Best time to go to the French Riviera and Provence 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 Riviera and Provence?
Even though this destination is pleasant all year round, the best time to visit the French Riviera and Provence is from early May to late October. During this period, you can be sure to have splendid weather to enjoy this beautiful region to the fullest: sunshine and warmth will be on the agenda!
When to visit the French Riviera and Provence based on your interests?
- For hiking in the hinterland or in the Calanques National Park, it's best to avoid the heat of July and August, especially since shaded areas are rare and the vegetation is low. Therefore, the months of May and June, as well as September and October, are ideal: the weather is perfect for walking without suffering!
- For diving and swimming: you can see many animal species between early April and late October. However, it's between July and September that the water temperature is most pleasant, with averages ranging from 23 to 25°C (77°F) .
- To visit while avoiding crowds, prefer the shoulder seasons: May-June and September-October. Even though the weather is perfect in July and August, it's also the school holidays and the French Riviera and Provence is one of the most touristy destinations in France.
- To enjoy the sun, even in the middle of winter, the months of December and March are neither too cold nor too rainy along the coast. So, there are high chances that you'll have beautiful days to stroll around and visit in peace!
- For skiing, the resorts in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes Maritimes offer a perfect setting between December and March.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Digne-les-Bains, Manosque, Sisteron...
Alpes-Maritimes
Nice, Cannes, Antibes...
Bouches-du-Rhône
Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, La Ciotat...
Gard
Bagnols-sur-Ceze, Pont-Saint-Esprit...
Principality of Monaco
Monaco...
Var
Toulon, Saint-Tropez, Fréjus...
Vaucluse
Avignon, Orange, Carpentras...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in French Riviera and Provence for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
French Riviera and Provence in january French Riviera and Provence in february French Riviera and Provence in march French Riviera and Provence in april French Riviera and Provence in may French Riviera and Provence in june French Riviera and Provence in july French Riviera and Provence in august French Riviera and Provence in september French Riviera and Provence in october French Riviera and Provence in november French Riviera and Provence in december
Best time to travel to French Riviera and Provence by cities
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence 
Alpes-Maritimes 
Bouches-du-Rhône 
Gard 
Principality of Monaco 
Var 
Vaucluse 
Climate and Weather in French Riviera and Provence
This part of the PACA region is located in the extreme Southeast of France, bordering Italy. Thus, the climate in Provence-French Riviera is of three types:
- Mediterranean along the coast and in the nearby hinterland, as well as in the low-lying areas of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, for example in the Durance valley.
- Mountainous on the first high reliefs of the Prealps, around Digne.
- Alpine further north, notably in the Upper Verdon and Ubaye valley.
Even in the far south the relief is very present, which can have a significant influence on the weather in Provence-Côte d'Azur. For example:
- In summer, it will be hotter in Brignoles than in Toulon, where the atmosphere is more cooled by the mistral.
- In winter, it will be colder in Aix-en-Provence than in Marseille, protected by the maritime currents of the Mediterranean.
Summer in Provence-Côte d'Azur
From late June to late September, Provence-Côte d'Azur experiences perfect weather: it is hot, sunny, and rainy days are rare. It is the ideal season to discover all the splendors it has to offer, especially if you want to enjoy the pleasures of swimming!
Although an occasional storm may break out in the late afternoon, precipitation is almost non-existent during this time of the year. Thanks to the mistral, the sky is clear and offers long sunny days, perfect for relaxing in the shade, listening to the sweet sound of cicadas.
In Vaucluse, the heat can be overwhelming in the peak of summer, but along the coast temperatures remain reasonable, rarely exceeding 30°C (86°F) in Marseille or Nice. But if you fear the heat, you'll need to head to higher altitudes, for example in the Barcelonnette region, located at over 1100 meters.
In Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, thunderstorms can be more frequent and intense. Nevertheless, this remains rare, and it is the season to prioritize for exploring the area and engaging in sports activities (mountain biking, hiking, swimming in lakes and rivers, etc.)
Fall in Provence-Côte d'Azur
In autumn, the climate in Provence-Côte d'Azur remains very pleasant, especially along the coast and in the hinterland. Summer often lingers on the coast, and it is not uncommon to sunbathe and swim during the All Saints' holiday.
