Weather in France in January

January climate overview

Daytime highs across France in January run from 7.1°C (Paris) to 11.6°C (Nice). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in France in January. Nights average 3.5°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Paris fall to -4°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 9 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Nice the driest (7 days) and Paris the wettest (11 days). The wettest January at Nice between 1991 and 2020 was 2014 with 223 mm; the driest was 2000 with 8 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 13.9°C around France in January. That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.3 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.1 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in France

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in France. It is 0.6°C cooler than December and 0.8°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (26°C) and the coolest January (9°C).

Which part of France in January?

• Most sunshine: Nice, 4.5 h a day.
• Driest: Nice, about 7 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Nice, 14°C.
• Hottest: Nice, 12°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Paris, 7°C.

What to pack for France in January

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 9°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 4°C; a rain jacket - roughly 9 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of France's January daytime average: Dubrovnik (11°C, sea 14°C), Budva (11°C, sea 14°C), Halkidiki (10°C, sea 14°C), Split (10°C, sea 14°C), Madrid (10°C). See the full ranking for January.

Nice for milder days, Paris if cold is not a concern

For the milder option, choose Nice on the Mediterranean coast. Its 12°C daytime average makes time outdoors more comfortable than in Paris, though nights of 5°C still call for a warm coat. Nice also has fewer rainy days: 7 compared with 11 in Paris. That gives it the better balance if walking outdoors matters to your trip, without making it a reliably dry choice. Paris averages 7°C by day and 2°C at night, so it suits travellers happy to alternate outdoor time with indoor stops. Neither destination offers beach warmth; the choice is between a milder winter break and a colder one.

Pack for cool weather and keep plans flexible

Across France, the January averages point to a trip built around layers and flexible plans. With 9 rainy days and 3.3 hours of sunshine, do not make every day depend on clear skies. Take a warm outer layer, something waterproof and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet weather. Keep warmer clothing handy for evenings rather than dressing only for the daytime temperature. The sea average of 14°C makes this a poor month for a conventional swimming holiday, including in Nice. January works better if you enjoy being out in cool conditions and can move longer walks to whichever part of the day looks most settled.