Country guide
France weather by month
For France, choose summer for beach weather and late spring or early autumn for city days without the strongest heat. July and August share average daytime temperatures of 26°C, while the sea reaches 25°C in August. September stays useful for either kind of trip, with days averaging 22°C. Nice is warmer overall than Paris, so the choice between the Mediterranean coast and the capital matters as well as the month.
- Hottest month
- 25.9°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 9.4°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 24.8°CAugust
- Destinations tracked
- 2warmest: Nice
France, month by month
A little perspective
France through the year
Country figures are the mean of the 2 destinations listed below; individual resorts can differ by several degrees.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.4°C | 3.5°C | 13.9°C | 3.3 | 59 | 9 | 0% |
| February | 10.2°C | 3.3°C | 13.3°C | 4.1 | 54 | 9 | 0% |
| March | 13.2°C | 5.3°C | 13.4°C | 5.1 | 57 | 9 | 0% |
| April | 16.0°C | 7.7°C | 14.4°C | 5.7 | 66 | 11 | 1% |
| May | 19.6°C | 11.5°C | 17.4°C | 6.1 | 65 | 11 | 6% |
| Junebest | 23.1°C | 15.2°C | 21.1°C | 7.3 | 53 | 10 | 31% |
| Julybest | 25.8°C | 17.6°C | 23.9°C | 8.3 | 40 | 8 | 62% |
| Augustbest | 25.9°C | 17.8°C | 24.8°C | 7.4 | 43 | 8 | 62% |
| September | 22.1°C | 14.7°C | 22.7°C | 5.9 | 61 | 8 | 21% |
| October | 17.8°C | 11.5°C | 20.2°C | 4.1 | 86 | 10 | 1% |
| November | 13.0°C | 7.4°C | 17.7°C | 3.2 | 96 | 11 | 0% |
| December | 10.0°C | 4.4°C | 15.5°C | 3.1 | 76 | 10 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
When to go to France
Daytime highs average 25°C or more in July, August. The sea reaches a swimmable 22°C from July to September. Winter (December to February) averages 10°C by day - cool, closer to a British spring. November is the wettest month (96 mm) and July the driest (40 mm).
Destinations in France
Each has a 12-month table; our most searched places have month-by-month detail pages.
Warmest place in France each month
| Month | Warmest destination | Day | Coolest destination | Day | Warmest sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Nice | 12°C | Paris | 7°C | Nice 14°C |
| February | Nice | 12°C | Paris | 8°C | Nice 13°C |
| March | Nice | 15°C | Paris | 12°C | Nice 13°C |
| April | Nice | 17°C | Paris | 15°C | Nice 14°C |
| May | Nice | 21°C | Paris | 19°C | Nice 17°C |
| June | Nice | 24°C | Paris | 22°C | Nice 21°C |
| July | Nice | 27°C | Paris | 24°C | Nice 24°C |
| August | Nice | 28°C | Paris | 24°C | Nice 25°C |
| September | Nice | 24°C | Paris | 21°C | Nice 23°C |
| October | Nice | 20°C | Paris | 16°C | Nice 20°C |
| November | Nice | 15°C | Paris | 11°C | Nice 18°C |
| December | Nice | 12°C | Paris | 8°C | Nice 16°C |
The shape of the year
Winter is better suited to trips with indoor breaks than long days sitting outside. January averages 9°C by day, while February nights average 3°C, so a warm coat matters even when afternoons feel mild. March brings a gradual lift, and April is more comfortable for walking, though layers remain useful. May's 20°C daytime average makes it a sensible city-break choice, rather than a reliable warm-sea month. June starts the warmer stretch, with July and August the hottest months. September keeps much of that warmth; October feels cooler, particularly after dark. By November and December, plan around shorter outdoor outings and warmer clothing.
Paris or Nice: match the place to the plan
Nice is the warmer choice overall, with an average daytime temperature across the year of about 19°C, compared with about 16°C in Paris. That makes Nice the better fit if warmth is your priority, while Paris suits a trip where comfortable walking weather matters more than swimming. For city days, May and September offer a useful balance between warmth and cooler evenings. April and October can also work if you pack layers and accept less warmth. In July and August, leave room for breaks from the midday heat rather than planning continuous walking. Do not treat the France-wide monthly averages as an exact forecast for either city.
When to go for the beach
For a beach-focused stay in Nice, July and August are the clearest choices in the seasonal pattern: warm days coincide with monthly sea averages of 24°C and 25°C. June is a reasonable earlier option, but its 21°C sea average will feel cooler when you first get in. September is a strong alternative if swimming matters, with the sea still averaging 23°C even as the air cools. October's 20°C sea average may suit travellers happy with cooler water, but it is less convincing for a trip built around warmth. Summer is not rain-free, so keep a flexible plan rather than expecting every day to be a beach day.
A little more detail
France weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
When is the best time to visit France?
Weighing warmth, low rainfall and sunshine across 2 destinations, the best months for France are July, August, June. August is the hottest month (average high 25.9°C) and January the coolest (9.4°C).
How many months is France over 25°C?
2 months average a daytime high of 25°C or more across our France destinations.
Which is the hottest place in France?
Over the year, Nice has the highest average daytime temperature of the 2 France destinations we track (18.8°C averaged across all months).
Is spring a good time for a city break in France?
Yes, especially if you prefer walking to swimming. May averages 20°C by day and 11°C at night, so bring a light layer for evenings. April is cooler, and both months average 11 rain days, making a waterproof useful.
Is France warm enough for a winter holiday?
For sightseeing with warm clothing, yes; for a warm-weather beach trip, winter is a poor fit. December and February average 10°C by day, with colder nights. Nice is warmer overall than Paris, but you should still plan for coats and indoor breaks.
Does September still work for swimming?
September is a sensible choice if you want warm water without the peak summer air temperatures. The monthly sea average is 23°C, against daytime temperatures of 22°C. Evenings average 15°C, so pack something warmer for after you leave the water.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C