Why Is Paris 1 Hour Ahead of London?

By Robert Palmer

Paris and London are two of the most iconic cities in Europe. They are both located in close proximity, but have one-hour time difference.

This might make you wonder why is Paris 1 hour ahead of London? Let’s dive into the history and geographical factors that contribute to this time difference.

Geographical Location

The prime reason behind the time difference between Paris and London is their geographical location. Paris is situated towards the east of London, which means it is closer to the Greenwich Meridian Line, also known as the Prime Meridian.

The Prime Meridian runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, a suburb of London. This line divides the earth into two halves – Eastern and Western hemispheres.

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

GMT was established in 1884 at an international conference held in Washington D.C. The conference was held to standardize time across different regions of the world. GMT was chosen as it passes through Greenwich, which was already a major hub for navigation and astronomical observations.

Central European Time (CET)

Central European Time (CET) is used in most parts of Europe including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc. CET is one hour ahead of GMT. So when it’s 12 pm GMT, it’s already 1 pm in CET.

The Daylight Saving Time (DST) Factor

Apart from geographical location and time zones, daylight saving time also plays a role in determining the time difference between Paris and London. Both countries follow DST during summer months which means clocks are advanced by one hour during this period.

In conclusion, Paris is 1 hour ahead of London due to its geographical location towards the east of London and closer proximity to the Prime Meridian Line at Greenwich. The Central European Time (CET) zone followed in Paris is also one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) which is followed in London. Daylight saving time also contributes to the time difference between these two iconic cities.

  • Geographical location towards the east of London
  • Greenwich Meridian Line
  • Central European Time (CET)
  • Daylight Saving Time (DST)

So, next time you plan to visit Paris or London, don’t forget to adjust your watch accordingly!