Weather in France in April

April climate overview

Daytime highs across France in April run from 15.1°C (Paris) to 16.9°C (Nice). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in France in April. Nights average 7.7°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Paris fall to 2°C or below.

Rainfall in April

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in April, with Nice the driest (10 days) and Paris the wettest (11 days). The wettest April at Nice between 1991 and 2020 was 1993 with 180 mm; the driest was 2006 with 16 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 14.4°C around France in April. That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 13.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

April against the rest of the year in France

April is the 7th warmest month of the twelve in France. It is 2.8°C warmer than March and 3.6°C warmer in May. The hottest month here is August (26°C) and the coolest January (9°C).

Which part of France in April?

• Most sunshine: Nice, 6.3 h a day.
• Driest: Nice, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Nice, 14°C.
• Hottest: Nice, 17°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Paris, 15°C.

What to pack for France in April

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 16°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 8°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in April

Within 1.5°C of France's April daytime average: Puglia (18°C, sea 14°C), Porto (18°C, sea 14°C), Parga (18°C, sea 16°C), Budva (17°C, sea 15°C), Barcelona (17°C, sea 14°C). See the full ranking for April.

Nice or Paris: where is warmer?

Choose Nice if warmth matters most. Its average daytime temperature of 17°C is comfortable for walking without strong heat, and nights at 10°C are milder than in Paris, though still jacket weather. Paris averages 15°C by day and 6°C at night, so the temperature drop matters if you plan to stay out into the evening. For comparison, London averages 14°C by day in April: Paris offers only a modest improvement, while Nice has a clearer edge. Nice also has slightly fewer rainy days, but neither destination is a reliable dry-weather choice. The coast makes more sense for time outdoors than for warm-water swimming.

What to pack and how to plan your days

Pack for changing conditions rather than summer heat. A light waterproof jacket, comfortable closed shoes and layers you can remove during a walk are more useful than a suitcase built around beachwear. With 11 rainy days across the month on average, leave room to move outdoor plans around showers and have an indoor alternative ready. Average sunshine of 5.7 hours a day gives April some appeal, but does not promise clear skies throughout your stay. Use the warmer part of the day for longer spells outside, then add a layer as temperatures fall. Travellers who prefer mild conditions to heat should find April a reasonable fit.