The best time to visit the French Riviera is late spring (May–June) and September: it is 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) in the afternoon on average in Nice, it rains little, the sea is pleasant from June and you avoid the heavy July–August crowds. For a mild city break without the summer crowds, the coast can also be visited from January to March, with 13 to 15 °C (55 to 59 °F) in the afternoon and the February festivals (Nice carnival, Menton Lemon Festival).
The French Riviera has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers, mild, sunny winters and rain concentrated in autumn. October and November are the wettest months, with Mediterranean storm episodes that can be violent. What matters most when choosing your dates is the balance between heat, swimming, crowds and accommodation prices. Here is how to decide, based on the official Météo-France normals for Nice.
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When to go to the French Riviera at a glance
- Best times May–June and September
- Best compromise of weather, prices and crowds June (outside major event dates) and the second half of September
- Hottest months July and August, with an average high of 27.5 and 27.9 °C (82 and 82 °F) in Nice
- Coolest month January, with an average of 13.3 °C (56 °F) in the afternoon and 5.8 °C (42 °F) at night
- Wettest months October and November (128 and 138 mm (5.0 and 5.4 in)), often in a few heavy downpours
- Driest month July (13.6 mm (0.5 in), fewer than 2 rainy days on average)
- High season mid-July to late August, and the dates of the major events (Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix)
- Cheapest period November, then January and early March, outside school holidays and conventions
When to go to the French Riviera by priority
- Best weather: May–June and September; June for the beach (nearly 25 °C (77 °F), more than 300 hours of sunshine)
- Cheapest: November, then January and early March, outside school holidays and conventions
- Fewest crowds: June and the second half of September in the good season; winter outside the February festivals
- Events: Nice carnival and Menton Lemon Festival in February, Cannes Film Festival in May, Monaco Grand Prix in late May or early June, Voiles de Saint-Tropez in late September – early October
French Riviera: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, June, September
❌ Period to avoid: November
Climate on the French Riviera month by month
The table gives the normals for the Météo-France station in Nice, located at the airport, by the sea. They give a good idea of the climate along the coast, from Cannes to Menton. The hinterland is clearly cooler as soon as you gain altitude.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.3 °C (56 °F) | 5.8 °C (42 °F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Mild by day, cool in the evening, no swimming |
| February | 13.5 °C (56 °F) | 6.1 °C (43 °F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | Moderate (carnival, Lemon Festival) | Moderate | ⚠️ Winter festivals, cold sea |
| March | 15.4 °C (60 °F) | 8.3 °C (47 °F) | 51 mm (2.0 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Spring-like, but cold sea |
| April | 17.4 °C (63 °F) | 10.8 °C (51 °F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Mild, flowers, hiking |
| May | 21.0 °C (70 °F) | 14.5 °C (58 °F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | High (Cannes Film Festival, Grand Prix) | High on event dates | ✅ One of the best months |
| June | 24.7 °C (76 °F) | 18.1 °C (65 °F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | High | High | ✅ Long sunshine, warming sea |
| July | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | 20.8 °C (69 °F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Dry and hot, crowds and traffic jams |
| August | 27.9 °C (82 °F) | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Hottest, crowded beaches |
| September | 24.8 °C (77 °F) | 17.7 °C (64 °F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | High, then moderate | High → moderate | ✅ Warm sea, fewer people |
| October | 21.0 °C (70 °F) | 14.0 °C (57 °F) | 128 mm (5.0 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Still mild, but heavy rain possible |
| November | 17.0 °C (63 °F) | 9.7 °C (49 °F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Wettest month, beach businesses closed |
| December | 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 6.6 °C (44 °F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | Low (holidays) | Low → moderate | ⚠️ Mild, festive lights, cold sea |
Note: it rains on average 62 days a year in Nice, with fewer than 2 rainy days in July and more than 8 in November. Sunshine exceeds 300 hours a month in June, July and August, according to the same Météo-France normals.
