France: Where and When to See the Northern Lights
Aurora season in France runs from November to February.
France: how often the northern lights appear depends on how far you are from the pole. Around Dunkirk it takes about Kp 6; around Porto-Vecchio, about Kp 9. Season: November to February.
France tonight
Low
Best aurora chance tonight, France: Low. Best place: Cherbourg, 10:00 PM–2:00 AM.
| Place | Aurora Score | Best viewing window | Cloud cover | Min Kp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CherbourgNormandy | 36Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 0% | 7 |
| RouenNormandy | 36Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 0% | 7 |
| Mantes-la-JolieÎle-de-France | 36Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 0% | 7 |
| MeauxÎle-de-France | 36Low | 10:00 PM–2:00 AM | 0% | 7 |
| RennesBrittany | 36Low | 11:00 PM–3:00 AM | 0% | 7 |
Aurora Forecast AI Tracker
Track the Northern Lights forecast in France
Use the app to follow the Northern Lights forecast across France with local aurora scores, cloud cover, Kp index and viewing windows. Save cities and regions in France, compare conditions, and get alerts when the aurora forecast becomes favorable.
- Smart aurora alerts
- Best viewing window
- Hourly forecast
- Saved locations
Best Months to See the Northern Lights in France
The aurora season in France usually runs from November to February.
Aurora by region in France
Low latitude
Hauts-de-France
Kp 6 · cities: 3
Normandy
Kp 7 · cities: 3
Île-de-France
Kp 7 · cities: 4
Grand Est
Kp 7 · cities: 2
Brittany
Kp 7 · cities: 2
Centre-Val de Loire
Kp 7 · cities: 4
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Kp 7 · cities: 4
Pays de la Loire
Kp 7 · cities: 4
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Kp 8–9 · cities: 4
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Kp 8 · cities: 4
Where the odds are best in France
| Place | Aurora zone | Min Kp | Geomagnetic latitude | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷DunkirkHauts-de-France | Low latitude | 6 | 47.1° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷CalaisHauts-de-France | Low latitude | 6 | 47.0° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷LilleHauts-de-France | Low latitude | 6 | 46.6° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷CherbourgNormandy | Low latitude | 7 | 45.4° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷RouenNormandy | Low latitude | 7 | 45.2° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷CaenNormandy | Low latitude | 7 | 44.9° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷Mantes-la-JolieÎle-de-France | Low latitude | 7 | 44.6° | September to April |
| 🇫🇷MeauxÎle-de-France | Low latitude | 7 | 44.6° | September to April |
| 🇫🇷ParisÎle-de-France | Low latitude | 7 | 44.4° | October to March |
| 🇫🇷NancyGrand Est | Low latitude | 7 | 44.2° | October to March |
Popular cities in France
Other countries
Northern lights guides
- What Is the Kp Index? Scale, G-Storms, and Your LatitudeThe Kp index measures geomagnetic disturbance, not aurora overhead: the 0–9 scale, NOAA G-storm levels, and what a rising Kp means at your latitude.
- How to Read Our Aurora Forecast: Score, Kp and CloudsHow to read the Aurora Score, Kp, cloud cover and best viewing window on our forecast pages, and turn them into tonight's decision.
- How to See and Photograph the Northern Lights on Your PhoneYour phone often shows aurora your eyes can't. Why cameras see color the eye misses, how to shoot it with night mode, and when it won't work.
- What Kp Do You Need to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?Iceland sits at the edge of the auroral oval, so low Kp is enough when it is dark and clear. Why Reykjavík needs a little more, and how to use the number.
- How Our Aurora Forecast Works: Data Sources and MethodHow the Aurora Score is built: NOAA Kp and OVATION, Open-Meteo cloud cover, darkness, moon, AACGM-v2 geomagnetic latitude — every weight and known limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the Northern Lights in France tonight?
France: it depends on where you are and on tonight's sky. Dunkirk needs about Kp 6; Porto-Vecchio needs about Kp 9. On top of that it takes a clear, dark sky — cloud blocks aurora at any Kp. The table at the top of this page has tonight's forecast city by city.
What Kp index is needed to see the Northern Lights in France?
France has no single number. The higher the Kp, the further from the pole the auroral oval reaches, so the threshold rises with distance from the pole: Dunkirk needs about Kp 6, Porto-Vecchio about Kp 9. Each city's page gives its own threshold.
What are the best months to see the Northern Lights in France?
The best months to see the Northern Lights in France are typically November to February, when nights are darker and aurora viewing conditions are better.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in France?
France: of the places in this list, Dunkirk needs the least — about Kp 6 — while Porto-Vecchio needs about Kp 9. Wherever you are, a dark sky away from city lights matters more than the exact spot.