The forests of the Prealps display fantastic colors, making it a good season for hiking. While it is cooler than in the southern part of the region, the weather is mild and allows for unforgettable walks.
It is in November that the weather truly begins to change:
- Temperatures drop and the temperature difference between day and night becomes more significant. However, on windless days, it is entirely possible to have lunch on a terrace and go on beautiful hikes.
- Rainfall can be abundant. November, for example, is the rainiest month of the year in Toulon and Marseille. However, it is very rare for it to rain for several consecutive days: a very heavy rain curtain falls for a day, giving way to clear blue skies the next day!
Winter in Provence-Côte d'Azur
Winter is the least favorable season to visit Provence-Côte d'Azur:
- Temperatures drop significantly, especially in January and February, which are the coldest months.
- Rainfall can occur along the coast.
- The mistral is icy.
Nevertheless, the climate is one of the most pleasant in France, with abundant sunshine and temperatures mostly around 10°C (50°F) .
If you enjoy winter sports, it is the ideal season for skiing as there is plenty of snow in the mountains. Another advantage: the resorts in this region are less expensive than those in the Alps and offer reasonable accommodation prices.
Spring in Provence-Côte d'Azur
A transitional season, it can be divided into two distinct parts:
- End of March and April are rainy, and snow is still present in the ski resorts. Temperatures rise slowly, but it remains cool.
- May and June offer a real taste of summer! Temperatures are summery, and rainfall becomes increasingly rare. In the mountains, meadows are adorned with colorful flowers, and the coastal scrubland is bustling. The only downside: the sea water is still quite cold, unless you plan to wear a light wetsuit or are brave.
Temperatures and rainfall in French Riviera and Provence
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of French Riviera and Provence and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Marseille, Cannes, Monaco, Nice and Saint-Tropez, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in French Riviera and Provence
Find out when French Riviera and Provence 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 French Riviera and Provence
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, November and December. The number of visitors to French Riviera and Provence is high in: April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season in French Riviera and Provence: January.
- Low season in French Riviera and Provence: February, March, November and December.
- High season in French Riviera and Provence: April, May, June, September and October.
- Peak season in French Riviera and Provence: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for French Riviera and Provence month by month
Average price for flights to the French Riviera and Provence
A return flight between Montreal and Marseille is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 611 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 294 more for your airline ticket to Marseille if you go in july.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to the French Riviera and Provence
Where to go in French Riviera and Provence?
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. |
| Marseille | 52°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Cannes | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Monaco | 52°F | 52°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F | 54°F |
| Nice | 52°F | 52°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 79°F | 74°F | 67°F | 59°F | 54°F |
| Saint-Tropez | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 56°F |
| Toulon | 54°F | 54°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 77°F | 68°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Aix-en-Provence | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 72°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 79°F | 70°F | 59°F | 52°F |
| Antibes | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Avignon | 50°F | 54°F | 61°F | 68°F | 74°F | 85°F | 90°F | 90°F | 81°F | 70°F | 59°F | 52°F |
| Bormes-les-Mimosas | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Cassis | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Digne-les-Bains | 45°F | 47°F | 54°F | 61°F | 67°F | 76°F | 83°F | 83°F | 74°F | 65°F | 54°F | 47°F |
| Fréjus | 54°F | 56°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 79°F | 70°F | 63°F | 56°F |
| Hyères | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Isola 2000 | 41°F | 41°F | 49°F | 56°F | 61°F | 70°F | 76°F | 76°F | 68°F | 59°F | 49°F | 43°F |
| Juan-les-Pins | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| La Ciotat | 52°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Lavandou | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Menton | 52°F | 52°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 81°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F | 54°F |
| Orange | 50°F | 54°F | 61°F | 68°F | 74°F | 85°F | 90°F | 90°F | 81°F | 70°F | 59°F | 52°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About French Riviera and Provence
What can I do in French Riviera and Provence?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for French Riviera and Provence reliable?
Climate data for French Riviera and Provence has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for French Riviera and Provence allows us to determine the average for each month in Marseille, Cannes, Monaco, Nice, Saint-Tropez, Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, Antibes, and 118 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.