Today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, golden hour in France runs from 07:52 to 08:34 in the morning (42 min) and from 18:43 to 19:25 in the evening (42 min), in local time (based on Paris). Blue hour follows, from 19:44 to 20:09.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 07:09 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 07:33 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 07:52 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 08:34 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 13:39 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 18:43 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 19:25 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 19:44 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 20:09 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 07:52 – 08:34 | 18:43 – 19:25 | 07:09 – 07:33 | 19:44 – 20:09 | 42 min |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 07:54 – 08:36 | 18:41 – 19:23 | 07:10 – 07:34 | 19:42 – 20:07 | 42 min |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 07:55 – 08:38 | 18:39 – 19:21 | 07:12 – 07:36 | 19:40 – 20:05 | 42 min |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 07:57 – 08:39 | 18:37 – 19:19 | 07:13 – 07:37 | 19:38 – 20:02 | 42 min |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 07:58 – 08:41 | 18:34 – 19:17 | 07:14 – 07:39 | 19:36 – 20:00 | 42 min |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 08:00 – 08:42 | 18:32 – 19:15 | 07:16 – 07:40 | 19:34 – 19:58 | 42 min |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 08:01 – 08:44 | 18:30 – 19:13 | 07:17 – 07:42 | 19:32 – 19:56 | 43 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 42 minutes, which is about 9.8° 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 18:18, 25 minutes before the window opens at 18:43. Sunset is at 19:25, and blue hour keeps going until 20:09.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (07:52) and lasts until 08:34.
- Avoid solar noon (13:39), 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+2). 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