Paris Sunrise & Sunset: May 2026

May Sunrise & Sunset in Paris: Complete Monthly Guide

In May 2026, Paris has an average of 15h 16m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 06:31 at the start of the month to 05:53 at the end, while sunset shifts from 21:06 to 21:45.

May in Paris brings lengthening spring days. Average sunrise in May is 06:09 and average sunset is 21:27. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in May

Day length in Paris in May changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Paris's latitude of 48.9°, the rate of day length change in May is approximately 2 to 3 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Paris shifts by approximately 40 to 60 minutes over the course of May.

Golden Hour in Paris in May

Golden hour in Paris in May occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Mayat Paris's latitude of 48.9°, golden hour lasts approximately 45 to 75 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Paris in May: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in May begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Paris in May

Civil twilight in Paris in May begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Paris in May extends the usable light day by approximately 60 to 90 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for May in Paris

Shooting in Paris in May requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in May:

• Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
• Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
• Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In May, Paris's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this May table for Paris are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Paris (48.8566°, 2.3522°) and the local timezone (Europe/Paris). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: May Sunrise & Sunset in Paris

What is the average sunrise time in Paris in May?

The average sunrise time in Paris in May 2026 is approximately 06:09. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Paris at latitude 48.86° and longitude 2.35°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 06:31 on the first of the month to 05:53 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Paris get in May?

Paris receives an average of 15h 16m of daylight per day in May 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 14h 34m on the first of the month to 15h 51m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Paris in May?

The earliest sunrise in Paris in May 2026 occurs on 2026-05-31 at 05:53. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-05-01 at 06:31.

What time is golden hour in Paris in May?

Golden hour in Paris in May occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (06:09 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 45 to 75 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (21:27 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is May a good time to photograph sunrise in Paris?

Yes. May is an excellent month for sunrise photography in Paris. Spring light is clean and warm, days are lengthening rapidly, and temperatures are generally comfortable for outdoor shoots. Sunrise at around 06:09 is a reasonable wake-up time for most photographers.

When does civil twilight start in Paris in May?

Civil twilight in Paris in May begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Paris's latitude of 48.9°, civil twilight in May starts around 05:44 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.