Weather in France in November

November climate overview

Daytime highs across France in November run from 10.7°C (Paris) to 15.3°C (Nice). Days over 25°C are rare anywhere in France in November. Nights average 7.3°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Paris fall to 0°C or below.

Rainfall in November

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in November, with Nice the driest (10 days) and Paris the wettest (12 days). The wettest November at Nice between 1991 and 2020 was 2014 with 380 mm; the driest was 2015 with 15 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 17.7°C around France in November. That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.2 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 9.4 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

November against the rest of the year in France

November is the 9th warmest month of the twelve in France. It is 4.8°C cooler than October and 3.1°C cooler in December. The hottest month here is August (26°C) and the coolest January (9°C).

Which part of France in November?

• Most sunshine: Nice, 4.1 h a day.
• Driest: Nice, about 10 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Nice, 18°C.
• Hottest: Nice, 15°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Paris, 11°C.

What to pack for France in November

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 13°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 7°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in November

Within 1.5°C of France's November daytime average: Thassos (15°C, sea 17°C), Istanbul (14°C, sea 15°C), Florence (14°C), Pula (14°C, sea 17°C), Madrid (14°C). See the full ranking for November.

Nice is the better choice for mild weather

Choose Nice if warmth is your main deciding factor. Its average daytime temperature of 15°C makes time outdoors more comfortable than in Paris, though it is still jacket weather rather than summer weather. Nights average 10°C, so bring a warmer layer if you plan to stay out after dark. The catch is rain: with 10 rainy days, you should keep outdoor plans flexible rather than build the whole trip around dry conditions. The sea averages 18°C, which will feel cool to many swimmers. Nice therefore suits travellers wanting milder days by the coast, not those seeking hot afternoons and easy beach weather.

Paris needs warmer layers and flexible plans

Paris is the cooler option, averaging 11°C by day and 5°C at night. A warm coat and layers are more useful than light holiday clothing, especially if your plans involve standing or sitting outdoors. With 12 rainy days, waterproof footwear and a rainproof outer layer can make the difference between carrying on comfortably and cutting an outing short. Keep longer outdoor stretches for the more favourable weather and leave room for indoor breaks. Paris suits travellers who do not need warmth to enjoy a trip; if you want to spend most of the day outside with less chill, Nice is the better fit.