Weather in France in December

December climate overview

Daytime highs across France in December run from 7.5°C (Paris) to 12.4°C (Nice). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in France in December. Nights average 4.4°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Paris fall to -3°C or below.

Rainfall in December

Expect around 10 rainy days (1 mm or more) in December, with Nice the driest (8 days) and Paris the wettest (13 days). The wettest December at Nice between 1991 and 2020 was 2008 with 204 mm; the driest was 1991 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 15.5°C around France in December. That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.1 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 8.8 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

December against the rest of the year in France

December is the 11th warmest month of the twelve in France. It is 3.1°C cooler than November and 0.6°C cooler in January. The hottest month here is August (26°C) and the coolest January (9°C).

Which part of France in December?

• Most sunshine: Nice, 4.2 h a day.
• Driest: Nice, about 8 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Nice, 16°C.
• Hottest: Nice, 12°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Paris, 8°C.

What to pack for France in December

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 10°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 4°C; a rain jacket - roughly 10 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in December

Within 1.5°C of France's December daytime average: Halkidiki (11°C, sea 16°C), Split (11°C, sea 16°C), Tokyo (11°C, sea 16°C), Thassos (10°C, sea 14°C), Pula (10°C, sea 14°C). See the full ranking for December.

Nice for milder days, not beach weather

Choose Nice if your priority is spending time outdoors without quite as much cold. Average daytime temperatures of 12°C make it the warmer option compared with Paris, though this is still coat weather rather than reliable warmth. Nights average 6°C, so bring a warm layer if you plan to stay out after dark. With 8 rainy days, a waterproof jacket is useful even in the milder destination. The sea averages 16°C, which is cold for a casual holiday swim. Nice therefore suits travellers who want gentler winter conditions and time by the coast, but not those hoping to spend December in swimwear.

Paris for travellers comfortable with cold and rain

Paris makes more sense if mild weather is not your main reason for travelling. Its average daytime temperature of 8°C matches London in December, while nights fall to 2°C. Pack a warm coat, layers and shoes that can cope with wet conditions; evenings are likely to feel much less comfortable without them. Paris also has 12 rainy days compared with Nice's 8, so avoid making every plan depend on staying outdoors. Give yourself room to switch between outside time and indoor breaks. It is a reasonable December choice for travellers who accept winter weather, but Nice is the better fit if cold and rain would spoil the trip.