Best time to go to the French Basque country for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to the French Basque country?
Even though the region is pleasant all year round, the best time to visit the French Basque Country is between April and October. Most holidaymakers flock to the area in July and August, which significantly drives up prices. If you are on a tight budget, it is better to choose another time to explore the French Basque Country.
When to visit the French Basque Country based on your interests?
- For winter sports, in the Ossau Valley for example, go between December and March, when you will be guaranteed enough snow for skiing and snowshoeing.
- For beach enjoyment and surfing: head to the French Basque Country in July and August! The long golden sandy beaches with consistent waves will make your holiday unforgettable...
- To visit while avoiding crowds, prefer the shoulder seasons: May-June, when summer tourists have not yet arrived, or September-October, when they have all left! Late summer is perfect for swimming and relaxing on the beach, while spring is ideal for exploring the inland villages.
- For hiking, the best period is from May to late October, but the weather conditions are optimal in July and August, especially in the mountains.
- For whitewater sports, head to the French Basque Country in spring: when the snow has melted, the water levels in the rivers are at their highest.
Annual weather in the French Basque country
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in the French Basque country 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 | 56°F | tolerable weather | |||
| April | 50°F to 65°F | good weather* | |||
| May | 56°F to 70°F | good weather | |||
| June | 61°F to 77°F | good weather | |||
| July | 65°F to 81°F | good weather | |||
| August | 63°F to 83°F | good weather | |||
| September | 59°F to 79°F | good weather | |||
| October | 54°F to 70°F | good weather | |||
| November | 50°F to 59°F | tolerable weather | |||
| December | 45°F to 56°F | tolerable weather* |
Best time to travel to French Basque Country by cities
Climate and Weather in the French Basque country
The climate in the French Basque Country is oceanic due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. As you move towards the Pyrenees range to the southeast, it can tend towards a mountain climate, especially above 1500 meters in altitude.
The weather in the French Basque Country, especially along the coast, is characterized by mild seasons with frequent rainfall. Temperature variations are quite low with relatively constant temperatures between day and night.
Summer in the French Basque Country
Between June and September, the climate in the French Basque Country is very pleasant, no matter which area you wish to explore:
- The temperatures are mild with averages around 17°C (63°F) at night and highs that do not exceed 30°C (86°F) at the hottest time of the day.
- Heatwaves are extremely rare thanks to the sea breezes that soften the atmosphere, as well as the Nive and Adour rivers.
- Rainfall is present, especially in June, but remains short and not intense. So, little chance of it ruining your stay!
Autumn in the French Basque Country
From late September to late October, we can truly speak of an Indian summer in the French Basque Country: temperatures are very mild, ranging from 20 to 25°C (77°F) during the day.
In November, a turning point is approaching: temperatures drop and clouds start to become more frequent. In return, the light is particularly beautiful and will offer you unforgettable sunsets on the beaches of Guéthary or Biarritz!
Winter in the French Basque Country
Along the coast, temperatures rarely drop below 5°C (41°F) and reach above 10°C (50°F) in the early afternoon. In the mountains, however, expect to feel cold: a great opportunity to engage in winter sports while being well covered!
Rainfall is very common during this season, and the sky can remain overcast all day. In January, it can rain half of the month around Ainhoa, so it's better to stay on the coast, which is less rainy.
In February, winds coming from the Atlantic and the Pyrenees are particularly strong on the coast. If you visit the French Basque Country during this period, it's best to explore the inland areas, such as the region of Arcangues, for example.
Spring in the French Basque Country
Temperatures gradually rise from late March and the winds become less violent. However, the season is very rainy, especially in May in the Ascain region.
In June, the climate is decidedly summery, with temperatures around 22°C (72°F) in Anglet.
In the mountains, spring is the ideal season to enjoy nature and visit villages that seem to come back to life after a harsh winter.
Temperatures and rainfall in the French Basque country
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of French Basque Country and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Bayonne, Biarritz, Bidart, Espelette and Hendaye, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in the French Basque country
Find out when French Basque Country 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 the French Basque country
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, June, October, November and December. The number of visitors to French Basque Country is high in: May, July, August and September.
- Very low season in the French Basque country: January, February and November.
- Low season in the French Basque country: March, April, June, October and December.
- High season in the French Basque country: May and September.
- Peak season in the French Basque country: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for French Basque Country month by month
Average price for flights to the French Basque country
A return flight between London and Biarritz is generally cheaper if you go in october ($ 104 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 125 more for your airline ticket to Biarritz if you go in december.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to the French Basque country
Where to go in the French Basque country?
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. |
| Bayonne | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Biarritz | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Bidart | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Espelette | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Hendaye | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 74°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 58°F | 54°F |
| Saint-Jean-de-Luz | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 74°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 58°F | 54°F |
| Ainhoa | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Anglet | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Arcangues | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Ascain | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 74°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 58°F | 54°F |
| Briscous | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Cambo-les-Bains | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Saint-Palais | 52°F | 54°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 79°F | 70°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Sare | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Souraïde | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Urrugne | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 74°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 58°F | 54°F |
| Ustaritz | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Bastide-Clairence | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Iholdy | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
| Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 76°F | 77°F | 74°F | 68°F | 59°F | 56°F |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
About French Basque Country
What can I do in the French Basque country?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Gastronomy
Is this weather information for French Basque Country reliable?
Climate data for French Basque Country has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for French Basque Country allows us to determine the average for each month in Bayonne, Biarritz, Bidart, Espelette, Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Ainhoa, Anglet, and 18 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.