The seasons on the French Riviera: pros and cons
Spring (March to May): the walkers’ season
Spring is mild and bright: 15 °C (59 °F) in the afternoon in March, 21 °C (70 °F) in May. Gardens are in bloom, the coastal and Estérel trails can be walked without the heat, and the hilltop villages stay quiet on weekdays. The sea, however, stays cool until late May.
- Pros: ideal temperatures for walking, gardens in bloom in Menton and at Cap Ferrat, moderate prices outside holiday periods
- Cons: sea still cold, a few gray days in April, hotels packed during the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix
- Our tip: April and May to combine towns, villages and hikes; avoid Cannes and Monaco on the dates of the major events if you are not coming for them
Summer (June to August): beaches, heat and crowds
Summer is dry and hot: an average high of 25 °C (77 °F) in June, nearly 28 °C (82 °F) in July and August, with nights above 20 °C (68 °F) that can be uncomfortable in town. It barely rains. It is the season for swimming and festivals, but also for crowded beaches, jammed roads to Saint-Tropez and the highest prices. To visit the village outside this peak, see our guide Saint-Tropez: what to do and when to go.
- Pros: swimming, jazz festivals in Juan-les-Pins and Nice in July, long evenings, all activities open
- Cons: crowds, traffic jams and difficult parking, peak prices, heatwave spells, wildfire risk that can close access to some massifs
- Who is it for? Families tied to school holidays and beach lovers. June is much more pleasant than the height of summer
Autumn (September to November): shoulder season, then rain
September is often the best month for the sea: the water has stored up the summer’s heat, the air stays at nearly 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon and the crowds recede once the summer holidays end. From late September, and especially in October–November, the coast sees its heaviest rain: Mediterranean episodes can pour down the equivalent of a month’s rain in a few hours and cause floods in the valleys, as with Storm Alex in October 2020 in the Vésubie and Roya valleys.
- Pros: warm sea in September, falling prices, terraces still open, hinterland colors in October
- Cons: heavy rain possible from late September, rainy November, many private beaches and seaside restaurants closed after the season
- Our tip: the second half of September and early October; follow Météo-France warnings before a hike or a trip through the valleys
Winter (December to February): sun without the crowds
Winter is mild by the sea: 13 to 14 °C (55 to 57 °F) in the afternoon and about 6 °C (43 °F) at night on average in Nice. The sun is still present, with about 150 hours a month. It is the historic season of the Riviera: in the 19th century, European aristocrats came here to spend the winter. February is enlivened by the Nice carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival, while the ski resorts of the Alpes-Maritimes, inland from Nice, open their slopes. Out of season too, the port of Nice remains a departure point: our page on cruises from Nice presents companies and itineraries.
- Pros: low prices, museums and old towns without crowds, carnival and Lemon Festival, sea and ski possible in one trip
- Cons: cold sea, cool evenings, some hotels and beach restaurants closed, Saint-Tropez very quiet
- Who is it for? City and museum lovers, walkers and those seeking winter mildness
When to go to the French Riviera and elsewhere in France
To put the French Riviera in context with the rest of the country, here are the Météo-France normals for three cities:
| Month | Paris | Marseille | Nice |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.2 °C (45 °F) / 47 mm (1.9 in) | 11.8 °C (53 °F) / 51 mm (2.0 in) | 13.3 °C (56 °F) / 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| February | 8.5 °C (47 °F) / 43 mm (1.7 in) | 12.7 °C (55 °F) / 32 mm (1.3 in) | 13.5 °C (56 °F) / 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| March | 12.5 °C (55 °F) / 44 mm (1.7 in) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) / 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15.4 °C (60 °F) / 51 mm (2.0 in) |
