Shabbat Times in Paris

Paris gives Shabbat a European rhythm, with midwinter lightings before 5 PM and summer Havdalah close to 11 PM. Our free calculator below is preset to Paris, so you can check this week’s candle-lighting time, sunset, Havdalah, and Torah portion in seconds. Times follow Central European Time, with the daylight-saving switch handled automatically.

Candle Lighting in Paris

Candle lighting in Paris is 18 minutes before astronomical sunset, the standard Diaspora custom. At almost 49 degrees north, Paris has long summer days: sunset runs from about 4:54 PM in late December to 9:57 PM in late June. Candle lighting therefore falls near 4:36 PM on the darkest Fridays and near 9:39 PM at the start of summer, later than in any other city in this guide.

France observes daylight saving time, moving clocks forward in late March and back in late October. The calculator applies the correct offset automatically for any date you enter.

Havdalah in Paris

Havdalah in Paris is recited after nightfall, when three medium stars are visible. The default nightfall standard in the calculator is 8.5 degrees, and communities that follow 42, 50, or 72 minutes after sunset can select their custom in the settings. In June, that puts Havdalah near 11 PM.

Shabbat Times for Nearby Communities

Times across the Paris region differ by only a few minutes. Nearby options include Brussels, Strasbourg, and Geneva. For another curated guide, see Shabbat times in London. You can also check any city worldwide on the main Shabbat candle-lighting times tool.

Planning Around Shabbat in Paris

Summer Fridays in Paris are unhurried, with lighting after 9:30 PM in June, while winter Fridays ask for planning around a lighting near 4:40 PM. Synagogues in the Marais, the 9th arrondissement, and Boulogne hold Kabbalat Shabbat services at various times, so confirm with your own congregation. To convert a Hebrew date for a simcha or a yahrzeit, see our Hebrew date converter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is candle lighting in Paris this Friday?

Use the calculator on this page for this week’s exact times. In late December, candle lighting in Paris is near 4:36 PM, and in late June it is near 9:39 PM.

Why does Shabbat start so late in a Paris summer?

Paris lies far north, where summer days run past 16 hours. Combined with Central European Summer Time, which places the city toward the western edge of its zone, sunsets arrive near 10 PM and candle lighting follows about 20 minutes earlier.

Is Paris one hour ahead of London?

Yes, most of the year. Paris and London both observe daylight saving, and Paris stays one hour ahead of London throughout, so candle lighting in Paris happens one clock hour later than the same event in London.