In this story · 6 sections
Ask when to visit the French Riviera and most people will say summer. They are not wrong, but they are only half right. Nice and its neighbours have a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, and the city is described as one of the warmest Mediterranean climates for its latitude: dry, sunny summers, mild winters, and two transitional seasons with much to recommend them. The right month depends on what you want – swimming, cities, events or simply light.
01The Riviera in numbers
The figures below are for Nice, from the climate guide Sunheron and Wikipedia's summary of the city's records. Note that Nice's official readings are taken at the airport, by the sea, so the town itself can be warmer in summer.
At a glance
| Month | Average high | Sea |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 °C | 14 °C |
| February | 13 °C | 13 °C |
| April | 17 °C | – |
| May | 21 °C | 17 °C |
| June | 25 °C | 20 °C |
| July | 28 °C | 23 °C |
| August | 28 °C | 24 °C |
| September | 25 °C | – |
| October | 21 °C | 19 °C |
| November | 16 °C | 17 °C |
| December | 13 °C | 15 °C |
02Winter: December to February
In the nineteenth century the Riviera was a winter resort – Menton's carnival began in 1875 to entertain its winter guests – and the reasons are still evident: days of 11 to 17 °C, cool nights, frost unusual and snow rare. The last snowfall in Nice was on 26 February 2018. The weather is variable, sunny and dry one day and damp the next, so pack for both. February brings the Nice Carnival and Menton's Fête du Citron. For museums, markets and long lunches in the sun, winter is underrated.
03Spring: March to May
Spring starts cool and often rainy in late March and warms steadily, with average highs rising from about 15 °C in March to 21 °C in May. The sea is still cool for most swimmers – around 17 °C in May. April brings the Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament, and May the Cannes Film Festival, followed by the Monaco Grand Prix in late May or early June. For those not attending, these are weeks when Cannes and Monaco are at their busiest; elsewhere on the coast, late spring is lovely.
04Summer: June to August
Summers are warm to hot, dry and sunny. July typically records only one or two days of measurable rain, and the average maximum in July and August is around 27 to 28 °C, rarely above 32 °C; the record is 37.7 °C, set on 1 August 2006. The sea reaches about 20 °C in June and 23 to 24 °C in July and August. June is the sweet spot for many: long days, warm water, and the calm after the Grand Prix. July brings Jazz à Juan to the pine grove at Juan-les-Pins. August brings the warmest sea of the year.
05Autumn: September to November
Autumn generally starts sunny in September and grows cloudier and rainier into October, but temperatures usually stay above 20 °C until November, when days cool to around 17 °C. The sea holds its summer warmth well – still around 19 °C in October. September brings the Monaco Yacht Show and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, and for many visitors it is the best month of all. Our guide to Antibes after summer makes the case.
06So, when?
For swimming and long evenings: June or September. For the full summer scene: July. For cities, art and winter light: January to March. For events: check the dates first, then decide whether to aim for them or avoid them. Wherever you land, our city guides help – Monaco on vpios.com, the Riviera towns on verapi.fr, and more in our travel section.