| April | 16.2 °C (61 °F) / 45 mm (1.8 in) | 18.3 °C (65 °F) / 51 mm (2.0 in) | 17.4 °C (63 °F) / 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 19.8 °C (68 °F) / 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) / 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21.0 °C (70 °F) / 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| June | 23.2 °C (74 °F) / 56 mm (2.2 in) | 26.2 °C (79 °F) / 24 mm (0.9 in) | 24.7 °C (76 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| July | 25.8 °C (78 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) | 29.6 °C (85 °F) / 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27.5 °C (82 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| August | 25.7 °C (78 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) | 29.1 °C (84 °F) / 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27.9 °C (82 °F) / 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| September | 21.5 °C (71 °F) / 47 mm (1.9 in) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) / 72 mm (2.8 in) | 24.8 °C (77 °F) / 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| October | 16.4 °C (62 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) | 20.9 °C (70 °F) / 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21.0 °C (70 °F) / 128 mm (5.0 in) |
| November | 10.9 °C (52 °F) / 53 mm (2.1 in) | 15.2 °C (59 °F) / 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17.0 °C (63 °F) / 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| December | 7.6 °C (46 °F) / 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12.5 °C (55 °F) / 52 mm (2.0 in) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) / 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Nice, Cannes, Antibes and Menton
The coast of the Alpes-Maritimes is very mild in winter: in Nice, January highs exceed those of Marseille by 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) and those of Paris by 6 °C (11 °F). In summer, on the other hand, it is a little less hot than in Marseille in the afternoon, but nights remain warm. Best windows: May–June and September, and winter for the towns.
Saint-Tropez and the Var coast
Further west, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Estérel also have a Mediterranean climate. The difference between seasons is mostly marked in visitor numbers: very busy in July–August, much calmer from October to March, with many businesses closed.
The hinterland and the Mercantour
As soon as you climb, the climate changes: Grasse, Vence or Saint-Paul-de-Vence stay pleasant for much of the year, but the Mercantour valleys are snowy in winter. The high mountains are hiked mainly from June to September; in spring the passes may still be closed.
When to go to the French Riviera for your plans
| Your plan | Best time | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and swimming | Late June, September | Book early, arrive early at public beaches |
| Towns, museums and hilltop villages | March to June, September–October | Museums are often closed one day a week |
| Coastal hiking and the Estérel | March to May, October | Access to massifs sometimes restricted in summer (wildfire risk) |
| Mountain hiking (Mercantour) | June to September | Afternoon thunderstorms in summer |
| Tight budget | November, January, early March | Check hotel and restaurant openings |
| Carnival and Lemon Festival | February | Grandstand seats to book |
| Romantic weekend | May, June, September | Avoid event dates in Cannes and Monaco |
| Family trip | June, early July, late August | Accommodation with a pool or near a sandy beach |
| Sea and ski in the same trip | February–March | Ski resorts of the Alpes-Maritimes, inland from Nice |
Major events on the French Riviera
Major events push up prices and fill hotels for dozens of kilometers around. Book very early if you are coming for them, or avoid their dates if you want calm.
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| February | Nice carnival and flower battles | Nice, Place Masséna and Promenade des Anglais |
| February | Lemon Festival | Menton |
| May | Cannes Film Festival | Cannes, Palais des Festivals |
| Late May or early June depending on the year | Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix | Monaco |
| July | Jazz à Juan | Juan-les-Pins (Antibes) |
| July | Nice Jazz Festival | Nice |
| July 14 and August 15 | Fireworks | In most coastal towns |
| Late September – early October | Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez | Saint-Tropez |
The French Riviera month by month
French Riviera in January: The coolest month (13.3 °C (56 °F) in the afternoon, 5.8 °C (42 °F) at night), with about 157 hours of sunshine. Ideal for Nice, museums and villages, at low prices. Ski resorts open in the hinterland.
French Riviera in February: Mild and fairly dry (54 mm (2.1 in)). Nice carnival and Menton Lemon Festival: book your accommodation in advance during these festivals.
French Riviera in March: Spring arrives (15.4 °C (60 °F)), and it is one of the driest months of winter. A good month for coastal hikes and the hinterland; the sea stays cold.
