Best time to go to Nantes Average weather of Nantes, Pays de la Loire
Lucie Lhortolat and Tony Samson last update: 17/04/2024When is the best time to go to Nantes?
Located in Loire-Atlantique, in the northwest of France, Nantes is a particularly pleasant city to visit. The best time to visit Nantes and enjoy favorable weather is between the months of May and October.
Indeed, spring allows you to enjoy relatively sunny weather and a mild atmosphere. From May onwards, temperatures can even reach around 20°C (68°F) at times.
During the summer, you will find sunny weather that will allow you to fully enjoy the city on foot. The average temperatures range between 17 and 25°C (77°F) in July and August, making the heat pleasant without being stifling.
Moreover, in the heart of summer, the temperature of the ocean, located 50km away, averages around 17 or 20°C (68°F) . This will allow you to swim near Nantes on the sunniest days.
Furthermore, if you are wondering when to visit Nantes to enjoy a quieter atmosphere than in summer, you can opt for the months of September and October. Indeed, the weather remains favorable during these months with mostly blue skies. Although showers are more frequent from October onwards, temperatures remain mild and the sun is often shining.
Finally, to completely avoid tourist crowds, you can choose to travel to Nantes in winter. With temperatures around 10°C (50°F) in December and ranging from 5 to 10°C (50°F) from January to March, the cold remains tolerable in this region.
However, rainfall is abundant during this period, especially from November to February. Fortunately, Nantes has many monuments and museums to visit, such as the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany or the Museum of Arts of Nantes. They can provide shelter and warmth when the weather is not favorable.
Additionally, if you visit Nantes during the low tourist season, keep in mind that some tourist sites may be closed. For example, this is the case for the famous Machines of the Isle, which are usually closed during the month of January.
So, when is the best time to go to Nantes? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:
- The best months for good weather in Nantes are May, June, July, August, September and October
- On average, the warmest months are July, August and September
- The coldest months are January and February
- The rainiest months are November and December
- The best months for swimming are July, August, September and October
Annual weather in Nantes
Weather details in Nantes month by month
Weather and climate in Nantes
Just like the neighboring cities of Brest and Saint-Nazaire, the city of Nantes has a temperate oceanic climate. Therefore, humidity is present throughout the year. Generally, precipitation is of low intensity, but rainy days are frequent.
In Nantes, winters are cool and very rainy, while summers are slightly drier and warmer.
Nantes Climate in Winter
Nantes experiences relatively mild winters, with temperatures remaining above freezing. In December, temperatures range from about 7 to 10°C (50°F) , and from 5 to 10°C (50°F) from January to March.
However, winter is a very wet season in this city. Expect nearly 10 rainy days in December, and over 100mm of rainfall per month from November to February. Moreover, when it's not raining, the sky is generally quite grey. Nevertheless, snowfall in Nantes is rare.
Lastly, with a bit of luck, know that the sun can make an appearance in the Nantes sky, even in the heart of winter. The weather in Nantes in winter is not so unfavorable, although a bit unpredictable.
Nantes Climate in Summer
Summer in Nantes is undoubtedly the most beautiful season in terms of climate. Indeed, temperatures are high, even hot. For example, in July and August, they range from 17 to 25°C (77°F) on average.
Furthermore, the temperature of the nearby Atlantic Ocean is between 17 and 20°C (68°F) in the heart of summer. Thus, the most courageous can swim around Nantes during this season or engage in water activities.
Moreover, the sunshine duration is particularly high in summer. Precipitation is lower compared to other times of the year. Therefore, you can expect many sunny days during your stay in Nantes in summer. It's an ideal time to discover the city!
Nantes Climate in Spring
Early spring is quite cool in Nantes. Indeed, until April, temperatures can be below 10°C (50°F) , especially early or late in the day.
However, this period is less rainy compared to winter. Of course, a few showers may occur, but they are rare. This will allow you to enjoy your outdoor visits.
Furthermore, from May onwards, temperatures increase and vary between 11 and 20°C (68°F) approximately. In June, the climate becomes increasingly dry and warm, hinting at the arrival of summer.
In summary, spring is a very good time to travel to Nantes, especially from May onwards.
Nantes Climate in Autumn
The climate in Nantes during autumn is quite humid. Although temperatures remain mild, precipitation tends to increase from October onwards.
Nevertheless, one can still expect a majority of sunny days during autumn, especially until the end of October.
However, from November onwards, rains become abundant and temperatures drop. You can expect averages between 10 and 15°C (59°F) during this month.
Therefore, it is advisable to plan a trip during the months of September and October, when temperatures remain around 15-20°C.
Charts: temperature and rainfall in Nantes
In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of Nantes: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, sea temperature, and relative humidity for each month of the year.
Outside temperature
Precipitation (rainfall)
Daily sunshine hours
Sea temperature
Humidity
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Nantes
Find out when Nantes 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 Nantes
- Very low season in Nantes
The months with the lowest number of tourists are: January, February and March. - Low season in Nantes
The months with low numbers of tourists are: April, November and December. - High season in Nantes
The number of visitors to Nantes is high in: May, June, July, September and October. - Peak season in Nantes
The largest number of tourists visiting Nantes is during: August.
Figure: Visitor index for Nantes month by month
Best time for low prices in Nantes
Average prices of hotels in Nantes month by month
Generally, August is the month with the lowest hotel prices in Nantes. So this is a great time to save on your holiday! In contrast, March is statistically the most expensive month of the year for hotels.
Find the best price for your hotel room
Average price for flights to Nantes
A return flight between London and Nantes is generally cheaper if you go in september ($ 68 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 69 more for your airline ticket to Nantes if you go in december.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Nantes
Average price of hiring a car in Nantes
On average, it costs $ 42 per day to hire a car in Nantes. This price varies by $ 14 depending on the month. In march, hiring a car costs an average of $ 37 per 24 hours, so this is the best time to save money! In contrast, the average price in july is $ 50.
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Best time to go to the Pays de la Loire region
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