours (CET) / +8 hours (CEST) |
These differences are based on standard time. During daylight saving periods, some cities may shift their offsets as well. For example, New York observes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) from March to November, reducing the gap to 5 hours behind Paris. For more comparisons, check time in London or TimeRight.Now for worldwide city times.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Paris
France has observed DST since 1976. In 2026, DST begins on 29 March and ends on 25 October. During DST, Paris is on CEST (UTC+2). This aligns with most of continental Europe. The EU has debated abolishing seasonal clock changes, but as of 2026, the practice continues. For more details on European time zones, see Central European Time (CET).
History of Time in Paris
France originally used solar time based on the Paris Meridian. In 1891, the country adopted standard time based on Paris Mean Time, which was 9 minutes 21 seconds ahead of GMT. During World War II, France used German time (UTC+1) and has remained in CET ever since. The French overseas territories use different time zones. For comparison, see Time in Berlin and Time in Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current time in Paris?
The current local time in Paris is displayed above. It is based on the Central European Time zone, with daylight saving adjustments.
Is Paris on CET or CEST right now?
Paris is on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) from late October to late March, and on Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from late March to late October.
How many hours ahead is Paris than New York?
Paris is 6 hours ahead of New York during standard time (CET vs EST) and 5 hours ahead during daylight saving time (CEST vs EDT).
Does Paris observe daylight saving time?
Yes, Paris observes daylight saving time. Clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday of October.
What is the time difference between Paris and London?
Paris is 1 hour ahead of London throughout the year, as both cities change clocks on the same dates.
How do I convert Paris time to my local time?
You can use the world clock on CurrentTime.now to compare Paris time with any city worldwide.