French Riviera in April: Mild (17.4 °C (63 °F)), gardens in bloom, a few rainy days. Crowds rise around Easter.
French Riviera in May: Excellent: 21 °C (70 °F), little rain (40 mm (1.6 in)). Watch the dates of the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix, which send prices soaring.
French Riviera in June: Our favorite month for the beach: nearly 25 °C (77 °F), more than 300 hours of sunshine, a warming sea and crowds still reasonable before the school holidays. To compare with other destinations, see our selection where to go in June.
French Riviera in July: The driest month (13.6 mm (0.5 in)). Heat, jazz festivals, crowded beaches and jammed roads, especially from mid-July.
French Riviera in August: The hottest (27.9 °C (82 °F)) and the busiest, around the August 15 public holiday. Book very early and go to the beach early in the morning.
French Riviera in September: Warm sea, air at nearly 25 °C (77 °F) and crowds falling after the summer holidays. The first Mediterranean storms can occur at the end of the month.
French Riviera in October: Still mild (21 °C (70 °F)), but one of the two wettest months (128 mm (5.0 in)). Good for towns and the hinterland, with a flexible plan.
French Riviera in November: The wettest month (138 mm (5.4 in), more than 8 rainy days). Lowest prices, but many beach businesses closed. Best kept for city visits.
French Riviera in December: Mild (14.1 °C (57 °F)), festive lights and a Christmas market in Nice. Calm atmosphere until the end-of-year holidays.
When to book your trip to the French Riviera
For July–August, book your accommodation 3 to 6 months ahead, more for a vacation rental or a hotel near the beach. For the dates of the Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix or the Nice carnival, hotels fill up months ahead. In spring and September, 1 to 2 months is generally enough; in winter you will often find last-minute deals.
Planning your trip to the French Riviera
- Entry requirements: rules depend on your nationality: see our entry requirements for France.
- Monaco: the principality is a separate sovereign state; the U.S. State Department’s France page (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025) refers travelers to Monaco’s embassy and consulates for Monaco entry requirements.
- Health and safety: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026), temperatures can be higher than normal in France in summer, and most beaches have lifeguards and flag warning systems: understand them before you swim. The emergency number is 112.
To plan your stay on site, see our French Riviera travel guide: towns, hilltop villages, itinerary and where to stay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit the French Riviera?
June and September are the best months: about 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon on average in Nice, little rain and a pleasant sea, without the July–August crowds. May is excellent for sightseeing, but the sea is still cool.
When can you swim on the French Riviera?
The swimming season generally runs from June to September, once the sea has warmed up. September is often better than June for the water, which has stored up the summer’s heat.
What is the wettest month on the French Riviera?
November, with 138 mm (5.4 in) on average in Nice, followed by October (128 mm (5.0 in)). This rain often falls in a few intense episodes, interspersed with fine days.
Is the weather good on the French Riviera in winter?
It is mild and often sunny: 13 to 14 °C (55 to 57 °F) in the afternoon on average in Nice from December to February, and about 150 hours of sunshine a month. You do not swim, but towns and villages can be visited in good conditions.
When should you visit the French Riviera to avoid the crowds?
Avoid mid-July to late August and the dates of the major events. April, May, June, September and October offer a good balance; January and March are the quietest months, outside school holiday periods.
When is the Lemon Festival in Menton?
It takes place in February, at roughly the same time as the Nice carnival. Exact dates change every year: check the event’s official website before booking.
What about the rest of France?
Brittany, Alsace, the Alps or Corsica each have their own best season. To choose a region by time of year, see our France travel guide.
Our sources
- Nice: 1991–2020 normals from Météo-France, Nice station (Nice Côte d’Azur airport) (temperatures, precipitation, rainy days, sunshine)
- Comparison: 1991–2020 normals from Météo-France: Paris-Orly, Marseille-Marignane (Marseille Provence airport) and Nice (Nice Côte d’Azur airport). Health, safety and Monaco information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for France (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026), and U.S. Department of State, France country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
