Today, Thursday, October 29, 2026, golden hour in France runs from 07:32 to 08:18 in the morning (46 min) and from 16:49 to 17:35 in the evening (46 min), in local time (based on Paris). Blue hour follows, from 17:55 to 18:20.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 06:47 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 07:12 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 07:32 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 08:18 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 12:34 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 16:49 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 17:35 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 17:55 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 18:20 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 29 | 07:32 – 08:18 | 16:49 – 17:35 | 06:47 – 07:12 | 17:55 – 18:20 | 46 min |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 07:34 – 08:19 | 16:47 – 17:33 | 06:48 – 07:13 | 17:53 – 18:19 | 46 min |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 07:35 – 08:21 | 16:45 – 17:31 | 06:50 – 07:15 | 17:52 – 18:17 | 46 min |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 07:37 – 08:23 | 16:44 – 17:30 | 06:51 – 07:16 | 17:50 – 18:15 | 46 min |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 07:38 – 08:25 | 16:42 – 17:28 | 06:53 – 07:18 | 17:49 – 18:14 | 46 min |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 07:40 – 08:27 | 16:40 – 17:27 | 06:54 – 07:19 | 17:47 – 18:12 | 47 min |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 07:42 – 08:28 | 16:38 – 17:25 | 06:56 – 07:21 | 17:46 – 18:11 | 47 min |
How long golden hour lasts in France through the year
At 48.86° N, 2.35° E, the evening golden hour is longest in December (55 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in September (41 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 46 minutes, which is about 8.9° of elevation per hour; on the equator at an equinox that rate is close to 15° per hour. The farther the rate falls below 15°, the longer the soft light lasts.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden morning | Golden evening | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:38 | 52 min | 52 min | 17:21 |
| February | 07:58 | 45 min | 45 min | 18:11 |
| March | 07:04 | 42 min | 42 min | 18:55 |
| April | 06:59 | 42 min | 43 min | 20:42 |
| May | 06:09 | 46 min | 46 min | 21:25 |
| June | 05:46 | 50 min | 50 min | 21:55 |
| July | 06:03 | 48 min | 48 min | 21:49 |
| August | 06:43 | 44 min | 44 min | 21:06 |
| September | 07:27 | 42 min | 41 min | 20:03 |
| October | 08:10 | 43 min | 43 min | 19:01 |
| November | 07:59 | 49 min | 49 min | 17:10 |
| December | 08:37 | 55 min | 55 min | 16:54 |
Making the most of golden hour in France today
- Evening: be in position by 16:24, 25 minutes before the window opens at 16:49. Sunset is at 17:35, and blue hour keeps going until 18:20.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (07:32) and lasts until 08:18.
- Avoid solar noon (12:34), when the Sun is highest, shadows are short and contrast is harsh.
- Shoot with the Sun behind or beside the subject for a glow, and expose for the highlights. More tips are on the golden hour guide.
Time zone and coordinates
All times are calculated astronomically for Paris (48.86° N, 2.35° E) and shown in the local time zone (Europe/Paris, UTC+1). Golden hour is defined here as the period from sunrise until the Sun is 6° above the horizon and from 6° until sunset, and blue hour as the Sun between 4° and 8° below the horizon. Other cities in France differ by about 4 minutes per degree of longitude and by their latitude. In countries that span several time zones, the clock time also depends on the zone. Values are accurate to within about a minute and do not account for mountains, buildings or clouds.
See also
- Sunrise and sunset in France
- Current time in France
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 48.86° N, 2.35° E