Weather in France in May

May climate overview

Daytime highs across France in May run from 18.6°C (Paris) to 20.6°C (Nice). Even in Nice only 6% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 11.4°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Paris fall to 6°C or below.

Rainfall in May

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in May, with Nice the driest (10 days) and Paris the wettest (12 days). The wettest May at Nice between 1991 and 2020 was 2013 with 138 mm; the driest was 2000 with 13 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 17.4°C around France in May. That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 14.5 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

May against the rest of the year in France

May is the 5th warmest month of the twelve in France. It is 3.6°C warmer than April and 3.5°C warmer in June. The hottest month here is August (26°C) and the coolest January (9°C).

Which part of France in May?

• Most sunshine: Nice, 6.8 h a day.
• Driest: Nice, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Nice, 17°C.
• Hottest: Nice, 21°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Paris, 19°C.

What to pack for France in May

Based on the averages: light layers - warm in the sun, cooler in the shade; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 11°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in May

Within 1.5°C of France's May daytime average: Lido di Jesolo (21°C, sea 18°C), Kos (21°C, sea 19°C), Zante (21°C, sea 19°C), Lanzarote (21°C, sea 20°C), Kefalonia (21°C, sea 19°C). See the full ranking for May.

Nice for warmer days, but cool swimming

Choose Nice if warmth is your priority. Days average 21°C and nights 13°C, making it the warmer option for both daytime outings and evenings outside. That is comfortable rather than reliably hot: just 6% of days exceed 25°C, so do not plan around summer heat. Light clothes can work during the warmer part of the day, but bring a jumper or jacket for later. Rain occurs on 10 days on average, so a waterproof layer still earns its place in your bag. The sea averages 17°C, which makes time by the water a safer bet than long, leisurely swims if you dislike cold water.

Paris for mild exploring, with layers and a rain plan

Paris is a good fit if you prefer exploring in mild weather to seeking heat. The daytime average is 19°C, but nights fall to 10°C, so an outfit that feels right in the afternoon may be too light after dark. Pack a warmer layer and comfortable shoes that can cope with wet conditions. With 12 rainy days on average, it helps to keep indoor options available rather than fixing every outdoor plan in advance. France averages 6 hours of sunshine a day in May, which supports a mixed-weather approach: make use of bright spells, but do not expect uninterrupted sunshine. Pick Paris for comfortable daytime temperatures, not warm evenings.