LIST: Calendar of main pollen allergies in France month by month

The high-season of allergies has returned to France. 

As temperatures begin to rise, pollen from trees including poplar, ash, birch, hornbeam and plane trees starts to circulate more heavily in the air, bringing the return of seasonal allergies across much of the country.

France’s national air quality watchdog, the Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (RNSA), issues regular alerts throughout the allergy season as pollen levels increase in different regions.

The season typically begins with tree pollen in late winter and early spring before moving into grass and weed pollens later in the year, with major outbreaks often continuing into August.

Month by month allergy calendar

Allergy symptoms

People unfamiliar with French plant life should pay particular attention to common allergy symptoms, including:

• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Red and watery eyes
• Breathing difficulties (in severe cases)
• Asthma attacks (in severe cases)

The RNSA recommends antihistamine-based treatments for people affected by pollen allergies, as well as practical steps to reduce exposure at home.

Sensitive individuals are also advised to:

• Wash clothes regularly
• Rinse hair in the evening
• Air rooms early in the morning and late in the evening, when temperatures are lower and pollen levels tend to be reduced
• Dry clothes indoors
• Avoid outdoor sports during high-pollen periods
• Keep car windows closed
• Check local pollen levels before going outdoors on the RNSA website