Best time to visit France

The climate in France through the year

When to go

France scores highest on Eddigo’s travel score in May–September, with an average of 79 out of 100 in July across the 19 destinations Eddigo covers. Daytime highs in July range from 21°C in Sangatte to 31°C in Plage de Clugny. April and October are a fair alternative. The lowest average is in January (27), with daytime highs from 7°C to 29°C.

Where in the country

In July, the highest scores are in Marseille (100), Plages du Prado (100) and Giens Peninsula (96), while Plage de Clugny scores 27. The destinations do not all peak at the same time:

• July: Paris, Nice, Lyon, Marseille, La Faute-sur-Mer and 4 more
• August: Bordeaux, Sangatte, Côte d'Argent, Saint-Gilles and Côte de Lumière
• June: Wissant, Port Grimaud, Giens Peninsula and Paramé
• February: Plage de Clugny

Warmest, coolest, wettest and driest

Over the year, Plage de Clugny is the warmest destination (daytime highs averaging 30°C) and Sangatte the coolest (14°C). Plage de Clugny gets the most precipitation, about 2,660 mm a year, and Côte Bleue the least, about 580 mm. The highest-lying is Bonneval-sur-Arc at about 2,650 m. The warmest sea is at Plage de Clugny: 30°C in September.

By type of trip

The best months change with what you want to do. With Eddigo’s trip types, France averages 65 or more in these months:

• Beach holiday: June–August. Best in August: Marseille (99), Plages du Prado (99) and Port Grimaud (99)
• City break: March–October. Best in September: Marseille (86), Nice (83) and Lyon (76)
• Hiking: June and September. Best in June: Plages du Prado (81), Giens Peninsula (81) and Marseille (79)
• Skiing: January. Deepest snow in January: Peisey-Vallandry (about 110 cm), Arc 1600 (about 110 cm) and Champagny-en-Vanoise (about 110 cm)