Le Temps was one of Paris's most important daily newspapers from 25 April 1861 to 30 November 1942.

Founded in 1861 by Edmund Chojecki (writing under the pen name "Charles Edmond") and Auguste Nefftzer, Le Temps was under Nefftzer's direction for ten years, when Adrien Hébrard took his place. The early issues of the newspaper reflected Nefftzer's liberal philosophy as well as his Protestantism, and had considerable trouble achieving readership. Nefftzer had to frequently turn to friends in Alsace who were able to help support Le Temps financially. However, circulation continued to grow, from scarcely 3,000 in 1861, to 11,000 in 1869, to 22,000 in 1880. Le Temps soon became the most important newspaper of the French Republic.

Journalists and correspondents included Georges Bruni, and Adolphe Cohn in the United States.

The Paris edition of Le Temps was suspended by the Paris Commune, and as such, lacks issues from 7 May – 19 May 1871. The St. Germain edition, however, ran continuously for 81 years.