Best time to go to the Camargue for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 27/05/2024When is the best time to go to the Camargue?
The best time to visit the Camargue extends from April to the end of November. Like everywhere in the south of France, the weather is very pleasant and will allow you to fully enjoy the wonders of the region.
When to visit the Camargue based on your interests?
- For hiking in the Regional Natural Park, prefer the months of May, June, September, and October: the temperature is pleasant, without being scorching. In July and August, the low vegetation offers no shade.
- For enjoying the beach and swimming: July and August are ideal. The sea temperature is around 22°C (72°F) and the wild expanses of Piémanson and Beauduc beaches are true earthly paradises!
- For a city trip to Arles, any month of the year is possible. Even though November is the rainiest, temperatures remain mild and it is very rare for it to rain all day.
- To avoid crowds, do not go to the Camargue between mid-July and mid-August: the region is very crowded and prices go up.
- To see the pink flamingos, go during the nesting period, between April and the end of September. To observe them, head to the Fangassier pond, which is the only breeding site in France: a magical spectacle awaits you there!
- For kitesurfing or windsurfing, the Camargue is known for having favorable winds throughout the year, although winter is harsher in terms of temperatures.
- To attend cultural events, summer is the best time to go to the Camargue. Festivities are in full swing, especially in Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.
Annual weather in Camargue
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Camargue for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F to 52°F | bad weather | |||
| February | 43°F to 54°F | bad weather | |||
| March | 59°F | tolerable weather | |||
| April | 52°F to 67°F | good weather | |||
| May | 59°F to 72°F | perfect weather* | |||
| June | 67°F to 81°F | perfect weather | |||
| July | 72°F to 86°F | perfect weather | |||
| August | 70°F to 86°F | perfect weather | |||
| September | 76°F | perfect weather | |||
| October | 58°F to 70°F | good weather | |||
| November | 50°F to 61°F | tolerable weather* | |||
| December | 45°F to 54°F | bad weather |
Best time to travel to Camargue by cities
Climate and Weather in Camargue
Located at the crossroads of Languedoc and Provence, in the south of France, the climate in the Camargue is Mediterranean.
Overall, rainfall is irregular and very low. The mistral wind clears the sky of clouds, providing beautiful sunny days throughout the year. Special mention to Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, which enjoys the best climate in the Camargue with favorable weather most of the year!
It is worth noting that the Camargue coast is one of the driest areas in France, with an average of 60 rainy days per year. As a result, it experiences regular droughts that are intensifying due to climate change. Its unique and fragile ecosystem is closely monitored by scientists.
Summer in the Camargue
During the summer period, the weather in the Camargue is absolutely perfect: it is hot and precipitation is almost non-existent.
Summer lasts a long time, usually from early June to late September, but the hottest months are July and August.
Inland, like in Arles, it is not uncommon for the thermometer to rise above 30°C (86°F) . However, nighttime temperatures are much lower, allowing you to enjoy long evenings on the terrace.
On the coast, in Le Grau-du-Roi or La Grande-Motte, it is milder, even in the height of summer, thanks to the mistral which provides a welcome breeze.
Autumn in the Camargue
Commonly known as “Indian summer”, autumn in the Camargue is very pleasant, especially until early October.
The rainiest months in the region are October and November, however, this is relative, as it is rare for showers to last more than a few hours.
At the end of the season, violent storms can occur: brief but very intense, precipitation can reach 200 mm per day and sometimes more.
Winter in the Camargue
Generally, winters are mild in the Camargue, with temperatures around 10°C (50°F) in Arles during the day. Sunshine is abundant and precipitation is quite rare.
The coldest months are January and February, especially as it is during this period that the mistral can arrive and make the air icy.
Spring in the Camargue
From early March, spring begins to show itself. The weather is then ideal and nature is in full swing. Wildlife and flora awaken, making it the best time of year to observe birds.
Precipitation may still be slightly present in March, but from the beginning of April the sky is clear and the sun is shining.
In terms of temperatures, the thermometer hovers around 20°C (68°F) in Le Grau-du-Roi in May: perfect for enjoying long weekends during this period!
Temperatures and rainfall in Camargue
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Camargue and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Arles, Aigues-Mortes, Grau-du-Roi, La Grande-Motte and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Camargue
Find out when Camargue has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Camargue
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Camargue is high in: April, May, June, July, August and September.
- Very low season in Camargue: January, February, March and December.
- Low season in Camargue: October and November.
- High season in Camargue: April, June and September.
- Peak season in Camargue: May, July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Camargue month by month
Where to go in Camargue?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Arles | 52°F | 54°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 81°F | 70°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Aigues-Mortes | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Grau-du-Roi | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| La Grande-Motte | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Salin de Giraud | 52°F | 54°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 70°F | 61°F | 54°F |
| Vauvert (Petite Camargue) | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 70°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Albaron | 52°F | 54°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 81°F | 70°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Saint-Gilles-du-Gard | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 70°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Fourques | 52°F | 54°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 81°F | 70°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Lunel | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone | 52°F | 54°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 70°F | 61°F | 54°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
About Camargue
What can I do in Camargue?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Gastronomy
Is this weather information for Camargue reliable?
Climate data for Camargue has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Camargue allows us to determine the average for each month in Arles, Aigues-Mortes, Grau-du-Roi, La Grande-Motte, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Salin de Giraud, Vauvert (Petite Camargue), Albaron, and 4 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.